SCAMS

“If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”

Scams to watch out for!!

12-22-11

2011 Year End Review

It has been another year of scams and thefts from seniors. We have been confronted with the usual scams, the Canadian Lottery, the Nigerian Scam and a large number of variations. The scammers have become more sophisticated with imitating banks and financial institutions. They have learned from their mistakes and have become more dangerous. If we tried to list all of the scams that came out this year or that got harder to recognize, it would be an impossible task.

We received over 820 email scams alone this year, not to mention the hundreds that were sent to us by our vigilant Scamnot senior population.

The bottom line is simple, if you won something and have to pay anything to collect your prize, you did not win.

If somebody says they are with any organization that needs your Social Security Number, credit card number, bank account number or any other personal number, it is probably a scam.

You should always hang up and if you feel it might be true, look up the correct phone number for the organization that they say they represent and ask if it is legitimate.

If you are told of a “deal” that sounds “too good to be true”, it probably is. Nobody is going to give you something for nothing. Do not send money overseas to “assist” somebody in getting money out of the country or even a charity until you have checked them out.

Also, it’s that time of year when we are all doing a little shopping for the holidays, remember to be safe. Know where you have parked your car and have your keys ready - before – you get to it. While shopping be mindful of your surroundings, while inside the stores and walking out. Someone could be watching you and looking to see if you have money in your wallet/purse or the goodies you are carrying. Try to shop using the buddy system, criminals do not like crowds.

11-08-11

Phone scammers target PC users with phony virus reports

Reported on Zdnet.com

Ironically, the scam doesn’t use a computer at all—at least, not initially. Instead, it starts with a phone call from someone who claims to be affiliated with Microsoft or another legitimate company or government agency.

Online con artists are targeting PC users worldwide in a brazen scam. It starts with a phone call from a “tech support specialist” who warns that your computer is infected with a virus. To fix things, all you have to do is give the caller remote access to your PC. Here’s what happens next.

The caller asks for the primary computer user in the house, who is told: “Your computer has downloaded a virus.” And, of course, the caller is ready and willing to fix the problem. All you have to do is navigate to a web site, click a link to install some remote-control software, and allow the “technician” to get to work.

The perps are using legitimate remote-assistance software to access your computer. They have access to your saved website, passwords and personal files and can wreak havoc on your bank accounts as well as credit cards if this information is stored on it. They can also install keylogger programs that track all your key stroke and use this against you in the future.

10-11-11

Just a heads up for everyone regarding the latest in Visa / MasterCard fraud. This is happening in the Midwest right now and moving.

This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.

Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it.

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

The scam works like this:

Person calling will say something like this - 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460, your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'. (This is a red flag because Visa/MasterCard will not send you the credit – they credit your card!)

The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud Investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works - The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers (MasterCard); the first 4 are part of your card number, the last 3 are the Security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. (VISA only has the last three numbers on the back of the card) These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the last 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card Do you have any other questions?

After you say no, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do', and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master Card directly for verification of their conversation.

VISA will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit; however, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

If you receive a call like this first hang up then report it to your local Police Department as well as call your issuing credit card company.

It appears that this is a very active scam, and evidently quite successful.

05-19-11

The Dangerous Side of Online Romance Scams

Warning to the public, be wary of romance scams in which scammers target individuals who search for companionship or romance online. Someone you know may be "dating" someone online who may appear to be decent and honest. However, be forewarned: the online contact could be a criminal sitting in a cyber café with a well-rehearsed script that scammers have used repeatedly and successfully. Scammers search chat rooms, dating sites, and social networking sites looking for victims. The principal group of victims is over 40 years old and divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled, but all demographics are at risk.

Scammers use poetry, flowers, and other gifts to reel in victims, the entire time declaring their "undying love." These criminals also use stories of severe life circumstances, tragedies, deaths in the family, injuries to themselves, or other hardships to keep their victims concerned and involved in their schemes. Scammers also ask victims to send money to help overcome a financial situation they claim to be experiencing. These are all lies intended to take money from unsuspecting victims.

In another scheme, scammers ask victims to receive funds in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or wire transfer, claiming they are out of the country and unable to cash the instruments or receive the funds directly. The scammers ask victims to redirect the funds to them or to an associate to whom they purportedly owe money. In a similar scheme, scammers ask victims to reship packages instead of redirecting funds. In these examples, victims risk losing money and may incur other expenses, such as bank fees and penalties, and in some instances face prosecution.

Victims who have agreed to meet in person with an online love interest have been reported missing, or injured, or in one instance, deceased. IC3 complainants most often report the countries of Nigeria, Ghana, England, and Canada as the location of the scammers. If you are planning to meet someone in person that you have met online, the IC3 recommends using caution, especially if you plan to travel to a foreign country, and, at the very least:

• Do not travel alone.
• Read all travel advisories associated with the countries you will visit. Travel advisories are available at http://travel.state.gov/.
• Contact the United States Embassy in the country you plan to visit.

