A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inavtive attorney inSan Mateo County, California.

July 17, 2023.

PERSONAL INFORMATION SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

During Military Consumer Month scammers know how valuable your personal and financial information is — and they’ll do or say almost anything to get it. What can you do to keep it safe?

The best way to protect your info from scammers is to recognize and don’t fall for a phishing scam. But how do you know what to look for? Here’s an example.

Say you get an unexpected text, email, or call that looks like it’s from a company you know, like Microsoft or Apple. They claim there’s a problem with your account and say you need to click a link or call a number to update your info as soon as possible. They might even say they’ve noticed suspicious activity or log-in attempts on your account. This may seem like it’s coming from a company you know, but it’s a scammer who wants to steal your info — which could lead to identity theft.

Here’s how to help keep your info safe from scammers:

*Don’t give your information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Honest organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your info, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers.

*Don’t click on any links. If you receive an email or text from a business or person with whom you do business, contact them using a website you know is real. Or look up their phone number — but don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.

*Update your security software. This will help protect your computer and phone from security threats, which could expose your personal or financial info to scammers.

If you know someone who needs fraud support please share this info. Your friends, fellow servicemembers and veterans are victim targets all year round. And report 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.

July 8, 2023

MILITARY/ROMANCE SCAMS 

Attribution: Federal Trade Commission

For Military Consumer Month, let’s talk a little about how romance scammers target people who support the troops — and sometimes servicemembers themselves. These scammers can be any age, gender, or sexual orientation and may approach you on dating sites or on social media platforms. In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam to the FTC — and losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion.

These scammers may steal photos of real military personnel for their profiles. They might say they need cash to apply for a “leave request” to visit you. Or to pay for food and medical treatment during their deployment. The scammers ask you to send them care packages by wiring money through an official-looking (but fake) military website. (Servicemembers never have to pay to get packages, food, medical treatment, or to take leave.)

How can you avoid a romance scam?

If an online love interest asks you for money — especially using gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency — that’s a scam. Period.

If someone appears on your social media and rushes you — to start a friendship or romance, or to get into a “great” investment opportunity (maybe in crypto) — slow down. Talk to someone you trust before you respond. Try a reverse image search of profile pictures. If the details don’t match up, it’s a scam.

If you suspect 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.

A Free Public Service

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

July 2, 2023

Sweepstakes Scams

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

It’s illegal for a company to tell someone to pay to enter a sweepstakes contest, or that buying something increases their odds of winning. But a well-known company has been running sweepstakes for decades to deceive people.

The FTC alleged that Publishers Clearing House used language and designs on its website and in its email marketing that tricked consumers. That included many older adults into believing they had to buy things on the PCH website to enter a sweepstakes. Or, that doing so would improve their chances of winning a prize.

It was alleged that PCH hid shipping and handling fees that added an average of 40% to customers’ orders;

PCH’s claims that orders were risk free were false; Customers had to pay the shipping costs to return merchandise.

As part of a settlement, PCH agreed to pay a penalty of several millions of dollars.

If you’re considering participating in a sweepstakes contest, here’s what to know:

*Real sweepstakes are free. It’s illegal to ask you to pay or buy something to enter.

*If you sign up for a contest, the promoters might sell your information to advertisers. If they do, you’re likely to see targeted ads online and get more junk mail, telemarketing calls, and spam email.

*Scammers try to trick you into believing you won a prize.

 FTC advises to never share your financial information or pay fees, taxes, or customs duties to get a prize. Scammers are after your money or personal information such as social security number or bank account number.

If you are aware of a sweepstakes prize scam, 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.

June 23, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES SCAMS

Attribution: US www.ftc.gov

Congratulations — it’s time to graduate!

Whether you or someone you know is off to college in the fall, already has a job lined up, or is still figuring out next steps, there’s a lot to do to prepare.  As recent grads step into the next phase of life, they may come across things like job scams, phishing scams, rent or dishonest business practices.

You will need to learn about credit basics, how to protect yourself from identity theft, and how to spot and avoid scams.  http://www.Consumer.gov may be able to help with information on how to avoid job scams, rent your first apartment, buy your first car, check your credit history, avoid identity theft and more.

You can log on to Consumer.gov for alerts, and www.ftc.gov./scams to find out about the latest scams.

The Federal Trade Commission wants to know about it if you have had, or know someone who has had, an unfortunate experience. Tell us 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.

June 21, 2023

GARDEN COMPOSTABLE SCAMS

Attribution: scambusters.org

Garden composting is the process in which organic matter such as leaves and food scraps breaks down into soil. It is an excellent method to recycle waste from your yard and kitchen while also enriching the soil in your garden, enhancing its ability to retain water, and preventing erosion.

When you buy something that’s labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable,” you likely think you’re playing your part in today’s eco-conscious world. But sometimes the claims are untrue.

For most of us, “compostable” means the item will rot down to harmless organic material – the stuff you can use as compost on your veggie patch.

