Consumer Scams – How You Can Stay Safe! (Part 2) ... (read part 1)
Scams can come in many forms, but they have something in common. They are all designed to get hold of your money. They can do this by getting you to reveal your personal details, stealing your information, or even getting you to willingly hand over the cash. The key is knowing how to recognize a scam, protect yourself and what to do if you think you've been targeted or have fallen victim. The following is Part 2 of our Consumer Scams article!
8. Identity Theft - This occurs when someone fraudulently uses your personal information — say, a bank-account number or your Social Security number — to obtain credit, take out a loan, receive medical treatment, obtain identification, or otherwise pretend to be you without your knowledge. Never give personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust, especially when solicited over the phone. If you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 for assistance or visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/IdentityTheft.
9. Impostor Scams - Someone may contact you pretending to be from a government agency, such as the IRS or a local court. The person demands payment, likely for back taxes or an old court fee, and threatens to arrest you if payment is not made immediately. The scammer might also request personal information, such as your Social Security number. Refuse to provide the information and hang up. If you are concerned about what the caller told you, look up the phone number for the individual or agency in your phone book or on the agency’s or company’s official website. Call that number and ask questions.
10. Job Opportunity Scams - Some scammers ask job seekers to pay high fees for information, training sessions, or promotional materials that turn out to be useless. The jobs are either nonexistent or very low paying. If a job opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. To ensure that a posting is legitimate, consider applying for jobs directly through a company’s website. Also, be wary of offers claiming that you can make good money working from home. You will likely be urged to pay in advance for materials or startup costs – but, in the end, you will not see a return on your investment.
11. Online Shopping Scams - Whether you are shopping or networking online, watch out for scams designed to steal your identity and your money. If you are using an online shopping marketplace, visit a local store to see the item before buying it online. Fake ads commonly deceive buyers who send money before verifying that an item exists. If you are selling an item, a buyer might send you a “check” for an amount exceeding the asking price and ask that you return the “difference” or forward it to a “shipping agent.” Refuse these checks. They’re a scam designed to steal your money. Also, help protect yourself by using a secure website to purchase items online. Secure website addresses begin with “https” rather than “http.”
12. Phishing' and Spoofing - Some scammers “phish” for your personal information using cleverly designed calls or emails. They often pretend to be your bank or a government agency and ask you to update or confirm your account by submitting your bank-account number, password, or Social Security number. Never respond to unexpected requests for your personal information, even if the caller appears to have some details about you or your account. Also, beware that scammers can disguise or “spoof” the number that appears on your caller ID. The caller ID might show a local area code, even though the call is coming from another country.
13. Phony Charities - Someone pretending to represent a charity calls or sends you a letter asking you to make a charitable donation. Always ask how much of your donation would go to the charity. Charitable organizations must register with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Before you donate, verify that the charity is legitimate by calling the Attorney General’s Help Center at 800-282-0515.
14. Prizes/Sweepstakes Scams - With these scams, someone might falsely claim that you have won a lottery, contest, or prize that you never sought to win. To collect your “winnings,” however, you will be asked to pay a fee. Often, you will be instructed to send money via wire transfer or money order, possibly to a foreign country. The scammer will tell you to expect your winnings once you pay, but the prize never arrives. Be cautious of social-media “friends” or contacts who say that you've won a prize or sweepstakes; such messages might not really be from your friends.
15. Romance Scams - Someone you meet online or over the phone claims to be temporarily located overseas, perhaps due to a military assignment or mission trip. After developing a relationship over weeks or months, the person will face a “hardship” and ask you to send money to pay for airfare, medical costs, military fees, or some other expense. In reality, the person is a con artist who is probably pursuing several victims and following a script. There was never “true love.” Any money you send will be lost.
For more information these trusted resources can help you better protect yourself from
consumer fraud.
Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
An initial fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity when any new credit account is applied for in your name. It is free to place and lasts for one year. A credit freeze prevents third parties from accessing your credit reports without your permission. There is no charge to place, temporarily lift, or remove a credit freeze. To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus listed below; to place a credit freeze on your credit report, contact all three:
Contact:
⦁ Equifax: www.equifax.com; 800-525-6285
⦁ Experian: www.experian.com; 888-397-3742
⦁ TransUnion: www.transunion.com; 800-680-7289
Credit Rebuilding
Contact: Nonprofit credit-counseling services are available, and there’s a quick way to find out how to find this help in your area. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) www.nfcc.org, 800-388-2227
Legal Assistance
Pro Seniors is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to Ohio residents ages 60 and older.
