The United States Postal Inspection Service Fights Fraud Against the Elderly: The U.S.Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is committed to protecting seniors from telemarketing and mail fraud scheme.  The agency has several resources designed to educate and inform consumers about mail fraud, including fraud against older Americans.  visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov to access these materials.  USPIS has also introduced a new website that provides information about the ways consumers can avoid falling victim to scams involving counterfeit checks, visit www.FakeChecks.org for more information.

 

Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contributions Schemes - Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - July 8, 2008.

"Since late May and early June 2008, there have been several natural disasters throughout the country - including tornadoes, wildfires, and floods - which have devastated lives and property.  In the wake of these events which have caused emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help these victims, frequently through monetary donations.

 

Tragic incidents, such as 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the recent earthquakes in China, have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purpotedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause.  Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consmers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

To obtain more information on charitiable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com.  If you are a victim of an online scheme, please notify the Ic3 by filing a complaint at www.IC3.gov."

 

We received another alert from our CHOICES SMP colleagues at the Area Agency on Aging of South Central CT that had been reported to them from a caregiver from Bethany.  The caregiver’s 90 year old father, who lives in West Haven, received a call from a man who said he was from UPS and that he had to deliver a prize. The “UPS man” indicated he would be there within an hour and a half.  Fortunately, the caregiver happened to be there and answered the call.  She was told that she needed to go to the bank and get a certified check in the amount of $99.99. During the course of the conversation, Wells Fargo and Western Union were mentioned. Further, the check should be made out to “Peter Lawrence” and either James Livingston or Chad Young would be there with the prize. He provided a claim number to give to the driver. The caregiver related that had she not answered the phone, she was almost sure that her father would have gone out and gotten the check.  Agency personnel suggested that she contact the West Haven police to make them aware of the situation and to contact UPS to alert them to the fact that someone appears to be using their name (UPS) as a front.

 

Phone scams are very popular with con artists since it’s difficult to trace the source, and even harder to prove exactly who the conversation has taken place with. This means it’s not easy to catch and prosecute phone scammers.  Phone scams often target the elderly, but anyone can become a victim. One of the most common types of phone scam involves notifying the intended victim of a Grand Prize they have won. These claims of sweepstakes winnings are bogus of course, but serve to snag the unsuspecting person on the other end of the line. After convincing the victim of their good fortune, the scammer will have some cleaver way of getting them to send money.  Anytime you are contacted with good news from an unknown source and asked to send cash for ANY reason, keep your guard up.

 

Most people think they could never be taken by a scam of this sort, but it can happen to even the most savvy of us.  The words of an unknown con artist say it best: “No matter how smart you are, there’s a scam out there that can get you.”  If you are notified by phone that you have won a prize, remember this little fact: Federal law requires that telemarketers calling to award prizes must reveal that no purchase or payment is necessary.   If you are contacted by someone who asks for payment as a stipulation for you receiving your prize, simply hang up on them , wait a few seconds, then pick up the phone and dial * 5 7 then hang up again. This will store the source of the last call you received.  You can then contact your local police or phone company to report the incident, and let them know you’ve dialed * 5 7.  This does not work with all telephone service carriers, but will work with many.

 

REMEMBER:  If you suspect you are being targeted as part of a phone scam, call your police department immediately.  Also, call CHOICES SMP at your regional Area Agency on Aging – 1-800-994-9422 – so that we can pass it on to our aging and law enforcement network!  When you report telemarketing fraud, your information may help local and federal law enforcers investigate the scammers. Provide the telemarketer's name or phone number, as well as the date and time of the call.

 

 

We received an alert from our colleagues at the Area Agency on Aging of South Central CT with news reported in the New Haven Register today. Elderly homeowners in Milford and Orange were lured from their homes by a woman posing as a utility company worker. Police in Milford are investigating what they called a “diversion” type burglary around noon Friday. The homeowner was tricked into going outside by a woman who falsely claimed there was to be an underground power line project in the area. She lured the man into the back yard, saying that was where the work was to take place. While the two were in the yard, another person apparently went into the house and took cash. A similar incident took place in Orange at about 4 p.m. that same day. Police indicated that cash also was taken from the home in Orange, apparently while the homeowner was outside. Police contacted United Illuminating Co. and confirmed that no underground power line work was scheduled to take place in either of the neighborhoods.

 

“Diversion” Scams:   This type of scam/burglary also occurs when the weather is such that residents are working outside (like now!). A con artist will approach an intended victim and occupy his/her attention. A second con artist will then enter the residence. They will typically steal smaller transportable valuables such as cash, jewelry and silver.