But that can be a far cry from the truth. Product manufacturers sometimes use the term freely, without telling you what they mean, in hopes of misleading eco-minded shoppers to buy. When these terms are used to make something seem more environmentally friendly than it really is, it’s a scam. Not only that, but sometimes, product makers use the terms to jack up their prices, knowing that some consumers are prepared to pay more for “green” products.

THE PLASTIC PROBLEM

You can compost a lot of fruit and vegetable waste from your kitchen, though even that can fail to break down if it’s not done properly. But what about plastic? Or bioplastic as “greenies” like to call it. Often, it’s not compostable at all, at least in your backyard.

One of the biggest issues is that many labeled compostable plastics, chiefly packaging material made from vegetable matter, can only be recycled in large industrial incinerators, not in your home or even your local garbage dump. But the makers don’t always tell you that. Nor do they tell you how long it’ll take to decompose.

Pretending that a product can easily be recycled is called greenwashing. Just because something presents itself as an earth-friendly alternative doesn’t mean it actually is one.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

First, it’s important to be aware of the current limitations of plastics recycling. Second, it’s wise to adopt a healthy touch of skepticism about packaging claims.

 If the wording on your “compostable” product doesn’t explain what it means or how long it’ll take to decompose, it’s possibly just greenwashing, with no real benefit.

It’s worth noting that “compostable” and “biodegradable” have different meanings, but are sometimes used interchangeably by some manufacturers.

Another useful check is with your state’s rules on labeling. For instance, some US states have actually banned the term “biodegradable” on packaging.

We’re not saying that “composting” is a dirty word. It is a scientifically proven way to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich material to add to your soil. The problem lies with the firms that use it fraudulently or at least in a misleading way. Violations can be reported to the US Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

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

June 16, 2023

Attribution: Ftc.gov

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a public insurance program, created in 1965, that provides health coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.  It is funded jointly by the federal government and the individual states.  As a result, Medicaid eligibility and benefits can and often do vary widely from state to state.

During the pandemic, states had to keep people enrolled in Medicaid so they didn’t lose their insurance. Now that the health emergency declaration is over, that requirement has been phased out — which means people eligible for Medicaid have to re-enroll in their state’s program or find new insurance, if they’re not eligible.

So, where do the scams come in?

When big changes affect millions of people, scams will follow. That means people who’ve been on Medicaid — including people of modest means, children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with disabilities — will be targeted by health insurance scammers.

Here’s what to know:

Medicaid won’t charge you to renew or enroll. You may get a call, text, or email from your state Medicaid agency to renew your enrollment in your state’s program. But the real Medicaid program won’t ask for money or personal information like your credit card or bank account number. Learn more about eligibility for Medicaid in your state at Medicaid.gov (scroll down to find the link to your state’s Medicaid agency).

Visit HealthCare.gov to compare insurance plans, coverage, and prices. HealthCare.gov lets you compare prices on health insurance plans, check your eligibility for healthcare subsidies, and begin enrollment. HealthCare.gov will ask only for your monthly income and your age to give you a price quote.

If anyone asks for your bank account or credit card number to give you a quote for health insurance, that’s a scam. Don’t give it.

Scammers try to sell you medical discount plans that are not major medical. Phony Medical discount plans charge a monthly fee for supposed discounts on some medical services or products from a list of providers. They’re not a substitute for health insurance, though some legit plans do give actual discounts. But others just take your money for very little in return. If you’re considering one, find out if your doctor participates in the plan. Check what coverage it gives for major events. And be sure to get the plan’s details in writing before you sign up. If anyone pressures you to sign up quickly say, “no, thanks.”

If you think you’ve spotted a scam, tell your friends and family about it so they can protect themselves. Then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general.

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A Free Public Service

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

June 15, 2023

MEDCAID FRAUD

Attribution: Ftc.gov

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a public insurance program, created in 1965, that provides health coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.  It is funded jointly by the federal government and the individual states.  As a result, Medicaid eligibility and benefits can and often do vary widely from state to state.

During the pandemic, states had to keep people enrolled in Medicaid so they didn’t lose their insurance. Now that the health emergency declaration is over, that requirement has been phased out — which means people eligible for Medicaid have to re-enroll in their state’s program or find new insurance, if they’re not eligible.

So, where do the scams come in?

When big changes affect millions of people, scams will follow. That means people who’ve been on Medicaid — including people of modest means, children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with disabilities — will be targeted by health insurance scammers.

Here’s what to know:

Medicaid won’t charge you to renew or enroll. You may get a call, text, or email from your state Medicaid agency to renew your enrollment in your state’s program. But the real Medicaid program won’t ask for money or personal information like your credit card or bank account number. Learn more about eligibility for Medicaid in your state at Medicaid.gov (scroll down to find the link to your state’s Medicaid agency).

Visit HealthCare.gov to compare insurance plans, coverage, and prices. HealthCare.gov lets you compare prices on health insurance plans, check your eligibility for healthcare subsidies, and begin enrollment. HealthCare.gov will ask only for your monthly income and your age to give you a price quote.