Even though it seems to be contrary to the thought of starting a new romance, do not be afraid to check a new acquaintance's story online. Remember, like most fraudulent schemes, scammers use whatever personal information you provide to quickly paint themselves as your perfect match. If your new friend’s story is repeated through numerous complaints and articles on the Internet, it is time to apply common sense over your feelings. To obtain more information on romance scams and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of this type of scam should promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov.

05-03-11

Foreclosure rescue scams

Carla* from Northern California wrote to Consumer Action’s hotline recently to ask how she could get a mortgage modification without falling victim to fraud. Like Carla, cash-strapped homeowners often seek a loan modification in the hope of avoiding foreclosure. (Foreclosure is the legal process that your mortgage lender uses to take your home when you fall behind on your mortgage payments.)

Carla is smart because she knows that mortgage “mod” scams exist and she wants to avoid falling prey to them. Many times fraudsters may come knocking because they target at-risk homeowners after finding their names and addresses in foreclosure notices in newspapers, on the Internet and in public filings. They also advertise with catchy messages designed to attract desperate homeowners.

“Unfortunately, many companies use half-truths and even outright lies to sell their services,” said Ruth Susswein of Consumer Action. “They promise relief, but don’t deliver. In fact, many of these companies leave homeowners in worse financial shape than before.”

Deed transfer scams

Sometimes troubled homeowners believe they can quickly sell their homes and get out from under the burden of their mortgages. Scammers capitalize on this by offering to take over your mortgage payments if you transfer your home’s deed to them. Most lenders don’t allow you to transfer the deed while you still owe money on your mortgage, and if you do, the lender can demand that you pay the mortgage in full, immediately.

Even worse, you gave the scammer a deed to your home, allowing him to “skim” your equity by taking out a home equity loan or line of credit tied to the property. But once the crook gets the proceeds of the home equity loan he disappears and lets the property go into foreclosure. Because you are still the named mortgage holder, you will be named in the foreclosure proceeding and the bank will report the default on your credit. In some states you could still owe money even after a foreclosure because the bank sold the home for less than the mortgage amount.

Dos and don’ts

Don’t:

• Sign anything that you do not fully understand. If you are unsure, have all documents reviewed by an attorney, a trusted real estate professional, or a counselor at a HUD-approved non-profit housing counseling agency.
• Deed your property over to anyone. Signing your home over to someone else does not relieve you of your mortgage obligation.
• Let someone assume the loan without the lender’s permission and without their formally releasing you from liability for the mortgage.
• Move out of your house because someone promises to make the mortgage payments for you.
• Pay money for any foreclosure prevention help.

Do:

• Be suspicious of anyone, other than your lender, who contacts you with a loan or service they promise will solve your money troubles and save your home.
• Avoid high-pressure lenders, or those who encourage you to pay an upfront fee for any service or loan, borrow more than the value of the home, or take on a loan without considering your ability to make the payments.
• Get all terms and promises in writing.
• Be on the lookout for terms that change or are not disclosed at the beginning of the loan process.
• Avoid any refinancing loan with exorbitant fees, a stiff prepayment penalty, an excessively high interest rate, or a balloon payment. (If you’re not sure whether the loan you’re being offered includes any of these abusive terms, have someone you trust review them for you.)
• Check for complaints about any company that offers to buy your home. Contact your state’s consumer protection office (click here to find your office) or your state’s real estate regulator (click here to find your regulator).
• If you do fall prey to a mortgage related scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission online (www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov) or by phone (877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) and submit a complaint to your state’s Attorney General. Find your state AG’s contact information at National Association of Attorneys General website (www.naag.org).

Reputable assistance resources

Consumer Action believes the best defense against being scammed is to contact a reputable consumer assistance agency to learn what help is available to struggling homeowners. We recommend the following resources for advice and assistance:

• Non-profit counselors approved by the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To find a counselor, call 800-569-4287 or visit www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm.
• Affordable Housing Centers of America. Call 888-409-3557 or visit www.ahcoa.org. Email: help@ahcoa.org .
• Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) Home Save program.
• Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline or by phone at 888-995-HOPE (4673). Free foreclosure prevention counseling in more than 170 languages.
• The National Community Reinvestment Coalition’s Housing Counseling Network. NCRC assists struggling homeowners negotiate with their lenders to bring their mortgages current. Call 800-475-6272 or visit www.ncrc.org/programs-issues/housing-counseling.
• Making Home Affordable offers a web-based assessment tool that can help you determine if you are eligible to refinance or modify your home loan. Visit www.makinghomeaffordable.gov.
• Money Management International’s PHASES (Preserving Home Ownership And Savings Education Strategy) program provides qualified homeowners with grants to pay outstanding debts and one-on-one financial counseling sessions to help keep families in their homes. Participants must take part in housing counseling and Internet-based education sessions. Call 888-589-6959 or visit www.mmiphases.com.
• To find attorneys who represent consumers, visit the National Association of Consumer Advocates (www.naca.net) to use its Find An Attorney search engine.

