A Free Public Service

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

March 30, 2023

TORNADO DAMAGE SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission  

Every time there is a natural disaster — like the tornado that tore through Mississippi and neighboring states — scammers are quick to follow.

If you are in a disaster relief area designated by FEMA, there’s legitimate help on the way. For example, if you are in a qualified area, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will extend many of its filing and payment deadlines until July 31, 2023. To see if your area qualifies, visit the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

Disaster recovery scams come in many forms, but mostly these scammers pretend to offer legitimate help.

Here are some ways to guard against these scams:

*Ask for government official identification. Scammers might pretend to be safety inspectors, government officials trying to help you, or utility workers who say immediate work is required.

*Ask for individual identification to verify who you are dealing with — before sharing personal information like your Social Security or account numbers.

*Don’t pay to apply for FEMA assistance. If they say you need to pay to qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam.

*The best place to get information from FEMA is from http://www.FEMA.gov or by downloading the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information.

*Look out for clean-up and repair 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.

*Steer clear of rental listing scams. Scammers know people need a place to live while they rebuild. They’ll advertise rentals that don’t exist to get your money and run. Never wire or give money for a deposit or rent before you’ve met a legitimate person and signed a lease. 

Visit ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies for more, and report weather-related scams 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.

March 21, 2023

PUPPY SCAM

Attribution: American Kennel Club

Almost everyone uses the internet for shopping, including finding a new puppy!

What is a Puppy Scam?

Puppy scammers post fake litter pictures online, or pretend to be someone they are not, to take advantage of puppy sales. This means that you could find the perfect puppy, send the ‘breeder’ your money, and never receive a puppy or any follow-up communication in return.

What are the Red Flags?

*No phone calls. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. A reputable breeder will always communicate with you via phone or video chat (if not in person) before selling you a puppy.

*Copycat or stock photos. Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on multiple websites. Search for the text in the listing to see if the seller copied and pasted it from another site.

*Sketchy payment. The seller asks for wiring of money or payment by gift cards. Be aware that if you choose a non-secure method of payment, it is highly unlikely that you will get your money back.

*Avoid paying a stranger using apps such as Venmo, as it is harder to get your money back if you don’t get what you paid for.

 *Paying by credit card or PayPal are typically the safest options.

*Price is too good to be true. Research the prices for the breed you are considering ahead of time.

*Breeder “badges.” American Kennel Club does not distribute badges to breeders.

*Ensure that before receiving your puppy, you receive documentation of your dog’s papers. The words “American Kennel Club” as well as the AKC logo should be clearly visible. If the breeder or puppy seller hesitates to give you papers, this is usually a warning sign.

How Can I Safely Find a Breeder or Puppy Seller Online?

The AKC Marketplace is one of the best places to start your search for a puppy, if you are vigilant about warning signs. AKC Marketplace conducts

thousands of kennel inspections a year and is the only online resource to exclusively list 100% puppies from AKC-registerable litters. If you find anything suspicious while searching for a dog on AKC Marketplace, report the details to akcmarketplace@akc.org.

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A Free Public Service

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

March 18, 2023

FALSE HEALTH CLAIMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or dealing with a serious disease like cancer, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, you have probably looked for the best treatment available. But how do you know if promises about treatments and recovery are true?

Some alleged health care providers say they will cure all kinds of diseases and addictions — without reliable scientific proof.

Misleading ads promise a painless recovery from a variety of addictions — from drugs and alcohol to food and gambling. For cancer patients, they promise that most patients would get back to work and regular social activities, even becoming cancer-free after visiting a clinic.

Before you say yes to any kind of specialized medical treatment:

*Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

*Search for the name of the treatment or product online, plus the words “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what others are saying.

*Know that no government agency approves ads about medical treatments before they go public.

Read more about common health scams. And if you think a company is making false health claims, 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.

March 7, 2023

HOME WARRANTY SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

What exactly is a home warranty?  It is essentially a service contract.

