A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 29, 2021

PET SCAMS  

Courtesy Scambusters

Pet scams have scaled new heights during the past year as work-from-homers and people under lockdown fall for the companionship appeal of a furry friend.

The Better Business Bureau says its Scam Tracker service received more than 4,000 reports of fake pet sales during 2020, with the trend accelerating as the year progressed. These numbers relate to just reported incidents. Many scams are never declared because victims are embarrassed to admit they’ve been conned.

The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) says many pet sale scams begin with prospective owners searching online for free or cheap pets. This is where the crooks hang out. They tell their victims the pet is free or the price is extremely discounted, but they must pay shipping costs upfront.

IPATA says “They almost always say they are only giving the pet away because their child passed away, that they moved for a new job and cannot provide enough attention for the animal due to work hours, or their new house won’t allow pets.”

Sometimes, the pets do exist — they’re stolen or illegally imported animals from Asia and Eastern Europe. Again, the scammers use fake paperwork and even false microchipping to try to pass them off.

How To Avoid Being Scammed:

If you’re considering buying a pet online, here are things you can do to avoid being scammed:

* Don’t buy sight unseen or on the basis of just a photo. Tell the seller you want to see them with the pet using online video services such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. If the “seller” provides a photograph, do a reverse image search to check if it’s been used elsewhere. We described how to do this in our issue: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-1

*Be skeptical about hard-luck and grief stories relating to why the pet is being “given away.”

*Ask for the animal’s history, pedigree registration, previous ownership, and other facts you can check out to establish it exists and is a genuine sale.

*Don’t pay with untraceable gift cards or cyber currency. They’re nearly always used in scams.

*Beware of email addresses using official sounding names, for airlines and government departments for example, but tagged onto a popular service provider like Gmail or Yahoo.

*Don’t believe cheap transportation offers. Scammers often say they can ship the animal internationally for $250. IPATA says it costs more to transport an animal than it does a human. Check IPATA’s list of other pet scam warning signs here: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-2

*Search this database of known pet scam websites: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-3

*Beware of pet sales that originate in so-called puppy mills – large-scale breeding operations where animals are often kept in appalling conditions and frequently arrive with serious medical and psychological problems.

Finally, although most pet scams relate to dogs (especially French bulldogs and Yorkshire terriers), more than 10 percent of them are for cats and kittens and a few for parrots and even exotic animals.

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A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 21, 2021

TECH SUPPORT SCAM  

Courtesy AARP

Computer viruses and malware are scary. Tech support scammers exploit that fear. They claim your computer or mobile device is dangerously ill and needs an immediate, costly cure. Don’t fall for it.

 These faux technicians are out to steal your money or your identity, not save your machine. Some scam callers pretend to be associated with Microsoft, Apple or a familiar security software company such as Norton or McAfee. They claim to have detected an imminent threat to your computer. They will ask for remote access to your computer to run phony diagnostic tests, then pretend to have found malware or a virus that is set to freeze your machine or eat your data.

Once they have you running scared, the crooks will pressure you to pay hundreds of dollars for repairs, new software, and other products and services you do not need. They will ask for a credit card number so they can charge the transaction, or request payment by gift card or money transfer (methods favored by many scammers because they are difficult to trace).

Worse yet, the crooks might utilize their access to your computer to transmit actual malware that harvests your personal and financial information from the device, which they can use to steal your identity.

Don’ts

Don’t give remote access to your computer or payment information to someone who calls you out of the blue.

Don’t rely on caller ID to determine if a caller is on the level. Scammers use “spoofing” techniques to make it look like they’re calling from a legitimate number.

Don’t call the number in a pop-up virus alert. Real warnings from your operating system or antivirus program will not ask you to call anyone for support.

Don’t click any links in the pop-up, even to close the window. This could redirect you to a scam site or launch a “dialogue loop,” continually serving pop-up messages.

Don’t buy security software from a company you don’t know. If the name is unfamiliar, do an internet search to see if it has been linked to adware or scams.

Don’t open previously closed sites if prompted to do so when you restart the browser after getting a scam pop-up.

Don’t give financial information to someone who calls a few days, weeks or months after you’ve made a tech support purchase and asks if you were satisfied — it’s probably a “refund scam.” If you say “No,” the caller will ask for bank or credit card information, ostensibly to deposit a refund in your account but actually to steal from you.

Do’s

Do hang up if you get an unsolicited call from someone who claims to be a tech support provider for your computer or software.

Do get rid of a fake virus alert message by shutting down your browser. You can do this on a Windows PC by pressing Control-Alt-Delete and bringing up the Task Manager. On a Mac, press the Option, Command and Esc (Escape) keys, or use the Force Quit command from the Apple menu.

Do use antivirus software to regularly scan your computer for malware and run a scan immediately after getting a scam pop-up.

Do keep your security software, browser and operating system up to date, and consider using your browser’s pop-up blocker.

