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. 

                                                            #

.

=

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.

                                                              #

A Free Public Service

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

Jauary 19, 203

DEEPFAKE VIDEO SCAMS

 Attribution: scambusters.org

Deepfake is a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else. One of the big challenges is to be able to tell deepfake videos from the real thing. This is particularly bad news in a year running up to the US 2024 presidential election.

The technology has been used to trick investors into believing they were watching a company boss making financial statements, or for job interviews.

All the crooks need to do is scour the internet for a genuine video of the person they want to imitate. Artificial intelligence does the rest.

The biggest challenge in spotting a deepfake is our willingness to believe what we see, usually without even thinking about it.

So, the first thing a viewer should do before reposting a video or acting on an instruction from someone on a video call is to slow down. Take time to mentally question what you’re seeing.

One simple defense tactic in a video interview or meeting that has just surfaced is to ask the other person to turn their face sideways by a full 90 degrees. According to AI specialists Metaphysic, the technology is good at doing front-facing shots but struggles with side profiles. This tends to cause distortions to the image.

Another defense tactic is to ask the video subject to wave their hands in front of their face. Artificial intelligence takes a little time to work out what’s happening, resulting in distortion and poor lip synchronization.

It may seem burdensome that you might have to perform these actions, but it’s more comfortable than having to explain how you transferred money to an untraceable account.

Hope lies with Artificial Intelligence itself. Several companies have taken a lead in developing AI software that can analyze videos in much greater detail than the human eye can, detecting inconsistencies that occur in a matter of seconds.

There are still a lot of other things you can do to spot a deepfake. See our earlier report for more tips at https://scambusters.org/deepfake.html.

                                                        #

A Free Public Service

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

January 13, 2023

ONLINE QUIZ SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

What do the model of your first car, your favorite hobby, and the high school you attended have in common? If you said they’re questions commonly used for online account security and online quizzes, you’re correct. Before you take a quiz, ask yourself: Do I know who’s gathering this information about me — or what they plan to do with it?

 Scammers phish for answers to security question data through quizzes. They use your quiz answers to try to reset your accounts, or steal your bank and other account information.

Personality tests, quick surveys, and other types of online quizzes ask seemingly harmless questions, but the more information you share, the more you risk it being misused. Scammers could do a lot of damage with just a few answers that give away your personal information.

One major way to protect your personal information — in addition to maintaining strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication — is to steer clear of online quizzes…or just don’t answer them truthfully.

If you suspect that an online quiz is a phishing scam, tell a friend. Then, report it

to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

                                                           #

A Free public Service

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

TEXT MESSAGE SCAMS

Attribution:  US Federal Trade Commission

Have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information.

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by falsely promising you something. They also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction.

Other messages might install harmful malware on your phone that steals your personal or financial information without you realizing it.

If you think a message might be real, you can contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.

There are ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you. Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages.

A Free Public Service

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

December 29, 2022.

SOLAR PANEL SCAMS

Attribution: http://www.scambusters.org

With rising energy costs and falling prices of equipment, who wouldn’t see the appeal of solar panels on their home? But ignorance and hasty decisions can lead would-be buyers into falling victim to lies, misleading information, and other scams.

A common trick is to get you to fill in a form “to see if you qualify.” Scammers use these forms to steal information about you.

Tapping energy directly from sunlight is a fantastic renewable energy source.

But there are crooks taking advantage of this opportunity.

 Con artists take advantage of the fact that most of us know little about solar technology, such as how it works, how much it costs, and how much a householder might save. But scammers use red flag exaggerations and lies such as:

*The system will be free.

*There are no upfront costs, or they’ll be refunded.

*Misleading information about federal and state financial assistance and tax credits.

*Wild claims about the savings you’ll make and the amount of time it’ll take to recoup your investment.

*Time is tight. Scammers will suggest a special deal or aid program is about to expire so you must act now.

*High-pressure sales tactics aimed at getting you to sign up.

*Claims they’ve installed their systems on neighboring homes.

*Suggesting their system is the only one allowed by law or qualifying for financial incentives.

*Fake statistics suggesting a huge rise in utility prices is on the way.

*Imposters claiming to be from your state or utility provider or working in partnership with them.

*Crooks may also offer a bid price without even doing an inspection, offer you a price that’s too good to be true, and promise they can arrange special low-cost financing. All red flags.

LEASING

In addition to buying a solar panel system, you may also be able to lease one. A scammer is unlikely to tell you how this works and mislead you into thinking you are being offered a good deal.

More information about Solar Panel Scams is available on http://www.scambusters.org.

Attribution Federal Trade Commission

A Free Public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an iactive attorney in San Mateo County, Califoria.

Decmber 17, 2022

We’ve all been there. During the holidays you order something online and anxiously await its arrival. But then your package doesn’t come when the seller said it would. And worse, you hear nothing. Your happy anticipation is turning to anger and frustration. So now what?

If you didn’t get your stuff:

• First, contact the seller. Most businesses will work with you to resolve the problem and keep you as a customer.
• If that doesn’t work, you still didn’t get your order and the charge shows up on your credit card statement, dispute the charge.
• If you paid by debit card, contact your debit card company (often your bank or credit union). Ask if they can help you. This sample letter for disputing debit card charges can help.

Sometimes, you can head problems off by doing some research before buying from an unfamiliar online store.

• Check out the company or product. Search online for the name plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what other people say about it. And read the seller’s description of the product carefully. If they offer name-brand goods at steeply discounted prices, they might be fakes.
• Pay by credit card. You’ll get protections under federal law, so you don’t have to pay for things you ordered but didn’t get.

