Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission

A Free Public Service

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

May 3, 2021

TAX SEASON PHONE SCAMS-ID THEFT

Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission

The 2021 tax filing deadline for US individuals has been extended until May 17, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) strongly recommends that taxpayers file as early as possible to avoid taxpayer identity theft. Taxpayer ID theft occurs when a fraudulent return is filed using your name without your knowledge. Any refund to which you are entitled is sent to the scammer impersonating you. You may not find out until you try to file your return.

The IRS says signs of taxpayer ID theft include:

*You receive a letter from the IRS inquiring about a suspicious tax return that you did not file.

*You’re unable to e-file your tax return because of a duplicate Social Security number.

*A tax transcript that you did not request shows up in your mail.

*You receive an IRS notice that an online account has been created in your name, or that your existing online account has been accessed or disabled without your taking any action.

*To help prevent taxpayer ID theft, you should always be wary of phone calls and text messages that request your personal information. Fraudsters often impersonate the IRS or another government agency personnel attempting to verify the additional information they may need to file a tax return in your name.

The Federal Trade Commission and the IRS warn that you should not provide personal information to any unknown caller. Instead hang up and independently verify the caller’s number before calling back. Keep in mind the IRS does not make outgoing calls from its toll-free numbers. If you see a toll-free number identified as the IRS on your caller ID, it’s likely a spoofed call.

More helpful information from the IRS:

The IRS generally contacts people first by mail – not by phone – about unpaid taxes, and never calls taxpayers with threats of lawsuits or arrests.

At your request the IRS may attempt to reach you by telephone. But it will not insist on payment using an iTunes card, gift card, prepaid debit card, money order, or wire transfer.

The IRS will never request personal or financial information – including a taxpayer’s Identity Protection PIN – by e-mail, text, or any social media.

What should you do if you suspect you are a victim of an IRS tax scam?

The IRS advises taxpayers who suspect they may be victims of identity theft to continue to pay their taxes on time and file for a return, even if they must file a paper return.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment, you can take the following action:

If you owe Federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, just hang up and call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

If you do not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS Impersonation Scam” form on the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration web site, or call 1-800-366-4484.

Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov/complaint.  You can also file a complaint about phone scams with the Federal Communications Commission,  www.fcc.gov/complaint.

When reporting it, add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments in your complaint.

ATTRIBTION: US Federal Trade Commission

A Free Public Service

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

April 27, 2021

BAR CODE QR SCAMS

Courtesy scambusters.org

QR codes, “Quick Response”, are black-and white rectangular boxes full of dots and squiggles.

They are now being used by crooks to trick more victims into giving away confidential information or downloading malware. Security is a major concern.

Experts say one of the main reasons for the current surge is the change in our social behavior because of the current health crisis. More businesses are using them in place of printed matter, like brochures, because that means consumers don’t have to touch them.

One study revealed that many people lack security on their mobile devices and are largely unaware of the security risks posed by QR codes.

For example, they can be used to reveal your location, follow social media accounts, create an email, restaurant menus, join a Wi-Fi network or even to cast a vote.

If you don’t follow precautions and you don’t have security software, you could experience a costly scam the next time you scan.

FIVE SECURITY KEY STEPS

*Don’t scan codes that don’t have any text or explanation with them.

*Check for a raised edge on the code showing it’s a sticker. Again, don’t scan unless you check with someone — for example at a restaurant that may have updated its menu.

*If the code takes you to a website, don’t provide any confidential information until you know for sure it’s genuine.

*If scanning results in something you didn’t expect, like opening an email, don’t use it.

*Use a secure QR code reader that checks its validity. There are lots of free ones. Simply search for “secure QR code scanner” or something similar.

ATTRIBUTION: scambusters.org

A Free Public Service

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

April 25, 2021

FREE COVID VACCINES SCAM

Courtesy US Federal Trade Commission

Scammers are doubling down on their efforts to scam people out of their money and personal information. No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t buy COVID-19 vaccines online and there’s no out-of-pocket cost to get the shots.

Here are some ways to avoid a “free” vaccine-related scam:

*Ignore online ads, social media posts, or phone calls from people offering to sell you the COVID-19 vaccine. You can’t buy it — anywhere. The vaccine is only available at federal- and state-approved locations.

*Don’t pay to sign up for the vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.

*Don’t pay out of pocket for a vaccine — not before, during, or after your appointment. That’s either a scam or a mistake. If you’re insured, the vaccination site might bill your insurance company for an administration fee. If you’re not insured, there’s a fund set up with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA — part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) where sites can recover their administrative costs. Either way, they’re not supposed to bill you or charge a co-pay.