 

Another variant occurs when a con artist asks a resident for a drink of water, to use the bathroom, or to use a telephone for an emergency. All the excuses are in an attempt to gain entrance to the residence. The subjects then attempt to divert the resident’s attention while an accomplice searches for valuables.

 

To avoid becoming a victim:

If a person you don’t know comes to your home, for any reason, no matter how innocent they appear or how reasonable the request may be, keep the person outside and the door between you and them secured. If he or she needs a drink, direct them elsewhere. If he or she needs to call someone, make the call for them; When working outside, lock the doors not visible to you; and If you are approached by an individual claiming to work for a utility company or wishing to do repair work at your residence, ask to see proper identification and call the employer to verify their identity. Do not let he or she into the house!

 

   The Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment period starts soon. Seniors are starting to receive phone calls from a woman and man who claim to be from Medicare.  They team up to request your Medicare number, Social Security number, Bank Account numbers, and Credit Card numbers.

   The scam works like this: A female caller:  “This is (name), and I'm calling from Medicare.  Your file has been flagged for Part D enrollment or a change in Medicare, and I'm calling to verify your Medicare needs.”  While on the phone the caller tries to collect your Medicare number.  Once the Medicare number is collected you are transferred to a male caller.  He verifies your information and transfers you to a third person.  The next step is to convince the senior into revealing your bank account number and credit card number, often with a series of misleading questions bent on "verifying your information so you can keep your health coverage or enroll in Part D for 2010. 

   A few beneficiaries have reported that they did give the callers their Medicare, Social Security, Bank Account, and Credit Card numbers.   Once they have your personal information it is easy to re-populate to whatever forms that are necessary to access services, summit false claims, drain your accounts or commit ID theft for their own gain.  Within 15 minutes after a call of this type is made to a victim, a new purchase can be charged to your card.

   Victims believe they are getting a call from Medicare.  Medicare does not call you to request personal information.  If you receive such a call HANG-UP.  Don't be pressured to provide information or buy something now. And Do Not give out Medicare, Social Security, or Bank account numbers over the phone.  

   You may report these calls to CHOICES SMP at your regional Area Agency on Aging – 1-800-994-9422.  If you gave any numbers to the caller, you should also contact the police, your bank and credit card provider right away. 

 

 

   It appears that the scam we know as the “Grandparents Scam” has expanded – many scam artists are hacking into email and social networking sites to contact people’s friends and family and act like they are in danger, and they need money wired to them:

   Alert from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), released by the FBI this week: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/091001.aspx

 

 

An Elderly Outreach worker in town in North Central CT received a call from a client desperate for a ride to the store.  She needed to get a wire transfer done with Western Union so she could get $945,000 promised to her by an attorney identified as Thomas John Scott from Nevada.  He told her she would get the money when she wired $325. to a bonding agent (Eric Jackson, Jersey City, NJ). Needless to say the client did not get a ride so luckily she did not wire anyone money. Outreach worker advised her that this was probably a scam and would check up on it with me. Client was eager to get the money so she could give most of it to her church. A call to the “Attorney” was answered by machine message merely saying, “please leave a message.” Research reveals that this is a “Las Vegas Dream Foundation” Lottery type SCAM!  To get the substantial winnings, consumer needed to send $300, or 1% or…to a bonding agent in another state. On 7/2, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warned of a similar scam trying to capitalize on the recent deaths of celebrities operating out of Las Vegas and provided the following consumer tips:

 

• If you are contacted by someone who says that you have won a lottery or sweepstakes as a result of the recent death of a celebrity, it is a scam. Call your police department and CHOICES SMP at your regional Area Agency on Aging – 1-800-994-9422.

• Are you being directed to wire money, provide access to your bank account or credit card numbers, or forward any personal financial information in order to claim your sweepstakes or lottery winnings? This is an attempt to steal your money or identity, by a person masquerading as a sweepstakes or lottery official.

 

• Legitimate sweepstakes companies do not require you to pay taxes, customs fees, shipping or handling, or any other fee before awarding your winnings.

 

• Did you ever actually enter the company’s sweepstakes? Chances are you did not.

 

• Do not be deceived by seals, official-sounding names, or terms that imply affiliation with or endorsement by a government entity, celebrity or charity be it here or abroad. It is illegal for a promoter to misrepresent an affiliation with a government organization or other well-known organization.

