A Free Public Service

September 28, 2024

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Maeo County, California, USA

SOLAR ENERGY SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Did a salesperson knock on your door and promise free rooftop solar panels at no cost to you? Or say you’ll never have to pay another electricity bill because government programs, grants, or rebates cover your solar installation? It’s likely a scam. While there are some government-funded solar programs for households that qualify, “going solar” isn’t free. Honest businesses will tell you exactly how much it’ll cost to get and install solar panels. Here’s how to steer clear of the scams:

Do some research. Avoid solar companies that say a government program will cover the whole cost of solar panels — or say they’re from (or affiliated with) the government. These are lies. If you’re looking at solar energy for your home, get quotes from reputable providers with a valid license. Then compare them. Check out the Department of Energy’s guide for homeowners and commonly asked questions to learn more.

Don’t pay advance fees. Steer clear of anyone promising big savings and demanding large upfront payments or deposits. To get you to pay, scammers promise you big savings if you act fast — but they’ll vanish with no intention of ever doing or finishing the work. Legitimate providers will work with you to figure out whether solar energy is right for you. Check out the Department of Treasury’s guidance on clean energy.

Take your time. If someone is rushing you to sign a contract, or insists you sign an agreement on an electronic tablet without showing you the full agreement, stop. That’s something scammers do. Take the time to read and understand the agreement with the provider. Pay attention to warranties, cancellation policies, payment schedules, and try to spot any hidden fees. Honest businesses will give you time to go over the terms of the contract, understand the agreement, and let you sign it in writing.

To learn more, visit ftc.gov/solar. And if you spot a scam, tell the FTC.

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A Free Public Service

September 27, 2024

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

RECOVERY FROM IDENTITY SCAM

Attribution: US FTC.gov

 You hoped the day would never come when you learned someone used your personal information to open new credit accounts in your name. But it did. So now what? Act fast. It can help reduce the damage identity theft can cause. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Call the fraud department of the company where you know the fraud occurred.  Explain that someone stole your identity.

Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree. Change logins, passwords, and PINs for your accounts.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports — even if you already have a credit freeze in place. (If you haven’t frozen your credit, do that, too.) When you have a fraud alert on your credit report, a business has to verify your identity before it opens a new credit account in your name. A fraud alert lasts one year, but you can renew it.

Place a free, one-year fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit bureaus. That company must tell the other two.

Experian.com/help

888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)

TransUnion.com/credit-help

888-909-8872

Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services

800-685-1111

To get your report, call Annual Credit Report at 877-322-8228, or go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law gives you the right to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. The three bureaus also let you check your credit report once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review your reports. Looks for accounts or transactions you don’t recognize.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the US FTC.gov.

To report in English, go to IdentityTheft.gov

To report in Spanish, go to RobodeIdentidad.gov

If you’re more comfortable reporting in another language, call 877-438-4338 and press 3 to report in your preferred language. Interpreters are available from 9:00am – 5:00pm ET.

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A Free Public Service

September 19, 2024

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

JURY DUTY SCAM 

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Missing jury duty can come with real consequences. You could face a fine, go to court, or even get arrested. Scammers take advantage of that to get your money or sensitive information. But their story is a lie.

This scam usually starts with a phone call or an email from someone claiming to be from the police department or a court official. (They’re not.) They say you missed jury duty, even though you never got a jury duty notice. They’ll tell you there’s a warrant out for your arrest, and the only way to cancel it is to pay a fine. (It’s a lie.) If you refuse, they may threaten you with jail. Or they might ask for personal information like your Social Security number or date of birth to steal your identity. To make the scam seem real, scammers also might give you a fake sheriff’s badge number and case number.

Here’s how you can tell it’s a scam.

Courts never ask for immediate payment over the phone. In fact, no government agency will do that.

Only scammers insist that you can only pay with gift cards, a payment app, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram because it’s very hard to get your money back if you pay in these ways.

Courts never ask for sensitive personal information over the phone, like your Social Security number or date of birth. Only scammers do.

If you get a call or email like this, hang up or don’t respond. Don’t pay or give them any personal information. If you think a call or email could be real, call the court directly at a number you know is correct. Learn more about other ways scammers pretend to be the government. If you spot it, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

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A Free Public Service

September 11, 2024

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

SEXTORTION SCAMS   

Attribution: scambusters.org

Sextortion stands out as a particularly subtle form of cybercrime threatening to expose personal or fake information.

Sextortionists methods can vary, but the common goal is to prey on their victims through social media platforms, dating apps, or email phishing scams.

 These perpetrators might pose as acquaintances or love interests to build trust, gradually coaxing their targets into sharing compromising material. Once the perpetrator has made that connection, the table turns quickly, and they start threatening to release the contents unless their demands for money are met.

They may use hacked accounts to lend credibility to their threats, making them seem more legitimate. Understanding these methods can help potential victims identify red flags early in their interactions.

Who Falls Victim to Sextortion?

While sextortion can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable due to their online behavior or lack of awareness. Teenagers and young adults who frequently engage in digital communication and social media are often targeted.  Adults can become victims, particularly those who engage in online dating or social media networking. Perpetrators have stooped so low as to search for surviving widows or widowers by reading newspaper obituaries. They are looking for a lonely victim.

Dangers of Sextortion

The repercussions of sextortion extend beyond immediate financial loss but can destroy a person’s reputation. Other serious outcomes are:

*Victims often experience intense psychological distress including anxiety, depression, and shame. The fear of exposure can lead to social withdrawal, impacting their personal and professional relationships.

*The perpetrator instills fear into the victim to make them act quickly, scamming them out of money, and the victim just hopes they will go away. This is almost never the case. The perpetrator will continue their threats.

*In severe cases, the psychological impact can be devastating, leading to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

*It’s crucial for victims to know they are not alone and that help is available. By creating a supportive environment where victims feel safe to speak out.

Victims can report their experiences to local law enforcement department and the US Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov/fraud.

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A Free Public Service

September 7, 2024

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

GIFT CARD COLLEGE SCAM  

Attribution:  US FTC.gov

Whether you’re kicking off the fall semester with a new internship or looking for an on-campus gig, there’s a scam you should know about.

You get a text or an email from someone who says they’re your boss (spoiler alert: they’re not really your boss). They have a favor to ask. They want your help with a surprise — maybe a party or some other reward for your coworkers. No matter the details, the ask is the same: they want you to buy some gift cards and send them photos of the card numbers and PINs. They promise to pay you back, sometimes even by the end of the day. But wait: before you decide to “help” your “boss,”—keep reading.

It’s a scam. It’s not your boss, there’s no surprise party or reward, and you won’t get paid back. It’s a scammer trying to get your money.

How can you spot a gift card scam like this?

Scammers will say it’s urgent. They don’t want you to have time to think about what they’re saying or talk to your actual boss or someone else you trust. Slow down. It’s a scam.

Scammers will tell you which gift card to buy (and where). They might say to put money on an eBay, Google Play, Target, or Apple gift card and send you to a specific store to get them.

Scammers will ask you for the gift card number and PIN. The card number and PIN on the back of the card let the scammer get the money you loaded onto the card — even if you still have the card itself. Never share those numbers or send a photo of the card.

If you sent gift card numbers and PINs to a scammer, report it to the gift card company right away and ask for your money back. Be ready to give them the card numbers when you call. And then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.                                                         #