A Free Public Service

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

December 29, 2022.

SOLAR PANEL SCAMS

Attribution: http://www.scambusters.org

With rising energy costs and falling prices of equipment, who wouldn’t see the appeal of solar panels on their home? But ignorance and hasty decisions can lead would-be buyers into falling victim to lies, misleading information, and other scams.

A common trick is to get you to fill in a form “to see if you qualify.” Scammers use these forms to steal information about you.

Tapping energy directly from sunlight is a fantastic renewable energy source.

But there are crooks taking advantage of this opportunity.

 Con artists take advantage of the fact that most of us know little about solar technology, such as how it works, how much it costs, and how much a householder might save. But scammers use red flag exaggerations and lies such as:

*The system will be free.

*There are no upfront costs, or they’ll be refunded.

*Misleading information about federal and state financial assistance and tax credits.

*Wild claims about the savings you’ll make and the amount of time it’ll take to recoup your investment.

*Time is tight. Scammers will suggest a special deal or aid program is about to expire so you must act now.

*High-pressure sales tactics aimed at getting you to sign up.

*Claims they’ve installed their systems on neighboring homes.

*Suggesting their system is the only one allowed by law or qualifying for financial incentives.

*Fake statistics suggesting a huge rise in utility prices is on the way.

*Imposters claiming to be from your state or utility provider or working in partnership with them.

*Crooks may also offer a bid price without even doing an inspection, offer you a price that’s too good to be true, and promise they can arrange special low-cost financing. All red flags.

LEASING

In addition to buying a solar panel system, you may also be able to lease one. A scammer is unlikely to tell you how this works and mislead you into thinking you are being offered a good deal.

More information about Solar Panel Scams is available on http://www.scambusters.org.

Attribution Federal Trade Commission

A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an iactive attorney in San Mateo County, Califoria.

Decmber 17, 2022

We’ve all been there. During the holidays you order something online and anxiously await its arrival. But then your package doesn’t come when the seller said it would. And worse, you hear nothing. Your happy anticipation is turning to anger and frustration. So now what?

If you didn’t get your stuff:

• First, contact the seller. Most businesses will work with you to resolve the problem and keep you as a customer.
• If that doesn’t work, you still didn’t get your order and the charge shows up on your credit card statement, dispute the charge.
• If you paid by debit card, contact your debit card company (often your bank or credit union). Ask if they can help you. This sample letter for disputing debit card charges can help.

Sometimes, you can head problems off by doing some research before buying from an unfamiliar online store.

• Check out the company or product. Search online for the name plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what other people say about it. And read the seller’s description of the product carefully. If they offer name-brand goods at steeply discounted prices, they might be fakes.
• Pay by credit card. You’ll get protections under federal law, so you don’t have to pay for things you ordered but didn’t get.

A word on timing, as the holidays approach: online sellers have to ship when they (or their ads) say they will. (The law says so.) If they don’t ship then, they have to tell you (and give you a chance to cancel and get a full refund). If they don’t give a shipping date, they have 30 days to ship from the date of your order.

If you suspect a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

Free Public Service

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

December 5, 2022

Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by spotting and avoiding gift card scams. Scammers want you to pay with gift cards because they’re like cash: once you use a gift card, the money on it is gone.

How to spot a gift card scam? Someone may call, tell you they’re from a government agency, and say you owe taxes or a fine. Or they may pretend to be a family member, or friend in trouble, who needs money right away. Or they may say you’ve won a prize, but first must pay fees or other charges. 

In these and similar scenarios, here are signs you’re dealing with a scammer:

• The caller says it’s urgent. They tell you to pay right away or something terrible will happen. They try to pressure you into acting quickly, so you don’t have time to think or talk to someone you trust. Don’t pay. It’s a scam.
• The caller usually tells you which gift card to buy. They might tell you to put money on a Google Play, Target, or iTunes gift card — or send you to a specific store like Walmart, Target, or CVS. Sometimes they tell you to buy cards at several stores, so cashiers won’t get suspicious. If so, stop. It’s a scam.
• The caller asks you for the gift card number and PIN. The scammer uses that information to get the money you’ve loaded on the card. Don’t give them those numbers. It’s a scam. You’ll lose your money, and you won’t be able to get it back.

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. Keep the card and find any receipts you have. Then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Visit ftc.gov/giftcards for more information.

A Free Public Service

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

December 4, 2022

Attribution: AARP.org.

Fake technicians claim your computer or mobile device is dangerously ill and needs an immediate, costly repair. These fraudsters are out to steal your money or your identity, not repair your machine.

How it Works:

You get an unsolicited phone call or email purporting to be from a big tech company, or you see a pop-up message on your screen warning that a virus or other malicious program has infected your device, and you need to call a certain number right away.

If you call, a “technician” asks for remote access to your computer, and once in, shows you some files that “prove” you have a major problem.  Even though there is no problem.

The “technician” says they can fix your problem for a fee, and then may offer you a monthly subscription to keep your device safe. 

The scammer may ask you to pay by purchasing a gift card and providing the account number and PIN, or request payment by wire transfer—a sure sign that it’s a scam. If you refuse to pay, the vengeful scammer may deliberately damage vital parts of your computer.

What You Should Know:

Big tech companies like Microsoft or Apple say they don’t call customers out of the blue to warn them of problems on their devices.

The files the “technician” may show you on your computer are completely benign and need no repair.  

If you send payment the scammer may call back months later and offer you a refund for some phony reason, asking for your bank account information to deposit the money; this is a ruse.  

What You Can Do:

*Screen incoming calls with an answering machine or voice mail, and once you listen to the message, decide if it warrants a call back.

*If the caller claims you have a problem with your computer or the software on your computer, it is a scam, so don’t engage or return the call.

*If you get a pop-up that freezes your screen, shut down your computer and restart it.

*Keep your security software, browser and operating system up to date.

*If you think your device is infected, have it checked out by a reputable source; most big box electronics retailers offer tech support services.

*If you realize you’ve fallen victim to this scam, and you’ve paid by credit card, promptly contact your financial institution to dispute the charge and to cancel any monthly fees you may have agreed to pay.

Your best weapon against fraud is vigilance. You have the power to protect yourself from most   scams.

To report scams, call AARP’s Hot Line 877-908-3360. Or, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

Attribution: AARP.org.