April 30, 2019

NOTRE DAME DONATIONS SCAMS

Following the recent devastating fire that destroyed much of the famous and historically important Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, fundraising efforts have begun. Many generous people may decide to donate money toward rebuilding efforts. Scammers know that–and are ready to take your money.

 Here are some things to consider before you give to an organization or a crowdfunding project:

Research the organization. Search online for the name of the organization plus the word “complaint” or “scam.” Read what others say the about the organization.

It is important to ask questions. If you receive a call from someone asking for money to help rebuild the Cathedral, ask for proof they represent a legitimate charitable organization.  Ask them how exactly your money will be used.  

 Crowdfunding sites may not monitor how donations are spent. Online fundraisers should tell you who gets your donation and how your money will reach the charity. They should also tell you if they keep any part of your donation as a fee.  These details should be clear and easy to find without hunting through fine print. If the details are not clear, consider taking your donation money elsewhere.

Donations to foreign organizations generally are not tax deductible. If tax deductions are important to you, make sure the group is established in the U.S. Check the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Search to see if your donation would be tax deductible. Remember that donations to individuals, as in some crowdfunding sites, are not tax deductible.

For more tips on how to donate wisely and avoid scams go to FTC.gov/Charity.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer Attorney who provides free legal assistance to low income seniors in San Mateo County, California

April 22, 2019

VETERANS BENEFITS SCAMS

U.S. veterans who receive calls or recorded messages claiming to be from “veterans services” should have their guard up. It should raise a red flag.

Fraudsters often leave voice messages following a script that goes something like this:

“Your VA profile was flagged for two potential benefits due to the changes in the VA program. These are time sensitive entitlements. Please call us back at your earliest convenience”.

Scam callers are attempting to elicit financial and other personal information from veterans. They are telling vets there is a new type of veterans’ benefit related to home loans. The fraudsters often leave voice messages following a script that goes something like this:

“Your VA profile was flagged for two potential benefits due to the changes in the VA program. These are time sensitive entitlements. Please call us back at your earliest convenience”. Don’t do it.

Scammers may offer “benefits,” such as loan modifications to their mortgages–then asked for personal information, including social security numbers, dates of birth and bank

account numbers.

Scammers who gain access to personal information can use it to steal money from bank accounts, credit card accounts, or sell the information to other bad actors for use in identity theft fraud.

Scammers preying on veterans may purport to be from the “Update Your Military File”, the “Veteran Charity” or “Veterans Choice Program”.

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If you receive a call that offers any of the above “services,” hang up immediately.  If you receive a voice message, write down the callback number and e-mail that information to the Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov.

April 15, 2019

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

COLLEGE GRADUATE JOB SCAMS   

Congratulations students and parents! The Federal Trade Commission has some practical scam avoidance advice to offer. It won’t be long before young people across the country will put on their caps and gowns to celebrate their graduations.

What is a job scam?

If you’re looking for a job, scammers may be looking for you. Some phony job placement firms misrepresent their services, promote nonexistent vacancies, or charge high fees in advance for services that don’t guarantee placement.

Scammers might promise to help you find a job if you pay them up front. But after they take your money, you get nothing. This is a job scam.

How do I know a job promise is a scam? Most fake job offers have things in common:

*promises you a job

*guarantees that you will make money

*often says you can work at home

*might offer government jobs no one knows about

According to recently released FTC data, younger people reported losing money to fraud more often than older people. Based on those who reported fraud and gave us their age, 43% of people in their 20s reported a loss to fraud, while only 15% of people in their 70s did.

Helpful easy-to-read tips on budgeting, getting credit, renting a place to live, dealing with identity theft and scams is provided by www.consumer.gov.

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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services to low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

April 3, 2019

ALZHEIMER’S CURE SCAMS

Chances are, you know someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia involving memory loss. That’s due in part to the fact that as our older population grows, so does the number of people facing serious cognitive and related health issues.

Not surprisingly, this demographic change has been accompanied by a growth in the number of marketers who prey on this population, pitching products that make unproven claims they can prevent, treat, delay, or even cure Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions.

Scammers are marketing phony products take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable and often looking for a miracle cure.

Their products fly in the face of true science. What these companies are selling is the false hope that there is an effective treatment or cure. At best, the products offered by these scam artists will have no effect on the patient; at worst they may pose a danger to a patient who takes them.

Remember the saying, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is?” Unfortunately, when faced with a serious health issue, even the most rational person can be led to believe implausible claims. Indeed, that’s what fraudsters selling fake treatments count on.

These claims include statements such as:

* “You can even reverse mental decline associated with dementia or even Alzheimer’s in just a week;”

 * “Clinically shown to help disease of the brain such as Alzheimer’s and even dementia;”

 * “Supplements are used to cure Alzheimer’s disease;”

  * “can … reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by half;”

  * “May have a role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s;” and

Here are other ways to protect yourself and others from fake Alzheimer’s treatments:

*  Question any product that also claims to be a “scientific breakthrough.”

 *  Always check with your doctor or health care professional before buying or using any over-the-counter product, including those labeled as dietary supplements.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and related diseases, visit The Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org, or, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at https://alzfda.org.

If you know of a product or supplement (other than approved drugs) being advertised or sold as treatment for Alzheimer’s or other diseases, you can report it to the Food and Drug Administration website www.fda.gov.

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