How to Avoid Common Scams and Protect Your Money & Dignity
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Imagine someone you know and really care about, maybe its a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or maybe it's you. Then imagine he or she has lost every dollar they own. Imagine they do not tell anyone because they are too embarrassed, maybe they blame themselves, that it was their fault, or they are afraid that if someone finds out, that they will lose their independence, be placed in a nursing home, or that the criminal will find out and come back to hurt them. This is a real world scenario that happens every day right here in our own community.
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How to Avoid Common Scams and Protect Your Money & Dignity
- 1. Scams That Steal Our Money & Our Dignity
- 3. Never Pay to Win
- 4. Signs of Bogus Sweepstakes Offers
- 14. Scams That Steal Our Money & Our Dignity Tri-State Better Business Bureau 5401 Vogel Road. Suite 410 Evansville, Indiana 47715 812-473-0202 or 1-800-359-0979 www.evansville.bbb.org [email_address]
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- Imagine someone you know and really care about, maybe its a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or maybe it's you. Then imagine he or she has lost every dollar they own. Imagine they do not tell anyone because they are too embarrassed, maybe they blame themselves, that it was their fault, or they are afraid that if someone finds out, that they will lose their independence, be placed in a nursing home, or that the criminal will find out and come back to hurt them. This is a real world scenario that happens every day right here in our own community.
- Sweepstakes scams cost our country forty billion dollars each year. The number one problem currently taking place is people receiving what at first look like legitimate checks. Amounts are usually just over $2,900. The letter states that you have won a few hundred thousand dollars, and all you need to do to claim your money is to cash the enclosed check and send the money to cover insurance and other fees. The checks are fake! and sometimes you will actually get the money until the bank finds out a few days later.
- Are you asked to send money outside the U.S. via Western Union or Moneygram? Are you told someone will bring the money to your door the next day? does someone offer to take you to the bank? Are you told to tell nobody until you get the money? Did you ever actually enter the company's sweepstakes? Are You asked for your bank account or credit card numbers. Does someone you know have a lot of cheap prizes around the house? Is someone getting a large volume of prize and sweepstakes letters? Is someone making regular trips to the bank or post office to send money orders? Legitimate sweepstakes do not require you to pay taxes, customs fees, shipping or handling, or any other fee before awarding your winnings. They are prohibited by U.S. law from requiring that you buy something Responding to just one offer will open the door to many scams. Your name will be sold to what's called a sucker's list. Do not be deceived by seals or official-sounding names for example: publishers clearinghouse, government, treasury, commission, etc. Read the fine print which usually says something like that you win, IF your number is selected or IF your number is one of the winning numbers. You have not yet won anything! International sweepstakes and lotteries are illegal! Sweepstakes mailings and phone calls usually fall in to one of five categories: 1. Magazine sales. 2. Contests and games of chance. 3. The sale of merchandise. 4. Credit card offers. 5. Fraudulent claims to get your personal information and bank account numbers. Again, if you get nothing else out of my talk, remember NEVER PAY TO WIN!
- If you are asked for your date of birth, mother's maiden name and or social security number, don't do it! This is an attempt to steel your identity, open credit cards in your name, buy vehicles, rent apartments and give to employers. Many people are victimized by someone who steels credit card offers they receive in the mail. You can stop these by registering with the Opt Out List by calling (1-888-567-8688 (888-5OPTOUT) or by visiting (www.optoutprescreen.com) You will be required to give your social security number and is safe to do so. This will stop all credit card offers for two years or until you apply for any credit card. Your name may even be given to police when the identity thief is caught committing crimes. Then when no one shows up in court, a warrant is issued for your arrest. Every day, innocent people are arrested for crimes they didn't commit. Don't allow someone to come to your home to pick up or deliver money. If they insist, call your local police immediately.
- Scam operators are using the mail, telephone and e-mail to entice U.S. consumers to participate in high-stakes foreign lotteries. Solicitations come from as far away as Australia, Spain, Africa, UK and Canada. Authorities are destroying millions of foreign lottery mailings each year. Keep this award top secret; There way to keep you from telling someone who might tell you it is a scam. The company also asks recipients to fill out a form with personal information, including banking information, so they can steel money instead of depositing the funds. The winner is also urged to invest part of the forthcoming money in a larger international lottery. They must wire "good faith" money to enter. If you receive one of these letters, turn it over to your local postmaster, or call the postal fraud hotline at 1-800-372-8347- Check out any company by contacting the Better Business Bureau. Remember, just because we don't have the company on file, don't take that to mean they are safe to do business with. Criminal companies reinvent themselves every few weeks, steel other peoples phone numbers, highjack known and respected web sites, and use fake return addresses.
- ads appear in newspapers, magazines, emails and pop up on web sites. "Free Money! Never Repay Cash Grants for Personal Needs, Medical Bills, Education, Business, Debt Consolidation and more." "anyone can get an interest free cash grant." People are asked to send $298. At most, you will get a list of government agencies and private foundations who offer grants. If this is something you want, save the money and go to your local library. Writing grants is a complicated process. The Better Business Bureau offers the following advice: Watch out for phrases like "free grant money." Grants do not have to be repaid; There is no need to use the word "free." Organizations do not usually give out grants for personal debt consolidation, or to pay for other personal needs. Grants are usually given only to serve a social good, such as bringing jobs to an area, training under-employed youth, preserving history, etc. Check with a regional or state economic development office to see if they know of grant programs for which you might qualify. The library is a great resource.