*Never share your personal, financial, or health information with people you don’t know. No one from a vaccine distribution site, health care provider’s office, pharmacy, or health care payer, like a private insurance company or Medicare, will call, text, or email you asking for your credit card or bank account number to sign you up to get the vaccine. And remember, you’re not required to give your Social Security number to a vaccination site. You shouldn’t be turned away for not having one.

*Contact a trusted source for information. Check with state or local health departments to learn when and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also talk with your health care provider or pharmacist.

*Don’t post your vaccination card to your social media account. Your vaccination card has information on it including your full name, date of birth, where you got your vaccine, and the dates you got it. When you post it to Facebook, Instagram, or to some other social media platform, you may be handing valuable information over to someone who could use it for identity theft.

If you know about a COVID-19 vaccine scam, tell the FTC about it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or, file a complaint with your state or territory attorney general through consumerresources.org, the consumer website of the National Association of Attorneys General.

You can subscribe to Consumer Alerts from the www.FTC.gov to get updates delivered right to your email inbox.

Please share these tips with others.

ATTRIBUTION: US FTC.gov

A Free Public Service

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

April 14, 2021

JOB LOSS SCAM AFTER CORONAVIRUS LAYOFF

Have you been laid off due to the Coronavirus? Or maybe your small business shut down? if you’re dealing with loss, you’re not alone.

You may start by looking for ways to make money working from home. If you’re eyeing a work-at-home gig, here are some things to keep in mind.

To protect against work-at-home scams:

*Ads offer a variety of work-at-home jobs – lnternet businesses, shipping or mailing work, selling goods, and more. But many of these “jobs” are scams, aimed at getting your money, and won’t deliver on the claims they make.

*Don’t pay to get a job. Scammers may say they’ve got a job waiting if you just pay a fee for certification, training, equipment, or supplies. But, after you pay, the job doesn’t materialize.

*Avoid fake job ads. Some scammers pay to have their ads or scam websites appear at the top of your searches. Other scammers pretend to be affiliated with well-known companies or even the government.

*Research any potential employer by searching online for a potential employer’s name, email address, and phone number. You might find complaints by others who’ve been scammed and find out more about the scammer’s tricks. To find legitimate job listings, try visiting sites like your state’s Career OneStop.

*Don’t believe ads for “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. Information about federal jobs is free at usajobs.gov.

*Check out the reputation of a company with your local consumer protection agency or your state Attorney General. They can tell you whether they have gotten complaints about a particular work-at-home program.

If you’re dealing with job loss, here are some other things to keep in mind:

*Contact your State Unemployment Insurance Office for information about applying for unemployment insurance benefits in your state. The US Department of Labor recently announced new flexibilities offered as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. So, it pays to check to know if you’re eligible.

Financial relief

*Contact your creditors. They may be willing to discuss some type of minimum payment or other flexibility. They’re more likely to be reasonable if you talk to them upfront about the financial problems you are having as a result of the Coronavirus, rather than waiting until after you’ve missed a payment.

If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

ATTRIBUTION: US Federal Trade Commission, http://www.ftc.gov

A Free Public Service

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

April 6, 2021

IRS IMPOSTERS SCAM COLLEGE STUDENTS AND STAFF

If you are a college student, faculty, or staff member, you to need to pay attention to this one. IRS imposters are sending phishing emails to people with “.edu” email addresses, saying they have information about your “tax refund payment.”

Scammers are sending emails with subject lines like, “Tax Refund Payment” or “Recalculation of your tax refund payment.” The email asks you to click a link and submit a form to claim your “refund.”

Caution: The IRS is NOT emailing you. It is a scammer. Learn more: ftc.gov/IRScollegescam.

What happens if you click the link? The website asks for personal information, including your name, Social Security number (SSN), date of birth, prior year’s annual gross income (AGI), driver’s license number, address, and electronic filing PIN. Scammers can use or sell this information for identity theft.

The emails can look real and include the IRS logo. But no matter what the email looks like or says, one thing stays true: the IRS will not first contact you by email. They will always start by sending you a letter. To confirm that it is the IRS, you can call them directly at 800-829-1040.

If you clicked a link in one of these emails and shared personal information, you can report it at IdentityTheft.gov to get a customized recovery plan based on what information you shared.

If you spotted this scam, the IRS is asking you to forward the email as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. And tell us too, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you are looking to find the status of your pending refund, go to Where’s My Refund on IRS.gov.

