Scam Alerts
Scam Alerts!!
Posted September 2010
Inheritance Scam
Your long lost cousin, nephew, brother, mother, did not die in a car accident. This relates to the "next of kin" or "inheritance" scam. You will not be collecting millions of dollars because someone shares the same last name. These scammers will always ask for money to pay for this document or that permit for funds release, etc etc. Don’t be fooled, it is a scam!
Winning Lottery Ticket
There is no such thing as winning the lottery through your email address. If you receive an email saying you were selected through email or told for any other reason you have won a lottery, it is a scam! Do not reply. No matter how tempting it is, please don’t respond. It is for your own good! Lottery scams come in many forms.
Posted August 2010
Phone Scam
Your phone rings and a machine is on the other ends saying " this is your bank calling there is a problem with your account please follow the automated system to help correct this problem. Then it instructs you on how to reply Press 1 for more information, etc.
DO NOT REPLY, HANG UP AND CALL YOUR BANK and REPORT IT.
THIS IS A SCAM TO GET YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER.
Your bank will not call you and ask for information. If anyone calls you and asks for on your personal information say "no thank you" and hang up. If they are a reputable company they will not call you with a machine or even call you at all. Most of these calls are automated machines. If it is a human being calling tell them to mail it to you. NEVER EVER GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS OR OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE. There are a lot of scams and con men or women who would love to get your private information. Please stop and think, does this sound right? Do not give out that information.
For other scams go to www.fbi.gov and check out "Be Crime Smart" at the bottom of the page.
Posted June 2010
How to Recognize Email Identity Theft Scams
(This article came from www.ehow.com.)
Every day you probably find dozens of spam emails clogging your inbox. Among them you may see warnings that you must contact your bank to prevent your account from being frozen or that you must download information to double check a purchase you don't remember making. These are common examples of email identity theft scams. You must learn to recognize them in order to keep your personal information safe from thieves.
Step 1
Evaluate whether the subject line or the email is aimed at scaring you into immediate action. This is known as social engineering. Identity thieves will send an email designed to frighten you enough to take immediate action, such as inputting your bank or credit card information, without thinking more closely about whether the message is actually legitimate.
Step 2
Read the email closely to see if it ever refers to you by name. Most identity theft scams use emails that refer to the recipient in generic terms. The emails claim to be from your bank, credit card company or another legitimate sender, but they refer to you generically as "Dear Customer," "Dear Accountholder" or some other general title.
Step 3
Check the email address of the sender. Although return addresses can be spoofed, many scammers who send identity theft emails don't even bother to disguise their return address. They may claim to be writing to you from a financial institution, government agency or auction site, but their address will be from Yahoo!, Hotmail or another free email provider.
Step 4
Move your mouse over any links in the email to see where they would actually send you. Do not click the links because you could be taken to a site that will download viruses or malicious software. When you move your mouse over the link, the target will appear at the bottom of your browser window. Often the link will have text that seems to indicate it belongs to a bank or other legitimate site, but it will actually take you to an entirely different web page.
Step 5
Skim the email to see what information it asks you to provide. Identity theft scammers send emails to collect such information as names, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and anything else that can be used to steal your identity, drain your accounts and run up bills in your name. Any email that asks for personal information is suspicious.
Step 6
Note whether there are any attachments that arrived with the email. Many identity theft emails don't even blatantly ask for information or try to trick you into visiting phishing websites. They attempt to trick you into downloading a virus that will steal information right from your computer.
Posted Feb 2010 Older Scam
an old email scam still triedRequest for urgent confidential relationship
Re: Transfer of US $48,600,000.00 Million American Dollars into your account.
After our deliberation with my colleagues I decided to forward you this business proposal. However, the current unfavorable political / economic climate in the county since the beginning of the new year 2010 fiscal period now presents an opportunity for this money to be transferred out of the country without being noticed. We want a reliable person who could assist us to transfer the sum of forty-eight million and six hundred thousand United States dollars only ($48,600,000.00) into his or her account.
The fund resulted from an over invoiced bill from a contract awarded by us under the budget allocation to my ministry and the bill was approved for payment by the concerned ministries. The contract was duly executed, commissioned and the contractor was paid his actual cost of the contract. We are left with the balance of $48,600,000.00 as the over - invoiced amount which we have deliberately over estimated for our own use. But under our protocol division civil servant are forbidden to operate or own a foreign account. This is why I contact you for assistance. We have agreed to share the money as follows:
1. 30% for your account owner
2. 60% for us
3. 10% for tax as may be required by your government
The letter goes on to ask for your bank name and account information etc.
DO NO REPLY - DELETE IMMEDIATELY!
NO ONE GIVES YOU SOMETHING FOR NOTING
Scam Alert!
(posted Dec 2009)
(this article came from The Readers Digest)
Please beware of fake- check scams.
Con artists are preying on consumers and fraudulently using the names of trusted companies like Reader's Digest. Some scams mimic prize award notifications. victims receive a phony check and are asked to return a portion of the winnings to the sender.
Remember, a legitimate sweepstakes never asks an entrant or a winner to pay money to collect a prize. If someone says you've won and asks for payment of any kind, contact the national Consumers League at 1701 K Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. 200006, or go to fakechecks.org. Learn more at readersdigest.com/scam.
Scam Alert !
(posted August 09)
Did someone call at your home recently to ask questions about the upcoming US Census?
Maybe they wanted to know if you had another home -- like a vacation place or a casita in the backyard.
That's fine. US Census Bureau people have already been out door-stepping to verify addresses and other info and will continue to do so over the next year.
The Census is a count, every 10 years, of everyone living in the United States. It is a confidential data gathering exercise which relies, in the main, on you filling in a form, not telling it to someone over the threshold of your property.
The Bureau will mail out the form in March next year (2010). If you don't complete and return it, they'll send a second one. If you still don't reply, they'll come knocking at your door.
They'll want to know about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, ethnic origin, birth date, marital status, employment status and other relevant data.
And you're legally obliged to tell them.
But if they seem to be seeking more detailed, personal information about you, be very wary. It could be a scam.
Of course, the scammers are hoping you won't know that and are already out in force.
Obviously, it makes sense to return the form because, then, apart from the verification process, the Bureau won't come calling.
So, how can you tell if the person you're dealing with, face-to-face, on the phone or by letter is genuine?
Well, here are a few clues:
Genuine census workers will not ask for your Social Security number or any confidential, personal financial information like bank account and credit card numbers.
They won't ask you for money or claim that you owe it.
The Census does not involve collection of data either by email or through online websites; the Census Bureau may communicate with you via email but will not ask for information or ask you to click a link or attachment.
Genuine Census workers carry official identification, a confidentiality notice and, often, a handheld computer.
They won't ask to come into your home -- and don't invite them to do so.
For more helpful information about the 2010 Census, visit the official Census site.
You can find details about Census security and scams on their Are You In a Survey?: Phishing, Email Scams & Bogus Census Web Sites page.
A small sample of people are legitimately asked more detailed questions as part of the Census. So, if you have any questions about whether a form or person is legitimate, you should contact your US Census Bureau Regional Office.
Scam Alert !
(posted June 09)
The Jury Duty Scam:- The scammer calls claiming to work for the local court and claims you've failed to report for jury duty. He tells you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. The victim will often claim they never received the jury duty notification, and rightly so. The scammer then asks the victim for confidential information for " verification" purposes. Specifically, the scammer asks for the victim's Social Security number, birth date, and sometimes even for credit card numbers and other private information- exactly what the scammer needs to commit identity theft.
So far, this jury duty scam has been reported in Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington state. In realty, court workers will never call you to ask for social security numbers and other private information. In fact, most courts follow up via regular mail and rarely , if ever call prospective jurors.
Reminder: never give out your social Security number, credit card numbers or other personal confidential information when you receive a telephone call.
Scam Alert!
(posted May 09)
Some families have received phone calls just days after a spouse or other family member has passed away. The callers are bogus bill collectors delivering the startling news that their loved one owned a large debt and if it is not paid immediately, collection efforts would begin. Protect yourself and your family estates:
1. know your obligations- unless a family member is a co-signer, they are not responsible for the deceased debts and under no obligation to repay
2. know the procedure - even if you are a co-signer, it is illegal for bill collectors to contact you. They should go through the executor or probate court to collect the debt. Provide only the contact information an never give out a social security number
3. know the facts- get as much information about the collection agency; such as how much is owned, for what reason, when the debt was acquired and why you are being contacted
4. do an identity check - check the collection agency authenticity by contacting the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org or access www.naag.org. for the attorney general office in your state
Scam Alert!
(posted April 09)
Most people are spending less, simply because they have less. There are record numbers of people hitting the food pantries and we must all look out for our neighbors and friends. Some less - than - scrupulous people are more than willing to separate you from your money and savings.
Think of this statement: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". People are reporting that they are receiving a number of mailings from offers, charities, and alleged non-profits. Make sure you are familiar with these causes, businesses, or organizations. WE have some ability to check them out for you, but you can also call the Department of State about Charitable Organizations @1.800.732.0999 to obtain valuable information to help you make better, more informed decisions.
Scam Alert !
(posted April 09)
A bogus and deceptive website http:\\bailout.hud-gov.us was designed to look like an official government website for HUD customers. This site collects personal information for ill- gotten gain. The official HUD website for the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT 2009 is
Scam Alert !
(posted March 09)
We are aware of two scams in our area. One involves door-to-door visitors that claim to represent the Pike County Area Agency on Aging . . . . . . .they DO NOT.
We do not conduct business in that manner. Call the Pike County Area Agency on Aging office at 775-5550 to verify a visitor.
The second is a telephone scam offering a new Medicare card or prescription drug plan. These are bogus offers and Medicare authorizes NO such thing. If you are contacted, call Medicare at
1-877-772-3379.
Filing a complaint: you may also call toll free at 1.800.732.0999 to file a complaint about a charitable organization that has solicited donations from you. Also available is the Office of Attorney General
consumers@ attorneygeneral.gov
14 th Floor, Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717.787.9707 or 1.800.441.2555
Fax: 717.787.1190