Do contact a computer technician you trust if you think there might be a genuine problem with your machine.

Do contact your credit card company and request a reversal of the payment if you have been victimized.

Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360.

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A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 18, 2021

REJUVENATON–“anti-aging”– PILLS REFUND

Courtesy Federal Trade Commission

If you bought ReJuvenation pills you may be entitled to a partial or full refund. Here’s what you should know:

Last year, the FTC reached a settlement agreement with makers of ReJuvenation pills and sent refund checks to people who bought this so-called “anti-aging” pill that scammers claimed to be a cure-all for ailments including cell damage, heart attack damage, brain damage, and deafness.

To receive your refund, go to the Quantum Refunds page at http://www.ftc.gov/rejuvenation and follow the instructions for filing a claim. The deadline for filing claims is August 31, 2021.

The average refund check has been about $113 dollars. Once you receive your check, deposit it right away since it will expire after 90 days.

Also, please know the only way these FTC refund checks will come to you is by US postal mail. You never have to pay to get a refund from the FTC. If someone contacts you and asks you to pay, or says they can help you get a refund, it’s a scam — report it to the FTC.

For more information about the ReJuvenation pills refunds visit ftc.gov/ReJuvenation.

A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 14, 2021

HOME RENTAL SCAMS 

Courtesy scambusters

Many persons are struggling with home rental payments. The same goes for those looking for a rental at a reasonable rate. Either way, scammers have them firmly in their sights.

Watch out for red flags when seeking help with a rental home. Despite a government freeze on evictions and some financial aid, troubled renters are subject to phony offers of help.

RED FLAGS

For those searching for a home to rent, here are some red flags to steer you away from scams in which the crook pretends to be offering a home he or she does not own:

*The rent is way lower than that for similar properties.

*Ads and messages use poor grammar and spelling errors. A common clue is overuse of initial capital letters.

*The “agent” offering the property refuses to let you speak to the owner, often making excuses about their non-availability.

*You’re asked to sign a rental agreement before you get to view the home. Never do this.

*You’re charged a fee to view the home.

*The agent makes an excuse about why you can’t view the inside of a home and asks you to make your decision on a simple outside viewing.

*You’re pressured to make a fast decision, usually on the spot.

Whether you’re struggling with an existing rental or viewing a new one, make sure you have a clear understanding of the rental agreement. Would-be renters should never hand over any money before checking out the agent or owners and having read the lease.

CAUTION

Here are tips to help steer clear of the crooks for both scenarios:

*Some of the scammers are posing as charitable or financial assistance organizations. The end result of their crime is to deepen the misery of those people who are already struggling, either by loading them with more debt or stealing their personal information for identity theft — sometimes both.

*No matter what kind of help they promise, scammers will tell you to give them money up front or hand over your personal information first. Both are dead giveaways that it’s a scam.

*Using a different approach, scammers offer rental homes at rock-bottom rates, luring those who are struggling in their present home to chase after these non-existent rentals, parting with yet more money in the form of advance rent.

*For those in need of financial assistance with rent, it’s worthwhile discussing this with the landlord to try to come to some staging payment arrangements.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

*Free help may be available.  For example, try the low-income assistance organization LawHelp.org.

*Be very wary of unsolicited offers of help. They’re usually scammers or loan sharks, or attach unacceptable conditions to any aid they give.

*Visit your state office of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You’ll find links to your state here.

Many states have their own emergency rental assistance funds. Conduct an online search on the name of your state plus “emergency rental assistance program.”

Know your rights on eviction. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently extended its moratorium of evictions for certain groups to the end of July. Some states also have their own rules.

A good source of information in a single place on this issue is a regularly updated page run by the consumer law organization NOLO: Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus.

Another is your local state and county court system. You can track them down at USA.gov’s page: State, County, and Municipal Courts.

Also, keep records of the whole process for possible follow up needs.

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A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 10, 2021

HEALTH FRAUD WARNINGS

Courtesy US Food and Drug Administration

You will never see these warnings on health products, but that’s what you ought to be thinking when you see claims like “miracle cure,” “guaranteed results,” or “vaccine alternative.”

A health product is fraudulent if it is deceptively promoted as being effective against a disease or health condition, but not scientifically proven safe and effective for that purpose, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),

Health fraud scammers play on the desire for a quick or miracle cure. The snake-oil salesmen of old have morphed into the deceptive, high-tech marketers of today. They prey on people’s desires for easy solutions to difficult health problems. That may include Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, memory loss, sexual performance, weight loss, and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other infectious diseases.

Scammers promote their products with savvy marketing techniques. Health fraud scams run rampant on social media sites and closed messaging apps, such as Signal, Viber, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Scam promotions may be found in other locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, flea markets and nontraditional stores. They may target persons with limited English proficiency and limited access to health care services and information.

