A Free Public Service

August 13, 2024

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

UTILITY BARCODE SCAM

Attribution:  US FTC.gov

Receiving an urgent call from what sounds like your utility company might make you think: Did I forget to pay my bill? The caller says there’s a way to avoid shutoff and fees: they’ll send you a barcode by text or email so you can pay at a local retailer like Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart.

Don’t respond. It’s all a lie. Wondering how to know it’s not a real utility company calling?

Scammers call unexpectedly and create a sense of urgency. But real utility companies don’t do that. Even if you owe money, they’ll work with you on a payment plan and won’t try to scare you into paying immediately — and they won’t send you a barcode and insist you take it to a store to pay.

Here’s how to deal with calls or messages that appear to come from your utility company:

Contact the utility company yourself. If you’re worried you might be behind on your bills, call the company using the number on your bill or the utility company’s website ― never call the number the caller gave you. It could lead you back to the scammer.

Scammers demand you pay a certain way. Scammers ask you to pay in a way that makes it hard for you to get your money back — wiring money, putting money on a gift card, using payment apps, paying with a scannable barcode or QR code, or cryptocurrency. Your utility company won’t demand you pay that way.

If you suspect you paid a scammer, act quickly. Contact the company you normally send the moneyto and tell them it was fraud. Ask for their help to reverse the payment. You might be able to recover some of your money.

Report utility company impersonators to your utility company and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.                                #

A Free Public Service

August 11, 2024

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

More than 25,000 people are getting refund checks from the Federal Trade Commission as a result of its settlement with the house flipping scheme Zurixx, LLC. If you’re one of them, please cash the check as soon as possible.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The check will come from the refund administrator, JND Legal Administration — you don’t need to file a claim.
• Got questions? Call the refund administrator directly at 888-906-0593.
• Nobody from the FTC will call, email, or text you to demand money or personal information from you. That’s a scam.
• You never have to pay anyone to get a payment from the FTC. That’s a scam.
• To search for active FTC refund programs, verify details of the case, and get the phone number for help, visit www.ftc.gov/refunds.

To learn more about how the FTC returns money to consumers, check out detailed information on the FTC’s refund process and related FAQs.

Remember, anyone claiming you need to pay a fee or share personal information to get a refund from the FTC is a scammer. Report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

August 8, 2024

SCAMS BULLETIN HOST Jay White is an inactive attorney in San mateo County, California.

STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS SCAM

Attribution:  US FTC.gov

Scammers will say just about anything — in any language — to separate you from your hard-earned money. And when it comes to student loan forgiveness, they’ll target Spanish speakers with false promises of debt relief help.

The FTC just sued USA Student Debt Relief (USASDR) for advertising and signing up people for fake student loan forgiveness plans with super-low monthly payments. The FTC says USASDR targeted borrowers living in Puerto Rico by pretending to be affiliated with the Department of Education and posting fake testimonials and reviews online.

Instead of helping, USASDR pressured people to quickly sign a super-long, difficult-to-read contract (completely in English, even though the sales pitch was often in Spanish). Once you signed up, the company (illegally) billed you an upfront fee, and then started charging you monthly — payments you thought were going towards your loans (but weren’t). Instead, all the fees went into USASDR’s pockets.  To keep their scheme going, the FTC says USASDR sometimes changed the contact information in your FSA account so your (real) lender couldn’t reach you.

Want to avoid student loan forgiveness scams? Here are some things to know:

Scammers often lie and say they’re affiliated with the Department of Education. Make sure you’re working with a federal student loan servicer that’s listed on the Department of Education’s website. (And use the contact information listed there, too — scammers can spoof the numbers and names of legit servicers.)

Scammers say they need your FSA ID login information. Never give out this information. If a scammer gets your FSA ID, they could cut you off from your loan servicer — or even steal your identity.

Scammers will tell you to sign contracts in a language you don’t understand. You have a right to know what you’re paying for before a company charges you. Don’t sign a contract you don’t understand, whether or not it’s written in another language.

Get free help managing your federal loans at StudentAid.gov/repay. Got private loans? Go straight to your loan servicer for help.                          #

A Frree Public Service

August 6, 2024

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

You may get a text message from a number you don’t know, asking when you’re free to catch up over a cup of coffee. Don’t perk up just yet. That invitation for a coffee date might sound like it’s from a friend you’ve lost touch with, but it’s probably just a scammer looking to start a conversation with you. Not sure how to respond? The short answer is: Don’t.

Scammers will say just about anything to get your attention. In this case, they might text you and ask if you want to meet up for a cup of joe. If you respond — maybe by telling them they’ve got the wrong number — you’re letting them know that your phone number works, which could lead to more calls and texts from the scammer. Or worse, they might say something else to keep the conversation going. They might apologize, then pitch you a scam — maybe by asking if you’re interested in learning about a secret way to make big money using cryptocurrency. That’s always a scam! The best way to handle this situation is to slow down and:

• Don’t respond to unexpected text messages like this from unknown phone numbers. Some messages from unknown numbers might be legit. For example, if it purports to be from your doctor’s office confirming an upcoming appointment. A call to the doctor’s office would confirm it.
• Copy the message and forward it to FTC.gov /fraud. This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future.
• Don’t click on links in unexpected text messages. They might steal your information or install malware on your device. Scammers want you to react quickly to unexpected text messages, but it’s best to stop and check it out. Or just delete it.

Learn more about out how to get fewer spam texts and emails. And if you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

July 27, 2024

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

Most people can probably agree

AIRLINE FAKE REPRESENTATIVE SCAM

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Most people can probably agree that there are few things more frustrating than airline delays or cancellations that leave you stranded at the airport. Whether the issues are the result of an unprecedented event like the Crowdstrike glitch that grounded thousands of flights worldwide, or more common disturbances like weather delays, desperate travelers often turn to social media for help from the airlines. Opportunistic scammers know this, and they’re re lurking behind fake accounts trying to steal travelers’ information.

Scammers crawl social media looking for posts from upset travelers. They reach out to them through fake social media accounts and pretend to be an airline customer service representative who’s there to help. The scammers ask passengers for a slew of information, like their booking confirmation number, phone number, or bank account. Or they send passengers to a spoofed site that harvests their personal information and use it to steal the passenger’s identity or rack up charges on their accounts.

If you’re dealing with travel troubles, here’s how to avoid getting re-routed to an airline impersonator:

Log in to your airline account and contact customer service through the airline’s official app, website, chat, or phone number.

If you’re at the airport, speak to a customer service representative in person.

If you reach out through social media, find the airline’s official social media page on their website. Look for a verification symbol or badge. And never give out personal information on social media.

If someone stole your personal information, go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get recovery steps. And report imposters to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Visit FlightRights.gov to learn about the airline passenger protections you are entitled to, or to file a complaint with DOT if an airline is not treating you fairly.                                               #

A Free Public Service

July 20, 2024

SCAMS BULLETIN HOST Jay White is an inactive attorney in San mateo County, California.

SPOTING INVESTMENT SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Investment scammers claim you’ll get big returns investing in a hot new money-making “opportunity” — maybe something like cryptocurrency. Some scammers say you’ll likely make a lot of money if you follow their proven system or method. But will you?

There are plenty of scammers hawking phony investment opportunities. In 2023, people told the FTC that they lost $4.6 billion to investment scams — more than any other category. And military consumers reported high median losses to investment scams: $7,000.

 What do you need to know to avoid investment scams?

One big red flag is if someone pressures you to commit quickly. Scammers want you to act fast and might tell you that space is limited or that you’re getting a special deal that will expire soon. They don’t want you to take time to research them or their offer. Here are some steps to take if you’re considering an investment opportunity.

Do some homework. Search online for the name of the company or program and words like “review,” “scam,” “fraud,” or “complaint.” Other people’s experience with the company can alert you to possible problems. Visit Investor.gov, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website, for more advice on investing and avoiding fraud.

Investment scammers claim you’ll get big returns investing in a hot new money-making “opportunity” — maybe something like cryptocurrency. Some scammers say you’ll likely make a lot of money if you follow their proven system or method. But will you?

Verify investment claims on your own. Never put money into an investment based only on what someone claims or what you read in an online newsletter, review, or blog. Scammers will often invent stories or testimonials about how successful people are at making money with their investment offer.

Know the risk. There are no guaranteed returns — and no investments without risks. Don’t trust anyone who plays down the risk of an investment or who acts like risk disclosures are just a formality or something you don’t need to worry about.

Contact http://www.ftc.gov/fraud

A Free Public Service

July 10, 2024

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

BUY A USED CAR ONLINE

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

Buying a used car instead of a new one might save you some money. But finding, researching, and negotiating to get a used car can be challenging. Online sellers might claim to make buying a used car cheaper and easier, but some sellers use tactics that might end up costing you time and money.

The FTC says online seller Vroom.com broke the law when it failed to give people required Buyers Guides, misrepresented vehicle inspections, didn’t post copies of its warranties, and failed to give customers the option to cancel and get a refund when the company didn’t deliver many cars on time.

The law says dealers must put a Buyers Guide on every used car. The Buyers Guide tells you if the car has a warranty or is being sold “as is.” And, for online sales, dealers must give people the option to cancel their order and get a prompt refund when their car doesn’t ship on time. If you’re shopping for a used car, here are some steps to take:

*Get a vehicle history report. Start at vehiclehistory.gov to get free information about a vehicle’s title, the most recent odometer reading, and condition. For a fee, you’ll get other reports with additional information, like accident and repair history.