These are some of the large lenders that offer specific assistance for their existing mortgage customers facing trouble:

• Bank of America: 800-846-2222 or visit its website.
• Chase: Call 866–550-5705 or visit its website.
• Citi: Call 866-915-9417 or visit its website.

*Not this consumer’s real name.

04-07-11

BBB Warns of Phishing Email Received from Epsilon Data Breach 4/7/2011

Arlington, VA – Just days after millions of customers' email addresses were stolen in one of the largest data breaches in U.S. history, the Better Business Bureau is seeing one of the first Epsilon data breach phishing scams.

Phishing, a popular emailing scam, is a term coined by computer hackers who use email to fish the Internet hoping to hook you into giving them your logins, passwords and/or credit card information. If you are a customer of one of the companies that had email data stolen, BBB is warning you to be on the lookout for phishing emails.

Typical phishing scammers pose as reputable companies to fraudulently obtain your personal information. In this case, the BBB is now seeing emails being sent from a fake 'Chase Bank,' one of the companies whose data was compromised. Following suit, the email warns that ‘your account’ will be deactivated or deleted if you do not update your profile immediately. The email instructs you to update your account by clicking on the link provided.

“These hackers are looking for you to respond with vital information that can ultimately lead to identity theft,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Consumers need to know the red flags in order to keep their identity protected.”

BBB advises consumers that there could be other phishing emails shooting through cyberspace and to do the following if they suspect they have fallen victim to a phishing scam.

Never reply to the email. If the message includes a link within it, never click it. Many schemers use this as way to spread a viral attack on your computer.

Do not give personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you via email. Even if they claim they are from your bank, the IRS or a law enforcement agency, these businesses will not contact you via email; they will send you a letter.

Spread the word. Discuss phishing scams with all the members of your family who have email addresses. Young people are very computer savvy, but may not be scam savvy, and older adults are specifically targeted by scammers because they are often very trusting.

Transmitted information should be encrypted. When sending personal information like addresses, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers over the Internet, make sure the website is fully encrypted and the network is secure. Look for https (the “s” stands for secure) at the beginning of the URL address to confirm its security.

Know the red flags. Watch out for grammatical mistakes in emails. Poor grammar or misspelled words are red flags that the email is probably a scam. Most importantly, never wire money based on instructions in one of these suspicious emails. Scammers prey on those who think they need to wire money to have a situation resolved.

Protect your computer. Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and run it regularly.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works to legally prevent fraudulent business practices in the marketplace. File a complaint with the FTC by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Below is a sample of the fraudulent email claiming to be from Chase Online Banking.

03-23-11

Avoid Jury Notices Rigged to Get Your ID

Did you really miss your date at the courthouse or is someone after your personal information?

The phone rings. "I'm calling from the local courthouse," the voice at the other end tells you — you're about to be arrested because you didn't show up for jury duty.

Relax. These calls are part of a resurgence of the "jury duty scam," previously revealed by Scamnot. The following month, the FBI issued a warning about this ruse, which at that time hit people in at least 11 states. In recent weeks, there have been scattered reports that this ploy has resurfaced in some parts of the country.

The warning of your imminent arrest is intended to scare you into making the usual response: I never received a jury duty summons. Then, claiming to want to clear up the matter, the caller asks you to verify your identity — by providing your Social Security number, birth date and possibly bank or credit card account numbers. Revealing such details can help the caller steal your identity and get credit cards, loans and medical services in your name and at your expense.

As in other telephone scams, the jury duty ruse can appear authentic because your caller ID screen may indicate that the call is coming from a local courthouse. That's because the caller is using "spoofing" products — widely sold on the Internet — that allow the display of any phone number and name on your caller ID.

But the universal verdict from officials is this: Hang up without providing any personal information. You can be sure these calls are phony. Here's why:

Authentic "no-show" summonses for missed jury duty are nearly always delivered by mail. In rare instances when actual court officials may telephone you, they won't ask for personal information.

Legitimate officials don't give a heads-up warning about an impending arrest.

Real court officials would call during office hours, not in the evening when many of these calls occur. Scammers, gleaning names and addresses from phone books or public records, often call after hours when people are more likely to be home.

