The email pretends to be a notification of a lottery win for Coca-Cola...the person who receives it is told they are one of only 20 lucky winners around the world who have been selected at random after computers found their email address online. Now, in order for the person to collect on their winnings...they must first call or fax an agent who claims to be working on behalf of Coca-Cola. Of course...all this is, is a ruse to steal your money and personal identity. It's a variation of the dreaded Nigerian sweepstakes scam. PLEASE DON'T FALL FOR IT!
*Remember, legitimate sweepstakes companies will not require you to pay taxes or fees before ever collecting on your winnings.
*You can also ask yourself this...did I enter the sweepstakes or lottery in question. It's likely you didn't...therefore you're not eligible to win in the first place.
Please forward all suspicious emails to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
IYC Scam Alert
Our In Your Corner team is putting out a warning about a phone scam circulating the metro. Scammers posing as attorneys with the United Nations is harassing Americans...including a handful of people right here in Oklahoma. They use threats of lawsuits and jail time and to try to trick you into sending them money. DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR LIES AND DECEPTION! Honestly...their story isn't very believable...but it's our elderly and those who might not be the wiser...that we have to worry about. Just remember this...authorities aren't going to haul you off to jail because you owe money on a debt. If someone calls you demanding payment for an outstanding debt, ask to see proof. Demand documentation qualifying the debt they seek to collect on.
I pulled more Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs from the Federal Trade Commission's website...
If you hear these — or similar — "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone.
* "You've been specially selected to hear this offer."
* "You'll get a wonderful free bonus if you buy our product."
* "You've won one of five valuable prizes."
* "You've won big money in a foreign lottery."
* "You must send money right away."
* "This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere
else."
* "You have to make up your mind right away."
* "You don't need to check our company with anyone"- including your family, lawyer,
accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
* "We'll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card."
* "You don't need any written information about our company or references."
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!
I pulled more Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs from the Federal Trade Commission's website...
If you hear these — or similar — "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone.
* "You've been specially selected to hear this offer."
* "You'll get a wonderful free bonus if you buy our product."
* "You've won one of five valuable prizes."
* "You've won big money in a foreign lottery."
* "You must send money right away."
* "This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere
else."
* "You have to make up your mind right away."
* "You don't need to check our company with anyone"- including your family, lawyer,
accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
* "We'll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card."
* "You don't need any written information about our company or references."
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!
Monday, August 23, 2010
What the heck!?!
Monday @ 10…we featured an automated phone message that’s circulating the metro...talk about odd! It asks you to take a survey…answer a few questions…something like this: ‘Do you own a small dog? Please press 1 for No or 2 for Yes.’ Our intended victim pressed 1 for No and then hung up. The mysterious 208-758-0218 number appears to originate from Idaho, but it's likely the scammers just high jacked that number and are hiding out somewhere in Canada or overseas.
The worst thing you can do is play along with an automated message you're not familiar with. Should you answer 'yes' to a question even as innocent as something like, 'do you own a small dog'...scammers could then tape record your answer and fraudulently use it as proof that you agreed to buy a new service. What could potentially happen is you might be giving permission to a charge being placed on your phone bill. You think you’re pressing 1 because you have a small dog. What you’re actually doing is giving an authorization to put some kind of charge on your phone bill.
Should you receive a suspicious call, immediately hang up and contact your phone company to find out whether or not the call is legitimate. You can also contact the Attorney General and Oklahoma Corporation Commission with questions. One more thing...it's also a smart idea to check your monthly phone bill on a regular basis for any unscrupulous charges.
The worst thing you can do is play along with an automated message you're not familiar with. Should you answer 'yes' to a question even as innocent as something like, 'do you own a small dog'...scammers could then tape record your answer and fraudulently use it as proof that you agreed to buy a new service. What could potentially happen is you might be giving permission to a charge being placed on your phone bill. You think you’re pressing 1 because you have a small dog. What you’re actually doing is giving an authorization to put some kind of charge on your phone bill.