A word on timing, as the holidays approach: online sellers have to ship when they (or their ads) say they will. (The law says so.) If they don’t ship then, they have to tell you (and give you a chance to cancel and get a full refund). If they don’t give a shipping date, they have 30 days to ship from the date of your order.

If you suspect a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

Free Public Service

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

December 5, 2022

Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by spotting and avoiding gift card scams. Scammers want you to pay with gift cards because they’re like cash: once you use a gift card, the money on it is gone.

How to spot a gift card scam? Someone may call, tell you they’re from a government agency, and say you owe taxes or a fine. Or they may pretend to be a family member, or friend in trouble, who needs money right away. Or they may say you’ve won a prize, but first must pay fees or other charges. 

In these and similar scenarios, here are signs you’re dealing with a scammer:

• The caller says it’s urgent. They tell you to pay right away or something terrible will happen. They try to pressure you into acting quickly, so you don’t have time to think or talk to someone you trust. Don’t pay. It’s a scam.
• The caller usually tells you which gift card to buy. They might tell you to put money on a Google Play, Target, or iTunes gift card — or send you to a specific store like Walmart, Target, or CVS. Sometimes they tell you to buy cards at several stores, so cashiers won’t get suspicious. If so, stop. It’s a scam.
• The caller asks you for the gift card number and PIN. The scammer uses that information to get the money you’ve loaded on the card. Don’t give them those numbers. It’s a scam. You’ll lose your money, and you won’t be able to get it back.

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. Keep the card and find any receipts you have. Then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Visit ftc.gov/giftcards for more information.

A Free Public Service

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

December 4, 2022

Attribution: AARP.org.

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.

A Free Public Service

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

November 26, 2022

ENERGY SAVING SCAMS

Attribution scambuster.org

Who doesn’t want to score energy savings these days? Not only are utility bills climbing, but we’re also increasingly aware of the environmental cost of using our precious natural resources.

Scammers and their misleading sales spiels, are tricking people into handing over their cash for dubious products and services. They claim to deliver savings and make us more eco-friendly.

A big challenge for consumers is usually a lack of technical savvy to check out these claims. But, if you don’t do your research, you may to get conned into paying.

Here are three of the common energy savings scams you may encounter.

INSULATION SCAMS

Most of us know that properly insulating the walls and roof spaces in our homes can significantly reduce heat loss. But it’s difficult to know what works and how much you’ll likely save.

They may deceptively inflate the insulating power (or “R-value” in tech-speak) of their coating in their marketing materials. They may claim a special wall paint will reduce heat loss.

With attic insulation, scammers may exaggerate the insulation properties of their products or fail to install the optimum amount of fiberglass or foam. In some cases, they even use a technique known as “fluffing” in which the material is “fluffed up” to appear thicker than it really is.

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Spammers are currently bombarding consumers with ads for double- and triple-pane windows, which they say will result in significant noise and heat insulation.

While it’s true that properly manufactured multi-pane windows can achieve savings, once again, scammers make outrageous claims about the R-value of their products, without providing any supporting evidence.

Often, these windows are sold via spam or using high-pressure door-to-door and telesales tactics, including too-good-to-be-true prices that give them a foot in the door. These turn out to be only for basic, standard-size frames – and you discover your windows will cost a lot more.

They may also offer suspect short-term warranties with all sorts of get-out clauses.

PLUG-IN ENERGY SAVING DEVICES

Social media is full of stories about energy-saving devices developed by inventors that supposedly the big utility companies are trying to suppress.

You simply connect them to a power outlet to produce savings of up to 60 percent in energy use, they claim.

Promoters may use charts and statistics that seem to back up their energy-saving claims. But, in general these are false or, at best, misleading.

Of course, there are some devices that can help you save energy, most notably “smart” thermostats. These are often available at a substantial discount from your utility supplier. But scammers may sell them at an inflated price and claim the discount for themselves.

SOLAR PANELS AND MORE

The tricks we’ve listed aren’t the only energy-saving scams. The current hot topic relates to solar power scams, which we plan to cover in depth in a later issue.

Others relate to unverifiable claims about energy usage in domestic appliances. Generally, the numbers you see on those yellow stickers in the store are accurate and comply with regulations – but beware that salesperson’s exaggeration about how much you’ll save.

HOW TO AVOID AN ENERGY-SAVING SCAM

Here are 10 commonsense tips to avoid being hoodwinked by these scammers.

*Learn and understand a little about R-values. What Is Insulation R Value?

*Ask for evidence to support any money-saving claims.

*Contact your utility providers for information on devices and tactics to reduce your consumption. Don’t rely on salespeople.

*Seek customer references from contractors and others about their work and products.

*Read contracts including all the small print. And check warranties, especially for length of coverage and exclusions.

*Never sign a contract under pressure, especially with claims that the offer is only available right now. In fact, if you feel pressured to sign, that should be enough to make you distrust a salesperson.

*Beware of imposters claiming to be from utility companies or energy-efficiency experts such as the government’s EnergyStar service. Don’t let them into your home without thoroughly checking them out.

*Don’t provide confidential financial information over the phone or to a doorstep visitor, again until you’ve verified their identity.

*Get at least two competitive bids for any type of insulation or replacement windows you’re considering.

*If you’re thinking of buying and using a device that claims to cut electricity consumption, research it on the Internet to see what others are saying. Be skeptical – mostly, they don’t work.

                                                       #