A Free Public Service

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

August 26, 2021

DNA TEST FRAUD

Courtesy Scambusters

You may have seen ads online that claim a gene analysis can predict the likelihood of your developing serious health conditions. While there’s no doubt that DNA testing and genetic analysis have been a boon for law enforcement and family history enthusiasts, it has many limitations.

In reality, the most detailed tests can only pinpoint if an individual’s DNA contains a gene that’s common to other sufferers.

The US Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) has issued an alert about Medicare DNA test fraud.

Just because tests are now cheap, at around $59, doesn’t make them any more worthwhile. Start by taking any claims about what analysis can tell you with extreme caution.

Scammers are using fear and ignorance to drive victims into signing up for DNA tests they don’t need. Victims are handing over money and confidential information, and in some cases, suffering distress and even endangering health.

The real concern focuses on two potential scams:

*Tests of people’s genetic makeup that purport to show how much at risk they are for developing certain diseases and disorders.

*Tricking people into either taking tests or buying home kits as part of a Medicare fraud scheme, which also threatens an identity theft sting.

At the same time, a new breed of crooks has popped up that claim to be able to tell you about your personality traits or if you’d make, say, a good football player, a successful lawyer, or even a good spouse.

The same tactics are being used by scammers who tell their targets they’re required to take a test by their health insurance company, most notably Medicare and Medicaid recipients. They sell supposed kits for this or simply take a cheek swab.

The crooks may use this information to file fraudulent reimbursement claims.

If Medicare denies the claim, the victim could be responsible for the entire cost of the test, which could be thousands of dollars.

How to Avoid a DNA Test Scam:

*Don’t take a DNA test without consulting your own health professional.

*If you’re told a test is required by your insurer, check with them.

*Understand that a DNA test can’t tell you anything about your personality.

*Don’t give your Medicare number to anyone other than your doctor’s office.

*If you receive a test kit you didn’t order, don’t use it. Refuse delivery if you can.

*Don’t accept free or paid-for testing at public events, your front door, or even, as has been reported, in a parking lot!

If you do suspect Medicare fraud, contact the HHS Inspector General’s office — https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210815-1

You can also contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) representative with any concerns or questions. Find your state SMP contacts here: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210815-2

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A Free Public Service

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

August 19, 2021

ONLINE BANK FRAUD

Courtesy AARP

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred many older adults to rely more on digital banking, using computers and smartphones to move money across accounts, pay bills or deposit checks.

Online banking scammers may target older people for several reasons. After decades of work, older adults are more likely to have higher incomes and greater assets. They are often perceived, fairly or not, to be less tech savvy and more inclined to answer the phone.

The first defense against banking scams is knowing that a reputable bank will not contact you out of the blue and ask for your Social Security number, online account password or other personal information.

A scammer might direct you to call a supposed customer service line (where you’ll be pressed for personal information like a Social Security number), or to click on a link that takes you to a fake banking website. That could be a trap to infect your device with malware that allows crooks to track your keystrokes and capture account credentials.

Scammer signs can include misspellings and poor grammar; email or web addresses that resemble but don’t quite match the real domain (look for a switched letter or extra punctuation mark); or generic greetings like “Dear Valued Customer.”

Scammers may come armed with information about you, gleaned from social media or a prior data breach. They’ll mention personal details like your birth date, where you work or the last four digits of your Social Security number to make their claim to be from your bank more convincing.

Know to whom you’re talking:

*If you receive a call like that, hang up immediately. Similarly, don’t reply to an email or text that seems at all suspicious, and don’t call a phone number listed in one.

*Nor should you necessarily trust a number found via Google search, chat room or social media. For the same reason, don’t ask Alexa on a smart speaker to connect you.

*To find out if there’s an actual issue with your account, contact the bank via a channel you know to be legitimate, like the customer service number printed on your bank statement or the back of a debit card.

Ways to bank online safely and avoid scams:

*Choose a unique account password. Don’t use the same or similar passwords across multiple websites.

