A Free Public Service

October 24, 2024

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

CHARITY GIFT CARD SCAM

Attribution: US ftc.gov

You get an email from someone in your place of worship asking you to buy gift cards for a worthy cause. It might look legit, but hold on. Some scammers pretend to be pastors, rabbis, imams, or bishops to steal worshippers’ money. Learn to spot gift card scams — or your money might end up in a scammer’s collection plate.

If you get an unexpected message from legitimate looking email addresses asking you to send them money, it might be a phishing scam. Scammers use real religious leaders’ names — and sometimes even your real name — in the message to get you to trust them. They’ll say they need your help buying gift cards for a mission project or a surprise staff appreciation gift (so you don’t tell anyone) — and that you need to act quickly. They might tell you to put money on specific types of gift cards like Apple, Target, or Google Play. Then, they’ll ask you for the gift card number and PIN on the back of the cards. That’s the scam. If you do it, it’s like handing the scammer cash.

Scammers don’t want to give you time to check out what they’re saying. But don’t let anyone rush you. Slow down and take these steps:

Talk to someone. Don’t trust the name on an email address or what the message says. Contact someone from your place of worship using a phone number you know is real, never one that’s in the scammer’s email. Ask if this is a real request.

Know how scammers tell you to pay. A leader in your place of worship won’t ask you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers off the back, but a scammer will.

Learn what to do if you already paid the scammer. Contact the company that issued the gift card. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask them to refund your money. The money you paid might be gone already, but it’s always worth asking if there’s a way to get it back.

Share this advice with your congregation and community. If someone spots a gift card scam, tell them to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

October 10, 2024

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

GIFT CARD SCAM

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Did someone tell you to buy a gift card to pay a fine or bill? Stop. It’s a scam. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams.

Gift card scams start with a call, text, email, or social media message. The person contacting you is, they say, from the government or a company you know. (They’re not.) They say to pay right away or something terrible will happen. (It won’t.)

Scammers rush you because they don’t want you to have time to think about what they say or talk to someone you trust. The scammer will tell you which gift cards to buy and where to buy them. Sometimes, they’ll stay on the phone with you while you go to the store and load money onto the card. They want you to think they’re helping you. (They’re not.) Once you add money to the card and give scammers the gift card number, your money is gone. If you get a call like this, hang up the phone.

If you bought a gift card and gave someone the numbers off the back of the card:

Report the gift card scam to the gift card company right away. No matter how long ago the scam happened, report it. Use the How To Contact Gift Card Companies list to report it. It helps to have the gift card and store receipt handy, if possible.

Ask for your money back. Some companies are helping stop gift card scams and might give your money back. It’s worth asking.

Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report makes a difference and helps protect your community from fraud and scams.                                   #

A Free Public Service

October 8, 2024

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

HURRICANE RECOVERY SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov 

Nobody knows how long it’ll take to recover from the devastating flooding and destruction of Hurricane Helene. But we do know it won’t be long before scammers try to cash in on the storm. As you’re working to get back on your feet, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.

Here are a few ways that scammers might try to take your money or personal information after Hurricane Helene.

*Spot imposter scams. Scammers might pretend to be someone “official” like safety inspectors, or someone from government. But anyone asking you for your money or personal information right away is a scammer. Don’t give them money. Ask for identification and verify who you are dealing with.

*Spot Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) impersonators charging application fees. If someone asks you for money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam. That’s not how FEMA works. Instead, once you have service, download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information.

*Spot home improvement and debris removal scams. Unlicensed contractors and scammers may appear in recovery zones with promises of quick repairs or clean-up services. Walk away if they demand cash payments up front, or refuse to give you copies of their license, insurance, and a contract in writing.

*Check out resources for Hurricane Helene from FEMA in English and Spanish.

Spotted a scam? Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.                                                                                                                     #

A Free Public Service

October 1, 2024

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

If you have Medicare, Open Enrollment — which runs from October 15 through December 7 — is when you can make changes to your health and prescription drug plans.

Leading up to and during this time, you might see lots (and lots, and lots) of ads, and get lots (and lots, and lots) of phone calls about Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies, and can differ from original Medicare when it comes to key things like in-network coverage, out of pocket costs, and referral policies for specialists.

There’ll be some changes to Medicare drug coverage coming in 2025. So as you review and compare your options this Open Enrollment Period:

• Confirm what you’re really getting. If you’re thinking about changing your coverage to or from a Medicare Advantage plan, don’t just take an ad, agent, or broker’s word for it when it comes to the details. Call the plan directly, check its website, or call 1-800-MEDICARE: Will your primary doctor, or other doctors you see, be in-network? Will your costs (including copayments) change? Will your prescriptions be covered? Will you need prior authorizations to get the care you need?
• Keep records. If you talked to an agent or broker about a plan and what it covers, keep track of who you talked to, when you talked, and what they told you. Ask for a written description of the plan’s terms. If it turns out the plan isn’t what they promised, the more information you have, the better.
• Get help comparing Medicare costs, coverage, and plans. Start with the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) in all U.S. states and territories. And, as always, find unbiased information about your coverage options at Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you think you made the wrong plan choice because an agent, broker, or ad gave you misleading information, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Tell them what happened and they’ll share what options you have. Then tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

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