There are different types and options depending on the company and amount you pay. Some home warranties typically cover replacements and repairs for things like appliances or air conditioning systems. They last for a limited amount of time — unlike builder warranties of new homes.

When looking at the details, you may find that a home warranty duplicates coverage you already have. Or covers only part of a product. Or makes it nearly impossible to get repairs done when you need them.

Some things to think about before committing to a home warranty. Read the “fine print”:

*Is it likely to save you money? Consider both the upfront cost and costs that may be hidden, like deductibles or fees you need to pay each time products are serviced.

*What are the limitations? Are there limits on the amounts you can be reimbursed? Is accidental damage covered? Are certain appliances or systems not included? Are there restrictions or fees for cancellation?

*Does the claims process seem difficult or slow? Waiting a long time to get paid back can reduce the value of having coverage.

*Does the company have a good reputation? A home warranty is only as good as the company responsible for coverage. Search for the name of the company and words like “review” or “complaint” to see if people have had issues in the past.

Use caution when receiving unwanted calls about service contracts. Those might be telemarketers looking to trick you out your money or personal information. 

If you have had a bad experience with your home warranty, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

February 28, 2023

 EYE DOCTOR SCAM

The FTC recently sent 24 cease and desist letters to eye doctors after getting reports they may have violated the Contact Lens Rule by ignoring important rights of patients. That includes the requirement that eye doctors must give you a copy of your contact lens prescription at the end of a lens fitting — whether you ask for it or not — at no extra charge. This means you don’t have to buy your lenses from your eye doctor and lets you use your prescription to comparison shop among contact lens sellers for the best deal.

Here’s how the process is supposed to work. If your eye doctor is willing to sell you lenses, that means your fitting is complete and you should get a copy of your prescription. Just know that a fitting may take more than one appointment and often involves a fee that’s separate from the eye exam charge.

What’s more, your eye doctor:

*may ask you to sign a confirmation in advance that you got your prescription. Don’t do it.

*can’t make you pay for your prescription, although they may require you to pay for the contact lens examination and fitting fee or show proof of insurance, which is considered payment

*can’t say you have to buy contact lenses from them or tell you to sign a waiver or release in order to get your prescription

If you think an eye doctor is violating the Contact Lens Rule, 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 13, 2023

EARTHQUAKE SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

The devastation in Turkey and Syria following massive earthquakes is inspiring people to help and donate. It is prompting scammers — like they do after every disaster — to take advantage of your generosity.

Scammers use familiar-sounding names to create fake charities, or ask you to donate in cash, by gift card, or cryptocurrency. Here’s how to guard against the scammers:

Visit ftc.gov/charity before you open up your wallet.

Slow down.

You don’t have to give immediately. Search online for the name of the charity you are interested in supporting, plus words like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” See if others have had good or bad experiences with the charity.

Check what charity watchdog groups say about the organization. Don’t assume that familiar-sounding names or messages posted on social media are legitimate. Donate to charities you know and trust and with a proven record of dealing with disasters.

How will your money be spent?

Ask how your money will be spent. If someone calls to ask to donate, they should be able to answer how much of your donation will go to the program you want to help, and other critical questions.

Fees and charges.

Look at fees and charges if you’re donating through an online platform or social media. Ask whether your donation will go directly to the charity and if not, how long it will take to get there, and if there are fees.

International disasters might involve requests for donations in multiple languages. Use ftc.gov/languages to help spot scams in other languages, and then report them in English or Spanish at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Srvice

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

February 7, 2023

                                    CROWDFUNDING SCAMS

Attribution: California Attorney General

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or new idea or business by raising money from a large number of people.

It is often done through online platforms, such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, and YouCaring.

Online crowdfunding sites are not always safe from fraud.

“Organizers” will pitch a new product or creative project and submit it to an online platform. Crowdfunding sites can also be used to help people in need, such as raise money to pay for funeral or medical bills.

Tips on Evaluating Crowdfunding Campaigns:

Learn all you can about the organizer before making a contribution. Use Google and LinkedIn to look up the organizer. Does the organizer have the expertise in the area the campaign concerns? Check out their Facebook page. Does it look fake? Are the friends real? Are there real-time comments? Be suspicious of pages that were created right before the campaign started.

Research the Crowdfunding Platforms.

 There are many different crowdfunding platforms and they all have different rules. Some platforms require organizers to have a prototype and only give the organizers money if the campaign reaches its goals and after the campaign is over. Others do not require a prototype and allow organizers to take out money at any time, even if they do not reach their goals. If you want a refund, you have to get it from the organizer. Some platforms also provide refunds in certain situations (that is, when the organizer makes false statements or is charged with a crime).

Do a Reverse Image Search.

Fake campaigns often copy and paste other people’s stories or photos. Doing a reverse image search of the photos used in the campaign, as well as those used on the organizer’s social media pages, can show you if the photos are stolen. Also, be careful if the campaign is posted on multiple sites. Scammers will do this to reach more people. A reverse image search may also show that the supposedly “new” product already exists and is being sold in another country like China through Alibaba.com.

Contact the Organizer and Ask Questions.

Each crowdfunding site allows you to ask the organizer questions through the comments section. If an organizer is answering questions regularly, it is more likely that they are not trying to scam you.

Be Suspicious.

 Beware of campaigns that make you feel sorry for someone, but do not give you any details of how your money will be used. Be extra careful after a major disaster or tragedy because scammers will often try to take advantage of your desire to help victims.

Understand the Purpose of Crowdfunding.

Remember that there is no guarantee that the crowdfunded campaign will be successful. The purpose of crowdfunding is to fund a company or project, not to buy a product. There are risks involved. Similarly, when donating to a worthy cause, contributions are probably not tax deductible unless they are made to a nonprofit organization.

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A free Public Service

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

January 1, 2023

Recent layoffs in industries like the tech sector have scammers fine-tuning their approaches to take advantage. They may advertise jobs online, sometimes setting up fake websites, or look for targets on social media — all to try to steal your money and personal information.

Scammers may go to great lengths to get what they want. Some may conduct fake online job interviews and set up phony onboarding portals where they ask you for Social Security numbers and bank account information to (supposedly) deposit paychecks. Other scammers may ask you to send money for (supposed) equipment needed for remote work — with the promise to reimburse you with your first paycheck. But these are scams.

Whether you’re looking for your first job or seeking a new gig, here’s some advice to help you avoid job scams:

Verify job openings before you apply. Reach out to the company directly using contact information you know to be legit — not an email or phone number you got from the person who contacted you. If you’re not familiar with the company, search its name with the word “scam” or “fraud.” You may find stories from others who have been targeted.

Watch for telltale signs of a possible scam. There’s no sure-fire way to detect a job scam, but there are red flags that should raise your suspicions — for example, email from personal accounts not affiliated with a company, poor spelling and grammar, interviews conducted solely via email or online chat, salaries out of line with industry norms, and requests for account numbers or other personal information.  

Don’t pay for the promise of a job. Honest employers will never ask you to pay to get a job. And legitimate placement firms and headhunters typically don’t charge prospective employees. Instead, they’re paid by the company looking for qualified candidates. If you’re asked for money, walk away. You could be dealing with a scam.

The FTC has resources to help you spot potential job scams. If you run across something sketchy during your job search, report it to the FTC.

A Free Public Service

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

January 26, 2023

FACEBOOK MESSENGER, INSTAGRAM SCAMS

Attribution, AARP

Messaging on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to keep up with friends and family. But it can be a method for scammers to defraud you.

Keep up your guard

Although the pitch may vary, always be suspicious when someone you know or think you know asks for something, often with a sense of urgency.

Scammers may impersonate a family member to avoid the appearance of fraud. They may fake a reason to need money, such as being in an accident.

To avoid being tracked, scammers may try to get you to leave Facebook Messenger. They may request that you continue the conversation over email or phone.

Avoiding impostors

You don’t have to delete Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites or unplug your computer to stay safe. Being aware of these scams and other related fraudulent attempts is the first step.

Although the pitch may vary, always be suspicious when someone you know or think you know asks for something, often with a sense of urgency. You may find that swindlers will try to get you to leave Facebook Messenger, to avoid being tracked, and request that you continue the conversation over email or phone.

You don’t have to delete Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites or unplug your computer to stay safe. Being aware of these scams and other related fraudulent attempts is half the battle.

Tips for avoiding online deception:

1. Never accept an invitation from someone you don’t recognize — or, worse, from just “Facebook User” — without a photo.

2. Be suspicious of messages on Facebook Messenger or Instagram, especially when they veer into areas where you are directed to take action or divulge personal information. If you aren’t sure who’s doing the typing, contact your real friend in another fashion (a phone call, email or text message) to confirm he or she sent the information. Chances are good that an unusual message is fake.

3. Block the person who sent you the message, and report the incident to Facebook right away from within Messenger.

4. Use common sense. Never pay for something that you know, or are being told, is free. If you must pay to receive a grant, a gift or anything similar, it’s a scam. Fake lotteries, loans and requests for charitable donations are other pitches you may receive from your “friends.”

5. Watch out for distress schemes or grandparent scams. If you receive a message that appears to be from a relative saying a loved one urgently needs money it is a scam.

6. Be suspicious of attachments, whether they are sent over Facebook Messenger or in an email or text. They may contain malware. Be equally cautious with links to a website. If you accidentally click and land on a page that is supposed to look like Facebook — it may have a similar blue logo and familiar layout — you’ll see that the name of the website in the link at the top of the page is different.

7. Don’t think you can spot scams because of misspellings, awkward phrasing or bad grammar. Some friend requests are from artificial intelligence bots, which can be difficult to detect.

8. Change your password often. Many of us are guilty of not regularly changing passwords or of using the same password for most or all online activity. While it’s less convenient, also enable two-factor authentication. That way, you’ll need not only your password to log in to Facebook or Instagram but also a onetime code sent to your mobile device to confirm that it’s really you.

7. Don’t think you can spot scams because of misspellings, awkward phrasing or bad grammar. Some “friend requests” are from artificial intelligence bots, which can be difficult to detect.

8. You can enable automatic updates so the operating systems on your desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet that are updated whenever software patches to vulnerabilities are released. On a related note, be sure to use software to protect against computer viruses and keep it up to date. 

More information is available at http://www.AARP.ORG. 

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A Free Public Service

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

January 21, 2023

POST DISASTER SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

Powerful storms have battered California. Dozens of tornadoes swept across Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and others.  

Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in hard-hit areas, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.

Here are a few ways to spot the scammers who might try to take your money or personal information after a weather emergency:

SPOT SCAMMERS

Scammers might pretend to be safety inspectors, government officials or utility workers who offer immediate help. You should ask for identification to verify who you are dealing with. Do not share information such as your Social Security or account numbers.

 FEMA IMPERSONATORS

 If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam. You can download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information. Visit FEMA.gov for more information.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Unlicensed contractors and scammers may appear in recovery zones with promises of quick repairs or clean-up services. If they demand cash payments up front, or refuse to give you copies of their license, insurance, and a contract in writing it is scam.

RENTAL LISTING SCAMS

Home owners with damaged or destroyed homes need a place to live while they rebuild. To get your money, scammers advertise rentals that don’t exist.  They tell you to wire money for security deposits or rent before you’ve seen or signed a lease. It is a scam.

CHARITY SCAMS

 Scammers will often try to profit from the misfortune of others, sometimes using familiar-sounding names or logos. You can check “Donating Wisely and Avoiding Charity Scams” before sending money to the crooks.

Learn more at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies and report weather-related scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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