*Make sure you’re on your bank’s genuine website — especially if you reached it via search, which scammers can game to usher you to a phony site. Check that the web address contains your bank’s true domain, with no extra or substituted characters.

*Read the security and privacy sections of your bank’s site. Get to know about alerts and other protections the bank makes available for online customers.

*Regularly review your bank statements and activity, and report anything that looks questionable to the bank, immediately.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free Watchdog Alerts, review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.

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A Free Public Service

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

August 5, 2021

BACK TO SCHOOL SCAMS

Courtesy Fraud.org

Fraudsters target students during back-to-school season.

Fraudsters know that young people are always on the lookout for discounts, particularly during the frenetic back-to-school season, and they’re all too eager to give you a “good deal.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), younger people aged 20 to 30 lose money to fraud more frequently than older consumers. According to the Better Business Bureau’s annual Scam Tracker Risk Report, adults aged 18 to 24 are frequent victims.

 Here are some of the most common types of fraud impacting college students and tips on how to avoid falling victim: 

*Credit card scams. College students often fall for scams involving credit cards, from otherwise legitimate credit cards that hit card holders with unfavorable terms, fees, or interest fees to completely bogus credit card solicitations. Consumers can reduce their risk of these scams by applying for a card through their bank if possible and avoid filling out unsolicited credit card offers.

*Property rental scams. College students are often the target of property rental scams where thieves pose as an individual selling or renting a property. The scammers solicit potential renters with promises that the homes will be rented to them once the payment is received. Once the potential renters pay the deposit, the scammer disappears.

*Laptop and cell phone scams. Misleading and false advertisements for free and discounted merchandise often lead young adults to predatory websites offering free or deeply discounted electronics like iPhones, iPads, and other high-dollar hardware. Protect yourself by ordering through official sites instead of clicking on ads on social media. 

*Online textbook scams. These occur when fraudulent fraudsters create fake websites offering attractive discounts on expensive textbooks. The consumer often never receives the textbook and suffers from being ill-prepared for class and out of the money they spent on the textbook. Protect yourself by purchasing or renting textbooks through your university, college or bookstore or publishing companies and utilizing buy-back programs. 

*Scholarship scams. Scholarship scams lure in students looking for help paying for school tuition. These scams ask students to provide personal information or pay upfront fees for non-existent scholarships or for scholarship information that is already available for free. Protect yourself by visiting the Department of Education’s StudentAid.gov website to obtain free resources about scholarships and other financial assistance.

If you or a student you know has been a victim of one of these scams or any other type of fraud, we urge you to file a complaint at http://www.Fraud.org via the online complaint form.

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A Free Public Service

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

August 2, 2021

HEALTH INSURANCE SCAMS

Courtesy AARP

Searching for the right health insurance plan can feel like navigating a maze, with bewildering coverage and cost choices around every turn. Shady operators count on that confusion to sell insurance products and health services that deliver far fewer benefits than promised — or none at all.

These schemes proliferate when health care is in the news and on our minds. The coronavirus pandemic has brought robocalls and phishing emails peddling bogus “corona insurance” supposedly covering COVID-19 treatment.

 Scammers get busy during the annual open enrollment periods for Medicare and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. (Medicare open enrollment is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. The ACA period is Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 in most states; a few have expanded sign-up options during the pandemic.)

Fraudsters try to convince you they have a simple solution to the complexity and expense of obtaining coverage. They cold-call potential marks or generate leads through websites, using paid advertising to get to the top of search results, and claim to offer “comprehensive” health plans that meet “Obamacare” or “Trumpcare” requirements.

The resulting policies turn out to be, at best, far skimpier than advertised and at worst outright fakes. Often, victims really are buying substitute medical discount plans, in which consumers pay a monthly fee to get reduced prices on specific services and products from participating health care providers. Some discount programs are legitimate, but as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns, they are not a substitute for health insurance.

During ACA enrollment, scammers impersonate representatives of the government-run health insurance marketplace. They’ll tell you they need personal information to verify an application or that they can help you choose the right plan — for a fee. Treat such solicitations and any offers of deep-discount coverage with skepticism.

