April 15, 2019

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

COLLEGE GRADUATE JOB SCAMS   

Congratulations students and parents! The Federal Trade Commission has some practical scam avoidance advice to offer. It won’t be long before young people across the country will put on their caps and gowns to celebrate their graduations.

What is a job scam?

If you’re looking for a job, scammers may be looking for you. Some phony job placement firms misrepresent their services, promote nonexistent vacancies, or charge high fees in advance for services that don’t guarantee placement.

Scammers might promise to help you find a job if you pay them up front. But after they take your money, you get nothing. This is a job scam.

How do I know a job promise is a scam? Most fake job offers have things in common:

*promises you a job

*guarantees that you will make money

*often says you can work at home

*might offer government jobs no one knows about

According to recently released FTC data, younger people reported losing money to fraud more often than older people. Based on those who reported fraud and gave us their age, 43% of people in their 20s reported a loss to fraud, while only 15% of people in their 70s did.

Helpful easy-to-read tips on budgeting, getting credit, renting a place to live, dealing with identity theft and scams is provided by www.consumer.gov.

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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services to low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

April 3, 2019

ALZHEIMER’S CURE SCAMS

Chances are, you know someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia involving memory loss. That’s due in part to the fact that as our older population grows, so does the number of people facing serious cognitive and related health issues.

Not surprisingly, this demographic change has been accompanied by a growth in the number of marketers who prey on this population, pitching products that make unproven claims they can prevent, treat, delay, or even cure Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions.

Scammers are marketing phony products take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable and often looking for a miracle cure.

Their products fly in the face of true science. What these companies are selling is the false hope that there is an effective treatment or cure. At best, the products offered by these scam artists will have no effect on the patient; at worst they may pose a danger to a patient who takes them.

Remember the saying, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is?” Unfortunately, when faced with a serious health issue, even the most rational person can be led to believe implausible claims. Indeed, that’s what fraudsters selling fake treatments count on.

These claims include statements such as:

* “You can even reverse mental decline associated with dementia or even Alzheimer’s in just a week;”

 * “Clinically shown to help disease of the brain such as Alzheimer’s and even dementia;”

 * “Supplements are used to cure Alzheimer’s disease;”

  * “can … reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by half;”

  * “May have a role in preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s;” and

Here are other ways to protect yourself and others from fake Alzheimer’s treatments:

*  Question any product that also claims to be a “scientific breakthrough.”

 *  Always check with your doctor or health care professional before buying or using any over-the-counter product, including those labeled as dietary supplements.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and related diseases, visit The Alzheimer’s Association at https://alz.org, or, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at https://alzfda.org.

If you know of a product or supplement (other than approved drugs) being advertised or sold as treatment for Alzheimer’s or other diseases, you can report it to the Food and Drug Administration website www.fda.gov.

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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services to low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

JOB SEEKERS SCAMS

Scammers know that finding a job can be tough. To trick people looking for honest work, scammers sometimes advertise in places real employers and job placement firms do. They also make upbeat promises about your chances of employment. But they expect you to pay money up front before you get a job. A promise of a job isn’t the same thing as a job. If you have to pay for the promise, it’s likely a scam.

Many job placement services are legitimate. But others lie about what they’ll do for you–promote outdated or fake job openings, or charge up-front fees for services that will not lead to a job.

Scammers may say they’ve got a job waiting for you–or guarantee to place you in a job– if you just pay a fee for certification, training materials, or their expenses. But if you pay, the job will not materialize. Legitimate employers and employment firms would not ask you to pay for the promise of a job.

A scammer may request you to provide your credit card or bank account information. Don’t do it! Do not give your credit card or bank account information over the phone to anyone unless you’re familiar with them. Anyone who has your account information can use it without your permission to run up big charges, or other uses.

Get details — in writing

If a company or organization is mentioned in an ad or interview, contact that company to find out if the company really is hiring through the service. What’s the cost, what will you get, and who pays — you or the company that hires you? What happens if the service doesn’t find a job for you or any real leads? If they’re reluctant to answer your questions, or give confusing answers, you should be reluctant to work with them.