*Get help from an independent mechanic. This is a good idea even if the car has been “certified” or inspected by the dealer. You’ll have to pay the inspection fee, but it can help you avoid buying a car with major problems.

*Learn more about buying and owning a car at ftc.gov/usedcars.

* You have the right to know the facts about any car you buy. If the dealer isn’t honest, let the FTC know at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and tell your state attorney general.

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A Free Public Service

July 10, 2024

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

HURRICANE BERYL SCAMS

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

If you live in the path of Hurricane Beryl as it moved through Texas or other states, recovering is your number one priority right now. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of situations like these to strike. Here’s some information to help you spot and avoid the scams as you do your best to recover:

*Scammers take advantage of weather emergencies and to try to trick you into thinking they’re there to help in some way. They pretend to be utility companies restoring power, workers making repairs, or even government agencies offering assistance — but it’s a lie.

To avoid their tactics:

*Ask for identification to verify who you are dealing with. Scammers and unlicensed contractors often appear in recovery zones. If they refuse to show you identification or want cash up front it’s a scam.

*Never hire someone who shows up offering clean up or repair services but demands you pay cash or give them money in advance. Only scammers do that.

*Don’t pay to get government assistance. Anyone who wants money to help you qualify for FEMA or Small Business Administration funds, it’s a scammer. Instead, download the FEMA Mobile App to get alerts and information.

*Check out more red flags to help you avoid scams after a natural disaster — and share this information with others so they can also spot the scams.

If you suspect a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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A Free Public Service

July 1, 2024

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

RENTERS’ ISSUES

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

What issues do renters face?

When you want to know what’s happening in housing, you go to the experts. That’s why the FTC joined renters, renters’ advocates, and researchers in Atlanta to hear about issues affecting renters. They told us that the rise of institutional investors and corporate landlords since the financial crisis has contributed to rising rents, hidden junk fees, issues with online portals, and predatory lease-to-own schemes. Here are some takeaways from housing advocates and renters:

Corporate landlords and junk fees are affecting affordability. Prices are rising, hidden and bogus fees are more common, and evictions are easier. Some landlords even charge fees on paying rent through their mandatory payment portals. The FTC has a proposed rule to stop junk fees. If a landlord is tacking on fees you didn’t know about or authorize, tell the FTC.

Rent-to-own and equity skimming schemes are targeting people. Deceptive rent-to-own schemes say you can buy in installments, but don’t make clear the conditions that mean it’s nearly impossible for you to actually rent to own. Sale leaseback schemes say you can sell your home to a company for cash up front, but stay in your home. What’s not clear, though, is that the bait-and-switch tactics and misleading terms can lead to you losing your cash or your home. If someone offered you cash for your house, report it to the FTC.

Online portals for maintenance and utility billing fees are on the rise. Increasingly, landlords make renters use online portals to send maintenance requests. While it looks like help is on the way, renters are often left with units in disrepair. Renters also reported on landlord shell companies that charge a “utility fee” on top of renters’ monthly bills.

The FTC is committed to fighting abuses in the rental market. We heard from renters in Atlanta, and now we want to hear from you. Please tell us your story. FTC.gov

A Free Public Service

June 24, 2024

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

INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS PERMIT FRAUD

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission

Are you wondering if you need an international license to drive in a country you’re visiting? Every country has its own rules for visitors who want to drive. In some, like Canada, your U.S. driver’s license is all you need. Other countries require you to get an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). Scammers may try to confuse you with fake IDPs and websites that not only take your money and give you nothing but can also cause you trouble abroad.

An IDP is sometimes known as an international driver’s license. It has your name, photo, and the information in your government issued driver’s license translated into ten different languages. You’ll carry it along with your U.S. driver’s license.

Precautions:

*If you need an IDP, make sure you’re getting the real thing. Scammers create websites to sell fake IDPs or try to sell them to you in person or online for a hefty fee. But they’re just trying to steal your personal information or money. To make things even worse, the fake IDP is worthless and could cause legal problems and delays for you if you’re detained for using it to drive in a foreign country.

*Check the Department of State’s website for rules on visitors planning to drive in each country.

*Know that the American Automobile Association (AAA) is the only official organization authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs. An IDP that can be used with your U.S. driver’s license can only be issued in the U.S., so apply before you travel.

*If the country you’re visiting requires an IDP and you have a U.S. driver’s license, apply in person at a AAA Travel office or by mail. Don’t believe a website that says you can apply online. It’s a scam.

*Learn more about avoiding scams when you travel. And report any scams you see to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. #