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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A Free Public Service

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

July 1, 2021

TRAVEL SCAMS

Courtesy AARP

How It Works

Crooks set up look-alike travel and booking sites in hopes you will book with them rather than your intended company. They create fake vacation-rental listings, which are often altered from real listings that they have stolen from legitimate sites.

Often, bogus travel sites appear high up in search rankings because scammers buy and pay for promotion. Listings at a lower-than-expected price could be a sign that it’s not legitimate.

The typical request is for you to pay in advance with something other than a credit card when the listing is fraudulent.

What You Can Do

 *Be skeptical of any pitch that offers a cut-rate hotel, airline or car rental that seems too good to be true.

*Vet travel reservation sites or agents before you book. First conduct a web search on the company name (along with the word “scam” or “complaint”) and check to see if the listing shows up elsewhere. Also check out reviews on popular review sites.

*Pay for travel reservations and bookings with a credit card, which offers greater protections than peer-to-peer apps or other forms of payment.

To report any fraudulent conduct call AARP: 877-908-3360

A Free Public Service

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

June 26, 2021

RENTAL CAR SCAMS

Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission

With rental car availability at an all-time low, prices are sky high. So, if you suddenly find an available car at a cheap price, you might be dealing with scammers looking to cash in on the rental car shortage.

Scammers are posing as rental car companies, setting up their own websites, and advertising fake customer service phone numbers, all to convince travelers they’re legit. Then, they’re asking people to pre-pay for the rental — with a gift card or prepaid debit card.

To guard against rental car scammers driving off with your money:

Research the rental car company by searching for the name of the company and words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review” to check if other people have had a bad experience.

Verify deals with the company directly. If you need customer support, look for contact info on the company’s official website. Don’t use a search engine result. Scammers can pay to place sponsored ads in search results, so they show up at the top or in the sponsored ad section.

Pay with a credit card if possible, and never pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card. You can dispute credit card charges, but gift cards and prepaid debit cards can disappear like cash. Once you give the number and PIN to a scammer, the money is gone.

Before you rush to book that miraculously available rental car, take time to read up about things you should consider when renting a car. If you spot a rental car scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

MORE ABOUT CAR RENTALS 

Here are some things to think about when choosing a rental car:

Size matters — The size of your rental can affect the price you pay. Terms like “compact,” “mid-size,” and “luxury” vary across rental car companies.

Comparison shop — Check out a few websites for the kind of rental you want. Look for rates with individual rental companies and price comparison websites.

Special deals — You may find deals if you book in advance, or in combination with a flight or hotel stay. Check the fine print for limitations, including blackout dates when an advertised price may not be available. You also may get discounts as a perk with your credit card company, or if you belong to certain groups, like auto clubs or big box stores.

Your driving record — Ask the rental car company if they check customers’ driving records. Many do, and even if you have a confirmed reservation, recent driving violations may prevent you from getting the car.

Fees and Charges:

The advertised rates for rental cars may not give you a true picture of what you’ll actually pay. Factor in other possible fees and charges.

Early returns — Some companies may charge a fee if you return the car more than 24 hours before your reservation ends. If you have to return the car early, call the company to talk to an agent.

Late returns — Many companies won’t charge you extra if you’re late returning a car by less than 30 minutes. But you still may have to pay a full day’s charge for optional items, like liability coverage. If you’re running late, find out if it’s cheaper to pay the late charges or extend your reservation.

Airport surcharges — Renting a car at the airport can be expensive. Surcharges can apply even when a rental company shuttles you to their off-site lot.

Gas — Most companies require you to return your rental with a full tank of gas. If you don’t, you’ll be charged the rental company’s price for gas, which is usually more expensive than what you’d pay at a local station. Some companies may offer to let you prepay for a full tank of gas so you don’t need to stop for gas before you return the car. This may add convenience but could also be more expensive than filling up yourself, especially if you return the car with plenty of gas that you already paid for.

Mileage — Most companies offer unlimited miles, but there may be daily limits, depending on the type of car you rent (for example, some SUVs or high-performance cars). It helps to know about how far you plan to drive. That way, you can choose the company that offers the best mileage terms.

Taxes — Before making your reservation, review your quote carefully to confirm that required state, city, or county taxes and other fees, like a “vehicle licensing fee” or an “energy recovery fee,” are included to avoid surprises later.

Tolls — Most companies offer ways to pay tolls automatically with devices, but that comes at a cost. The company might:

charge you a service fee for every day of your rental — even if you don’t use the service again. There’s usually a maximum dollar amount for the rental period.

add a service fee each time you pay a toll with the device, meaning that you pay the toll and an additional fee.

offer the device for a set fee for the entire rental period, which covers all tolls you pass through. But that means you pay for the device, even if you don’t go through any tolls.

Roadside assistance — Ask if this service is included in the base price of your rental car or if you have to pay extra. If there’s a fee, find out what it covers — for example, if you have a flat tire, dead battery, or lock the keys in the car. If you belong to an auto club, check to see if your membership includes free or low-cost roadside assistance. You can also check if your credit card (assuming you use it to pay for the rental) or your auto insurance may had roadside assistance for rentals.

Out-of-state charges — Most companies will let you take your rental out of state, but some may charge extra.

Drop-off fees — It may be expensive to return your rental to a different place than where you picked it up.

Equipment-rentals — If you want extra items, like a car seat, or ski or bike racks, it will cost you. Reserve these items in advance to make sure they’ll be available.

Additional drivers — Some companies charge to add another driver to your contract.

Underage drivers — The minimum age to rent a car is 25. However, most major car rental companies allow younger people to drive a rental for a fee.

Coverage Options:

Insurance — Rental car companies usually offer drivers additional insurance coverage options for a price. They say you can limit your liability while driving their car if you buy their coverage. But you may already be covered by your car or homeowner’s insurance. Check your policies, and call your insurance company if you’re not sure about coverage. If you’re traveling on business, you may be covered by your employer’s insurance. Some credit card companies and auto clubs include free rental protection when you use their cards to pay for rentals.

Waivers:

 Rental companies also may try to sell you a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) that guarantees the rental company will pay for damages to your rental car. But unlike collision insurance, a waiver won’t pay for any injuries to you or damages to your personal property. Check your health insurance policy. It might offer protection that CDW coverage doesn’t.

Some credit cards also offer CDW when you use them to pay for the rental.

If you don’t buy a CDW or aren’t covered by your personal car insurance, you’re responsible for any damages to the rental — sometimes the full value.

If you buy CDW, your coverage could be canceled if you damage the car while driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The coverage also could be canceled if you let an unauthorized person drive the rental.

Debit and Credit Card Blocking:

Most rental companies place a hold — or a block — on your debit or credit card for more than the agreed on rental cost. That’s to protect themselves from possible charges beyond the amount that was authorized. Companies do this to make sure there’s enough money or credit available to pay for your final bill. They won’t process the blocked amount if you return the car as promised in your rental contract. If you’re near your credit limit or you have a low balance in your bank account when a block is placed, your card could be declined for additional purchases.

Report a problem to US Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov

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