If anyone asks for your bank account or credit card number to give you a quote for health insurance, that’s a scam. Don’t give it.

Scammers try to sell you medical discount plans that are not major medical. Phony Medical discount plans charge a monthly fee for supposed discounts on some medical services or products from a list of providers. They’re not a substitute for health insurance, though some legit plans do give actual discounts. But others just take your money for very little in return. If you’re considering one, find out if your doctor participates in the plan. Check what coverage it gives for major events. And be sure to get the plan’s details in writing before you sign up. If anyone pressures you to sign up quickly say, “no, thanks.”

If you think you’ve spotted a scam, tell your friends and family about it so they can protect themselves. Then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state attorney general.

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A Free Public Service

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

June 14, 2023

A Free Public Service

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

June 8, 2023

PHISHING SCAM

Attribution: scambusters.org

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending email or other messages purporting to be from reputable companies to induce individuals to reveal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

Emails are the most popular way for crooks to try to trick you into revealing confidential information, like sign-on details and account numbers, and sometimes to get access to your computer to upload malware. Scammers also use both SMS text messages and automated phone calls.

Scammers send out billions of random messages every day designed to steal information from you, just like an angler casts a net or line far and wide. They know that, statistically, sooner or later they’ll get a “bite” and land their catch.

Most commonly, phishing emails use links or attachments that are designed to either take you to a bogus sign-on page or to install malware onto your PC.

Here are some of the tactics the scammers use:

*They make addresses seem legitimate by disguising them. *They may use a long string of letters that includes the name of the legitimate company. *They may use address shorteners, which hide the real address. *They may substitute a letter with a similar character or add a letter or hyphen that you won’t spot at first glance.

*They use the same design, colors, and logos as the companies they’re impersonating.

*They try to rush you into clicking links or making a phone call by striking a note of urgency, such as a looming deadline, product shortages, or use of dramatic words like “WARNING.”

*They take advantage of current news stories, especially about disasters, to pretend they’re trying to help those affected.

*They harvest information about you from social media sites, so they make it seem like they know you, to lower your suspicions.

To Protect Yourself:

*Common sense is your best ally to beat phishing email scammers, but there are other things you can do to stay safe.

*Check the accuracy of the email address, looking for some of the red flags listed above. *Hovering your mouse over the sender’s address, without clicking, should reveal it in full. *Consider using a free address checker such as https://email-checker.net

*Be wary about opening any email from an unknown sender. Certainly, don’t click on links from unknown senders.

*Don’t be fooled by a personal text that mentions something about you or seems to come from someone you know. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to build this personalized wording into mass email attacks.

*Check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

* Although rarer than it used to be, poorly worded text on a page is still a potential scam warning sign. A quick and easy way to do this is to paste the text into a checker like Language Tool (https://languagetool.org/)

*If an official-looking email ends with a common domain name address like “gmail.com” or “outlook.com,” it’s probably fake. Reputable organizations have their own domain names like “amazon.com.”

*Don’t panic if the tone of the message urges you to act quickly. Stay calm and check things out using the tips in this issue.

*Don’t respond if an email openly asks you for confidential information, often by saying they need to confirm your details.

*Be especially alert for emails that seem to come from the most commonly impersonated companies like courier firms, social media sites, and tech companies.

*If the message requests money or other types of donations for a charitable cause, don’t give until you’ve checked them out. For guidance on this, see our earlier issue at https://scambusters.org/charity.html

Don’t forget that using and keeping updated Internet security software is one of the best ways of filtering out spam and scam emails.                    #

A Free Public Service

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

June 1, 2023

UNWANTED SUBSCRIPTIONS

Attribution: Federal Trade Commission

Many subscription offers are tempting, especially if they offer a free trial period before you commit. But what if you’re getting a magazine subscription you never ordered? How do you stop it?

The FTC is hearing from folks who are being charged for subscriptions they don’t want and never ordered. When contacted, some magazines stall and say that people must speak to a different company. People also report getting error messages when they try to cancel online.

Do this to stop a subscription service you’re enrolled in:

First, know that you never have to pay for something you didn’t order. If you get it in the mail, you never have to return it. If, somehow, they got your billing info without your approval, that unauthorized debiting —is a crime.  Report it to Fraud.ftc.gov.

Contact the company that runs the subscription you want to cancel. If the company has instructions on how to cancel, follow those. Keep a copy of your cancellation request, along with notes about any conversations you had and how and when you canceled.

Watch your bank or credit card statements. Check for charges on your debit or credit card after you canceled the subscription. If a company won’t stop charging your account after you’ve tried to cancel a subscription, file a dispute (also called a “chargeback”) with your credit or debit card.

To do:

Online: Log onto your credit or debit card online account and go through the dispute process.

By phone: Call the phone number on the back of your card and tell the company why you’re filing a dispute.

Follow up with a letter to your credit or debit card company listed disputes or errors.

If you’ve been charged for a subscription you didn’t agree to, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your state attorney general.

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