 

 

 

Dishonest Operators Use Fear, High Pressure Tactics and Lowball Estimates to Cheat Consumers

 

In light of the recent arrest of two New York men who tried to cheat a Milford homeowner, Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about chimney cleaning scams.  The arrests followed an investigation by the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which alleges the men turned a $39.95 chimney cleaning estimate into a recommendation for $3,200 in unnecessary repairs. Charges against the pair ranged from impersonating home contractors to performing work without a license. According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, this is not a new scam, and the intervention by DCP shows its potential to cheat consumers. "When a contractor tells you that your life is in danger or part of your home needs urgent repairs to prevent serious damage, your first instinct is to protect yourself and your property.

 

Unlicensed and dishonest contractors often use fear tactics to turn routine maintenance into an unnecessary costly and potentially unsafe job." Chimney cleaning fraud usually starts with a postcard, flyer, an unsolicited telephone call or e-mail and an unusually low price, typically around $40.00. Once the scammers perform an inspection,  they may say that there is structural damage, problems with the  chimney cap (also known as a spark arrester), and may even bring in dead birds or chunks of concrete to illustrate the "problems."  They often claim there is a carbon monoxide leak or that the chimney liner needs replacing. Chimney liners cost thousands of dollars, and some con artist contractors may replace a perfectly good liner with one that may not even fit properly, or only line part of the chimney.

 

Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to consumers to prevent them from becoming victims of chimney cleaning fraud:
Don't be taken in by low prices:

In some cities and towns, the local fire department may provide free chimney inspections. How often does a fireplace chimney need to be cleaned? If it is used more than three times a week it should be done every year. One clear sign that it needs attention is if soot falls from the damper when it is opened. Once you have reputable experts doing the job, they also can tell you whether your furnace chimney needs cleaning.

 

 

Unscrupulous scamsters and dealers out there are ready to prey on consumers who want to take advantage of the new "Car Allowance Rebate System" voucher system recently signed into law by the President.  The estimated $1 billion dollar program will give vouchers to consumers who replace junky cars with fuel-efficient models. Vehicles bought after July 1 may get consumers as much as $4,500 to trade in old gas guzzling cares for new cars that are more fuel efficient. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be working out the details within the next 30 days in order to implement regulations to safeguard the program from fraud and abuse.  In the meantime, however, car dealers may begin honoring the rebates now. The agency is launching a Web site, www.cars.gov , and also has a hot-line at 888-327-4236 for consumers to get official information about the program.
 
How the program works:
·         Clunkers eligible for the program must get 18 miles per gallon, or less, in combined city and highway driving.  The subsidy ends up benefiting more owners of light trucks, SUVs and mini-vans more than it would owners of regular old passenger cars.
·         A $3,500 subsidy can be used to purchase cars and vans that are more fuel efficient than the older clunkers by four miles per gallon. A $4,500 subsidy can be used toward purchasing cars and vans that are more fuel efficient than older cars by 10 miles per gallon.
·         Cars that have not been insured for the past year, or those that are older than 25 years, are not eligible to be traded in for vouchers.

NHTSA officials warn that “Cash for Clunkers” Web sites are asking consumers to provide personal information including names, addresses and social security numbers so they can “register” for the program. Other Web sites tell consumers they will put them in touch with “Authorized Cash for Clunkers” dealer in their area. So, Beware! 
·         Consumers DO NOT need to register!
·         Although car dealers will have to register to participate in the program, the registration process has not yet begun; and
·         One clue that Web sites aren't real is if they use the name "Cash for Clunkers," since that is not the real name of the program (Car Allowance Rebate System)
·         Only use the official Web site – www.cars.gov – or call the official hot-line – 888-327-4236.
 

The AASCC CHOICES SMP program reported receiving a call from a New Haven resident who said she got a phone call from "American Publishing Company" (she is uncertain about the name but that’s what she thinks he said). The man (foreign accent, possibly German) told her that she had won $200,000.00. All she needed to do was give him $3,500.00 for the insurance. He would come to her apartment, collect the money and deliver her prize to her.  He asked her for her social security number and confirmed her home address that he had on file. After more discussion with the caller she began to not believe him so she hung up. Another scam artist activity for all to be aware!

 

Jury Duty Scam (May 30th, 2009)

      Verified by the FBI, the Jury Duty Scam is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of fraud has surfaced.

      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.

      Check it out here:

 http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm

 

 

Estate planning: Trust mills – avoiding financial elder abuse in the guise of estate planning (May 11th, 2009)  -Written by Dennis Fordham    
      The ‘trust mill’ living trust scam is a major nationwide problem that has cost many elderly persons dearly, not to mention disturbing their peace of mind. Let us see how the “trust mill” scam works.