If you receive a call about missing jury duty, you can authenticate it by looking up the courthouse number yourself. Call and ask for the jury duty coordinator or court clerk's office. Report scam calls to your courthouse and the state attorney general's office.

03-10-11

Social Network Misspelling Scam

Received from the F.B.I.

During December 2010, the IC3 discovered misspellings of a social network site being used as a social engineering ploy. Misspelling the domain name of this site would redirect users to websites coded to look similar to the actual website. The website users were redirected to answer three or four simple survey questions. Upon answering those questions, users were offered a choice of three free gifts. Multiple brands were observed as being offered as gifts, including gift cards to retail stores and various brands of laptops.

After clicking on one of the gifts, users were further redirected to other websites claiming to give free gifts for completing surveys. The surveys typically asked for name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. A user could spend hours filling out multiple surveys and never receive any of the gifts advertised.

Caution is to be used when using social Networks (i.e. Facebook, MySpace, Hi5) Never give out full name, address, email address, phone number or post information that a scammer could use in locating where you live.

02-08-11

Beware the “scareware” scam

If you think you might ever be tempted to click on a web advertisement offering a free scan of your computer, you need to know about the “scareware” scam.

Earlier this week, the Federal Trade Commission accepted a settlement in which Marc D’Souza and his father Maurice will pay $8.2 million for operating a scareware scheme that falsely frightened more than a million consumers into buying drive-cleaning software for $39.99 or more. Two other defendants previously settled with the FTC for $117,000, and litigation continues against a fifth.

Here’s how it worked, according to the complaint filed in 2008. The defendants placed Internet ads that offered a free computer scan to consumers who clicked on the ad. Some ads involuntarily redirected consumers to websites selling the driver-cleaning software under the names "WinFixer," "DriveCleaner," "WinAntispyware," and others. Other ads automatically downloaded the software without the consumers' consent.

However the scans were initiated, they invariably “detected” a host of malicious or dangerous files and programs, including viruses, spyware, and “illegal” pornography, the FTC complaint said. As one scan proceeded, it started displaying images of hard-core pornography that supposedly resided on the computer.

In fact, “Defendants have not scanned consumers’ computers and have not found ‘illegal porn’ or ‘adult files’ on consumers’ computers,” the FTC complaint said. The fake scans were designed to scare consumers into buying drive-cleaning software for $39.99 or more.

To protect yourself, rely on your own security software to find and fix security threats on your computer. That should render free scans unnecessary.

01-12-11

Scamnot recieved the folowing alert:

FDIC Scam

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received numerous reports from consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC.

The e-mail informs the recipient that "in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, federal, state and local governments…" the FDIC has withdrawn deposit insurance from the recipient's account "due to account activity that violates the Patriot Act." It further states deposit insurance will remain suspended until identity and account information can be verified using a system called "IDVerify." If consumers go to the link provided in the e-mail, it is suspected they will be asked for personal or confidential information, or malicious software may be loaded onto the recipient's computer.

This e-mail is fraudulent. It was not sent by the FDIC. It is an attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

11-09-10

Massive Make-a-Wish Phone Scam Stealing Millions From American Elderly

(This is from the Federal Citizen Information Center and is an article done by 20/20)

A massive phone scam exploiting the good name of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has siphoned more than $20 million from unsuspecting Americans and has been escalating in recent months. Authorities say it is fast becoming one of the ugliest telemarketing schemes to target the elderly in years.

Swindlers pretending to be calling from such government agencies as the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission have put a new twist on an old con. They are hiding offshore, thousands of miles away, but they're using internet phone technology to disguise their location. Victims see a 202 area code on their phones when the calls come in, and dial seemingly authentic U.S. phone numbers to call the scammers back. "Unlike the standard telemarketing frauds … these weren't people hiding behind a phone number you couldn't call -- a voice you couldn't recreate. These were people who left telephone numbers and would talk to you," said the Make-A-Wish Foundation, who became alarmed when they started hearing from multiple victims a week about the fraudulent calls.

One team of con artists spoke with a senior citizen who fell for their scam, the owner of a Virginia modeling studio. They called her almost every day for more than a month. Eventually, they had persuaded her to send more than $300,000 through Western Union and Moneygram in what she thought were luxury taxes and insurance fees on the $1.1 million prize they promised would be arriving any day.

"She said, we've been trying to reach you.' Very, very warm. Very kind. 'There is money here for you … it is sitting here on my desk. And I am just determined this money is yours. And I just want to help you get it,'" victim recalled.

During a six-month investigation, ABC News obtained never-before published recordings of the phone calls and tracked down two fugitives who have been hiding in Costa Rica. The two men have been indicted in the scheme but avoided extradition because they also held Costa Rican citizenship.