Should you receive a suspicious call, immediately hang up and contact your phone company to find out whether or not the call is legitimate. You can also contact the Attorney General and Oklahoma Corporation Commission with questions. One more thing...it's also a smart idea to check your monthly phone bill on a regular basis for any unscrupulous charges.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Work-At-Home Schemes...
Make big bucks working from home...sounds too good to be true...typically it is. Here's some tips to follow when searching for employment. (National Consumers League's Internet Fraud Watch)
*Know who you’re dealing with. The company may not be offering to employ you directly, only to sell you training and materials and to find customers for your work.
*Don’t believe that you can make big profits easily. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business – it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit.
*Be cautious about emails offering work-at-home opportunities. Many unsolicited emails are fraudulent.
*Get all the details before you pay. A legitimate company will be happy to give you information about exactly what you will be doing and for whom.
*Find out if there is really a market for your work. Claims that there are customers for work such as medical billing and craft making may not be true. If the company says it has customers waiting, ask who they are and contact them to confirm. You can also ask likely customers in your area (such as doctors for medical billing services) if they actually employ people to do that work from home.
*Get references for other people who are doing the work. Ask them if the company kept its promises.
*Be aware of legal requirements. To do some types of work, such as medical billing, you may need a license or certificate. Check with your state attorney general’s office. Ask your local zoning board if there are any restrictions on operating a business from your home. Some types of work cannot be done at home under federal law. Look for the nearest U.S. Department of Labor in the government listings of your phone book.
*Know the refund policy. If you have to buy equipment or supplies, ask whether and under what circumstances you can return them for a refund.
*Beware of the old “envelope stuffing” scheme. In this classic scam, instead of getting materials to send out on behalf of a company, you get instructions to place an ad like the one you saw, asking people to send you money for information about working at home. This is an illegal pyramid scheme because there is no real product or service being offered. You won’t get rich, and you could be prosecuted for fraud.
*Be wary of offers to send you an “advance” on your “pay.” Some con artists use this ploy to build trust and get money from your bank. They send you a check for part of your first month’s “pay.” You deposit it, and the bank tells you the check has cleared because the normal time has passed to be notified that checks have bounced. Then the crook contacts you to say that you were mistakenly paid the wrong amount or that you need to return a portion of the payment for some other reason. After you send the money back, the check that you deposited finally bounces because it turned out to be an elaborate fake. Now the crooks have your payment, and you’re left owing your bank the amount that you withdrew.
*Do your own research about work-at-home opportunities. The “Work-At-Home Sourcebook” and other resources that may be available in your local library provide good advice and lists of legitimate companies that hire people to work for them at home. You may discover that these companies hire only local people and that there is nothing available in your area.
*Know who you’re dealing with. The company may not be offering to employ you directly, only to sell you training and materials and to find customers for your work.
*Don’t believe that you can make big profits easily. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business – it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit.
*Be cautious about emails offering work-at-home opportunities. Many unsolicited emails are fraudulent.
*Get all the details before you pay. A legitimate company will be happy to give you information about exactly what you will be doing and for whom.
*Find out if there is really a market for your work. Claims that there are customers for work such as medical billing and craft making may not be true. If the company says it has customers waiting, ask who they are and contact them to confirm. You can also ask likely customers in your area (such as doctors for medical billing services) if they actually employ people to do that work from home.
*Get references for other people who are doing the work. Ask them if the company kept its promises.
*Be aware of legal requirements. To do some types of work, such as medical billing, you may need a license or certificate. Check with your state attorney general’s office. Ask your local zoning board if there are any restrictions on operating a business from your home. Some types of work cannot be done at home under federal law. Look for the nearest U.S. Department of Labor in the government listings of your phone book.
*Know the refund policy. If you have to buy equipment or supplies, ask whether and under what circumstances you can return them for a refund.
*Beware of the old “envelope stuffing” scheme. In this classic scam, instead of getting materials to send out on behalf of a company, you get instructions to place an ad like the one you saw, asking people to send you money for information about working at home. This is an illegal pyramid scheme because there is no real product or service being offered. You won’t get rich, and you could be prosecuted for fraud.
*Be wary of offers to send you an “advance” on your “pay.” Some con artists use this ploy to build trust and get money from your bank. They send you a check for part of your first month’s “pay.” You deposit it, and the bank tells you the check has cleared because the normal time has passed to be notified that checks have bounced. Then the crook contacts you to say that you were mistakenly paid the wrong amount or that you need to return a portion of the payment for some other reason. After you send the money back, the check that you deposited finally bounces because it turned out to be an elaborate fake. Now the crooks have your payment, and you’re left owing your bank the amount that you withdrew.
*Do your own research about work-at-home opportunities. The “Work-At-Home Sourcebook” and other resources that may be available in your local library provide good advice and lists of legitimate companies that hire people to work for them at home. You may discover that these companies hire only local people and that there is nothing available in your area.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Debt Collection: Know Your Rights
The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer protection agency...as enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)...which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you. If you'd like to read up on your rights...check out the FTC's consumer debt collection guide...
Here's what the FTC says you need to know...
Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact.
For example, they may not: use threats of violence or harm; publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies); use obscene or profane language; or repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
False statements.
Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt.
For example, they may not: falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives; falsely claim that you have committed a crime; falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company; misrepresent the amount you owe; indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.
Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that: you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt; they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.
Debt collectors may not: give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company; send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or use a false company name.
Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not: try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
deposit a post-dated check early; take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or contact you by postcard.
Here's what the FTC says you need to know...
Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact.
For example, they may not: use threats of violence or harm; publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies); use obscene or profane language; or repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
False statements.
Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt.
For example, they may not: falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives; falsely claim that you have committed a crime; falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company; misrepresent the amount you owe; indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.
Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that: you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt; they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.
Debt collectors may not: give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company; send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or use a false company name.
Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not: try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
deposit a post-dated check early; take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or contact you by postcard.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Beware Independent Musicians...
If you're an aspiring artist...you're gonna want to steer clear of this website... www.numberonemusic.com... the online company claims to sell promotional packages to musicians who are hungry for exposure. For a couple hundred dollars, the company promises to boost your page views, song plays, and fan base on your profile for numberonemusic.com and myspace. Initially...you think you're getting a bunch of traffic on your pages...what you don't know...it's actually an online bot... also known as web robots...software applications that run automated tasks over the internet. According to Wikipedia...bots perform tasks that are both simple and structurally repetitive, at a much higher rate than would be possible for a human alone.
Remember...just because you read something online..doesn't make it true. Take advantage of search engine sites like Google when checking out a company...and before you make any sort of purchase online...make sure to read the fine print...does that company have a refund policy?? Just be careful...the more thorough...the better!
Remember...just because you read something online..doesn't make it true. Take advantage of search engine sites like Google when checking out a company...and before you make any sort of purchase online...make sure to read the fine print...does that company have a refund policy?? Just be careful...the more thorough...the better!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Are you unknowingly aiding terrorism??
You've all seen the online ads...work from home...get rich quick. Sounds too good to be true, right?? um, yes...that's because it likely is. Criminals overseas continue to target Oklahomans online. You think you're working from home, but what you don't know is you could be unknowingly helping terrorists. A disabled man from Guthrie thought he was working as a shipping clerk...re-shipping merchandise to Americans overseas.. but really he was sending stolen merchandise to scam artists in Nigeria. In his case...the crooks posted a bogus ad online...our victim then responded to the ad. Once they got his personal information...they used a stolen credit card to order cell phones...those cell phones were then shipped to our victim's home address in Oklahoma...where he repackaged and tried to re-ship the merchandise to West Africa. Here's the scary part...the cell phone's SIM card can be used as the trigger mechanism in IED bombs used by terrorists in Africa and possibly the Middle East. U.S. Postal Inspectors warn about the scheme on their webpage...
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