Last Update - 02/19/2010
*Problem with your Credit Card scam
*Hackers Spread Virus with Swine Flu Vaccine Offer
*Rejected ACH Transaction scam
*Changed Your Security Settings scam
*I.R.S. Unreported/Underreported Income scam
*Fake Antivirus / Spyware
*Phone Credit Card Fraud Warning Scam
*Telephone Jury Duty Scam
*Credit Card Cash Back Scam
*Internet Car Sales Scam
*Car Auction Scam
The bad guys are out to get you in any way they can. They use all types of tricks and traps to get your personal info. Most involve "SCARE-WARE" tactics that try to get you to panic and link out to their phishing web site, which may look very similar to the real legitimate company site. Here are some tips to avoid being a victim and some of the active scams I have seen recently.
When you get an e-mail, phone call, or letter that just doesn't look right; is asking for personal information or confirmation of personal information that the company should already have - STOP ! ! It is probably a scam! Especially if the e-mail is claiming it is urgent or trying to scare you into acting right away!
You should always have in your address book the names, address, and phone numbers of every service provider you use. Companies like your bank, utilities, internet provider, doctor, credit card provider(s), broker, and etcetera.
Use these numbers to contact the provider directly and inquire about the questionable e-mail, phone call, or letter.
For more info on Identity Theft Prevention see our Identity Theft page
If you know of an e-mail scam Click to let me know. - Brian
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TEXT MESSAGE SCAMS
Problem with your Credit Card
This scam sends a text to you about a problem with your credit card, loan, bank account, or ??? account. BEWARE - this is just another phishing tool for the scammers! DO NOT reply!! I don't care how official the email looks, DO NOT reply!! If you want to make sure there are no problems call the number on your last statement and tell them what happened. Never use any number or link provided by a questionable source. If there is a problem with your account, most banks will suspend your account until they can reach you, or you call / visit them. You may want to call your bank / service provider and discuss what would happen if there were an unusual or unauthorized transaction happening. That way you know their procedures and how to contact you if this ever happens.
Return to top of page.E-MAIL SCAMS
Hackers Spread Virus with Swine Flu Vaccine Offer
Here we go again. Remember if it is too good to be true; it is NOT TRUE! ! Hackers are now using headline stories like swine flu to get you to visit there phishing / malware / bot sites to rip you off or use you to rip others off. The government does NOT initiate contact with emails. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use your brains not your fear! Here is the complete article complete article
Return to top of page.Rejected ACH transaction
NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association - has issued an advisory to financial institutions about phishing emails designed to appear as if they were sent from NACHA warning users about failed ACH transactions. The e-mail includes a link that, if clicked, redirects the individual to a fake web page that appears to be a NACHA website and contains a link that almost certainly leads to a Jabber/Zeus malware download.
DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINK OR RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL! ! Call your bank or credit card provider directly to verify any potential problem.
Return to top of page.Changed Your Security Settings
If you get an e-mail supposedly from your e-mail service provider stating 'We have changed your security settings. Please click on this link to confirm.' or anything closely resembling this from your Internet Provider, Facebook, etcetera - DO NOT CLICK ON THAT LINK! ! !
This is a scam to get control of your email account. Call or contact your service provider using the previously recorded phone number or address in your personal files. DO NOT under any circumstances click or call any link or phone number
provided in the fake e-mail. I called my provider when I got this e-mail and the asked me to forward it to them. Then they e-mailed me back confirming it was a scam and thanked me for the call.
I.R.S. Unreported/Underreported Income
There is an email scam going around that claims it is from the I.R.S. Here is an example:
Taxpayer ID: lbstump-00000174073547US
Tax Type: INCOME TAX
Issue: Unreported/Underreported Income (Fraud Application)
Please review your tax statement on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website (click on the link below):
review tax statement for taxpayer id: lbstump-0..........US (not a valid link, Brian)
Internal Revenue Service
This is a phishing site. If you go there the bad guys will steal your identity ! ! ! ! !
The United States Internal Revenue Service NEVER EVER NEVER will initialy contact you via email about a problem. The real U.S. Government I.R.S. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS initiates all contact with taxpayers by United States Mail ONLY ! ! !
PROTECT YOURSELF - NEVER EVER NEVER CLICK ON THOSE LINKS! ! !
Return to top of page.SERVICE PROVIDER SCAMS
Fake Antivirus / Spyware
With names like Antivirus 2009 and AntiSpyware 2009 they sound legitimate. BUT they are phishing sites! Designed to collect your personal data to steal your identity, credit cards, and bank accounts. Always use a trusted vendor recommended by a friend or trusted magazine like PC World. Don't be sucked in by free offers, low rates, or unbelievable claims of protection. Always do your research!!
Return to top of page.OTHER SCAMS
Phone Credit Card Fraud warning Scam
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.Please Note: The callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it!!
The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in ??' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security.' You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'
Here's what the scammer needs to complete the theft of your Credit Card:
The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.
The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?' After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up.
DO NOT GIVE THOSE 3 VERIFICATION NUMBERS TO THEM!!!
If you receive one of these calls record or write down all the info they give you. DO NOT GIVE THOSE 3 VERIFICATION NUMBERS TO THEM!!! Simply hang up and contact your card issuer using the phone number on the back of the card or on your last statement. Tell them what happened and ask if there is really a problem. NEVER EVER NEVER give out those 3 verification numbers unless you are trying to buy something online or by phone. If you did not initiate the contact, it is probably a fraud.
Return to top of page.TELEPHONE JURY DUTY SCAM
The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo, your identity was just stolen. The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado . This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.
If you get one of these calls
Credit Card Cash Back Scam
This may or may not be true Credit Card Cash Back Scam BUT it reminds us of the importance of checking out your receipt before you leave the store. Accidents happen, machines malfunction, and there is the occasional crook out there.
Return to top of page.Internet Car Sales Scam
The Michigan Secretary of State is warning about fake internet sights that are claiming to be repossession agents or dealerships selling cars at substantial discounts for banks and loan agencies. You are supposed to send them the money and they will deliver the car in 3 to 5 days.
NO THEY WON'T!
THEY ARE NOT LICENSED BY THE STATE!!
IT IS A SCAM!!!
Car Auction Scam
Beware of Car Auctions that offer to sell your car for you. They have you ship your car to them, negotiate a contract, and then steal your car. My friend in Louisiana lost 2 classic muscle cars to an auction in Murphysboro. They sent him a letter stating they sold the cars for substantially under the agreed amount in violation of the contract. He has spent thousands of dollars to recover 1 of the cars. Seams they were "sold" without the title, laundered thru Ebay Motors, and Ohio (for a new title), plus several different owners and dealerships in just 2 months. He found them in Lansing at a dealer who offered to sell them back to him. He presented the original title and police report to the MSP and recovered the stolen vehicle.
NEVER SELL ANYTHING THRU AN AUCTION YOU DO NOT KNOW. ESPECIALLY OUT OF YOUR STATE. NEVER SURRENDER YOUR VEHICLE'S TITLE UNTILL YOU GET THE MONEY IN YOUR HAND! !
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