Before signing with a legitimate placement firm, obtain a copy of the contract and read it carefully. A legitimate company will give you time to read the contract and decide, not pressure you into signing. You should make sure any promises — including refund promises — are in writing.

Know whether it’s job placement or job counseling.

Some listing services and “consultants” write ads to sound like jobs are available. But that’s just a marketing trick. They’re really selling general information about getting a job — information you can find for free on your own.

Legitimate executive or career counseling services help people with career directions and decisions. They may offer information about skills identification and self-evaluation, resume preparation, letter writing, and interview techniques. They might offer general information about companies or organizations in a particular location or job field.

Check for complaints

Your state Attorney General’s Office, or the Better Business Bureau may be able to tell you whether any complaints have been filed about a company that is listed with the BBB. Keep in mind that a lack of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean the business is on the up-and-up. You may want to do an internet search with the name of the company and words like review, scam, or complaint. Look through several pages of search results. And check out articles about the company in newspapers, magazines, or online, as well.

Where to Look for Jobs

The National Career Development Association (NCDA) offers some tips on finding and choosing a career counselor, and explains the different types of counselors active in the field. Information about available federal jobs is free. Federal positions are announced to the public on usajobs.gov.

If you’ve been targeted by a job scammer, file a complaint with the FTC, www.ftc.gov                                                             #

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services to low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

DISASTER CHARITY RELIEF SCAMS March 22, 2019

Hurricanes, floods, tornados and fires leave many homeowners desperate for help. Unfortunately, this creates opportunities for fraudsters to ply their despicable trade.

They may pretend to represent a charity that is helping those in need. Their first contact might be by computer ID spoofing, telephone or robocall technology.  

Be wary of charities that spring up too suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters. Even if they are legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people.

Representatives of legitimate charities and fundraisers may use the phone, face-to-face contact, email, the internet (including social networking sites), and mobile devices to solicit and obtain donations. Naturally, scammers use these same methods to deceive you and take advantage of your goodwill.

Regardless of how they reach you, avoid any charity or fundraiser that:

*Refuses to provide detailed information about its identity, mission, costs, and how the donation will be used.

*Won’t provide proof that a contribution is tax deductible.

*Uses a name that closely resembles that of a better-known, reputable organization.

*Thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making.

*Uses high-pressure tactics like trying to get you to donate immediately, without giving you time to think about it and do your research.

*Asks for donations in cash or asks you to wire money.

*Offers to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately.

*Guarantees sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. You never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes.

If you receive this type of contact, before giving out any personal information or agreeing to any payment, you should independently verify that the call is from a legitimate charity. 

If you wish to report a suspected fraud, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at 1-866-720-5721. If you need to report other fraudulent activities during or following a natural disaster, please notify FEMA at 1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov.

To guard against this disaster related scam, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

*Donate to trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charity’s legitimacy through its official website. If you have doubts:

* you can check with Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance

 *You can also check with the National Association of State Charity Officials. Legitimate charities are required to be on file with your state.

* To check if the charity is trustworthy, or gain other information you can contact the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, GuideStar or ftc.gov/charityfraud.

*Verify all phone numbers for charities. If you need to contact a charity by phone, verify through the charity’s official website that the number you have is legitimate.

*Do not open suspicious emails. If you receive a suspicious email requesting donations or other assistance, do not click on any links or open any attachments. Scammers regularly use email for phishing attacks and to spread malware.

*Be skeptical of social media posts. Independently verify any solicitation for charitable donations before you give. If you’re using text-to-donate, check the number with the charity first.

*Finally, watch out for scammers impersonating federal, state, tribal and municipal authorities. If someone calls claiming to be a government official, hang up. You can call the number listed on that government agency’s official website to determine if it is a legitimate call.

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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

March 15, 2019

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS

Fraudsters are calling saying they are from the Social Security Administration. They may show the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID.

Since January 2018, the Federal Trade Commission has received more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Victims have lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

The calling scammer may say your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. The scammer may want you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. He may say your bank account is about to be seized – but promises if you add money on your gift cards and give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you.

Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended by the SSA.  Your bank account is not about to be seized. The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.

You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself – just not on your caller ID.

To report a Social Security scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you’re worried about identity theft, you can visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA for more information.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS

Fraudsters are calling saying they are from the Social Security Administration. They may show the real SSA phone number (1-800-772-1213) or a number close to it on your caller ID.

Since January 2018, the Federal Trade Commission has received more than 63,000 reports of this scam. Victims have lost $16.6 million (with a median loss of $1,484).

The calling scammer may say your Social Security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. The scammer may want you to confirm your SSN to reactivate it. He may say your bank account is about to be seized – but promises if you add money on your gift cards and give him the codes, SSA can help keep it safe. (Of course, you never want to do that, because then your money is just gone.)

Never give your SSN, credit card or bank account number to anyone who contacts you.

Your Social Security number is not about to be suspended by the SSA.  Your bank account is not about to be seized. The real Social Security Administration will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards.

You can’t believe the numbers on your caller ID. Scammers can easily fake those. But if you’re worried, call the real SSA at 1-800-772-1213. You can trust that number if you dial it yourself – just not on your caller ID.

To report a Social Security scam, go to ftc.gov/complaint. But if you already gave one of these callers your SSN and you’re worried about identity theft, you can visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA for more information.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

COMPUTER TECH SUPPORT SCAMS

March 9, 2019

If you need tech help with your computer, where do you go?

In 2018 the Federal Trade Commission received nearly 143,000 reports about tech support scams. This type of scam has been around for years. But one piece of information in the FTC’s newest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight was an eye-opener. People age 60 and over were about five times more likely than younger people to tell us they lost money on this scam. Although, they were less likely than younger people to say they lost money to other types of scams.

Most of us probably search online. But your online search can lead you to scammers who con you into thinking your computer is in dire need of repair. Their scheme is to trick you into paying for costly security software that you don’t need.

The scammer may direct you to fill out an online form and give your contact information. Then, a phony caller will ask to get online access to your computer – supposedly to check for problems. Once you have allowed access to your computer, the caller will show you fake “evidence” of viruses or other threats that, they say, had to be removed right away.

Then comes the sales pitches to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for unnecessary repairs and maintenance programs. If you find yourself needing help, here are some steps you can take:

*For tech support, go to a company you know and trust, or get help from a knowledgeable friend or family member. If you search online for help, search on the company name plus “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”

*If you receive a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up.

*Never call a number in a pop-up that warns you of computer problems. Real security warnings will never ask you to call a phone number.

*If you think there’s a problem with your computer, update its security software and run a scan.

If you spotted a tech support scam report it to ftc.gov/complaint. And after you report it, use information from ftc.gov/passiton to inform your family and friends about what happened so they can avoid being scammed.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who serves low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

March 4, 2019

TOP FRAUDS OF 2018

Every year, millions of victims tell us (Federal Trade Commission) – and our partners – about the frauds they spotted. Last year, we heard from 3 million.

 Here is some of what we learned from their reports:

We collected more than 1.4 million fraud reports. In 25%, victims said they lost money to fraud.  Victims reported losing $1.48 billion (with a ‘b’) to fraud last year – an increase of 38% over 2017.

The top scam reports in 2018 were: imposter scams, debt collection, and identity theft.

Younger people reported losing money to fraud more often than older people. Think about that.

It’s what the data have been telling us for a while, but it’s hard for people to grasp. Last year, of those people who reported fraud and their age, 43% of people in their 20s reported a loss to fraud, while only 15% of people in their 70s did.

When people in their 70s did lose money, the amount tended to be higher: their median loss was $751, compared to $400 for people in their 20s.

Scammers like to get money by wire transfer – for a total of $423 million last year. That was the most of any payment method reported, but we also saw a surge of payments with gift and reload cards – a 95% increase in dollars paid to scammers last year.

Tax-related identity theft was down last year (by 38%), but credit card fraud on new accounts was up 24%. In fact, misusing someone’s information to open a new credit card account was reported more often than other forms of identity theft in 2018.

The top 3 states for fraud and other reports (per 100K population) are Florida, Georgia and Nevada. The top 3 states for identity theft reports (also per 100K) are Georgia, Nevada and California. You can check fraud activity in your state.

 Meanwhile, keep reporting fraud activity to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. We can use the reports to investigate and bring legal cases against the scammers. We might be able to recover money for scam victims.

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who serves low income seniors in San Mateo County, California

February 27, 2019

FOREIGN STUDENT SCAM 

Scammers pretending to be from the federal government are scaring international students into paying them money. The Federal Trade Commission has received reports that foreign students, particularly from South Asian countries, are receiving phone calls that look like they’re from the government.

A scam caller typically knows about a student’s immigration status and the program or school they’re attending. They will say there is a problem with the student’s immigration documents, or visa renewal. And then demand immediate payment, often thousands of dollars, for a service fee or bogus immigration bond. These callers make threats, including arrest or deportation, if the students don’t pay.  They ask to be paid with gift cards (like Google Play or iTunes) or a cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin).

What makes a call suspect?

*The federal government will not make such calls,

*The federal government will not make such threats,

* The Federal will not ask for such payments.

 Any callers who want to be paid with gift cards or cryptocurrency are scammers. They like those payment methods because the money will disappear without a trace, never to be recovered.

If you get a call that is anything like this, hang up the phone. If you’re not convinced it was a scam, talk to someone you trust about the call. Several people report that they figured out the call was a scam after talking with a relative, the local police, or a school official. It’s likely that others in your community received the same call. Talking about the call could help others in your area. And if you’re concerned about your visa or immigration documentation, call USCIS’s National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283.

If a scammer has contacted you or someone you know, please report it to FTC.gov/Complaint. That could help someone else avoid being scammed.

February 24, 2019

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SCAM

The possibility of losing a home to foreclosure can be terrifying. An offer of help may be very inviting. But the Federal Trade Commission warns that scam artists are preying on desperate homeowners. Many scammers say they can get a loan that will reduce your monthly mortgage payment, or take other steps to save your home.

Unfortunately, many scammers use half-truths and even outright lies to sell their services. They promise relief, but don’t deliver. In fact, many leave their homeowner victims in worse financial shape.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know that there is a rule in place to protect homeowners. The Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule makes it illegal for anyone to collect any money until a homeowner has actually received an offer of relief from his or her lender and accepted it. That means even if you agree to have anyone help you, you don’t have to pay until it gets you the result you want.

How the Scams Work:

Fraudsters use simple, but deceptive messages tactics to find homeowners in distress. Some sift through public foreclosure notices in newspapers and on the internet or through public files at local government offices, and then send personalized letters to homeowners. Others take a broader approach through ads on the internet, on television or radio, or in newspapers, posters on telephone poles, median strips, and at bus stops, or flyers, business cards, or people at your front door.

Warning Signs:

If you’re looking for a loan modification or other help to save your home, avoid any entity that:

*guarantees to get you a loan modification or stop the foreclosure process – no matter what your circumstances;

*tells you not to contact your lender, lawyer, or housing counselor;

*claims that all or most of its customers get loan modifications or mortgage relief;

*asks for an upfront fee before providing you with any services (unless it’s a lawyer you’ve checked out thoroughly);

*accepts payment only by cashier’s check or wire transfer;

*encourages you to lease your home so you can buy it back over time;

*tells you to make your mortgage payments directly to it, rather than your lender;

*tells you to transfer your property deed or title to it;

*offers to buy your house for cash for much lower than the selling price of similar houses in your neighborhood; or

*pressures you to sign papers you haven’t had a chance to read thoroughly or that you don’t understand.

If you have been a victim of a scammer, or contacted by a scammer, the Federal Trade Commission requests you to report it to http://www.ftc.gov.