A Free Public Service

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

September 28, 2022

 CHARITY SCAMS

Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission—Unabridged

As recovery efforts continue in areas hit hard by mother nature’s recent bi-coastal punch, scammers are not far behind. They see tragedy as opportunity, and they’ll use the devastation caused by severe storms — like Typhoon Merbok, Hurricane Fiona, and Hurricane Ian, now headed for shore — to try to take advantage of those affected, as well as of anyone who tries to help. That’s why it’s so important to know how to spot the scams that often follow natural disasters.

If you suffered damage from one of the recent storms, scammers may approach you to clean up debris, pose as a government official, or offer to help you get aid for a fee. Walk away from anyone who demands personal information or money upfront. That’s always a scam. Find more on how to deal with and recover from disasters at ftc.gov/weatheremergencies.

If you want to donate to victims of the historic flooding in Alaska, or those affected by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, Bermuda and other islands in the Caribbean, here’s how to make sure your money goes to the people you want to help:

Use these tools to research the organization before you give. Don’t assume that familiar-sounding names or messages posted on social media are legitimate.

Donate to charities you know and trust and with a proven record of dealing with disasters.

Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. It’s safest to give to someone you personally know and trust. Review the platform’s policies and procedures, not all crowdfunding sites verify postings for help after a disaster. Read Donating Through Crowdfunding, Social Media, and Fundraising Platforms.

If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, by wiring money or cryptocurrency, don’t do it. Pay by credit card, which offers more protections, or by check.

Learn more about how to avoid charity scams at ftc.gov/charity. And report charity or weather-related scams to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

                                                          %

A Free Public Service

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

Sember 28, 2022

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT HACKS

Attribution scambusters.org

Millions of users are hit every year by social media account hackers.

It’s one of the fastest growing and most alarming Internet crimes, with security experts estimating that somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of all social network accounts have been compromised at some point.

The number one way of hacking an account is simple: The crook poses as a friend of the intended victim asking for help accessing his own (the “friend’s”) account. The message includes a link the victim is supposed to click. But doing so enables the hacker to take over their account and even block access to the real user.

A hacked account can currently be sold on the dark web to scammers and identity thieves for around $50 – one of the most valuable pieces of stolen consumer information currently being traded by hackers.

Once a hacker has control of an account, they have access to the victim’s entire list of friends who will be targeted next.  It’s like a giant pyramid scheme where the number of potential victims multiplies with each account takeover.

Important actions you can take to protect yourself from a social media account takeover:

*If you receive a friend request from someone you’re already linked to, it’s almost certainly a hacking scam, so don’t click on the “accept” button. And then let your friend know.

*If the request comes from someone you know but who you’re not following, again don’t click to accept. Contact the person independently and check that they did

*Always use a strong and unique password for each social media account and use a second pass code or other type of multi-factor authentication (MFA) such as those sent via text messages.

 *Learn more about two-factor authentication from our earlier issue: https://scambusters.org/passwordsecurity2.html.

*If you learn of a data breach affecting your social media account, change your password immediately.

*Don’t download third party apps promoted on your social media account. They can be used to hack your account.

What to do if Your Account Has Been Hacked:

You want to regain control of your account as soon as possible. If the hacker hasn’t changed your password and you still have access to the account, change it yourself immediately.

If you’re locked out, you need to contact the network provider. Different sites have different ways of dealing with it. Search on the phrase “My ——- account has been hacked” (insert the media network name in place of the dashes) and look for results that are actually from the network company.

It’s also important to let your friends know, via email or a message service, to put them on the alert.

                                                               #

A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an innactive atorney in San Mateo County, California.

September 21, 2022

ROBOTEXTS SCAMS

Attribution: scambusters

Spammers and scammers have stepped up their game with spam text messages called “robotexts”.

They may be only fishing for names of people interested in particular products, which they then sell to people who compile marketing lists.