The scammers allegedly set up dozens of boiler rooms so scammers could call into U.S. homes claiming to be awarding sweepstakes winnings from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The scammers made their money by convincing the victims to pay "luxury taxes" or "insurance" in advance on winnings they will never receive.

Boiler Room Raid

Federal prosecutors have alleged that the scammers reaped millions installing internet phone lines in the illegal call centers.

Federal officials thought they had extinguished the scam in 2006 when they conducted a dramatic raid on 16 boiler rooms in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose.

But U.S. authorities have marveled at the scale of the scam that has regenerated – believed to be the product of the Costa Rican citizens who remained free after the 2006 raid. And they say the potency of the swindle remains breathtaking. One early victim in Florida wired more than $800,000 to Costa Rica on the promise of a million-dollar sweepstakes check that would never arrive.

But among those most alarmed have been the officials who lead the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which relies on the trust of the public for its funding. Earlier this year, the non profit organization posted a fraud alert on its website.

"These people around hiding offshore -- willingly destroying people's lives by taking every nickel they can suck out of them. And they're using the good name of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to do it.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have set up a hotline for victims to call to report having been ripped off. It is 1-866-DHS-2ICE. The Federal Trade Commission has posted information about the scams and advice for victims on two special web pages here and here and has also been compiling a list of complaints for law enforcement agencies to pursue.

To read the complete story and hear the taped recordings click here

09-08-10

Scammers Exploit Fears Over Health Care Bill

In this time of uncertainty over health insurance, grifters are targeting the elderly in a recent scam.

Scammers, under the guise of being government officials, are contacting seniors either by phone, e-mail or in some cases in person and questioning if they have health insurance, according to a release. If the victim answers they do not, the con-artist threatens to put the senior in jail for not complying with alleged health care policies, officials said.

The scammers then offer the victim to sell them "ObamaCare" insurance to keep the elderly person out of jail.

According to government officials, there is no such policy, nor is there "ObamaCare" coverage.

Under the current national health care bill, the requirement to have health insurance doesn't go into effect until 2014. And even then, those who do not have coverage cannot be jailed.

Facebook Scam

7-28-10

Warning: Watch Out for McDonald's Facebook Scam

Another day, another scam on Facebook. This time the scam features McDonald's.

What to watch out for:

A message that says "OMG!! McDonalds might soon shut down because of this, you have to see this."

What ever you do, don't click on the link! The program will attempt to steal your password.

ATM Scams

7-21-10

4 tips to protect you from ATM thieves

Typically, ATM thieves use two devices to capture your PIN and card data. One device sits near where you swipe your card and reads the magnetic stripe on your card with your account number. Even more confusing, the device mimics the card slot. "The technology has evolved to a point where the molded plastic fits like it belongs there."  Devices are even readily available over the Internet for as little as $300.

A camera, hidden from view, captures the PIN. You can get the data in real time. You can be in your car with a laptop remotely accessing the device.

Thieves then burn the data onto a blank card to access your money.

The public is notified after an event.  And don't take bank security for granted. Fraud can occur at any bank in any part of the country. Thieves are even sending out false text alerts to get consumer data.

Banks are slow to adopt anti-skimming measures. When 25 banks were surveyed, four stood out for their anti-theft measures. They are Bank of America, Chase, Citibank and Wells Fargo.

Experts add that debit card users are most at risk. Typically, consumers must report fraudulent charges within two days, limiting your liability to $50. If you report ATM skimming fraud within 60 days, you're liable for the first $500 of any transaction. Thieves carefully orchestrate ATM withdrawals, maxing out cash withdrawals one day and waiting until after midnight for the next stash, which quickly adds up.

Here are four tips to help you protect your account.

1. Cover your password with your hand

Hidden cameras are disguised so they can pick up your password. By protecting it, ATM thieves can't access your account.

2. Use familiar ATMs and limit your visits

ATMs in dimly lighted spots or used late at night could be more susceptible to fraud, while ATMs under video surveillance can be safer. Stay away from ATMs at retail stores or restaurants.  Recently, skimming devices were found on ATMs in a popular grocery store.  Airports, convenience stores or kiosks are equally vulnerable to ATM thieves. Still, even highly trafficked ATMs outside a bank branch have been targeted by thieves.

Also, try to limit your visits to the ATM. "With frequency, there's risk."

3. Check bank balances frequently

Given the two-day window for reporting fraud, it pays to check your account frequently. If you don't report fraud within 60 days, you have unlimited liability. "Sign up for alerts and notice unusual withdrawals." With credit cards there are more protections in place, and you can dispute charges." You have at least a billing cycle."

4. Observe the ATM

Consumers are cautioned to look at an ATM to make sure a card slot is "legitimate and not tacked on." Look for things that strike you. "Some people have felt that when they inserted their card, something went awry."  In that case, try another ATM.

