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.

                                                          #

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.

                                                           #

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. #

A Free Public Service

June 24, 2024

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

ADOBE SUBSCRIPTION FRAUD

Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission, ftc.gov

Adobe used hidden fees to trap people into paying for subscription plans, as alleged in a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission.

Maybe you want to try out a product for a little while before you make a long-term decision. So, you sign up for a monthly subscription plan. Everything is fine until you want to cancel and it turns out to be a yearly subscription with monthly payments. Surprise! That’s what the FTC says happened to people who signed up for monthly subscriptions with Adobe.

When people signed up on Adobe’s website for access to its software, the FTC says Adobe pre-selected the option for its “annual paid monthly” plan that put subscribers on the hook for a whole year of payments, paid in monthly increments — a fact that Adobe failed to explain or properly disclose. The lawsuit says Adobe used similar tactics when people signed up for a free trial and didn’t cancel before the trial ended. Adobe automatically placed them on the “annual paid monthly” plan without making it clear they were entering a one-year contract.

When people tried to cancel before the year was up, they had to pay a hefty early termination fee (which was hidden during the signup process). The fee, along with other hurdles Adobe uses in its cancellation processes, made it difficult to cancel the subscription. Some subscribers who had contacted customer service even thought they had successfully canceled, only to find out later that Adobe was still charging them.

When you’re thinking about any subscription:

See what others are saying online. Search for the company’s name and the word “subscription” plus words like “complaint,” “problem,” “cancel,” and “fee” to see if people are having trouble with their subscription.

Check the terms and conditions for free trial offers. If the subscription includes auto-renewals, you’ll be charged unless you cancel before the end of the free trial period.

The law says businesses have to give you a simple way to cancel a paid subscription with automatic billing. If you have trouble canceling a subscription service:

Dispute unauthorized credit card charges.

If you’re in a subscription, you’ve tried to cancel, and the company won’t stop charging your account, dispute it with your credit or debit card company.

Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

                                                              #

A Free Public Service

June 11, 2024

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

VOICEPRINT SCAMS

Attribution: AARP.ORG

Thanks to technological advances, it’s possible for thieves to capture a recording of your voice. They then use a software program to generate an imitation “deepfake” version that can be used to impersonate you.

 That voiceprint can be used for such things as to access your insurance, financial institution or apply for a driver’s license.  

Guard against voiceprint scams:

To prevent your voice from being duplicated, don’t answer the phone. If someone needs to get hold of you, they can text or e-mail you.

Be cautious about answering calls that appear to be from people on your contact list, since the call could be coming from a phone that’s been stolen or had its SIM card cloned.

Voiceprint scams can be reported to www.US FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.GOV.

                                                     #.

A free Public Service

June 5, 2024

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

Hi, HOW ARE YOU? SCAM

Attribution: US FTC.gov

A text message from an unknown number that simply says: hi, how are you? seems harmless. Your first instinct might be to respond to see if it’s someone you know. Or maybe tell them they made a mistake. But it’s best to ignore these type of text messages. Scammers are using this tactic as a conversation starter, so don’t text back. If you do, here’s what happens next.

The person (a scammer) on the other end of the text will probably apologize…and find a way to keep the conversation going to befriend you. Then, once they have your trust, they’ll try to offer you advice on investing in cryptocurrency or claim they can teach you the secrets to making big money in the crypto markets. For a fee, of course. But it’s all a scam and they’ll just steal your money.

Even if you just reply to the text but don’t engage in conversation, you’ve still confirmed they reached a working telephone number. Which could lead to more calls and texts from scammers.

What’s the best way to avoid scams if you’re getting messages from numbers you don’t recognize?

Don’t reply to text messages from unknown numbers. It could lead to a scam. Delete and report them using your phone’s “report junk” option or forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM) and unwanted emails to your email provider.

Never click links in an unexpected message. Some links might steal your information, or install malware that gives scammers access to your device.

Don’t trust anyone who says you can quickly and easily make money. Every investment has risks. Only scammers guarantee you’ll make lots of money in a short time with zero risk.

Have you lost money to a scam like this? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

                                                            #

A Free Public Service

May 31, 2024

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

WEATHER SCAMS

Attribution: US FTC.gov

Weather forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season, but if you live in large parts of the country — including those hit by tornadoes over Memorial Day Weekend — you’ve probably noticed more active storms of all types. To get started preparing for hurricane season or any storm, while avoiding scams, check ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies for new information to help you spot, avoid, and report scams as you prepare for, deal with, and recover from extreme weather and natural disasters.

Like all the FTC’s free resources, the site is mobile-friendly — giving you ready access to information when and where you need it. When it comes to planning for a possible weather emergency, the more you know — and the earlier you know it — the better prepared you’ll be to avoid weather-related scams and frauds.

To stay ahead of weather-related scammers, here are steps you can take now.

*Update your insurance policy. To avoid surprises later, check to make sure your insurance policy is current and find out what is covered — and what isn’t.

*Check out contractors before you need one. Ask people you know and trust for recommendations. Then search online for the company’s name with words like “scam” or “complaint.”

*Research online sellers before you buy. Unusually low prices are a sign of a scam. If you see an ad for what seems like a familiar company but you’re not sure the ad is real, check it out. But go to the company’s website using a page you know is real — not the link in the ad.

                                                            #