FRAUD ALERTS
Don’t let Tax Time become Scam Time!
You probably have begun to work over-time to complete your
annual income tax return. You can be assured that thieves and
frauds are working to take advantage of this time and obtain
your personal information for their financial benefit.
Please don’t fall from one of these scams:
Phony IRS emails: The IRS does not use email to contact
taxpayers! You may receive an email which reads "IRS
Notification" in the subject line and may include a realistic
IRS logo. The claim is that a tax refund–maybe from a prior
year–is due and that the consumer should complete and fax the
attached form or click on a link to submit personal information
directly to the IRS. This is a scam! Please do not provide your
personal or financial information in this manner.
False "bank" correspondence and phony forms: Mail or email
claiming to be from the consumer’s bank and requesting an update
of records should raise a red flag. An area bank’s logo and
phone number were recently high-jacked in such an effort.
Remember, your bank has your information–including your account
number–and will not request that information by telephone or
internet. If you are suspicious about any mail or email claiming
to be from your bank; call the bank! Do not share your personal
or financial information with anyone you do not trust.
If you have any questions or suspect that you may have been
targeted by such a scam; call you local law enforcement agency
or the State Attorney’s Office.
Fake Check Scams--Too Good To Be True
Each month, hundreds of consumers in the 14th Circuit try to
deposit fake checks they have received in the mail into their
banks, credit unions, or other check cashing businesses. Most
financial institutions will detect the counterfeits and advise
their customers of the scam. Unfortunately, the criminals who
work these scams are getting better at their fraud and many
consumers end up losing thousands of dollars. Nationwide, the
average loss in this kind of scam is $3,500.00.
When you deposit a fake check and then wire money or send money
orders to the crooks; YOU are liable for the amount lost due to
the bad check. If it seems too good to be true; it probably is.
COMMON FAKE CHECK SCAMS
* You've won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes. Did you play? Not
unless you visited that foreign country. It is illegal to buy or
sell tickets across the U.S. border. Participating in such a
scam may get your name on a "sucker list." You will "win" again
and again. You will be asked to send "taxes" or other fees in
order to collect your winnings.
* Foreigners email with promises of riches to deposit into your
account. They may pretend to be businessmen, government
officials, or royalty. This is a dangerous scam that is never
true.
* Buyers offer overpayments on items you listed in classified
advertisements or online auctions. You are asked to deposit the
check into your account and return the excess. Never accept
overpayment.
* Potential rental tenants claim to be moving from outside the
area. They send you a check for more than the requested deposit
and then ask you to send some back for "moving expenses."
Unfortunately, fake checks can appear to be drawn on legitimate
American banks. Some appear to be cashiers checks or money
orders. But, anyone with a computer and check-writing software
can print checks. Remember, taking a check from someone who asks
for a portion in return may result in an unwelcome debit from
your account.
For more information, go online to www.fakechecks.org or call
your local State Attorney's Office. You can learn more on our
website: www.stateattorney14.com.
Beware
Traveling Con Artists!
The arrival of warmer weather often signals the arrival of
traveling con artists. "Travelers" typically prey upon elderly
homeowners with door-to-door roofing, paving, and other scams.
Often the slick-talking Traveler convinces–or intimidates–the
homeowner into paying thousands of dollars for poor quality
work. Travelers often find their targets in grocery stores, in
mid-week, during daylight hours, and follow them home. "Do not
deal with anyone, male or female, who arrives at your door just
after you have returned home," says State Attorney Steve
Meadows. "Be aware that female Travelers often soften-up their
victims by claiming that their children need a drink or a
bathroom."
How to recognize Travelers:
–They peddle roofing, paving, and other repair work door-to-door
–They may drive new pick-up trucks, often with out-of-state tags
–They prey upon the elderly using friendly, but high-pressure
tactics
–They say they have material left over from another job
–They insist they did work for you before and need to "finish
the job"
–They quote bargain prices but demand much more after the job
–They do poor quality work or little or no work at all
To protect yourself from Traveler fraud:
–Do not do business with door-to-door contractors
–Get at least three bids and don’t always choose the lowest
–Insist on a written contract and do not be pressured into
paying more
There is a
new scam working its way into e-mail in boxes and it appears to
be from an American soldier!
In a variation of the old "Nigerian scam," the "soldier" claims
to found gold or cash valued at up to $750 million. The loot is
to be split among the finders and the writer's share is $20
million. Now, the e-mail claims, the writer has returned to Iraq
as a humanitarian worker but was injured by a bomb. "The doctors
have told me point blank that I could die at any moment," the
message reads.
To receive millions, all you have to do is to provide an e-mail
address and a phone number. The actual solicitation comes later.
Typically, the follow-up asks for you to send money to show your
good faith. Your funds will be forwarded soon after.
THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT RESPOND. DO NOT SEND MONEY OR PROVIDE
YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER.
For more information on this and other scams; call our office at
850-872-4473 or schedule our popular Power Against Fraud seminar
for your senior group.