When protecting your account against ATM thieves, "it's all about awareness, paying attention and understanding risks."   "There are 400,000 ATMs and every one of them is susceptible to fraud. The speed and convenience of technology has replaced the security of technology."

7-15-10

Craigslist Scam

One of our readers in Fresno California sent this one to us. A relative was looking for work as a bartender. He answered an ad on Craigslist for a bar tending job. He sent his resume in response to the ad and received the following. Notice the bad English also.

We have highlighted the things that you should consider a "red flag" to show the reasons that this needed a second look and was a scam...

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I got your response, hope everything is okay with you, I'm traveling to
Madrid, Spain this weekend for a business congress and i will be back
next week, the club will be opened officially by next  week , every
other thing are in place, i have added you to one of my worker,when i
get back i'll schedule a day for an interview with you, but there is
one errand i will like you to run for me before i come back , i have
paid for the all the drinks and liquor we need and i want you to help me handle the
shipment of the Liquor from the liquor wholesaler, i will issue a
certified check for you, it will be mailed to you via an express
mailing, I'm paying you for this errand, when you get the check cash,
you will take $200  for the errand and also to get yourself ready for
this job ,the rest of the money is for the shipment of the  this
liquor, i want the  shipment liquor to be  processed by next week
latest , email me back with your full name and your address, so i can send you the
check, i will email you about every other things we need as soon as
the check is issued out, and also i will keep you updated about any
progress on the  club commencement. Thank you so much, i look forward
your productive service at the club.

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The scammer is out of the area on business when a delivery is going to be made. He has already added the potential victim on as an employee even though he has never met or talked to him other than via email. He is going to send the potential victim a check to cover the cost of the liquor and is even giving him $200 for doing this (to be taken out of the check).  The scammer says he is going to send a certified check to somebody he does not know, to pay for liquor for a business that is not open, and has hired this person without ever meeting him or even talking to him on the phone.

If a check had been sent, it would be a fraudulent check. The possible victim would have been instructed to deposit the check in his account and send money to the liquor supplier via Western Union or Money Gram.  The delivery would have never happened and the check would have bounced. The potential victim would have been out the full amount of the check. This potential victim saw the red flags and did not follow through with what the scammer wanted. Don't fall for this type of scam.

06-18-10

Counterfeit Check Scams

Just to show you how many different counterfeit cashiers’ checks and regular checks are circulating out there, we obtained information from the FDIC listing out all known counterfeit documents floating around.

We want to acknowledge that these banks have good reputations and if you receive a check from someone that banks at one of the following institutions, it does not necessarily mean it is a bad check. Just remember where you got the check. If it was from a friend, then you can be sure for the most part it is good. If it is from someone you do not know to help pay taxes on monies you won in a contest – rest assured it is bad!

Today’s Alerts for counterfeit check scams

The following counterfeit items have been reported in circulation:

Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks

Anchor Bank, National Association, St. Paul, Minnesota
Bank of Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita, California
Central Valley Community Bank, Clovis, California
Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc., Trenton, Georgia
Citizens and Farmers Bank, West Point, Virginia
Collin Bank of Frisco, Texas
Great Western Bank, Watertown, South Dakota
Greenfield Banking Company, Greenfield, Indiana
Mariners Bank, Edgewater, New Jersey
Union State Bank, West Salem, Wisconsin

Counterfeit Checks

Cambridge State Bank, Cambridge, Minnesota
Citizens Community Federal, Altoona, Wisconsin
Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, New York
Mutual Federal Savings and Mutual Federal Bank, Chicago, Illinois
Wells Federal Bank, Wells, Minnesota
First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, Lansing, Illinois
CapitalBank, Greenwood, South Carolina
Ever Bank Corp, Jacksonville, Florida
First Federal Bank, Portsmouth, Ohio
Franklin Bank, Woodstown, New Jersey
Security Bank of Kansas City


Gulf Oil Spill Scams

As the nation follows news of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, so do scammers. The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert urging consumers and businesses to watch out for con artists trying to take advantage of the oil spill in the gulf and to report their experiences to federal and state authorities.

Scammers will likely use e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings and telephone calls to solicit money by claiming they’re raising money for environmental causes or offering fraudulent services related to the oil spill. In reality, many could be trying to get inside your home or get access to your personal information.

You can check out any charity at the following website. www.charitynavigator.org

06-04-10

Medicare Rebate Scams

Fraudsters may be targeting seniors who are due to receive a $250 rebate check from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for prescription drug costs, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said at a June 2 HHS web chat focused on health care fraud issues.