      Trust mills are NOT legitimate law firms. Some may have attorneys on staff, in order to say that they are not illegally practicing law; however, providing legitimate legal services is NOT the trust mill's true objective. Rather, the trust mill offers one thing (living trusts) in order to later-on try to sell something else altogether (financial services).

      Like a traveling circus, the trust mill goes from town to town advertising free seminars in order to draw in the public. Trust mills entice people by advertising “living trust” packages at “low costs” – far less than what legitimate legal services cost.

      The trusts provided are basically just a one-size fits all, i.e., fill-in the blanks form, and should not be confused with personalized legal services. As such they may or may not be drafted by a licensed attorney, and certainly are not what the public has in mind in regards to professional legal services.

      These salesmen will often use phony titles like “certified trust advisor” to make themselves appear legitimate and knowledgeable about estate planning, when they are neither. Such so-called titles are deceitful as they are not certified by any state regulatory agency and were merely issued by the trust mill itself to their sales persons.

      Once the trust mill has the elder's trust and financial information, they then try to sell annuities, life insurance, and reverse mortgages – usually in the privacy of the elder's own home. The sales tactics used are unscrupulous and predatory, to say the least. That is, the salesmen are often trained to manipulate the elderly person into believing that the elderly person's money is not safe the way it is, and that they have a solution.

      The salesman's ulterior motive is a substantial sales commission, and not the estate planning fee for the trust. Ultimately, therefore, the trust mill experience is far from a “bargain,” as the trust mill experience winds up costing the elderly far in excess of the legal fees charged by a legitimate attorney.

      Qualified, ethical attorneys, on the one hand, offer the public a legitimate professional service that they are both licensed and educated to provide – for that sake only. Attorneys develop a one-on-one personal relationship with their client for the purpose of creating an appropriate, individualized estate plan based on client meetings; and will review documents with their clients and answer legal questions. They are not going to use the relationship later-on to try to sell you financial products.

      Dennis A. Fordham is an attorney licensed to practice law in California and New York. He earned his bachelor's degree at Columbia University, his juris doctorate at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his LL.M in taxation at New York University. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning and aspects of elder law.

      Note: There is some good news. Trust mills are being sued and prosecuted at various levels. If you believe that you were a victim, you can call the Consumer Law Project for Elders in CT at 1-800-296-1467 or the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, 860-808-5400.

 

 

      Trying to help a good cause could get you ripped off by fraudulent magazine salespeople.  The Better Business Bureau warns that deceptive door-to-door magazine sales crews are hitting the pavement in Connecticut, and looking to earn a quick buck this summer. In the last 12 months alone, BBB’s across the nation received 1,100 complaints from consumers in 46 states against more than 50 companies that are selling magazines door-to-door. A number of these complaints were filed by Connecticut consumers.

      Many of these companies employ crews of high school and college-age people who are trying to earn money over their summer break. These crews are sent to communities to knock on doors and sell magazines—sometimes without appropriate licensing. In the sales pitch, the representative might explain they are working to help raise money on behalf of a charity, for a school trip or even selling subscriptions to support troops in Iraq.

      A Greater New Haven woman said a pair of students claiming they were from the University of Rhode Island, knocked on her door, said they lived “down the street,” and were selling magazines and books to “go to London.” Later, when she became suspicious, she called police, filed a report with Connecticut Better Business Bureau and put a stop on her check.

      Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, says victims readily believe the phony sales pitch and often pay hundreds of dollars by check. However, complaints allege the sales reps took the checks and the magazines never arrived.

      “We are alerting consumers to this scam to prevent an epidemic of door-to-door magazine fraud. We encourage all Connecticut residents to be vigilant, and to inform their children, parents and grandparents about this type of operation.”  Scarpetti adds that consumers are not the only victims of this scam.  “The young salespeople also are being taken advantage of by their employers, forced to work long hours and having their wages withheld from them.”

      BBB offers the following advice to avoid getting scammed by a door-to-door magazine sales scam:

   Always research the company with your Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org before issuing a check for a magazine subscription.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Three-Day Cooling-Off Rule gives the customer three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in their home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Along with a receipt, salespeople should also include a completed cancellation form that customers can send to the company to cancel the agreement. By law, the company must give customers a refund within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice.
Victims of fraudulent magazine sales can file a complaint with their Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org, local law enforcement, and the state Attorney General’s office.

