scams, spams - santa clara county, california · tech support scams •scammers call, claiming to...
TRANSCRIPT
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 BankPhony 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?
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 official 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 #
Questions?
Problems?
Need advice?
Call the Consumer Mediation
Services:
408-792-2880
STOP!
THINK!
CHECK!
Thank you for your attention.