Warning Signs:

*High-pressure sales pitches that push low-cost plans or offer special rates if you sign up right away.

*Claims that a plan is licensed under ERISA, the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Insurance companies are licensed by the states, not by any federal body.

*A plan requires you to join an “association” or “union” to get covered. These may be fake organizations designed to create the illusion that you are buying group health insurance.

*Someone contacting you about health coverage claims to be from the government. No government representative will ever try to sell you insurance.

Do’s:

Do compare rates. Premiums for comprehensive coverage that are far lower than what you see elsewhere are probably not valid.

Do confirm with your state insurance commissioner that a plan provider is licensed.

Do insist on seeing a statement of benefits or a complete copy of the policy.

Do learn the difference between medical discount plans and health insurance. The FTC offers guidance. Before signing anything ask specific questions to make sure you know what you’re getting.

Do research an association or union named in an insurance pitch. Look for a US street address and phone number, and for evidence of activity other than selling health insurance.

Do check out an unfamiliar company that says it sells plans through a major insurer such as BlueCross/BlueShield. The affiliation should be confirmed with the big-name insurer.

 Don’ts:

Don’t enter personal information on a website in exchange for a price quote. You would likely be setting yourself up for identity theft or a barrage of sales calls.

Don’t keep talking to a sales agent who gives vague or evasive answers to coverage questions or tells you the details are “in the brochure.”

Don’t sign up for a plan if the bar for acceptance seems too low — for example, if you are not required to get a physical or provide a medical history. Some scam sites claim you can get insurance just through filling out a form.

Don’t give bank, credit card or personal information, or make a payment, in exchange for assistance in getting ACA coverage. Help navigating the health insurance marketplace is available free. Go to HealthCare.gov and click “Find Local Help.” Real health insurance marketplace representatives will not ask you for personal or financial data.

More Resources:

HealthCare.gov, the official Affordable Care Act website, has information on preventing and reporting suspected Health Insurance Marketplace scams.

If you suspect a health insurance scam, file a complaint with the FTC, http://www.ftc.gov online, or by telephone at 877-382-4357, or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360

A Free Public Service

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

July 29, 2021

PET SCAMS  

Courtesy Scambusters

Pet scams have scaled new heights during the past year as work-from-homers and people under lockdown fall for the companionship appeal of a furry friend.

The Better Business Bureau says its Scam Tracker service received more than 4,000 reports of fake pet sales during 2020, with the trend accelerating as the year progressed. These numbers relate to just reported incidents. Many scams are never declared because victims are embarrassed to admit they’ve been conned.

The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) says many pet sale scams begin with prospective owners searching online for free or cheap pets. This is where the crooks hang out. They tell their victims the pet is free or the price is extremely discounted, but they must pay shipping costs upfront.

IPATA says “They almost always say they are only giving the pet away because their child passed away, that they moved for a new job and cannot provide enough attention for the animal due to work hours, or their new house won’t allow pets.”

Sometimes, the pets do exist — they’re stolen or illegally imported animals from Asia and Eastern Europe. Again, the scammers use fake paperwork and even false microchipping to try to pass them off.

How To Avoid Being Scammed:

If you’re considering buying a pet online, here are things you can do to avoid being scammed:

* Don’t buy sight unseen or on the basis of just a photo. Tell the seller you want to see them with the pet using online video services such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. If the “seller” provides a photograph, do a reverse image search to check if it’s been used elsewhere. We described how to do this in our issue: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-1

*Be skeptical about hard-luck and grief stories relating to why the pet is being “given away.”

*Ask for the animal’s history, pedigree registration, previous ownership, and other facts you can check out to establish it exists and is a genuine sale.

*Don’t pay with untraceable gift cards or cyber currency. They’re nearly always used in scams.

*Beware of email addresses using official sounding names, for airlines and government departments for example, but tagged onto a popular service provider like Gmail or Yahoo.