Sebelius said there have been stories of people coming to seniors' homes and asking for personal information in order to process their checks. She said CMS will be sending out roughly 4 million rebate checks to Medicare beneficiaries over the remainder of the year and that beneficiaries do not have to do anything to apply for their check.

The checks are being mailed to seniors who are in the Medicare “doughnut hole” or coverage gap and who are not receiving Medicare Extra Help, a CMS program for low-income seniors.

Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee also said that she had heard stories of seniors being asked to provide their banking information to get their checks.

She said other fraudulent schemes she had heard of included seniors being called by telemarketers and contacted on a door-to-door basis regarding purchasing an “Obamacare” plan. She said there is nothing new for seniors to purchase under PPACA.

Peter Budetti, deputy administrator for program integrity at CMS, said during the web chat that his office is focused on keeping fraudulent providers out of Medicare, as well as stopping fraudulent claims from being paid.

He said CMS receives 18,000 new applications a month from providers looking to bill Medicare.

06-04-10

You Have A Package Scam

This new twist on an old scam has hit the Fresno area in the last few days. As reported by the Fresno County Sheriffs Department, scammers are calling seniors and telling them they have a package waiting. The scammers have used different names and different companies in their quest to separate us from our money.

 One individual in Fresno County received a call on May 31, 2010 from a man who told the potential victim that she had failed to pick up a package that she purchased last June. The scammer had her name, address, age and phone number. He told her that if she paid $388.00 in overdue charges she could pick up the package.

To sweeten the deal he told her that she is also eligible for a $ 500.00 gift card to be used to purchase gasoline and another for $ 500.00 that could be used at any restaurant in her area, but to get these she had to provide the name of her bank and checking account number.

05-13-10

Summer Time Scams

As the flowers bloom this spring, consumers’ thoughts will increasingly turn to summer vacation plans. Unfortunately, scammers will be on the lookout as well … for unwary victims.

Travel has always been an area where consumers should have their anti-fraud antennae perked. Here are some of the types of travel scams to look out for.

Vacation Rental Scams – These scams typically crop up on online classified sites like Craigslist. The victim will search for an apartment or home for rent in a desirable destination and find an attractive rental at a very low price. The victim contacts the “owner” (who is in reality a scam artist) who then requests a “deposit” on the rental. Typically it is requested that the deposit be sent via wire transfer. The victim then arrives at the property to find that it either does not exist or that it is not available to be rented. Efforts to get back the deposit fail. Scammers typically use images from a real property (often taken from real estate sites) to make their scams seem legitimate.

Timeshare Purchase Scams – Victims are lured to a high-pressure sales pitch (sometimes at the timeshare resort itself) with promises of a high-value “free” gift, such as a car, RV, or cruise package. To obtain the advertised gift, the victim has to pay a “fee” for delivery or processing. When the gift arrives (if it ever does), it is typically of much lesser value than presented to the victim.

Fraudulent Timeshares – The victim receives a package in the mail or via e-mal detailing a timeshare for sale. If the victim invests, they later find that the timeshare does not exist and the timeshare company has “gone out of business,” or otherwise is unable to return the deposit paid.

Fraudulent Vacation Packages – Victims see an advertisement for a deeply discounted vacation package at a luxurious resort or cruise. After the deposit is paid, the victim finds that the quality of the package has been grossly misrepresented and/or there are significant additional fees that must be paid at the destination to take advantage of the “great deal.” Efforts to recover deposits are generally unsuccessful.

Airfare Scams – Victims are lured in by promises of steeply discounted airfares. Once the purchase is made, the victim receives no confirmation or a counterfeit confirmation e-mail or paper ticket. A variant of this scam occurs when the victim purchases the ticket and is then told that their credit card purchase has been declined. A wire transfer is requested which results in no ticket and no way to recover the funds.

Tips for Avoiding Travel Scams 

• If payment is requested via wire transfer or bank-to-bank transfer, it’s a scam.
• Pay by credit card whenever possible so that fraudulent charges can be disputed.
• Review all fine print in vacation package or timeshare information and question any unusual or misleading language BEFORE payment.
• Check out travel companies with the Better Business Bureau.
• Look for travel companies that are affiliated with the American Society of Travel Agents, United States Tour Operators Association, or International Airline Travel Agency Network.
• Be especially wary of rentals advertised on online classified sites like Craigslist.
• Do your due diligence before investing in a timeshare or vacation club. Have an attorney review any documentation before signing. Remember, a good deal today will still be a good deal tomorrow.

Above all, trust your gut. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

04-14-10

MEDICARE Scam Alert

Seniors Warned about New Medicare Scam

It has been reported that individuals are receiving "fraudulent phone calls asking for personal information so that new Medicare cards may be issued to the consumers."

The caller claims to represent Medicare or the Social Security office and asks the consumer to verify or provide personal information that could lead to identity theft.