Overseas Orders

Other risks include potentially dangerous or unproven products ordered direct from overseas sources via mail to circumvent normal Customs and FDA inspections and other safety measures.

Consumers can increase their chances of identifying and avoiding health fraud scams by focusing on being smart, aware and careful when purchasing health care products.

Tip-Offs

Here are tip-offs to help you identify scams:

*One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases. These miracle cures don’t exist – they’re bogus – and the only thing these companies are selling is false hope.

*Personal “success” testimonials. Success stories, such as, “It cured my diabetes” or “It immediately stopped my COVID-19 infection,” are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence. Reviews found on popular online marketplaces and social media can be fake.

*Quick fixes. Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products. Beware of language such as, “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days,” “protects from viral infections,” or “eliminates skin cancer in days.”

*“All natural” cure or treatment. Don’t be fooled by descriptions like “all-natural cure.” Such phrases are often used in health fraud as an attention-grabber to suggest that a product is safer than conventional treatments.

*“Miracle cure.” Alarms should go off in your mind when you see this claim or others like it such as, “new discovery,” “guaranteed results,” or “secret ingredient.” If a real cure for a serious disease were FDA-approved, it would be widely reported through the media and prescribed by licensed health professionals.

*Conspiracy theories. Claims like “This is the cure our government or Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know about” are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.

Health fraud issues can be reported to the US Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov for possible legal action.

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A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 5, 2021

SOCIAL ENGINEERING SCAM

Courtesy Scambusters

 Social engineering sounds scientific, but it’s really a polite way of describing the techniques scammers use to fool their victims. Behind every scam, there’s a piece of social engineering — the technique and tactics that con artists use to convince people to give away information, money, or behave out of the ordinary.

If it were not so evil (at least in this context), you could call social engineering a science. That’s because being a good social engineer involves understanding what makes people tick. They know how to put pressure on you, spin a convincing hard luck story or strike fear in your heart. Pressure, trust, and fear are the scammers’ frontline weapons.

Sadly, social engineering is here to stay. But being aware of it and knowing how to counter it is a powerful starting point for beating the crooks. The more you learn, the less likely you are to be scammed.

REVERSE ENGINEERING

If you want to beat them at their own game, you’ve got to be constantly on the alert. In a way, you have to “reverse engineer” the scammers’ tactics. You have to know and deal with what makes you potentially vulnerable.

If you’re too trusting or gullible, you have to recognize this and adopt an attitude of skepticism about all that you see and hear.

If you give way to pressure easily, you must set a personal rule for yourself to disconnect from whoever is pressuring you so you have time to review what’s happening.

And if you’re the type who is easily scared by intimidation, you need to call on help and support from friends or family to help steer you past the threats.

The non-profit Center for Cyber Safety and Education has more information about how to counter the scammers’ techniques, by following key actions:

*Make your starting point to question the intentions of anyone asking you for money or information. Seek and check proof of identity.

*Be on your guard when you get a call from anyone you don’t know. You have no way of being sure who they are, even if their voice sounds familiar.

*Think before acting – not the other way around. Tell yourself to slow down in a situation where you’re being asked for money or information. Ask someone you trust for their opinion on what you’re being asked.

*Look out for red flags including paying with gift cards or money wire, or being told not to discuss your activities with anyone else.

*Don’t let a link (e.g. in an email, on a website, or a text message) control where you land. Find the site you’re interested in by yourself not via a link.

At Scambusters we recommend using “don’t click” as your default policy with links, unexpected attachments, and downloads.

*Foreign offers to buy, sell, or inform you of winnings/inheritances are usually fakes.

*Hit “delete” when you get messages asking for confidential information. Legitimate organizations simply don’t make these requests.

*Be suspicious… if you get an email offering of help you didn’t ask for, or seeming to answer a question you never asked.

Any suspected scam activity can be reported to the US Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov for possible legal action.

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A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

July 1, 2021

TRAVEL SCAMS

Courtesy AARP

How It Works

Crooks set up look-alike travel and booking sites in hopes you will book with them rather than your intended company. They create fake vacation-rental listings, which are often altered from real listings that they have stolen from legitimate sites.

Often, bogus travel sites appear high up in search rankings because scammers buy and pay for promotion. Listings at a lower-than-expected price could be a sign that it’s not legitimate.

The typical request is for you to pay in advance with something other than a credit card when the listing is fraudulent.

What You Can Do

 *Be skeptical of any pitch that offers a cut-rate hotel, airline or car rental that seems too good to be true.

*Vet travel reservation sites or agents before you book. First conduct a web search on the company name (along with the word “scam” or “complaint”) and check to see if the listing shows up elsewhere. Also check out reviews on popular review sites.

*Pay for travel reservations and bookings with a credit card, which offers greater protections than peer-to-peer apps or other forms of payment.

To report any fraudulent conduct call AARP: 877-908-3360