*Don’t believe cheap transportation offers. Scammers often say they can ship the animal internationally for $250. IPATA says it costs more to transport an animal than it does a human. Check IPATA’s list of other pet scam warning signs here: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-2

*Search this database of known pet scam websites: https://tinyurl.com/Scambusters-210718-3

*Beware of pet sales that originate in so-called puppy mills – large-scale breeding operations where animals are often kept in appalling conditions and frequently arrive with serious medical and psychological problems.

Finally, although most pet scams relate to dogs (especially French bulldogs and Yorkshire terriers), more than 10 percent of them are for cats and kittens and a few for parrots and even exotic animals.

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A Free Public Service

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

July 21, 2021

TECH SUPPORT SCAM  

Courtesy AARP

Computer viruses and malware are scary. Tech support scammers exploit that fear. They claim your computer or mobile device is dangerously ill and needs an immediate, costly cure. Don’t fall for it.

 These faux technicians are out to steal your money or your identity, not save your machine. Some scam callers pretend to be associated with Microsoft, Apple or a familiar security software company such as Norton or McAfee. They claim to have detected an imminent threat to your computer. They will ask for remote access to your computer to run phony diagnostic tests, then pretend to have found malware or a virus that is set to freeze your machine or eat your data.

Once they have you running scared, the crooks will pressure you to pay hundreds of dollars for repairs, new software, and other products and services you do not need. They will ask for a credit card number so they can charge the transaction, or request payment by gift card or money transfer (methods favored by many scammers because they are difficult to trace).

Worse yet, the crooks might utilize their access to your computer to transmit actual malware that harvests your personal and financial information from the device, which they can use to steal your identity.

Don’ts

Don’t give remote access to your computer or payment information to someone who calls you out of the blue.

Don’t rely on caller ID to determine if a caller is on the level. Scammers use “spoofing” techniques to make it look like they’re calling from a legitimate number.

Don’t call the number in a pop-up virus alert. Real warnings from your operating system or antivirus program will not ask you to call anyone for support.

Don’t click any links in the pop-up, even to close the window. This could redirect you to a scam site or launch a “dialogue loop,” continually serving pop-up messages.

Don’t buy security software from a company you don’t know. If the name is unfamiliar, do an internet search to see if it has been linked to adware or scams.

Don’t open previously closed sites if prompted to do so when you restart the browser after getting a scam pop-up.

Don’t give financial information to someone who calls a few days, weeks or months after you’ve made a tech support purchase and asks if you were satisfied — it’s probably a “refund scam.” If you say “No,” the caller will ask for bank or credit card information, ostensibly to deposit a refund in your account but actually to steal from you.

Do’s

Do hang up if you get an unsolicited call from someone who claims to be a tech support provider for your computer or software.

Do get rid of a fake virus alert message by shutting down your browser. You can do this on a Windows PC by pressing Control-Alt-Delete and bringing up the Task Manager. On a Mac, press the Option, Command and Esc (Escape) keys, or use the Force Quit command from the Apple menu.

Do use antivirus software to regularly scan your computer for malware and run a scan immediately after getting a scam pop-up.

Do keep your security software, browser and operating system up to date, and consider using your browser’s pop-up blocker.

Do contact a computer technician you trust if you think there might be a genuine problem with your machine.

Do contact your credit card company and request a reversal of the payment if you have been victimized.

Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360.

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A Free Public Service

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

July 18, 2021

REJUVENATON–“anti-aging”– PILLS REFUND

Courtesy Federal Trade Commission

If you bought ReJuvenation pills you may be entitled to a partial or full refund. Here’s what you should know:

Last year, the FTC reached a settlement agreement with makers of ReJuvenation pills and sent refund checks to people who bought this so-called “anti-aging” pill that scammers claimed to be a cure-all for ailments including cell damage, heart attack damage, brain damage, and deafness.

To receive your refund, go to the Quantum Refunds page at http://www.ftc.gov/rejuvenation and follow the instructions for filing a claim. The deadline for filing claims is August 31, 2021.