Some of the signs to watch for include:

Phone numbers you don’t recognize or numbers longer than 10 digits-

Vague information that’s supposed to make you want to know more-

Questions that seem to come from someone you don’t know-

Misspellings that are intended to avoid blocking software-

Government departments (and many other organizations) don’t initiate contact via texts.

10 Key Actions to Protect Yourself:

Here’s what the Federal Communications Commission says you can do to protect yourself and help others from the robotext onslaught:

Don’t reply to suspicious texts; don’t even send a “STOP” response if you’re invited to do so-.

Don’t click on links or provide information about yourself.-

File a complaint to the FCC (https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us) and/or forward the text to SPAM (7726)-

Delete all suspicious texts.-

Consider installing an anti-malware app, and keep all device security software and operating systems up to date-.

Review text-blocking settings from your phone service provider and on the device itself-.

Both iOS (Apple) and Android phones have spam protection options built in.-

When you visit websites that legitimately require your name and phone number, check their privacy policies regarding text and info-sharing opt-outs.

If someone you know sends a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked-.

If you get an unexpected text from a business you deal with, look up and visit their legitimate website and contact them.-

“The FCC prohibits autodialed text messages from being sent to your mobile phone unless you previously gave consent to receive the message or the message is sent for emergency purposes,” it says.

“The FCC has made clear that phone companies can block suspicious text messaging as a default policy.”

                                                               #

A Free Public Service

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

September 9, 2022

VETERANS PENSION POACHING

Attribution AARP

 “Pension poaching” is a financial scam targeting veterans. It is perpetrated by shady advisers who promise to help former service members grow their retirement funds, or obtain extra benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The schemes often involve financial maneuvers that can backfire and actually disqualify veterans from needed benefits, or tie up their savings in investments that earn lucrative fees for the advisers.

A common form of the scam starts with a scammer sending mail solicitations, or showing up at a senior center or assisted living facility, offering to help ex-military members apply for a VA program called Aid and Attendance (A&A).

Only veterans with limited earnings and assets are eligible for A&A.

Scammers might recommend setting up a trust to transfer your retirement assets to family members. But that could get you disqualified by the VA or for Medicaid.  

Or a sham adviser might urge you to use retirement savings to buy an annuity. But these insurance products aren’t right for everyone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns.

Warning Signs

A financial adviser tells you that you’re entitled to additional benefits simply because you’re a veteran.

An adviser guarantees that they will get you an enhanced VA pension.

Do’s

*Do check the VA’s searchable database to see whether an attorney or financial professional is VA-accredited and has the required training to complete and submit claims.

*Do run a background check on any professional who promises to boost your VA benefits (see “More Resources” below).

*Do carefully read all contracts and other paperwork related to an investment or application. If you don’t understand something, get an explanation in writing.

*Do discuss any proposed pension or investment moves with a trusted friend or family member before taking action.

*Do beware of advisers who offer free food. Some rogue operators offer lunch or snacks to draw veterans to “financial seminars.”

*Do apply directly to the VA if you think you’re entitled to Aid and Attendance benefits (see “More Resources” below). There’s no cost for the forms and no fees to apply.

Don’ts

*Don’t trust an organization or individual that contacts you out of the blue and offers to assist you with a VA claim.

*Don’t hesitate to say “no” if an adviser pressures you to act fast.

*Don’t be swayed by a name. Words like “veterans” or “military families” in an organization’s name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s legitimate, the FTC says.

*Don’t settle for vague or evasive answers. If a financial professional won’t definitively answer your questions, walk away.

If you’ve been approached or victimized by a pension poacher, file a complaint to the FTC, online http://www.ftc.gov, or by calling 877-382-4357.

For information you can trust on VA pension options, visit the department’s Pension page and eBenefits portal or contact your state veterans-affairs office.

For lawyers, contact your state’s bar association, which can tell you if the person has been the subject of any ethics complaints.

For insurance agents selling annuities, contact your state insurance regulator.

Have you seen this scam?

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

Report it on AARP’s Scam-Tracking Map

Sign up for Watchdog Alerts for more tips on avoiding scams.