Calls are originating from 866-234-2255. When investigators dialed the number, they reached a recording that states that “Medicare scammers” are spoofing the number and that calls should be reported to the state Attorney General or the Federal Communications Commission.

Consumers should never verify or provide personal information to someone who has called him or her. When in doubt consumers should hang up and call Social Security at

1-800-772-1213 or Medicare at 1-800-Medicare.

03-26-10

Bank Scam

This has been reported twice in Fresno County this week.

The suspect who identifies himself as a bank employee, usually working as a bank detective, contacts victim via the telephone. The (detective) states they are working a case in which known suspects are attempting to take funds out of the victim's account. The suspect requests their (victim's) assistance with the investigation.

The victim is advised to withdraw funds in large bills ($100) and tells the victim the bank is working on the case and will give them marked money. The suspect asks the victim for a clothing description along with vehicle description, (so they know who they are).

The victim is told to meet the suspect usually at a public parking lot, in which the suspect enters the victim's vehicles where the money exchange occurs. Suspect advises victim to return home and wait for a follow-up call. On one occasion the suspect called the victim back.

You bank will never ask you to take part in a “sting” operation such as this. If you receive a call like this please contact your local police department.

03-12-10

Return of an old scam

This scam has been around for some time and is making the rounds again. The way it works is a scammer sends out an email to thousands of people, most likely getting the names by purchasing a list.

In the email they place a virus that allows them to get into your address book and sends the following email or something like it to everyone in your address book. The person receiving the email thinks it is from you:

-----Original Message-----
From: ***** ****y <*******_2000@yahoo.com>
To: undisclosed recipients: ;
Sent: Thu, Mar 11, 2010 7:31 am
Subject: Help!!!

Hello, I am writing to you with tears in my eyes.Sorry i didn't inform you about my traveling, i am presently in London UK stranded. I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were  kept.I will like you to assist me with a soft loan urgently with the sum of  £1,200 GBP, it about $2,100 USD.I need to sort out the hotel bills and get myself back home. I will  appreciate whatever you can afford, i promise to pay back as soon as i return,Kindly help me send the Money via Western Union Money Transfer...  Here's he Details to transfer the money Below:

NAME- ***** ****

ADDRESS- 103 Harley Street

CITY- LONDON

COUNTRY- UNITED KINGDOM

ZIP CODE- W1G 6AJ

Hope to read from you soon.

*****.

Many individuals have fallen for this thinking their friend or family member is in trouble. When you are asked to send money to anyone including family please verify with other family members before doing so. This request for money can be made over the phone, like the grandparent scam, email or snail mail.

01-20-10

Google warns of scam adverts

A new scam has been detected which uses Google's name in a get rich quick scheme.

“Making easy money with Google” has been circulating for some time, and in the last few weeks, a new wave of such scams has emerged using Google's reputation to sell 'working from home' kits that claim Google is hiring people.

It said that the primary way of propagation and to increase exposure of those kits is through legitimately bought advertising space, and the marketing of the fake kits is designed to work with affiliates. For every kit sold the affiliate gets a cut of the profits.

This aggressive campaign, which preys on a population weakened by the economic downturn, demonstrates how cybercrime has moved on from the spotty teenage hacker in his bedroom to a sophisticated business run with all the trimmings.

It is not only Google that has been affected, as other brands such as Yahoo, Microsoft and Dell have been exploited with the average user affected and confused.

Misleading ads try to take advantage of consumers in the midst of a difficult economy. It has been reported that thousands of people have been tricked into sending payment information and being charged hidden fees by questionable operations.

Just as you should be careful about giving out financial information in the real world, you should be skeptical and review any offers online before sending any information.

01-13-10

FBI National Press Office (202) 324-3691

Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

Washington, D.C. – The FBI today reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

Do not respond to any unsolicited (SPAM) incoming emails, including clicking links contained within those messages.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group's existence and its nonprofit status rather than following a purported link to the site.

Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from know senders.

Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf to ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes.

Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

01-07-10

FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scam.

The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards as well.

The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm, and or incarceration.

Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law, the public should note that no FDA official will ever contact a consumer by phone demanding money or any other form of payment.

FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines, only a court can take such action.

Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official who is seeking money to settle a law enforcement action for the purchase of drugs over the Internet should refuse the demand and call the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office at (800) 521-5783 to report the crime.

In addition to posing as FDA officials, criminals have posed as special agents of the DEA, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs Service, as well as U.S. and Dominican prosecutors and judges. In response, the FDA, in conjunction with various federal, state, and local agencies, is actively pursing criminal charges.

Detective Dave Case- Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, elder abuse training coordinator - (559) 253-7863

Cory Scholtes- Program Coordinator, Scamnot web master

Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging