SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

February 11, 2020

SUGAR DADDY SCAM

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air at dating websites of all sorts. But there’s a new twist on romance scams that is preying on profile holders at “sugar daddy” dating websites.

It’s a growing trend where younger women and men (who call themselves sugar babies) look for an older “sugar daddy” or “sugar momma”. They are seeking someone to pay them cash or pay off their credit card accounts. This is, in exchange for companionship (which may or may not involve sexual relations).

If a new romantic interest persona offers to pay off one or more of your debts (such as credit card balances, student loans, rent, etc.), there’s a strong probability it’s a scam.

Here’s how the scam works:

A scammer approaches a user who is looking for a sugar daddy or sugar momma on dating websites or social media platforms. The scammer poses as a prospective sugar daddy and nurtures a relationship, ultimately offering to pay off the credit card balance of their sugar baby victim. If the victim agrees, the sugar daddy scammer will obtain the victim’s credit card account credentials and then deposit phony funds into the victim’s account, appearing to have paid off the debt.

Once this is done, the scammer—still playing the role of sugar daddy—demands that the victim purchase gift cards (such as Apple iTunes cards, Google Play cards, or Steam cards) that can be redeemed remotely as a thank you to their new patron. Any funds deposited on the gift cards is quickly drained by the scammer.

Sugar babies who refuse to buy gift cards have been met with abusive, threatening, or even black-mailing responses from the new friend and often caved to the pressure.

Caution:

Never share sensitive photographs, text messages or personal financial identity information such as bank account or social security numbers with a sugar daddy or other online suitor.

Finally, you can help other consumers avoid this scam by filing a complaint at Fraud.org via our secure online complaint form.

Attribution: fraud.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 31, 2020

MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE SCAM

Those of us who use Microsoft Windows are so used to getting messages about Windows updates that we probably don’t give them a second thought.

If you receive an email notification that reads, “Install Microsoft Windows update now!” or “Critical Microsoft Windows Update!” you might be inclined to take it seriously.

But that’s not the way Microsoft works. Microsoft does not send out such E-mail messages. Updates take place either in the background automatically, or you receive some kind of onscreen notification of an impending update.

The phony email may have an attachment with a single line urging you to install the latest critical update from Microsoft.  It’s a scam.

The attachment is actually a malware-bearing file that will likely lock up your PC and probably demand a ransom. It’s an attempt to trick users into following bogus links.

To guard against this scam — be ultra-wary about clicking or tapping links or attachments in such messages.

A call to Microsoft Support at 1-800-642-7676, or E-mail WEHELP@microsoft.com, might confirm it is a scam.

Attribution: scambusters.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 27, 2020

CREMATION DIAMONDS SCAMS

Creating a memorial diamond from the cremated ashes of a loved one sounds like a brilliant idea for a meaningful tribute to their lives. But you need to exercise caution if this idea has appeal to you.

Questionable Creation Methods.

Real diamonds are made of carbon. So are manufactured versions. Technically, the process involves super-heating a small amount of the ashes, in an open heat-resistant container, to more than 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, until carbon in the ashes transforms to graphite.

This is added to other chemicals and a tiny piece of real diamond known as a seed. They’re all heated again and put under extreme pressure to create the final crystal, which can then be cut and polished.

Diamond expert Grant Mobley is quoted as saying these services “are nothing more than a scam.” Further, “While these companies may be manufacturing synthetic diamonds that look like natural diamonds, they are not always using ashes from your loved ones to do so. In fact, the carbon that is left over from cremation is not nearly enough to produce a synthetic diamond and is not in the correct form.”

It is a Disputed view.

Manufacturers claim they get more than enough carbon from cremated ashes to grow the gems. But the naysayers argue that the temperature of normal cremation furnaces is higher than that required to destroy the carbon-bearing substances. The makers claim the opposite — that furnace temperatures are lower than those that destroy carbon.

More Research Needed.

Clearly, there needs to be further research before the issue is finally settled. In the meantime, if a memorial diamond is something you might consider after losing a loved one, weigh the arguments before making your decision. For more information visit the website http://www.CremationDiamondReport.com.

Before you spend money with any ‘memorial’ diamond company, the http://www.JewelryAdjuster.com site. It advises, “we ask that you review all available information to make an informed and well thought out decision.”

You might also check out a report from the cremation industry’s trade organization: http://www.TurningAshestoDiamonds.com – How Much Should You Pay?

Finally, as You Intended.

You can treat the memorial diamond as what it is — a product you have made to remember them, just like a tombstone or other memorial. However, it would be rather expensive — several times the price of a same-size real diamond.

Attribution: http://www.scambusters.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 23, 2020

FORMJACKING SCAM

Online forms are used extensively as an easy way of doing business online. But there is a downside: Formjacking is a fraudster’s recent ID Theft Weapon.

Everyone who’s ever filled out an online form could be a target for formjacking. It does what its name suggests — hijacks forms. Hackers “inject” code into forms on legitimate websites. This causes the page to release to the fraudster confidential information entered on the form.

The tactic is used mainly to steal credit card information. The stolen data are often sold on to a dark web trader for re-sale to anyone who wants it. But it’s also been discovered in online job application forms.

A challenge is that it’s often not possible for a user — or even a victim firm — to tell if a form has been infected with malicious code, since it otherwise behaves normally.

Defensive Actions:

* Check your credit card statement for discrepancies when it comes in every month, but try to monitor you card balance as often as possible, especially if you have recently filled in an online form where you had to disclose personal and confidential information.

* Check your credit scores frequently from http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also pay for other firms to actively and continuously monitor your records in real time and highlight any unusual activity.

* If you wish, you can freeze your credit records with Experian and the other “big three” agencies. This will stop anyone who has your details from opening new lines of credit in your name. However, you will also have to unfreeze it if you want to open or extend a credit account.

*To learn how to freeze your records, see a guide from the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/ Free Credit Freezes Are Here. Freezes (and unfreezes) are free. You can also freeze the records of your children.

*Keep your Internet security software up to date as security companies are working actively on detection and highlighting form hijacking. Many programs can already identify some of them, and as updates are installed, you should be able to cut your risk of falling victim.

*If you suspect or discover you’re already a victim, notify your bank or card company immediately. You can also add a regular or extended fraud alert, which isn’t the same as a freeze.

Your best strategy is to stay vigilant and watch for signs that your data has been compromised.

Attribution: scambusters.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 20, 2020

FAKE COMPUTER SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

Fake technicians claim your computer or mobile device is dangerously ill and needs an immediate, costly repair. These fraudsters are out to steal your money or your identity, not repair your machine.

How it Works:

You get an unsolicited phone call or email purporting to be from a big tech company, or you see a pop-up message on your screen warning that a virus or other malicious program has infected your device, and you need to call a certain number right away.

If you call, a “technician” asks for remote access to your computer, and once in, shows you some files that “prove” you have a major problem.  Even though there is no problem.

The “technician” says they can fix your problem for a fee, and then may offer you a monthly subscription to keep your device safe. 

The scammer may ask you to pay by purchasing a gift card and providing the account number and PIN, or request payment by wire transfer—a sure sign that it’s a scam. If you refuse to pay, the vengeful scammer may deliberately damage vital parts of your computer.

What You Should Know:

Big tech companies like Microsoft or Apple say they don’t call customers out of the blue to warn them of problems on their devices.

The files the “technician” may show you on your computer are completely benign and need no repair.  

If you send payment the scammer may call back months later and offer you a refund for some phony reason, asking for your bank account information to deposit the money; this is a ruse. 

What You Can Do:

*Screen incoming calls with an answering machine or voice mail, and once you listen to the message, decide if it warrants a call back.

*If the caller claims you have a problem with your computer or the software on your computer, it is a scam, so don’t engage or return the call.

*If you get a pop-up that freezes your screen, shut down your computer and restart it.

*Keep your security software, browser and operating system up to date.

*If you think your device is infected, have it checked out by a reputable source; most big box electronics retailers offer tech support services.

*If you realize you’ve fallen victim to this scam, and you’ve paid by credit card, promptly contact your financial institution to dispute the charge and to cancel any monthly fees you may have agreed to pay.

Your best weapon against fraud is vigilance. You have the power to protect yourself from most   scams.

To report scams, call AARP’s Hot Line 877-908-3360. Or, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

Attribution: AARP.org.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provided free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 18, 2020

TIME-SHARE RESALE SCAM

Be wary when someone offers to help you sell your part-time vacation property. The typical time-share resale scam works something like this:

You get a call from a supposed broker who’s seen your “for sale” ad online and claims to have a buyer lined up and ready to make a deal. The caller might even provide a name and phone number for the fictitious buyer, who confirms his or her interest.

The scammer sends you a signed purchase document that looks legitimate. It then asks you to provide a credit card number or make a wire transfer to cover any number of bogus “sale expenses”. This may include taxes, maintenance fees, closing costs, escrow and title services, or an upfront fee for the resale company.

You may be promised a refund of some or all costs when the deal closes. But the deal never closes. The scammer has simply pocketed your money, which could run into the thousands of dollars. By the time you realize you’ve been swindled, it may be too late to dispute any credit card transaction. And you’re still stuck with the time-share.

These schemes can be lucrative. A convicted time-share scammer stated that over one three-month period he collected almost $500,000 from his victims.

But you can take some precautions to guard against being victimized.

There are Warning Signs:

Any unsolicited approach by an alleged reseller, particularly one who promises a handsome return on the sale.

A resale company that claims your area is hot and they’re overwhelmed with potential buyers seeking time-shares.

A reseller promises to modify or cancel your contractual obligation with the resort with which you have a time-share.

The American Resort Development Association www.arda.org, an industry group, advises owners to be skeptical of such claims.

 Do’s:

*Do ask your resort if it has a resale program, rather than relying on a cold-calling stranger to make a deal. Does the resort have any restrictions, fees or other limitations on time-share sales?

*Check with the Better Business Bureau and your state’s consumer protection office to see whether a resale company has a history of complaints.

*Read the fine print. Go over a sales contract carefully to make sure it matches all the reseller’s promises.  If the terms aren’t what you were led to expect, don’t sign.

*Be realistic about what you expect to make from a resale, and be skeptical of a seller who guarantees a big return. Don’t assume you’ll recoup your original investment, especially if you’ve owned the time-share for only a few years or it’s not in a well-known resort.

Don’ts:

*Don’t agree to anything on the phone. Do a background check on the resale company before going further.

*Don’t pay fees upfront. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), www.ftc.gov recommends doing business with a reseller that collects fees only after the sale goes through.

*Don’t overlook alternatives to selling, even if you’re tired of your time-share. For example, the Better Business Bureau suggests looking into exchange programs that allow you to trade with owners of time-shares in other locations.

Attribution: AARP.org

SCAMS Bulletin Host Jay White is volunteer attorney who provided free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

January 8, 2020

COUNTERFEIT DRUGS

While there are legitimate online pharmacies, many are fraudulent. At best, they’ll take your money and fail to deliver the promised prescription. At worst, they could send you a counterfeit drug that may worsen your condition or even be fatal. Reports have circulated of drugs being laced with lethal doses of fentanyl.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to guard against counterfeit prescriptions whether you are purchasing online, or from your neighborhood pharmacy:

*Verify your online pharmacy. Before purchasing a drug online, go to the website http://www.safe.pharmacy.com to make sure your pharmacy is recommended. If it is not on the list, do not purchase drugs from that online pharmacy. 

*Pay attention to the appearance of the drug and its packaging. If the appearance or coloring of the drug seems different from what you expected, or if the packaging appears to be tampered with, this is a red flag.  

*Avoid pharmacies that do not require a prescription. If the pharmacy only requires you to fill out a questionnaire, the pharmacy is probably a seller of counterfeit drugs. Legitimate pharmacies will require you to submit a prescription from a health care provider before they sell any medicine that requires a prescription. 

*Make sure that the pharmacy has a state license.  

*Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Regardless of whether you are getting your drugs online, at a neighborhood pharmacy, or in a provider’s office, be wary of drugs that are offered at a substantially lower than market-value price. Use drug price comparison tools like http://www.GoodRX.com to get an idea of what normal market prices are for a particular drug. 

*Consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you think you may have used a counterfeit drug, consult a medical professional immediately. If you have a suspicion that you have received a drug that is a counterfeit, take it to your pharmacist for verification.

There are safe ways to save money on prescription drugs. You should never risk your health for an attractive deal on prescription drugs. If you would like to learn more about counterfeit drugs, you can also check out Fraud.org’s Fake Rx Action center.

If you think you have stumbled upon a counterfeit prescription drug, you can report it by filing a complaint at Fraud.org’s secure online complaint form.

Attribution: fraud.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California

January 2, 2020

FIRE DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS

FIRE DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS 

Fire disasters such as the recent Australian fires leave many homeowners desperate for help. This creates opportunities for fraudsters to ply their despicable trade of creating phony charities. They take advantage of generous persons who want to help those in need.

Be wary of “ charities” that spring up suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters.  

To check if the charity is trustworthy, you can contact the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, GuideStar or ftc.gov/charityfraud.

You can also check with the National Association of State Charity Officials. Legitimate charities are required to be on file with your state.

Guard against charity scams.

To guard against a disaster related scam, there are several protective steps you can take:

*Donate to only trusted, well-known charities.

*Verify all phone numbers for charities. If you need to contact a charity by phone, verify through the charity’s official website that the number you have is legitimate.

*Do not open suspicious emails.

 *Do not click on any links or open any attachments

*Be skeptical of social media posts.

*Watch out for scammers impersonating federal, state, tribal and municipal authorities

If you need to report other fraudulent activities during or following a natural disaster, please notify the Federal Emergency Managements Agency at 1-866-720-5721, or disaster@leo.gov. You can also notify the Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov.

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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

December 29, 2019

DENTAL SCAMS

Most dentists are both competent and ethical. Rarely will a dentist intentionally deviate from these standards. We trust our dentist because of his or her expertise.  A visit to a dentist’s office is routine. We usually receive the expected service.

Occasionally, however, something goes wrong. The National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association estimates that dentists are cheating customers and insurance companies out of about $12.5 billion every year.

How can that happen?

Treatment or Services:

* Causing damage to teeth and gums in one procedure that later requires further costly work. This may be done accidentally or intentionally, but the result is the same: you end up paying more than necessary.

* Replacing silver fillings. This is a controversial subject. Silver-looking “amalgam” fillings contain tiny amounts of mercury as well as other metals. A dentist might claim the mercury, which is poisonous at certain levels, is leaking and requiring removal of the tooth.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), http://www.fda.gov, recommends replacing of amalgam only if the wearer is allergic to any of the metals.

If you’re worried about mercury in your fillings, see the FDA guidance: About Dental Amalgam Fillings.

* Upselling. In this case, the dentists outline the procedure and materials they plan to use, and then offer some sort of additional work which will considerably enhance the result, but cost more.

This is not strictly illegal, since the dentist is simple offering options, but you may feel under pressure to accept the “recommendation.” Some dentists have been accused of bullying patients into accepting more expensive procedures.

*A common trick is to tell patients their teeth need “deep cleaning,” which requires several visits to the dentist’s associated hygienist at extra cost. Unless you haven’t visited the office for a considerable time, deep cleaning is probably unnecessary.

4. Unbundling. This trick is aimed at insurers rather than patients. Complex dental procedures can normally be billed as a one-cost complete package. However, some unscrupulous dentists break the whole process down into its individual components and bill separately for each of them — which usually adds up to considerably more than the single bundled would cost. This process is regarded as illegal by the American Dental Association.

What to Do?

An important step is to check out the reputation of your dentist. Even if you’ve been seeing them for quite a while and they’re really nice folk, that doesn’t mean you’re not being ripped off.

Inquire of other people about your favorite dentist as well as any new dentist you’re considering using.

If you have dental insurance, your insurer may provide a list of approved and recommended dentists. Or you can use the search service offered by the American Dental Association at https://findadentst.ada.org.

You could also check with your state’s Board of Dentistry to learn if a dentist is officially licensed.  

If you’re unsure about a dental diagnosis, or whether you need the treatment that is being recommended, you can get a second opinion. You’re free to go to any other dentist (or one within your insurer’s approved list).

If you still feel uneasy, you can talk to your insurer, or if you don’t have insurance, file a complaint with your state’s Dental Board, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov.

Attribution: scambusters.org

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

December 22, 2019

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SCAMS

Wheelchairs, walkers, braces and other devices prescribed by doctors are vital to help patients deal with an injury or chronic illness at home. US Medicare spends more than $6 billion a year on durable medical equipment for that purpose. That’s a boon to beneficiaries, but also a big draw for fraudsters who exploit older Americans’ health care concerns.

In a medical equipment scam, someone may reach out to you with an offer of a “free” (as in, “Medicare will pay for it”) brace, wheelchair or other device. You might get an unsolicited phone call, see an advertisement or be approached at a health fair or similar event.

Sometimes, it’s a garden-variety government impostor scam: Someone claiming to be from Medicare calls to say you’re eligible for a free knee or back brace, and they need your Medicare or Social Security number to process the benefit. If you fall for it, you may or may not get a brace, but the crooks get what they need to steal your identity.

Medicare fraud involves unscrupulous equipment suppliers ripping off Medicare on a grand scale, using telemarketing and hard-sell tactics. They lure you into ordering their wares, get your health care information, obtain bogus prescriptions (by paying kickbacks and bribes to doctors or by forging their signatures) and file false claims. They stick Medicare with the bill for costly devices that are not medically necessary, not properly prescribed or not delivered to patients at all. (DME fraud might also target Medicaid or private insurance companies.)

Watch out for the fraudsters who target you to help them defraud Medicare. Don’t let your health concerns make you an unwitting accomplice to fraud.

Watch for these warning signs:

*You receive an unsolicited call or other communication offering a free or low-cost medical device as a Medicare “benefit.”

*Someone claiming to be from Medicare asks for your Medicare or Social Security number. Medicare representatives almost never make unsolicited calls to consumers and do not ask for personal information by phone.

*Your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your health plan lists medical equipment you did not order or receive.

Do’s:

Do hang up on unsolicited calls offering you a medical device that will be billed to Medicare.

Do carefully review MSNs and EOBs. Call Medicare (800-633-4227) or your insurance company if you see claims for supplies or services you don’t recognize.

Do be aware that if you accept an offer of medical equipment, you could be responsible for up to 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost of the item.

Don’ts:

Don’t give your Medicare or insurance number to strangers. Share it only with trusted health care providers.

Don’t order durable medical equipment over the phone unless advised to do so by your physician.

Don’t accept delivery of medical equipment unless it was ordered by your doctor.

Don’t be swayed by scare tactics, such as claims by an equipment provider that you should get a device now because Medicare is running out of money. Charging Medicare for equipment for future use, before your doctor certifies it as medically necessary, is illegal.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free “watchdog alerts,” review the scam-tracking map, or call the toll-free fraud helpline 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.Attribution: AARP