The average refund check has been about $113 dollars. Once you receive your check, deposit it right away since it will expire after 90 days.

Also, please know the only way these FTC refund checks will come to you is by US postal mail. You never have to pay to get a refund from the FTC. If someone contacts you and asks you to pay, or says they can help you get a refund, it’s a scam — report it to the FTC.

For more information about the ReJuvenation pills refunds visit ftc.gov/ReJuvenation.

A Free Public Service

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

July 14, 2021

HOME RENTAL SCAMS 

Courtesy scambusters

Many persons are struggling with home rental payments. The same goes for those looking for a rental at a reasonable rate. Either way, scammers have them firmly in their sights.

Watch out for red flags when seeking help with a rental home. Despite a government freeze on evictions and some financial aid, troubled renters are subject to phony offers of help.

RED FLAGS

For those searching for a home to rent, here are some red flags to steer you away from scams in which the crook pretends to be offering a home he or she does not own:

*The rent is way lower than that for similar properties.

*Ads and messages use poor grammar and spelling errors. A common clue is overuse of initial capital letters.

*The “agent” offering the property refuses to let you speak to the owner, often making excuses about their non-availability.

*You’re asked to sign a rental agreement before you get to view the home. Never do this.

*You’re charged a fee to view the home.

*The agent makes an excuse about why you can’t view the inside of a home and asks you to make your decision on a simple outside viewing.

*You’re pressured to make a fast decision, usually on the spot.

Whether you’re struggling with an existing rental or viewing a new one, make sure you have a clear understanding of the rental agreement. Would-be renters should never hand over any money before checking out the agent or owners and having read the lease.

CAUTION

Here are tips to help steer clear of the crooks for both scenarios:

*Some of the scammers are posing as charitable or financial assistance organizations. The end result of their crime is to deepen the misery of those people who are already struggling, either by loading them with more debt or stealing their personal information for identity theft — sometimes both.

*No matter what kind of help they promise, scammers will tell you to give them money up front or hand over your personal information first. Both are dead giveaways that it’s a scam.

*Using a different approach, scammers offer rental homes at rock-bottom rates, luring those who are struggling in their present home to chase after these non-existent rentals, parting with yet more money in the form of advance rent.

*For those in need of financial assistance with rent, it’s worthwhile discussing this with the landlord to try to come to some staging payment arrangements.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

*Free help may be available.  For example, try the low-income assistance organization LawHelp.org.

*Be very wary of unsolicited offers of help. They’re usually scammers or loan sharks, or attach unacceptable conditions to any aid they give.

*Visit your state office of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You’ll find links to your state here.

Many states have their own emergency rental assistance funds. Conduct an online search on the name of your state plus “emergency rental assistance program.”

Know your rights on eviction. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently extended its moratorium of evictions for certain groups to the end of July. Some states also have their own rules.

A good source of information in a single place on this issue is a regularly updated page run by the consumer law organization NOLO: Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus.

Another is your local state and county court system. You can track them down at USA.gov’s page: State, County, and Municipal Courts.

Also, keep records of the whole process for possible follow up needs.

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A Free Public Service

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

July 10, 2021

HEALTH FRAUD WARNINGS

Courtesy US Food and Drug Administration

You will never see these warnings on health products, but that’s what you ought to be thinking when you see claims like “miracle cure,” “guaranteed results,” or “vaccine alternative.”

A health product is fraudulent if it is deceptively promoted as being effective against a disease or health condition, but not scientifically proven safe and effective for that purpose, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),

Health fraud scammers play on the desire for a quick or miracle cure. The snake-oil salesmen of old have morphed into the deceptive, high-tech marketers of today. They prey on people’s desires for easy solutions to difficult health problems. That may include Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, memory loss, sexual performance, weight loss, and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other infectious diseases.

Scammers promote their products with savvy marketing techniques. Health fraud scams run rampant on social media sites and closed messaging apps, such as Signal, Viber, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Scam promotions may be found in other locations such as convenience stores, gas stations, flea markets and nontraditional stores. They may target persons with limited English proficiency and limited access to health care services and information.

Overseas Orders

Other risks include potentially dangerous or unproven products ordered direct from overseas sources via mail to circumvent normal Customs and FDA inspections and other safety measures.

Consumers can increase their chances of identifying and avoiding health fraud scams by focusing on being smart, aware and careful when purchasing health care products.

Tip-Offs

Here are tip-offs to help you identify scams:

*One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases. These miracle cures don’t exist – they’re bogus – and the only thing these companies are selling is false hope.

*Personal “success” testimonials. Success stories, such as, “It cured my diabetes” or “It immediately stopped my COVID-19 infection,” are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence. Reviews found on popular online marketplaces and social media can be fake.

*Quick fixes. Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products. Beware of language such as, “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days,” “protects from viral infections,” or “eliminates skin cancer in days.”

*“All natural” cure or treatment. Don’t be fooled by descriptions like “all-natural cure.” Such phrases are often used in health fraud as an attention-grabber to suggest that a product is safer than conventional treatments.

*“Miracle cure.” Alarms should go off in your mind when you see this claim or others like it such as, “new discovery,” “guaranteed results,” or “secret ingredient.” If a real cure for a serious disease were FDA-approved, it would be widely reported through the media and prescribed by licensed health professionals.

*Conspiracy theories. Claims like “This is the cure our government or Big Pharma doesn’t want you to know about” are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.

Health fraud issues can be reported to the US Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov for possible legal action.

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A Free Public Service

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

July 5, 2021

SOCIAL ENGINEERING SCAM

Courtesy Scambusters

 Social engineering sounds scientific, but it’s really a polite way of describing the techniques scammers use to fool their victims. Behind every scam, there’s a piece of social engineering — the technique and tactics that con artists use to convince people to give away information, money, or behave out of the ordinary.

If it were not so evil (at least in this context), you could call social engineering a science. That’s because being a good social engineer involves understanding what makes people tick. They know how to put pressure on you, spin a convincing hard luck story or strike fear in your heart. Pressure, trust, and fear are the scammers’ frontline weapons.

Sadly, social engineering is here to stay. But being aware of it and knowing how to counter it is a powerful starting point for beating the crooks. The more you learn, the less likely you are to be scammed.

REVERSE ENGINEERING

If you want to beat them at their own game, you’ve got to be constantly on the alert. In a way, you have to “reverse engineer” the scammers’ tactics. You have to know and deal with what makes you potentially vulnerable.

If you’re too trusting or gullible, you have to recognize this and adopt an attitude of skepticism about all that you see and hear.

If you give way to pressure easily, you must set a personal rule for yourself to disconnect from whoever is pressuring you so you have time to review what’s happening.

And if you’re the type who is easily scared by intimidation, you need to call on help and support from friends or family to help steer you past the threats.

The non-profit Center for Cyber Safety and Education has more information about how to counter the scammers’ techniques, by following key actions:

*Make your starting point to question the intentions of anyone asking you for money or information. Seek and check proof of identity.

*Be on your guard when you get a call from anyone you don’t know. You have no way of being sure who they are, even if their voice sounds familiar.

*Think before acting – not the other way around. Tell yourself to slow down in a situation where you’re being asked for money or information. Ask someone you trust for their opinion on what you’re being asked.

*Look out for red flags including paying with gift cards or money wire, or being told not to discuss your activities with anyone else.

*Don’t let a link (e.g. in an email, on a website, or a text message) control where you land. Find the site you’re interested in by yourself not via a link.

At Scambusters we recommend using “don’t click” as your default policy with links, unexpected attachments, and downloads.

*Foreign offers to buy, sell, or inform you of winnings/inheritances are usually fakes.

*Hit “delete” when you get messages asking for confidential information. Legitimate organizations simply don’t make these requests.

*Be suspicious… if you get an email offering of help you didn’t ask for, or seeming to answer a question you never asked.

Any suspected scam activity can be reported to the US Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov for possible legal action.

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