SCAMS, SPAMS AND OTHER LIES How to avoid scams and be a savvy - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SCAMS, SPAMS AND OTHER LIES

How to avoid scams and be a savvy consumer

Suzana Gal Director Consumer Mediation Unit 408-792-2845

What do scammers do?

• Pretend to be someone else
• Use pressure, urgency
• Intimidate or promise unexpected gain
• Attempt to befriend you, build trust
• Separate you from your money

STOP! THINK! CHECK!

IRS IMPOSTERS

• Scammers pretend to be IRS officials to get you to

send them money by using a prepaid debit card BUT

• IRS does not require a specific type of payment
• IRS communicates only by regular mail
• IRS does not require immediate payments

Hi Grandma, it’s me

• What to do:

– DO NOT BE RUSHED – Leave the kid in jail

– Get off the phone, call grandchild, family, friends, find out where the grandchild is

• Elderly victim receives a

phone call

• Caller claims to be

grandchild, in jail or need

• Needs money for bail

TECH SUPPORT SCAMS

• Scammers call, claiming to be computer techs

associated with well-known companies like Microsoft.

• Online pop-up freezes the screen and instructs

the user to call a toll-free number

• They say that they’ve detected viruses or other

malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don’t need.

LOTTERY SCAMS

• You have been selected to receive a new car, groceries

for a year, etc.

• “CONGRATULATIONS!! You have won a million

dollars!” or a foreign bank found money

• BUT: First pay $$$ for transfer fees, insurance,

attorney fees, insurance, intercontinental transfer fees, taxes, audit fees

Real Business Real Vict Real Bank Phony Check

Victim’s Name Vict Name/Addr

What to do

• Stop Think Check: Are they rushing

you? Too good to be true? Why can’t they pay the fees?

• Do not send them any money
• Do not give them any information
• Hang up
• Get on the “Do not Call” list

Home Repair

• Chimney cleaning, Asphalt work, Roof

repair, Tree trimming, Pavers, Pesticide spraying, Carpet cleaning, Air vent cleaning.

• Targets Elderly
• Unsolicited: we were working in your area
• Price “Too Good To Be True”
• Hard sell for additional repairs/services
• Unlicensed

What else is going on in scam land?

upsdispatchservices201@hotmail.com Tel:+2348036554541 @planet.ni

Prevention

Ask yourself: Is it too good to be true? Does it make sense? Check: Google: names, line from the email, phone # Call the bank at a number obtained from an

• fficial directory

Call Consumer Protection Unit Tips: www.Onguardonline.gov Note: Do not play detective

Prevention

• Never click on a link through email
• Do not call numbers provided in an

email

• Do not open attachments
• Do not reveal personal info online

(surveys, quizzes)

• Obtain promises in writing
• Check your statements timely
• Deal with reputable businesses
• Avoid distant buyers or sellers

www.googleshipping.us.tf

Who else wants your money?

• How much is the doggie in the

window really worth?

FREE

Pay just $8.95 For S&H

Each month we will automatically send you a brand new knife. Shipments range in price from $49.99-$89.99 plus S&H

How do we protect ourselves and our loved ones???

What to do

• Locking mailbox ; never put valuable mail out

to be collected

• Shred everything
• Do not carry your Social Security card
• Be careful about the personal information you

give out

• Get your credit reports regularly and review

them

• Credit freezes
• Do not give your CC #, SS #, account info to

someone who called you

Obtaining Free Credit Reports

www.Annualcreditreport.com Phone Number: 1-877-322-8228 Equifax, Experian, TransUnion – each company: free report every 12 months Report # 1: March 2009 Report #2 : July 2009 Report #3 : November 2009 Restart with new report: March 2010

Which one to use?

Credit Card or Debit Card?

Credit Cards: liability limited to $50, often 0 Debit Cards:

$50 if you notify the bank within 2 days Up to $500 afterwards Unlimited if you fail to report within 60 days after you receive your bank statement

Virtual Credit Card #

Ques Questions? tions? Pr Problems?

• blems?

Nee Need advice? d advice? Call the Consumer Mediation Services: 408 408-792 792-2880 2880

STOP! THINK! CHECK!

Thank you for your attention.