- Consumers receive calls, get e-mails and read newspaper and magazine ads for a pre-approved loan or credit card and calls to receive an application. The company says yes, they can offer you a loan regardless of your credit, if you pay an up-front "insurance," "security," or "processing," fee in advance. Those with bad credit - who can least afford it - end up losing hundreds and sometimes thousands, and never hear from the company again. It's against the law to ask you to pay until you get your loan or credit. Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you are likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy. If you apply for a real estate loan, it is accepted and common practice for lenders to request payment for a credit report or appraisal. However, legitimate lenders never ask you to pay for processing your application. Never give credit card numbers, bank account information, or Social Security numbers over the phone or Internet before thoroughly investigating the company. If someone claims to be your bank or other company you do business with, say you will call them back and use the number you have and not numbers they give you. Know why the information is necessary. If you don't have the offer confirmed in writing and you are asked to pay, don't do it. It's fraud and it's against the law. If you have been a victim of an advance fee loan scam, contact your bank, and ask to speak with the branch manager or fraud inspector. Contact the Better Business Bureau, State Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission.
- Someone loses weight and buys very little food and may eat a lot of Raman noodles, day-old bread and other low-cost items. Refuses to turn on their heat or air conditioner though obviously in need. Becomes secretive, especially about mail and phone calls. Goes in to a deep depression which is unusual for them.
- COMMON WAYS ID THEFT HAPPENS: Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including: 1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it. 2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card. 3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. 4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form. 5. "Old-Fashioned" Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access. Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name. DETER Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information. ¥ Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them. ¥ Protect your Social Security number. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another identifier. ¥ Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. ¥ Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. for more info, visit www.OnGuardOnline.gov Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. ¥ Keep your personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help, or are having work done in your house. DETECT Monitor your financial accounts and billing statements. Check your bank account every other business day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Contact the bank immediately if you find unauthorized charges. Otherwise, you could be made to pay the bank for up to $500 of the stolen money. Check credit card and other billing statements at least once each month. Photo copy both sides of every credit card, bank card and all other important documents and store in a safe place, perhaps a safe deposit box if you have one. This way you have the addresses and phone numbers to cancel the cards if stolen. Be alert to signs that require immediate attention: ¥ Bills that do not arrive as expected ¥ Unexpected credit cards or account statements ¥ Denials of credit for no apparent reason ¥ Calls or letters about purchases you did not make Inspect: Your credit report. Credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and your bill paying history. ¥ The law requires the 3 consumer reporting companies TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax to give you a free copy of your credit report each year. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, You also can write: Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 ¥ DEFEND Defend against ID theft as soon as you suspect it. ¥ Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports, and review the reports. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient: TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. ¥ Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently. ¥ Call the security or fraud departments of each company where an account was opened or changed without your okay. Follow up in writing, with copies of supporting documents. Use the ID Theft Affidavit at www.ftc.gov/idtheft to support your written statement. ¥ Ask for verification that the disputed account has been closed and the fraudulent debts discharged. ¥ Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft. ¥ File a report with your local police. If they will not create a report, contact your state police. this report will be necessary for creditors who will want proof of the crime. ¥ Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations. www.ftc.gov/idtheft By phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261 By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse Federal Trade Commission Washington, DC 20580 To learn more about ID theft and how to deter, detect, and defend against it, visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft and click on Deter, Detect and Defend. there you can sign up to receive an ID Theft kit with a DVD in English and Spanish, written handouts, and a cd with a PowerPoint like you see here to teach co-workers, classmates, senior groups and church members how to protect themselves. also included are tips for effective teaching.
- Do Not Call! Calls exempt from the Do Not Call List include polling, surveys, fundraisers, political parties, non-profit organizations, real estate and insurance. To sign up, go to www.donotcall.gov or call toll free 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want listed in the database. When signing up online, you must provide an email address to complete the registration. Personal phone numbers remain on the Do Not Call List for five years unless you remove the number from the List or the number is disconnected. After registering, you must wait up to three months before it goes in to affect for you, or to register a complaint if telemarketing continues. Telemarketers may be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. Telemarketers are prohibited from blocking their phone numbers from caller-ID. If you continue to get unsolicited calls from telemarketers after registering with the national Do Not Call List, you may file a complaint on the www.donotcall.gov web site or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Complaint information must include the date of the unwanted phone call and either the name or the telephone number of the marketer.
- Imagine someone you know and really care about, maybe its a parent, grandparent, friend, neighbor, or maybe it's you. Then imagine he or she has lost every dollar they own. Imagine they do not tell anyone because they are too embarrassed, maybe they blame themselves, that it was their fault, or they are afraid that if someone finds out, that they will lose their independence, be placed in a nursing home, or that the criminal will find out and come back to hurt them. This is a real world scenario that happens every day right here in our own community.