ATTRIBUTION: US Federal Trade Commission, http://www.ftc.gov

A Free Public Service

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

March 30, 2021

NEW STIMULUS PAYMENT SCAM

As authorized by new law, millions of consumers will be in line to receive another round of stimulus payments of as much as $1,400.

With each new round of stimulus payments since the pandemic began last March, scammers have sought ways to defraud consumers out of their checks, their personal information, or both. With that experience in mind, and with potentially larger stimulus checks on the way, fraudsters will be up to their old tricks. 

The best way for consumers to avoid falling victim to these scams is to understand some simple rules about receiving the checks:

*Most consumers will not need to do anything to receive the checks. They will either be direct deposited into your bank account, or you will receive a paper check, or a prepaid debit card in the mail.

*There is no way to get the check “early.” While it may be tempting to believe that a person can arrange an early payment, they are only trying to scam you.

*The IRS will not contact you to confirm your information. After previous rounds of stimulus, scammers sent out convincing-looking emails and text messages claiming to be with the IRS. These messages encouraged consumers to click on a link where personal information like bank account routing information, Social Security Numbers, or other sensitive data were harvested.

To obtain the most up-to-date information about the status of your stimulus check, visit the IRS’ “Get My Payment”.

Beware of scammers impersonating the IRS or other government agencies who claim you were “overpaid” and demand you send money back to them.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a stimulus check scam, or any other type of fraud, we urge you to file a complaint at Fraud.org via our online complaint form.

Help us fight fraud by sharing your story. We collect complaints from consumers at our secure form and share it with our network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada. Complaints to Fraud.org are also transmitted to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Complaint Information:

First name*

Last name*

Address1

Address2

City

State*

Choose a state

Zip code*

Birth year* (for statistical purposes only)

Ex: 1936

Phone Number*

(___)___-____

Email address*

Complaint Information

Enter the details of the company or person who committed the fraud.

Company name

First name

Last name

Address 1

Address 2

Company city

State

Choose a state

Zip code

Web Address

Phone Number

How did you first encounter this company/individual

Choose a method

Type of Complaint

– Select One –

Date of first contact with seller/company

If the seller/company asked for money, how much?

If you paid the seller/company, how much?

How did you pay?

Choose a method

Comments

Explain what happened; what goods or services were offered, if any; what you have tried to do to resolve the problem; and any other details you think are important that were not captured in the form above. Please provide as many details as you can. Thank you.

ATTRIBUTION: http://www.fraud.org.

A Free Public Service

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

March 24, 2021

FRAUD ALERTS AND CREDIT FREEZES

Looking for ways to protect your identity? Two options to consider are fraud alerts and credit freezes. But what is the difference?

A fraud alert notifies companies to verify your identity before granting new credit in your name. Usually, that means calling you to check if you are really trying to open a new account. Placing a fraud alert is easy – you contact any one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and that one must notify the other two. A fraud alert is free and lasts one year.

A credit freeze limits access to your credit report so no one, including you, can open new accounts until the freeze is lifted. To be fully protected, you must place a freeze with each of the three credit reporting agencies. You will usually receive a PIN or password to use each time you place or lift the freeze. A credit freeze is free and lasts until you lift it.

Which is right for you? It depends on your personal circumstances. Both fraud alerts and credit freezes can make it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. With a fraud alert, you keep access to your credit. But freezes are generally best for people who are not planning to take out new credit. Often, that may include older adults, people under guardianship, and children.

To place a fraud alert or credit freeze, use the credit bureau contact information listed below:

TRANSUNION.COM; EXPERIAN.COM; EQUIFAX.COM

ATTRIBUTION: US Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov.

A Free Public Service

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

March 22, 2021

TAX IMPOSTER SCAM

Some brazen scammers rip off unwary taxpayers by impersonating agents of the Internal Revenue Service. They may call and insist that you have an unpaid tax bill and face arrest unless you pay up immediately.

Con artists have numerous ways to make the hoax seem convincing. They can trick a caller ID to make it appear that the call is coming from an IRS office. They may even know part of your Social Security number.

The IRS says scammers are increasingly turning to robocalls to reach as many potential victims as possible. Their ruses have become more elaborate, with some citing a nonexistent “federal student tax” that they claim their targets have neglected to pay.

You can guard against the phony tax collectors by following some basic precautions:

The IRS communicates mostly through the US mail, including in cases of delinquent taxes. It will generally make contact by phone or in person only after a taxpayer has received multiple written notices.

A phony IRS official may demand immediate payment, threaten to call police and have you arrested — things the IRS never does.

Do’s

Do hang up immediately if you suspect the caller is a phony.

Do forward any unsolicited emails in which someone claims to be from the IRS or the Treasury Department to phishing@irs.gov.

Do consider filing a fraud alert or freezing your credit with the three major credit-reporting bureaus if a scammer knows part of your Social Security number.

Do ask for identification if you are visited by someone claiming to be from the IRS. Actual employees carry two official credentials: a “pocket commission” and an HSPD-12 card, a standard ID for federal workers. An IRS employee will provide, on request, a dedicated agency phone number for you to verify the information on the card.

Don’ts

Don’t provide or confirm personal or financial information over the phone to someone who claims to be a government official.

Don’t respond to a purported IRS email or text message asking for your information. The IRS doesn’t do that.

Don’t agree to pay a tax bill with a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Scammers prefer these methods because they’re difficult to trace and can be used almost anywhere.

Don’t give credit or debit card numbers to a caller claiming to be an IRS official. The IRS says it never asks for such information over the phone.

Don’t assume a caller who tells you to verify his or her phone number by checking the IRS website is on the level. Caller IDs can be rigged to display the number of a real IRS office.

Don’t be bullied. A scammer will issue threats and demands, but according to the IRS, if you owe back taxes, you will get a bill in the mail and have an opportunity to appeal or to question the amount.

Do not click on any links or open any attachments.

If you have witnessed this scam, or know others who have, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360.

You can report it to the US Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.

ATTRIBUTON: AARP.org

A Free Public Service

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

March 15, 2021

PANDEMIC RESCUE PLAN SCAMS

The new American Rescue Plan Law is intended to help many people who have suffered financially during the pandemic. But the US Federal Trade Commission warns that it will bring out scammers trying to steal your money.

Payments will soon be coming by direct deposit, checks, or a debit card to people eligible for the payment. You can learn more about who is eligible, and the timing, at IRS.gov/coronavirus.

What will NOT happen:

1. The government will never ask you to pay anything up front to get this money.

2. The government will not call/text/email/DM you to ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number.

3. No legitimate person will ever tell you to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram.

Health Insurance.

The new law also has some language about health insurance. It temporarily increasing subsidies for newly laid-off people and many people buying their own health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Likewise, no legitimate person will ever call, text, email, or message you about getting or keeping health insurance coverage, or to demand payment on your account.

If you spot one of these scams, please tell the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It could help identify and track down these scammers.

ATTRIBUTION: U.S http://www.ftc.gov.

A Free Public Service

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

March 10, 2021

AUTO WARRANTY SCAM 

If you own a vehicle and a phone, you may receive calls from scammers posing as representatives of a car dealer, manufacturer or insurer telling you that your auto warranty or insurance is about to expire. The call will include some sort of pitch for renewing your warranty or policy.

Example:

“Hi there, this is Shasta calling in regard to your Volkswagen warranty. The warranty is up for renewal. I’d like to congratulate you on your $1,000 instant rebate and free maintenance and oil change package for being a loyal customer. Call me back at 888-206-XXXX to redeem now. Once again that number was 888-206-XXXX. Thank you so much. Have a great day”.

During the call – which often begins automated or pre-recorded – you may be instructed to press a certain number or stay on the line, then be asked to provide personal information, which potentially can be used to defraud you.

What makes it particularly hard to discern if this type of call is fraudulent is that the scammer may have specific information about your particular car and warranty that they use to deceive you into thinking they are a legitimate caller.

Protective steps you can take:

First, do not provide any personal information, such as a social security number, credit card information, driver’s license number or bank account information to any caller unless you can verify you are dealing directly with a legitimate company with which you have an established business relationship. Telephone scammers are good at what they do and may imply that they work for a company you trust. Don’t fall for it.

If you have caller ID you can screen incoming calls. Legitimate telemarketers are required to transmit or display their phone number and the name and/or the phone number of the company they aare representing. The display must include a phone number that you can call during regular business hours to ask that the company no longer call you.

Avoid answering any calls you suspect may be spoofed. You should be cautious even if a number appears authentic. Criminals may engage in caller ID “spoofing” – deliberately falsifying the information transmitted to your Caller ID display to disguise their identity. 

Filing a complaint

In addition to being fraudulent in nature, these calls likely violate telemarketing and robocall rules. You can file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission http://www.fcc.gov about suspected scam calls.

While the FCC does not award individual money damages to consumers, your complaint may help identify scammers so appropriate action can be taken. In some cases, the FCC can issue warning citations and impose fines against companies who are violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

If you think you have received a call involving fraud, you can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

ATTRIBUTION: FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMUNICATIONS