Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

A Free Public Service

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

March 6, 2024

Recovering from what is now the largest wildfire in Texas history will be a long process. If you’ve been displaced by the fire, or your home or business was damaged, you’re probably trying to figure out what to do next. Here’s some advice to help you get started.

• Find out what your home, business, health, or other insurance policies will pay for if you had to evacuate and can’t access your home or business. Some will cover costs for temporary shelter, clothing, and other items.
• Replace lost or damaged legal documents you misplaced or left behind. This chart will help you if you’re unsure of where to go for what.   
• Contact creditors, landlords, and utilities right away. Explain how the fire has affected you. In times of disaster, they may be willing to defer your payments, waive late fees, and offer other ways to help you regain your financial stability.

When you’re ready to focus on rebuilding or making repairs to your home or business, start by knowing how to spot the scammers:

• Don’t hire anyone who shows up claiming to offer recovery services but demands cash or advance payments. That’s a scam.
• Never pay to get government assistance. Anyone who wants you to pay to get money or a grant from FEMA is a scammer. Instead, download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information.
• Learn more about how to spot and avoid other disaster-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.

Spot a scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Pub;ic Service

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

March 6, 2024

PROTECT YOUR MONEY SCAM

Attribution:  US Federal Trade Commiswsion

People are losing big money to scammers running complicated scams. The scams usually involve someone supposedly spotting fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts, offering to help “protect” your money, sometimes asking you to share verification codes, and always telling you to move money from your bank, investment, or retirement account. And every bit of it is a scam.

To help protect people you care about, and their life savings, share this advice on how to stop these scammers in their tracks.

Never move or transfer your money to “protect it.” Your money is fine where it is, no matter what they say or how urgently they say it. Moving it means you’ll lose it, not protect it. Someone who says you have to move your money to protect it is a scammer. Period.

Never share a verification code. Ever. Banks use these codes in online banking to prove you’re really you. If you share that code, the scammer can use it to prove they’re you. No caller — especially someone from your bank’s fraud department — will ever ask for the verification code. That’s always a scam.

Stop and check it out. If you’re worried, call your real bank, broker, or investment advisor. Use the number you find on your statement — never the number the caller gave you, which will take you to the scammer.

Report it. If you get a call like this, tell your bank or fund right away. Especially if you moved money or shared a verification code. Then tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Scammers keep switching stories and making the scam more complicated. And if you think your bank or investment fund will protect you, think again. To help give you the tools to spot this scam and protect your savings, we’re kicking off a series to break down the anatomy of this scam. Watch this space and keep spreading the word.

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A Public Service

March 1, 2024

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED

Attribution: scambusters.org

If an online social media, shopping, or financial account has been taken over, the first thing you’ll likely know is when you discover someone is pretending to be you, spending your money, or posting on your Facebook or other account.

As we explained last week, you may be the victim of a data breach or have been tricked into giving away your sign-on details.

But if someone hacks your home network or mobile device, it may not immediately be so obvious. However, good security software can run deep scans of your entire system. Running this manually and regularly is good practice and may be the quickest way to identify trouble.

More Scam Reports:  Travel Scams: 10 Tips to Avoid Getting Taken

Here are some other signs that might suggest you’re the victim of a digital break-in:

Your system or device is running way slower than it used to.

Your devices seem to be overheating and even shutting down.

The battery on your mobile device drains a lot faster than it used to.

On a computer, the hard drive activity light is constantly on.

You keep getting unexpected screen pop-ups.

People say they received messages from you that you didn’t send.

Your browser home page unexpectedly changes.

You have toolbars you didn’t install or agree to.

Programs open or shut without you doing anything.

Your electric bill soars (due to “botnet” or cyber currency mining activity).

Your Wi-Fi network suddenly becomes sluggish and unreliable.

Some of your files inexplicably disappear.

Passwords don’t work because someone has changed them.

These signs don’t prove you’ve been hacked but they should raise enough concern for you to thoroughly check things out.

In particular, frequently monitor your credit records and financial and shopping accounts for early warning signs that crooks are at work in your digital backyard.

You might also consider subscribing to online monitoring services that constantly check your accounts and the dark web for threats to your internet security.

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A Free Public Service

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

February 26, 2024

US WEST COAST WEATHER SCAMS

Attribution US FTC.gov

As record rainfall and heavy winds devastated the United States West Coast, you can bet that scammers are standing by, ready to get started after the storm. How can you spot the scammers?

Whether you’re looking for help to remove a fallen tree, you need a company to clean up water damage, or you’re waiting to get your power back on, scammers will tell you all kinds of stories to convince you that they’re there to help, but they’re really after your money and personal information.

Here are some ways to guard against disaster recovery scams:

*Be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up or repairs. Some may quote outrageous prices or demand payment up front. If they refuse to give you copies of their license, insurance, and a contract in writing, don’t hire them.

*Spot utility imposter scams. Scammers pretending to be your utility company work year-round, but after a storm, they might seem more convincing. They might call or knock on your door saying they need to repair or replace equipment. Then they’ll ask you to pay with a wire transfer, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency. Don’t pay them. That’s a scam.

*Know that FEMA doesn’t charge application fees. If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam.

*Getting the FEMA Mobile App will give you information and alerts.

*You can learn more at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.

Share the information with friends and family to help them avoid losing money, too. Spot a disaster recovery scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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SCAMS BULLITIN HOST Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

A Free Public Service

February 19, 2024

ROMANCE SCAMS  

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

When you have a new romance there’s so much to talk about. But if your new sweetheart only wants to talk about your money and how you should invest it, stop talking. They might be a romance scammer, like those who stole more than $1 billion from people last year.

How do the scams start, and what can you do to avoid one?

Romance scammers use lots of tricks to meet people. They might find you on a dating site, send you a surprise friend request on social media, or start a chat with you on a gaming site. If you answer, they’ll flood you with attention and want to talk every day.

But soon, their focus is on money — meaning your money. The love interest — who’s really a scammer — claims they desperately need you to send them money for an emergency, but the reason they give you is a lie. Or they pressure you to invest in cryptocurrency with their help, but they’re really steering you into an investment scam.  If you send or invest money, it’s probably gone forever.

Take steps to avoid a romance scammer:

Be cautious when you get a surprise direct message or friend request on social media. Try to limit who can see your posts and information by setting some restrictions on your privacy settings.

Don’t send money to an online love interest or anyone who demands payment with cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or a payment app. Only scammers tell you to pay those ways.

Learn the signs of an investment scam, like when someone claims they have a secret method to make money. Visit Investor.gov for more advice on investing and avoiding fraud.

If you think someone is a scammer, cut off contact. Tell the online app or social media platform right away, and then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.  

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A Free Pubic Service

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

A Free Public Service

February 19, 2024

A Free Public Service

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

February 8, 2024

CALIFORNIA WINTER SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

As record rainfall and heavy winds devastated the United States West Coast, you can bet that scammers are standing by, ready to get started after the storm. How can you spot the scammers?

Whether you’re looking for help to remove a fallen tree, you need a company to clean up water damage, or you’re waiting to get your power back on, scammers will tell you all kinds of stories to convince you that they’re there to help, but they’re really after your money and personal information.

Here are some ways to avoid disaster recovery scams.

*Be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up or repairs. Some may quote outrageous prices or demand payment up front. If they refuse to give you copies of their license, insurance, and a contract in writing, don’t hire them.

*Spot utility imposter scams. Scammers pretending to be your utility company work year-round, but after a storm, they might seem more convincing. They might call or knock on your door saying they need to repair or replace equipment. Then they’ll ask you to pay with a wire transfer, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency. Don’t pay them. That’s a scam.

*Know that US FEMA agency doesn’t charge application fees. If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam. Getting the FEMA Mobile App will give you information and alerts.

*Learn more at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies. Then share the information with friends and family to help them avoid losing money, too.

Spot a disaster recovery scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

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

February 5, 2024

VALENTINE SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

A quick online shopping scroll shows tons of exciting Valentine’s gifts for those you love. If you order now, many sellers guarantee delivery on or before Valentine’s Day. But what happens when your order doesn’t arrive by that guaranteed date?

 As a customer, you have rights. Here’s what to know. 

By law, sellers must ship your order within the time they say they’ll ship. If they don’t give a specific time, your order must ship within 30 days. When shipping will be delayed, the seller has to let you know about it. Sellers also have to give you the choice to either accept the delay or cancel your order for a full refund.

Before you shop online:

*Research the seller first. Search the company online, especially if you haven’t shopped with the company before. Look up the company’s name, plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam” and see what other people say.

*Read the seller’s refund and return policies carefully. Sellers often have different refund and return policies, and dishonest sellers will use tricky disclosures and fine print to deny refund requests.

*Use a credit card for online purchases, if possible. Credit cards offer the most protection against fraud compared to other types of payments including the right to dispute charges if there are problems with your purchase.

*Save your receipts and confirmation emails. If something goes wrong, these can help you get your money back from the seller or file a dispute with your credit card company.

If you think you were scammed through an online shopping experience, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

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

February 1, 2024

VETERANS IDENTITY THEFT SCAM

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

Identity theft can happen in a lot of ways: a stolen wallet, a missing phone, or a hacked online account. Then there are impersonators — scammers who pretend to be almost anyone. They’ll tell you almost any story to get you to trust them, so they can steal your money or information.

If you’re a veteran, there’s another risk: sharing information with someone who claims they’ll help with paperwork and filing benefits claims. But instead of helping you for free as they’re supposed to, dishonest advisers charge you — and may take and misuse your information, too.

What are some ways to protect yourself from identity theft targeting veterans?

Don’t pay to file — or get help with — VA benefits claims. It’s free to apply for any type of veterans’ benefits. Scammers may offer to help you for a fee or a percentage of the benefits you get. Don’t do it.

Don’t work with anyone who pressures you. Take your time to review paperwork and consider all your options, including doing nothing. Don’t sign blank paperwork to be filled in later. Also, be sure your VA benefits are deposited directly into your account — and not the account of an adviser, assisted living facility, or nursing home.

Safeguard your personal information. Never share your VA login credentials or password. Check out VA’s advice on setting up multifactor authentication on your VA accounts.

Check your credit report regularly. You’re able to get a free copy of your report every week from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

If you encounter identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. When you report, you’re telling law enforcement what happened and you also get step-by-step instructions on how to recover from any type of identity theft.

Get help if your VA benefits or services are affected. Call the toll-free VA Veteran Identity Theft Helpline: 1-855-578-5492. 

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A Free Public Service

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

February 1, 2024