A Free Public Service

April 30, 2024

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

MEDICAL BILL PAYMENT SCAM

If you’re paying a medical, utility, or other bill online, you probably expect to wind up on the company’s website. What might you not expect? An impersonator tricking you into paying them instead. But that’s what the FTC says a company called Doxo did. Here’s what you need to know.

According to the FTC, Doxo pretended to be an official payment site for big-name companies like AT&T, Spectrum, and Labcorp. The FTC says Doxo used online ads that looked like they were from the companies, and even used company names as keywords so Doxo’s ads would show up in search results.

If the bills got paid, what’s the problem?  Ther are lots of them, says the FTC.

People who paid their bills through Doxo often paid fees to Doxo on top of what they owed on the bill they were trying to pay. And, in some cases, the payment never got to the company that issued the bill. People only found out when they got a warning letter from a bill collector or had their utility service shut off. Some people wound up paying late fees to the actual company that billed them — or paid their bill a second time, just to avoid other problems.

If you’re looking to pay your bill online, know that search results might not get you to the right place. Instead, check your bill to find the online payment site. And, if possible, use a credit card. Credit cards offer the most protection against fraud, including the right to dispute charges if there are any problems.

Learn more about impersonator scams at ftc.gov/impersonators. If you spot an impersonator scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

April 30, 2024

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

TORNADOS DAMAGE SCAMS

Just as people in Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and other Midwestern US states are reeling from the catastrophic damage caused by tornados and other severe weather, scammers are taking advantage. They use all kinds of stories to try to trick those doing their best to recover and anyone who tries to help.

Scammers falsely offer help but demand pay up front for clean-up or repairs.

A great place to help yourself and others spot and avoid scams after a disaster is http://www.ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies. If you’re pressed for time as you focus on recovery, remember this:

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Small Business Administration don’t charge application fees.

Only scammers say they’re a government official and demand money to help you qualify for FEMA funds or government grant. Places to get information are http://www.FEMA.gov or http://www.SBA.gov if you are a business owner.

 And don’t hire anyone to do repair work who refuses to give you copies of their license and insurance, and a contract in writing.

Take time to research legitimate charities. That could help avoid charity scammers.

Do you suspect a weather-related or other scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

Aprril 23, 2024

FastRak Scam

FASTRAK SCAM

Attribution:  From: Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service

FasTrak is a local San Francisco transportation system.

Some customers have reported receiving texts notifying them of tolls due and providing a link to one of several fraudulent websites where they can pay. The websites provided are scams and are not related to FasTrak. If you receive such a text, please do not click on the link. FasTrak does not request payment by text with a link to a website. Please conduct your business at http://www.bayareafastrak.org or call the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 877-BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655).

If you have made a payment to one of the fraudulent websites, please consider contacting your bank or credit card company immediately to report the charges.

Please do not reply to this message. This is an automatically generated notification. If you wish to contact a Customer Service Representative, please call the FasTrak Customer Service Center at 877-229-8655 (BAY-TOLL).

Sincerely,

Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center

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A Free Public Service

April 22, 2024

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

WEIGHT LOSS SCAMS

Attribution:  scambusters.org

Don’t Get Scammed Trying to Lose Weight

We’re in a new era of seemingly effective weight loss drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy. Hundreds of diet meal programs, drinks and wearables, provide crooks opportunities to rip us off.

So, if you plan to try to lose weight, it’s important to know about the scores of fake slimming pills and diet programs that look too good to be true – because they are fake.

Common Weight Loss Scams:

*Fake Ozempic: Slimmed-down celebrities have turned this diabetes management drug into a star for those who want to lose weight. The trouble is fake versions that could be downright dangerous.

*Other fake weight loss schemes:

If the description uses words such a “magical”, “works fast” or “money back guarantee” it is fake.

Even without the “Ozempic” name, fraudsters sell all types of supposed weight loss drugs that just don’t work and, again, could be dangerous.

*Home meal kits: Since the pandemic, millions of people have switched to having pre-cooked meals delivered to their homes by crooks.

*Detox teas and cleanses: Sometimes, these simply use laxatives or

diuretics for water weight loss.

*Body wraps and waist trainers: They are claimed to reduce fat cells and tone muscles.

That gives some idea of the scale of potential scams threatening people trying to lose weight in the US today. Make sure you’re not one of the victims. Your wallet and your health could be at risk.

Reports of drug scams can be reported to US Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov and US Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Scam

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

April 16, 2024

COLLEGE STUDENT JOB SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Getting hired might feel like the ultimate high for a college student. But finding out it was just a scammer trying to steal your money will bring you — and your bank balance — right back down. Many college students look for virtual jobs they can do while going to school, but if a new employer mails your first paycheck before you even start working, that’s your cue to stop! — it’s a scam.

Scammers post ads for fake jobs for personal assistants on common job sites and social media. Or they might send emails that look like they’re from someone in your community, like a professor or an office at your college. If you apply, they’ll mail you a check to deposit at your bank. Then, they’ll ask you to send some of the money to another account. They tell you a convincing story, but the check is fake and the whole thing is a scam. The check will eventually bounce and the bank will want you to repay the money you withdrew. Meanwhile, the scammer will have walked away with the money you sent them.

Here are some steps to help you guard against a job scam:

*Look up the name of the company or the person who’s proposing to hire you, plus the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others are saying about them.

*Reach out directly. If the email looks like it came from a professor or an office at your college, call them directly. Confirm that they’re really looking for someone for this position.

*Get it in writing. Ask the proposed employer to send you details of the job duties, the pay, and the hours. If they refuse, that could be a sign of a scam.

*Talk to someone you trust. Show them the offer and see what they think. This also gives you vital time to think about the offer.

Your boss should be paying you, not the other way around. If they tell you to deposit a check and use some of the money for any reason, that’s a scam.

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

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April 8. 2024

A Free Public Service

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

TIMESHARE SALE SCAM

  Attribution: US FTC.gov

Maybe you weren’t thinking about selling your timeshare — but suddenly, someone calls and tells you they’re a real estate agent and have an interested buyer. They might have information about you and your property, so the offer seems credible. Then, the so-called timeshare expert asks you to pay upfront to finalize the deal. Stop. That could be a scam!

Scammers are getting using public records to target people in the U.S. who own timeshares abroad — including a focus on older adults, who may not use their timeshares often. These “real estate agents” start by asking for a small fee, promising to help you make big money selling your timeshare. But that ask turns into demands for thousands of dollars…before you find out there’s no buyer, your money’s gone, and that “agent” was a scammer.

Timeshares are hard to sell and only a scammer will tell you they already have a buyer or can find one fast. If you want out, it’s best to start by contacting the timeshare company directly.

To guard against a timeshare resale scam:

*Don’t pay upfront fees. Only scammers demand fees before they help you sell your timeshare.

*Do some research online. Search online for the company name or person who contacted you plus the word “scam” or “complaint.” See what other people are saying about their experience.

*Watch your bottom line. Sometimes scammers ask you to pay more than you originally paid for the timeshare. That’s a sign to walk away.

*Check out the agent and ask for references. Check with the real estate licensing agency in the state where the timeshare is located. Deal only with real estate agents and brokers licensed in that area.

*Then ask for references from satisfied clients — and check them out.

Report known or suspected violations to FTC.gov/fraud.