Beware of travel scams when planning a summer vacation
WINK News
LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is advising Southwest Florida residents to be on the lookout for scammers who are turning summer travel plans into nightmares.
1. Watch out for “travel clubs” that promise their “paid members” will receive greatly reduced luxury cruises, cut rate prices at five-star resorts, and vague promises of free airline tickets with no strings attached for attending an invitation only, no-obligation “presentation”. Often these services do little except charge your credit card every month and provide few if any benefits.
2. Beware of timeshare deals that involve high-pressure sales pitches. These seminars are often thinly-veiled ways to get consumers to sign a contract that is full of hidden fees and traps.
3. Watch out for unsolicited e-mails, phone calls and faxes offering hard-to-believe deals on travel to desirable locations. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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May 2, 2012
Better read the fine print on that contest that found its way into your junk mail
from KMOV
by Chris Nagus
ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- A Missouri company is the target of several complaints from around the world.
The Missouri Attorney General already cracked down on this company once, and now News 4’s Chris Nagus is asking Attorney General Chris Koster if it's time to crack down again.
Chris Nagus got calls from multiple St. Louisians who got letters in the mail with what appeared to be a check for $15,000.
The letters came from the impressive sounding International Award Payment Center.
It is advertised as a contest of skill; asking you to answer a question and enclose a $9 check with your answer.
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April 27, 2012
DOT warns truckers of scam letters
from DC Velocity
by Mark B. Solomon
The Department of Transportation is warning trucking companies of a recurring identity theft scheme involving a series of fraudulent letters from a fictitious DOT procurement officer seeking financial information from the targeted companies.
The latest round of fake letters, dated March 16, are purportedly from the "U.S. Department of Transportation Procurement Office" and signed by the fictitious name of "Julie Weynel," according to a notice posted in late March on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) website. The FMCSA, a sub-agency of DOT, regulates the safety of the nation's motor carriers.
The faxed letters ask recipients to provide bank account information on an "Authorization to Release Financial Information" form, according to FMCSA. The letter is typically signed by someone claiming to be a "Senior Procurement Officer" at DOT and appears on U.S. Department of Transportation letterhead containing a Washington, D.C., address, but with little other identifying information, the agency said.
DOT procurement representatives only request financial information in reference to specific contracts awarded, FMCSA said. DOT does not request financial information from prospective contractors wishing to submit a bid proposal or a quote. In addition, all direct communication from DOT is accompanied by detailed contact information, FMCSA said.
FMCSA has advised truckers not to respond to the fraudulent correspondence.
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April 24, 2012
Identity thieves are stealing credit reports
from WPXI
PITTSBURGH — Target 11 has learned that identity thieves are posing as loan officers to steal people's credit reports. Once they have that information they can trash your good name. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor uncovers how the scheme works.
What's frightening about this crime is that anybody can be a victim. All it takes is someone with a little computer know-how to hack into a database.
Once they have your name, Social Security number and date of birth, they can steal your credit report and then rack up charges in your name.
"All I want to do is protect myself, and quite honestly anyone else who is listening," said Nancy Gelzheiser as she sat down to tell me her story.
The Whitehall woman was paying her Discover Card bill when she noticed an unauthorized charge for $14.95 to one of the major credit bureaus.
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April 23, 2012
Vehicle billboard scam driven by need for cash
from The Columbus Dispatch
by Kurt Ludlow
As a retired elementary-school teacher living on a fixed income, Jean Champoux knows all too well that gasoline bills can add up fast.
“When I retired from teaching, I decided I wanted to join the electric-car revolution,” the 77-year-old Westerville resident said, pulling away from the curb in a sporty red hybrid.
“This is my second Prius.”
It’s no wonder, then, that a recent email from “Link Consulting” caught Champoux’s attention: The company said it wanted to place an advertising “wrap” on her vehicle — one of those oversize vinyl decals more often associated with city buses.
“I thought, ‘Well, that’d be kinda nice — 200-and-some dollars a month just to drive my car around and help to pay for the gas,’” she said.
Champoux expressed interest, and, before long, a packet arrived by Express Mail.
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April 23, 2012
6 tips to keep you safe from Nigerian money scams
from Middletown Journal
by John North
Everyone dreams of being a millionaire someday. And, with the help of a scam artist from Nigeria or another foreign country, they can make sure you are or will they?
They claim all you have to do is wire funds or provide personal information. But, this is another case of if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
These scams have been around for decades and used to be called “Nigerian Letters” because they often originated from Nigeria and came in the mail or by fax, but now because of the explosion of technology, they’re hitting cell phones and e-mail inboxes. The National Consumer League ranked Nigerian money offers as one of the most popular scams of 2011.
Don’t be fooled, these promises to make you rich are never true. The purpose of this scam is to drain your bank account, not fill it up.
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April 17, 2012
Jamaican Lottery Scams Spread Despite Crackdown
from The Huffington Post
by David McFadden
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- The 88-year-old retired Coast Guard officer hadn't been outside the U.S. in decades. Yet phone calls started pouring in from Jamaica, dangling the prospects of huge winnings from an international lottery that he had won.
There was a catch, of course. He had to send a check to pay the tax on his winnings. He wired the money to Jamaica. Soon he was ensnared in a scam that may cost him his home in an assisted living facility outside Seattle.
"It's been heartbreaking," said Ruth Wilson, a Seattle woman trying to clean up the financial fiasco that she said has cost her frail parents about $250,000, nearly all of their retirement savings.
U.S. officials say that is just a tiny fraction that cross-border lottery frauds haul in each year, disproportionately from the elderly. The schemes are so entrenched in Jamaica that some American police departments have begun warning elderly residents to be wary of calls from Jamaica's 876 telephone code, which resembles the three-digit area codes used in the United States.
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April 11, 2012
Tips to Avoid Becoming Elder Financial Abuse Victim
from Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog
by Levin and Perconti
Each Chicago elder abuse attorney at our firm continues to warn local seniors about the risks of falling for a scam or other form of elder financial exploitation. Perhaps more than any other single form of abuse, more seniors are taken advantage of by others seeking to get at their pocketbooks.
Fighting back against these abusers, thieves, and scam artists requires a multi-pronged approach. Part of that effort is raising awareness among seniors and providing information to help them recognize the misconduct and fight back.
Recently, the Martin Independent Journal provided a helpful article on the topic that summarized the lessons shared at a recent fraud prevention workshop. The workshops were sponsored by a local state representative who emphasized that of the 850 cases in the area of reported elder abuse last year, 42% involved financial exploitation.
In addition, many instances of exploitation are never reported, and so the overall percentage of fraud as a portion of elder abuse cases might actually be higher.
Participating in the seminar were various professionals in different fields where different scam techniques are used. A local contractor, pharmacist, representative from the U.S. Postal Service, and a health advocate all joined in to share information on various scams and the way to catch them. The experts focused on four different types of scams: crooked contractors, Medicare fraud, mail fraud, and medication issues at pharmacies.
A few of the tip shared at the event of value to local seniors and their loved ones include…
1) Hire only state-licensed contractors for all jobs costing over $500.
2) Never hire the first person who comes to the door. Get at least three bids to compare prices and get a feel for how the particular contractor seems legitimate and engaged in the work.
3) Ensure that you receive references from all workers and that all project expectations are put down in writing. There should be no surprises.
4) Never pay more than 10% of a project total cost in advance and never more than $1,000 in advance.
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April 11, 2012
Spokane woman owes $1,950 after on-line secret shoppers scam
from NWCN
SPOKANE--A Spokane County woman is responsible for $1,950.00 in fraudulent money orders sent to her from an on-line secret shoppers scam. The victim responded to an e-mail she received that said she was chosen for a secret shoppers opportunity. After providing her age and address, the victim received two money orders from the U.S. Postal Service in the amount of $975.00 a piece. She also received instructions from a man named Paul Patino with the money orders.
Patino instructed the victim to cash the money orders, keep $200.00 for herself and send the remaining money via Western Union to an address he provided. Patino instructed the victim to send the remaining funds to Laura Duran at 98 Long Road in Manilla, Philippines.
The victim completed the transaction at her bank and sent the remaining money to the Philippines address through Western Union. Shortly after the transaction the victim's bank contacted her, told her the money orders were fake and froze her account. They also advised the victim she was responsible for the entire amount of the money orders, $1,950.00.
The following day the victim received four more money orders through United Parcel Service for $975.00 a piece. The victim took these money orders to a different bank and they told her they were fake.
The victim said she had phone contact with Patino during these transactions. Patino contacted the victim using three separate phone numbers, (702) 516-0992, (213) 437-6139 and (216) 406-7776. The 213 and 216 area code numbers have since been disconnected. This information has been passed on to the local office of the Better Business Bureau.
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March 28, 2012
Phishing scams: you are giving yourself away
from Daily News
by Wendy Knowler
Mzansi bank accounts, established in 2004 as a means of making banking more accessible and affordable to millions of previously “unbanked” South Africans, have sadly been used to further a rather less noble cause, in some cases.
Because someone only needs an identity document to open an Mzansi bank account at one of the four participating banks or the Post Office – not even proof of residence, much less proof of a regular income – “phishing” fraudsters apparently pay people to open these bank accounts, into which they (the fraudsters) then deposit money stolen from their victims via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
This emerged earlier this week at an “exploratory meeting” hosted by Banking Services Ombudsman Clive Pillay at his Johannesburg offices.
Attending were representatives of the “big four” banks, regulatory bodies within the financial services industry and media.
Pillay had convened the meeting to share the results of his office’s analysis of their 2011 complaints statistics with regard to the precise nature of complaints received by bank clients unhappy with the decisions made by their banks.
While the percentage of personal and home loan complaints pertaining to fraud was minuscule, in the case of ATM and internet banking cases, more than 90 percent of complaints came from account holders who had lost money due to fraud.
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March 20, 2012
Tax return scammers steal IDs and billions
from CBS This Morning
by John Miller
(CBS News) - Tax return fraud is a growing problem, with more than two million bogus returns filed last year with the Internal Revenue Service - returns filed by thieves who had stolen people's identities.
This type of crime is exploding because of two factors: online companies like Turbo Tax make filing taxes fast and easy; and the IRS, in an effort to get refunds out quickly, does not cross-check the returns against employers' payroll records.
To exploit that, scammers buy lists of names and Social Security numbers of living people on the black market, and troll Internet family support sites to steal the identities of the dead.
In just three years, tax refund fraud has increased by 700 percent - with $2 billion in tax dollars paid out to thieves last year alone.
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March 19, 2012
Sheriff's office warns about debit card scam
Sheriff's office warns about debit card scam
from The Yuma Sun
by James Gilbert
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office received a lot of complaints involving scams related to Green Dot “Moneypak” reloadable debit cards and wants to make the community aware of this latest trend in fraudulent activity.
“It's a new twist on an old scam, and it is working,” said Capt. Eben Bratcher, a spokesman for the YCSO.
Bratcher said the Green Dot reloadable debit cards can be purchased at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS/Pharmacy and thousands of other stores nationwide for a low fee. Consumers, once they have bought one, are then able to load up to $500 at most retailers and up to $1,000 at Walmart.
Bratcher explained that residents have reported receiving phone calls stating they have won several thousand dollars in an international lottery or sweepstakes, owe the IRS back taxes or have a close friend or relative in need of money.
According to Bratcher, the victims are told by the scammers to purchase one of these cards and load it with a specified amount of money. Once the victims have done so, they are told by the scammer to call them back on a phone number or by email.
“It's a new twist on an old scam, and it is working,” said Capt. Eben Bratcher, a spokesman for the YCSO.
Bratcher said the Green Dot reloadable debit cards can be purchased at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS/Pharmacy and thousands of other stores nationwide for a low fee. Consumers, once they have bought one, are then able to load up to $500 at most retailers and up to $1,000 at Walmart.
Bratcher explained that residents have reported receiving phone calls stating they have won several thousand dollars in an international lottery or sweepstakes, owe the IRS back taxes or have a close friend or relative in need of money.
According to Bratcher, the victims are told by the scammers to purchase one of these cards and load it with a specified amount of money. Once the victims have done so, they are told by the scammer to call them back on a phone number or by email.
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March 19, 2012
Tornado Relief Fraud: How To Avoid Charity Scam Organizations
from The Huffington Post
As heartbreaking stories of tornado victims who have lost it all continue to emerge, do-gooders have been inspired to donate their time and money to help. But as the number of philanthropists coming forward increases, so too is the number of scammers looking to make a buck, the U.S. Department of Justice reports.
The National Center for Disaster Fraud, established in 2005 to deter and prosecute Hurricane Katrina fraud relief, is amping up its security measures in the wake of the twisters hitting the Midwest and the South.
"Many individuals feel compelled to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country," the Department of Justice said in a release. "The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and do its due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of tornado victims."
To help point donors in the direction of legitimate charities that are actually helping those in need, the DOJ has issued a list of guidelines to consider.
Click here to see a slideshow of the five tips.
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March 9, 2012
PHONY FEDERAL JOB ADS KICK JOB SEEKERS WHEN THEY’RE DOWN
from CMN.com
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March 19, 2012
Tornado Relief Fraud: How To Avoid Charity Scam Organizations
from The Huffington Post
As heartbreaking stories of tornado victims who have lost it all continue to emerge, do-gooders have been inspired to donate their time and money to help. But as the number of philanthropists coming forward increases, so too is the number of scammers looking to make a buck, the U.S. Department of Justice reports.
The National Center for Disaster Fraud, established in 2005 to deter and prosecute Hurricane Katrina fraud relief, is amping up its security measures in the wake of the twisters hitting the Midwest and the South.
"Many individuals feel compelled to contribute to victim assistance programs and organizations across the country," the Department of Justice said in a release. "The Department of Justice and the FBI remind the public to apply a critical eye and do its due diligence before giving to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of tornado victims."
To help point donors in the direction of legitimate charities that are actually helping those in need, the DOJ has issued a list of guidelines to consider.
Click here to see a slideshow of the five tips.
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March 9, 2012
PHONY FEDERAL JOB ADS KICK JOB SEEKERS WHEN THEY’RE DOWN
from CMN.com
by Elise Marrion
Imagine facing your 16th month of unemployment, pounding the pavement, scouring the employment ads, but still wondering how you will pay your bills. Considering the nation’s unemployment rates in recent years, it’s not hard to imagine job seekers becoming desperate enough to fall for employment scams.
The Federal Trade Commission warns job seekers against scammers who offer to secure government jobs for a fee. The FTC recently put a stop to one such fraudulent operation, Government Careers, Inc., that promised federal jobs to consumers who paid $119 for testing materials, regardless of whether such government job openings existed or if they required exams to qualify for consideration.
“When it comes to federal and postal jobs, the word to remember is free,” the FTC said in a press release.” Information about job openings with the U.S. government or U.S. Postal Service is free and available to everyone. Applying for a federal or postal job also is free. Federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service never charge application fees or guarantee that someone will be hired.”
The job placement ads can be easily mistaken for legitimate job postings. In the case of Government Careers, also known as Career Systems LLC and Job Search Network LLC, the ads were posted on well known sites such as Careerbuilder.com and Yahoo! Hot Jobs as well as local newspapers, advertising postal and wildlife jobs, Border Patrol agents, administrative support, and clerical jobs.
The FTC offers the following tips to spot phony federal and postal jobs:
March 7, 2012
New twist on old scam targets Facebook users
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - National Consumer Protection week is designed to educate consumers about rip-offs, identity theft and scams. One of the latest is a social networking scam on Facebook.
You may get an unsolicited message on Facebook from someone claiming that a person with your same last name died. The deceased did not have a will or any living family members and you were picked to be the sole beneficiary of the family fortune. In order to get the inheritance, you must provide personal information and pay $4,800 so the bank will release the cash.
"If you have to pay to receive your money, that's a red flag", said Postal Inspector Nick Alicea, who heads the fraud team at the Harrisburg Post Office.
Alicea says the so-called Inheritance Scam is an old scam with a new twist.
"If you are entitled to money, you're not likely to get that notification on a Facebook message", Alicea said.
The Federal Trade Commission warns job seekers against scammers who offer to secure government jobs for a fee. The FTC recently put a stop to one such fraudulent operation, Government Careers, Inc., that promised federal jobs to consumers who paid $119 for testing materials, regardless of whether such government job openings existed or if they required exams to qualify for consideration.
“When it comes to federal and postal jobs, the word to remember is free,” the FTC said in a press release.” Information about job openings with the U.S. government or U.S. Postal Service is free and available to everyone. Applying for a federal or postal job also is free. Federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service never charge application fees or guarantee that someone will be hired.”
The job placement ads can be easily mistaken for legitimate job postings. In the case of Government Careers, also known as Career Systems LLC and Job Search Network LLC, the ads were posted on well known sites such as Careerbuilder.com and Yahoo! Hot Jobs as well as local newspapers, advertising postal and wildlife jobs, Border Patrol agents, administrative support, and clerical jobs.
The FTC offers the following tips to spot phony federal and postal jobs:
- Classified and online ads or telephone sales pitches that imply an affiliation with the federal government, guarantee high test scores or state that “no experience is necessary.”
- Ads that offer information about “hidden” or unadvertised federal jobs
- Ads that refer you to a toll-free phone number. Often, in these cases, an operator encourages you to buy a “valuable” booklet of job listings, practice test questions and tips for entrance exams.
- Toll-free numbers that direct you to other pay-per-call numbers (like 900 numbers) for more information. Under federal law, any solicitations for pay-per-call numbers must include full disclosures about the cost of the call. The solicitation must make clear if there is an affiliation with the federal government, and give you a chance to hang up before you incur any charges.
March 7, 2012
New twist on old scam targets Facebook users
from WHTM
by Flora Posteraro
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) - National Consumer Protection week is designed to educate consumers about rip-offs, identity theft and scams. One of the latest is a social networking scam on Facebook.
You may get an unsolicited message on Facebook from someone claiming that a person with your same last name died. The deceased did not have a will or any living family members and you were picked to be the sole beneficiary of the family fortune. In order to get the inheritance, you must provide personal information and pay $4,800 so the bank will release the cash.
"If you have to pay to receive your money, that's a red flag", said Postal Inspector Nick Alicea, who heads the fraud team at the Harrisburg Post Office.
Alicea says the so-called Inheritance Scam is an old scam with a new twist.
"If you are entitled to money, you're not likely to get that notification on a Facebook message", Alicea said.
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March 7, 2012
Protecting your nest egg from virtual crows
from Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
(ARA) - Calling your retirement savings a "nest egg" is meaningful on many levels. Just as birds labor hard and long to create a secure roost, you and your mate work hard to provide for yourselves during your golden years. And just as crows and other invaders can come along to rob a bird's nest, your nest egg can be at risk from predators like identity thieves and scammers.
One out of every five people older than 65 - 7.3 million Americans - has been the victim of a financial swindle, according to a survey sponsored by the Investor Protection Trust. Identity theft statistics are also alarming: In 2010, more than 1 million people older than 65 were targeted by identity thieves, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Factor in everyone older than 50, and that number soars to more than 3.5 million.
"Unfortunately, it's not enough to have saved wisely for retirement," says Ken Chaplin, senior vice president of marketing for Experian's ProtectMyID. "Statistics show that seniors are favorite targets for identity thieves, con artists and scammers. Protecting your nest egg from being raided by crooks is every bit as important as ensuring your investments continue to pay off."
According to the FBI, seniors may be targeted because:
* They are less likely to be technically savvy about online predators.
* They tend to be more polite and trusting, and may be less likely to recognize a phone scam.
* They may be unaware who to report a crime to if they've been defrauded.
* They often have large nest eggs to protect.
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your nest egg.
March 7, 2012
Protecting your nest egg from virtual crows
from Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
(ARA) - Calling your retirement savings a "nest egg" is meaningful on many levels. Just as birds labor hard and long to create a secure roost, you and your mate work hard to provide for yourselves during your golden years. And just as crows and other invaders can come along to rob a bird's nest, your nest egg can be at risk from predators like identity thieves and scammers.
One out of every five people older than 65 - 7.3 million Americans - has been the victim of a financial swindle, according to a survey sponsored by the Investor Protection Trust. Identity theft statistics are also alarming: In 2010, more than 1 million people older than 65 were targeted by identity thieves, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Factor in everyone older than 50, and that number soars to more than 3.5 million.
"Unfortunately, it's not enough to have saved wisely for retirement," says Ken Chaplin, senior vice president of marketing for Experian's ProtectMyID. "Statistics show that seniors are favorite targets for identity thieves, con artists and scammers. Protecting your nest egg from being raided by crooks is every bit as important as ensuring your investments continue to pay off."
According to the FBI, seniors may be targeted because:
* They are less likely to be technically savvy about online predators.
* They tend to be more polite and trusting, and may be less likely to recognize a phone scam.
* They may be unaware who to report a crime to if they've been defrauded.
* They often have large nest eggs to protect.
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect your nest egg.
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February 28, 2012
Consumer alert: 'Free Trials' aren't always free
February 28, 2012
Consumer alert: 'Free Trials' aren't always free
from WPXI
by Robin Taylor
PITTSBURGH -- "Free" offers are incredibly enticing, and you might ask yourself, "What have I got to lose?" But Americans are losing millions of dollars to deceptive marketing. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor uncovers the dangers.
Whether it is whiter teeth, a flatter stomach or shinier hair, these offers play on our weaknesses, and many of us have fallen for them.
What these companies do is lure us with a "free trial" and then hide the terms and conditions in the fine print.
"Those are the magic words, 'free.' When I hear free I get excited," said Gillian Ward, a stay-at-home mom in Wexford.
When she saw an ad for a "free trial" of an Acai Berry weight loss product, she fell for it.
"When they asked for my credit card number, I should have known, but that was for the shipping and handling, little did I know that they would be charging my credit card every month," said Ward.
By the time she realized they had taken money out of her bank account, she had lost almost $500.
Whether it is whiter teeth, a flatter stomach or shinier hair, these offers play on our weaknesses, and many of us have fallen for them.
What these companies do is lure us with a "free trial" and then hide the terms and conditions in the fine print.
"Those are the magic words, 'free.' When I hear free I get excited," said Gillian Ward, a stay-at-home mom in Wexford.
When she saw an ad for a "free trial" of an Acai Berry weight loss product, she fell for it.
"When they asked for my credit card number, I should have known, but that was for the shipping and handling, little did I know that they would be charging my credit card every month," said Ward.
By the time she realized they had taken money out of her bank account, she had lost almost $500.
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February 28, 2012
Senate: Third Party Companies Making Billions Off Unauthorized Charges
CONTINUE>>>
Con Artists Using New Technologies and Techniques in Foreign Lottery Fraud
from Market Watch
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- U.S. Postal Inspection Service Offers Prevention Tips for Consumers During National Consumer Protection Week in March --
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has identified new methods of cons and is advising American consumers to be aware of scams involving foreign lotteries. Americans have lost millions of dollars to criminals from countries around the world. During National Consumer Protection Week, March 4 through 10, 2012, the Postal Inspection Service is delivering a message to American consumers: you can avoid becoming the latest victim in this crime. ( www.deliveringtrust.com )
During just the past three years, victims have lost more than $42 million of their hard-earned money to scammers. Scammers might even provide the victim a check or money order as an advance on the winnings, with instructions to cash and return the proceeds in order to receive the winnings.
One of the main techniques scammers use is a foreign lottery scam where they persuade their victims to send money to pay for taxes or fees. Paul Krenn of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service says, "Scammers have begun using new technologies such as caller ID spoofing to make it seem like their call is coming from within the United States--perhaps even a government agency. This tactic is particularly effective when used against older Americans or shut-ins, who may be targeted in this scam." He adds, "If you've received a suspected fraud via mail, or if the mail was used to continue a crime started online, phone, or in person, report it to the Postal Inspection Service."
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Bolder and nastier is how investigators describe the crooks behind the latest scams that are victimizing people in our area.
The tactics they are using may shock you.
We’ve told you about Nigerian lottery scams before, but more scams are now originating from Jamaica.
They work differently than previous scams. Not only do they trick you into giving up money, but they use threats and intimidation to scare you.
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February 28, 2012
Senate: Third Party Companies Making Billions Off Unauthorized Charges
from CBS DFW
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - United States Postal Service. Dallas County. The University of Texas System. Krispy Kreme Donuts. A Naval Station in San Diego. The Cities of Houston, Tyler and Los Angeles. And Children’s Medical Center Dallas all have something in common. According to a Senate Committee investigation, they have all complained about unauthorized, bogus charges on their phone bill costing them and other American businesses “billions” of dollars!
And it’s not just businesses, it’s customers like Albert Gamboa’s parents from Fort Worth also.
“My first thought was how long as it been on the bill and what is it for?” said Albert Gamboa, who recently started helping parents handle their bills. When he looked at their phone bills from 2007 to 2011, Gamboa noticed for 58 months, his elderly parents had been paying $12.95 a month to an entity listed as “The Billing Resource.” Neither he nor they had ever heard of the company. Gamboa called AT&T to have the charge removed. He says, AT&T told him he needed to contact The Billing Resource, and someone at The Billing Resource referred him to a company called Personal Voice. Gamboa says a woman at Personal Voice told him that his mother had signed up for the service over the internet.
“That’s crazy,” said Gamboa, “there is no way she could have signed up for it.”
Gamboa says his elderly parents do not have a working computer in their house. And, they’ve never had access to the internet. Gamboa says his parents wouldn’t even know how to get on the internet.
And it’s not just businesses, it’s customers like Albert Gamboa’s parents from Fort Worth also.
“My first thought was how long as it been on the bill and what is it for?” said Albert Gamboa, who recently started helping parents handle their bills. When he looked at their phone bills from 2007 to 2011, Gamboa noticed for 58 months, his elderly parents had been paying $12.95 a month to an entity listed as “The Billing Resource.” Neither he nor they had ever heard of the company. Gamboa called AT&T to have the charge removed. He says, AT&T told him he needed to contact The Billing Resource, and someone at The Billing Resource referred him to a company called Personal Voice. Gamboa says a woman at Personal Voice told him that his mother had signed up for the service over the internet.
“That’s crazy,” said Gamboa, “there is no way she could have signed up for it.”
Gamboa says his elderly parents do not have a working computer in their house. And, they’ve never had access to the internet. Gamboa says his parents wouldn’t even know how to get on the internet.
CONTINUE>>>
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February 27, 2012Con Artists Using New Technologies and Techniques in Foreign Lottery Fraud
from Market Watch
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- U.S. Postal Inspection Service Offers Prevention Tips for Consumers During National Consumer Protection Week in March --
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has identified new methods of cons and is advising American consumers to be aware of scams involving foreign lotteries. Americans have lost millions of dollars to criminals from countries around the world. During National Consumer Protection Week, March 4 through 10, 2012, the Postal Inspection Service is delivering a message to American consumers: you can avoid becoming the latest victim in this crime. ( www.deliveringtrust.com )
During just the past three years, victims have lost more than $42 million of their hard-earned money to scammers. Scammers might even provide the victim a check or money order as an advance on the winnings, with instructions to cash and return the proceeds in order to receive the winnings.
One of the main techniques scammers use is a foreign lottery scam where they persuade their victims to send money to pay for taxes or fees. Paul Krenn of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service says, "Scammers have begun using new technologies such as caller ID spoofing to make it seem like their call is coming from within the United States--perhaps even a government agency. This tactic is particularly effective when used against older Americans or shut-ins, who may be targeted in this scam." He adds, "If you've received a suspected fraud via mail, or if the mail was used to continue a crime started online, phone, or in person, report it to the Postal Inspection Service."
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February 22, 2012
Lottery Scammers Now Using Bolder Tactics
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February 22, 2012
Lottery Scammers Now Using Bolder Tactics
from CBS Pittsburg
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Bolder and nastier is how investigators describe the crooks behind the latest scams that are victimizing people in our area.
The tactics they are using may shock you.
We’ve told you about Nigerian lottery scams before, but more scams are now originating from Jamaica.
They work differently than previous scams. Not only do they trick you into giving up money, but they use threats and intimidation to scare you.
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February 21, 2012
Too Good to Be True: Self-Employment Scams
from CNBC
by Daniel Bukszpan
If you’ve scoured the classified ads, chances are you’ve seen at least one job listing offering big money to the self-employed. The ads say you can be your own boss and earn a small fortune, all while clad in a bathrobe and flip-flops.
The only requirement is a fee for materials and registration. Once that formality’s out of the way, the gravy train will visit your home on a regular and unremitting basis.
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February 13, 2012
'Brazen scam' prompts BBB to tell FBI
Too Good to Be True: Self-Employment Scams
from CNBC
by Daniel Bukszpan
If you’ve scoured the classified ads, chances are you’ve seen at least one job listing offering big money to the self-employed. The ads say you can be your own boss and earn a small fortune, all while clad in a bathrobe and flip-flops.