Contact: www.proseniors.org, 800-488-6070
Legal Aid is dedicated to providing legal counsel – at no cost to the client – to help Ohioans achieve justice.
Contact: www.ohiolegalaid.org 866-529-6446
Mortgage Problems
Save the Dream Ohio connects homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments with a federally approved housing-counseling agency or legal assistance. Contact: www.savethedream.ohio.gov, 888-404-4674
Online Safety
It is important to stay safe and secure online. There are many resources that highlight online safety for users of all ages and skill levels.
Contact: www.stopthinkconnect.org, www.staysafeonline.org
Researching Businesses
You can learn about a business by checking with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau.
Contact: www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov; 800-282-0515, www.bbb.org
Services for Veterans
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services advocates for veterans and their families. It also can direct you to benefits resources.
Contact: www.dvs.ohio.gov, 877-OHIO VET (877-644-6838)
Unwanted Calls
You can reduce telemarketing calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Registration is permanent unless you remove your number from the list. Remember, even if you’re on the registry, scammers may still call you.
Contact: www.donotcall.gov, 888-382-1222; TTY, 866-290-4236
Unwanted Mail
You can reduce the amount of mail you receive from national catalog/marketing companies by registering with the Mail Preference Service from the Data and Marketing Association. The organization also offers an email preference service and do-not-contact service for the sick, disabled, or deceased.
Contact: www.dmachoice.org, 212-768-7277
Limit the pre-approved credit card offers you receive by registering with OptOutPrescreen.com.
Contact: www.optoutprescreen.com 888-5OPT-OUT (888-567-8688)
These five important R’s will further help you protect yourself and your wallet:
Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section 30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
For more information, to report a scam, or to schedule a speaker on consumer protection issues, contact Ohio Attorney
General Dave Yost’s office
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov
or 800-282-0515.
For TTY, call Relay Ohio at
800-750-0750.
8. Identity Theft - This occurs when someone fraudulently uses your personal information — say, a bank-account number or your Social Security number — to obtain credit, take out a loan, receive medical treatment, obtain identification, or otherwise pretend to be you without your knowledge. Never give personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust, especially when solicited over the phone. If you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 for assistance or visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/IdentityTheft.
9. Impostor Scams - Someone may contact you pretending to be from a government agency, such as the IRS or a local court. The person demands payment, likely for back taxes or an old court fee, and threatens to arrest you if payment is not made immediately. The scammer might also request personal information, such as your Social Security number. Refuse to provide the information and hang up. If you are concerned about what the caller told you, look up the phone number for the individual or agency in your phone book or on the agency’s or company’s official website. Call that number and ask questions.
10. Job Opportunity Scams - Some scammers ask job seekers to pay high fees for information, training sessions, or promotional materials that turn out to be useless. The jobs are either nonexistent or very low paying. If a job opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. To ensure that a posting is legitimate, consider applying for jobs directly through a company’s website. Also, be wary of offers claiming that you can make good money working from home. You will likely be urged to pay in advance for materials or startup costs – but, in the end, you will not see a return on your investment.
11. Online Shopping Scams - Whether you are shopping or networking online, watch out for scams designed to steal your identity and your money. If you are using an online shopping marketplace, visit a local store to see the item before buying it online. Fake ads commonly deceive buyers who send money before verifying that an item exists. If you are selling an item, a buyer might send you a “check” for an amount exceeding the asking price and ask that you return the “difference” or forward it to a “shipping agent.” Refuse these checks. They’re a scam designed to steal your money. Also, help protect yourself by using a secure website to purchase items online. Secure website addresses begin with “https” rather than “http.”
12. Phishing' and Spoofing - Some scammers “phish” for your personal information using cleverly designed calls or emails. They often pretend to be your bank or a government agency and ask you to update or confirm your account by submitting your bank-account number, password, or Social Security number. Never respond to unexpected requests for your personal information, even if the caller appears to have some details about you or your account. Also, beware that scammers can disguise or “spoof” the number that appears on your caller ID. The caller ID might show a local area code, even though the call is coming from another country.
13. Phony Charities - Someone pretending to represent a charity calls or sends you a letter asking you to make a charitable donation. Always ask how much of your donation would go to the charity. Charitable organizations must register with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Before you donate, verify that the charity is legitimate by calling the Attorney General’s Help Center at 800-282-0515.
14. Prizes/Sweepstakes Scams - With these scams, someone might falsely claim that you have won a lottery, contest, or prize that you never sought to win. To collect your “winnings,” however, you will be asked to pay a fee. Often, you will be instructed to send money via wire transfer or money order, possibly to a foreign country. The scammer will tell you to expect your winnings once you pay, but the prize never arrives. Be cautious of social-media “friends” or contacts who say that you've won a prize or sweepstakes; such messages might not really be from your friends.
15. Romance Scams - Someone you meet online or over the phone claims to be temporarily located overseas, perhaps due to a military assignment or mission trip. After developing a relationship over weeks or months, the person will face a “hardship” and ask you to send money to pay for airfare, medical costs, military fees, or some other expense. In reality, the person is a con artist who is probably pursuing several victims and following a script. There was never “true love.” Any money you send will be lost.
For more information these trusted resources can help you better protect yourself from
consumer fraud.
- Credit - You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three credit-reporting companies. Make a habit of obtaining these free reports.
- Contact: Annual Credit Report Request Service www.annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228 P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
An initial fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity when any new credit account is applied for in your name. It is free to place and lasts for one year. A credit freeze prevents third parties from accessing your credit reports without your permission. There is no charge to place, temporarily lift, or remove a credit freeze. To place a fraud alert, contact one of the three credit bureaus listed below; to place a credit freeze on your credit report, contact all three:
Contact:
⦁ Equifax: www.equifax.com; 800-525-6285
⦁ Experian: www.experian.com; 888-397-3742
⦁ TransUnion: www.transunion.com; 800-680-7289
Credit Rebuilding
Contact: Nonprofit credit-counseling services are available, and there’s a quick way to find out how to find this help in your area. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) www.nfcc.org, 800-388-2227
Legal Assistance
Pro Seniors is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to Ohio residents ages 60 and older.
Contact: www.proseniors.org, 800-488-6070
Legal Aid is dedicated to providing legal counsel – at no cost to the client – to help Ohioans achieve justice.
Contact: www.ohiolegalaid.org 866-529-6446
Mortgage Problems
Save the Dream Ohio connects homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments with a federally approved housing-counseling agency or legal assistance. Contact: www.savethedream.ohio.gov, 888-404-4674
Online Safety
It is important to stay safe and secure online. There are many resources that highlight online safety for users of all ages and skill levels.
Contact: www.stopthinkconnect.org, www.staysafeonline.org
Researching Businesses
You can learn about a business by checking with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau.
Contact: www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov; 800-282-0515, www.bbb.org
Services for Veterans
The Ohio Department of Veterans Services advocates for veterans and their families. It also can direct you to benefits resources.
Contact: www.dvs.ohio.gov, 877-OHIO VET (877-644-6838)
Unwanted Calls
You can reduce telemarketing calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Registration is permanent unless you remove your number from the list. Remember, even if you’re on the registry, scammers may still call you.
Contact: www.donotcall.gov, 888-382-1222; TTY, 866-290-4236
Unwanted Mail
You can reduce the amount of mail you receive from national catalog/marketing companies by registering with the Mail Preference Service from the Data and Marketing Association. The organization also offers an email preference service and do-not-contact service for the sick, disabled, or deceased.
Contact: www.dmachoice.org, 212-768-7277
Limit the pre-approved credit card offers you receive by registering with OptOutPrescreen.com.
Contact: www.optoutprescreen.com 888-5OPT-OUT (888-567-8688)
These five important R’s will further help you protect yourself and your wallet:
- Research businesses and charities with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. Ask family and friends for recommendations.
- Remember that scammers’ preferred payment methods are wire transfers, gift cards, and prepaid money cards.
- Relax! Don’t feel pressured to act immediately, even if someone threatens that you will lose money or be arrested.
- Report scams to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515.
- Realize that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section 30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
For more information, to report a scam, or to schedule a speaker on consumer protection issues, contact Ohio Attorney
General Dave Yost’s office
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov
or 800-282-0515.
For TTY, call Relay Ohio at
800-750-0750.