The only requirement is a fee for materials and registration. Once that formality’s out of the way, the gravy train will visit your home on a regular and unremitting basis.
Unfortunately, these advertisements often target people without traditional jobs, and if they take the bait they become trapped in one of the many self-employment scams out there.
One of the most common is stuffing envelopes. An advertisement placed by a fraudulent company will claim to seek people to mail letters from their homes rather than using an expensive, on-site staff. The person answering the ad would allegedly insert mailings into pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes, mail them and then watch the money roll in.
One of the most common is stuffing envelopes. An advertisement placed by a fraudulent company will claim to seek people to mail letters from their homes rather than using an expensive, on-site staff. The person answering the ad would allegedly insert mailings into pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes, mail them and then watch the money roll in.
February 13, 2012
'Brazen scam' prompts BBB to tell FBI
from woodtv.com
by Crystal Hilliard
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A "brazen" scam targeting loan applicants with bad credit prompted the Better Business Bureau to alert the US Postal Service and the FBI about its operation.
The company, Greenpoint Capital , had its victims mail checks or Western Union money to a Lansing address -- which traces back to a home.
Gary Stoner, a Michigan man living in Tennessee, admits he fell for it. He went online and applied for a loan.
"[The man that contacted me] said they had personal lenders that would lend money since the loan company wouldn't lend me the money because of my credit," Stoner said.
The company sent him a contract promising him $5,000 with a 10% interest rate. It would arrive in two to six hours with one stipulation: he had to pay $806 up front, they wrote.
Stoner sent the money via Western Union.
The company, Greenpoint Capital , had its victims mail checks or Western Union money to a Lansing address -- which traces back to a home.
Gary Stoner, a Michigan man living in Tennessee, admits he fell for it. He went online and applied for a loan.
"[The man that contacted me] said they had personal lenders that would lend money since the loan company wouldn't lend me the money because of my credit," Stoner said.
The company sent him a contract promising him $5,000 with a 10% interest rate. It would arrive in two to six hours with one stipulation: he had to pay $806 up front, they wrote.
Stoner sent the money via Western Union.
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February 2, 2012
Middleboro couple bilked of $94,000 in sweepstakes scam
from Enterprise Newsby Alice Elwell
MIDDLEBORO — A local couple mailed three boxes stuffed with $94,000 in cash to Canada trying to claim bogus winnings after they fell for a sweepstakes scam that is apparently going around town.
February 2, 2012
Middleboro couple bilked of $94,000 in sweepstakes scam
from Enterprise Newsby Alice Elwell
“The money is gone,” said Detective Simonne M. Ryder. “There’s absolutely no way it can be returned.”
At least two other people in Middleboro were also targeted in phony sweepstakes games this week, prompting police to alert the public to the con artists who are preying particularly on senior citizens.
Ryder also is visiting elderly housing complexes and passing out fliers alerting residents that the scams are getting more sophisticated and to be on guard.
At least two other people in Middleboro were also targeted in phony sweepstakes games this week, prompting police to alert the public to the con artists who are preying particularly on senior citizens.
Ryder also is visiting elderly housing complexes and passing out fliers alerting residents that the scams are getting more sophisticated and to be on guard.
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January 31, 2012
Scammers Used Phony Craigslist Ads
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January 31, 2012
Scammers Used Phony Craigslist Ads
NASSAU COUNTY—-A Nassau County grand jury has indicted two women on felony charges for using phony Craigslist ads for nonexistent jobs and apartments to steal hundreds of identities nationwide and filing hundreds of fraudulent state income tax returns requesting more than $500,000 in refunds.
The scammers also used the stolen identities to apply for bank loans and credit cards, and stole a total of more than $75,000, prosecutors said.
The indictment, charges Susan Pemberton, 42, ofRockville Centre, with second degree grand larceny and first degree scheme to defraud, and Cynthia Sibert, 22, of Roslyn, with third degree grand larceny and first degree scheme to defraud.
Pemberton was arrested Nov. 16, 2011 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted while Sibert was arrested on Nov. 18, 2011 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. Both defendants will be arraigned later this month.
The arrests are the result of a joint investigation between the DA’s Office and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s Criminal Investigation Division – Buffalo Office. The investigation was assisted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed against the defendants.