For more tips and information from the Connecticut Better Business Bureau check out their website at: www.connecticut.bbb.org

 

 

By Elizabeth Wertime, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Upstate, New York

      No one likes being the target of an April fool's prank.  If you're receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, don't let anyone fool you regarding your special one-time recovery payment of $250 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 

 

To make sure no one does, we'll state this as clearly as possible:

·         All Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who are eligible for the special one-time recovery payment will have their payment issued in May;

·         The payment is automatic; no action is required on your part; and

·         There are no requests to make, no applications to complete and no fees to pay.

      If you receive a visit, call or email from anyone claiming to want to help you obtain your payment, be skeptical.  Do not pay anyone to help you receive your payment.  And do not reveal any of your personal information to them, such as your full name, date of birth, or Social Security number.  If someone requests this information for this purpose, it's more likely they're "out to get you" than out to get your payment for you.

      In addition to people who receive Social Security and SSI benefits, people who receive benefits from Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board will receive one-time payments of $250.  Note, however, that only one payment of $250 will be made per person, regardless of any combination of benefits that may be received.

      How will your recovery payment be made?  The same way that your regular monthly payments are made.  People with direct deposit will receive their payments electronically.  Those who receive paper checks will receive their payments in the mail.  People who receive regular payments through the new Direct Express debit card will receive their one-time payments through the card.  We will send your one-time payment separately from your Social Security or SSI benefit.

      To assist in processing the payments as efficiently as possible, please do not contact Social Security - unless you have not received your payment by June 4.  More information is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/payment and will be updated as needed.

      Rest assured that your special one-time recovery payment will be sent to you automatically.  And if it's not received by June 4, there's only one place you need to contact:  Social Security, at your local office, or 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250-0778).

      To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov.

      To learn more about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

 

 

"Spring Break Is 'Scam-A-Grandma' Time" (March 25, 2009) By GEORGE HESSELBERG in the Wisconsin State Journal
   It’s spring break, also known as "scam-a-grandma" time, and, with calendar precision, one showed up in Madison, WI last week, according to consumer protection and bank officials. In this case, the woman who believed she was sending money to help a grandchild out of an emergency lost $10,000 and was talked out of sending another $10,000 at the last moment. The telephone swindle is also called the "It’s me" swindle, because the caller starts out the conversation with "Hi Grandma, it’s me." It really isn’t, of course, but Grandma (or Grandpa) says something like "Is that you, Jason?" and the ersatz Jason responds glibly with a tale of woe, often a car crash, that requires an immediate cash infusion. "This is happening more frequently and especially now during the spring break season," said Glen Loyd, of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Officials were alerted to the latest attempt by Daryll Lund, of Community Bankers of Wisconsin. The customer of a bank in Dane County received three calls from her "grandson," and when she came in to the bank for a third withdrawal — after explaining in two earlier visits she was "gifting" her grandchildren $5,000 each time, the bank staff "did not feel comfortable." The customer was tracked to a Wal-Mart where a $10,000 money order was being purchased. She was certain a grandson had called, but the Wal-Mart manager would not put the third wired money order through, so the customer brought the money back to the bank, Lund said. Total lost: $10,000. The grandson was not on spring break and was not in a car crash, Lund said.He suspects social Internet sites have contributed victims’ names to the calling lists of swindlers, especially if plans for spring break adventures are shared among many people.

 

 

Please follow this link to read this Memorandum from CMS.

 

 

"Hello…Your car warrantee is about to expire. This is your last opportunity to sign up.  Press 1 for …Press 2 for...”  Have you received a call like this recently?  The Milford Police Department received a call just like this recently.  Of course the officer knew the call was a scam.  These scammers want to convince you they can lower your credit card interest rates and in the process will try to obtain your personal identifying information or account information.  Just because someone says "this is your last chance for this opportunity" doesn't mean it is for real.  Just like the moral in the Canadian Lottery winning story (if you never entered the lottery - how could you be a winner?) keep in mind that if you never had a warrantee on your car - how could it be on the verge of expiring?  Don’t be hoodwinked on the telephone!

 

 

A Reminder to Protect, Detect, and Report: On February 12th, the Bristol Press reported on a credit card theft in a Farmington Nursing Home. A Bloomfield woman was arrested on larceny and credit card theft charges Tuesday after police said she stole a credit card from an 80-year-old resident while on the job at a local nursing home. The 32 year old woman is accused of using the woman’s card nine times at a gas station in Bloomfield, racking up $382 in charges. The fraudulent activity was discovered by a relative. The woman worked at the nursing home where the 80-year-old resident lives. The fraudulent charges occurred from May 13 to June 3 and were reported to police June 6.  The woman was charged with fifth-degree larceny, credit card theft, illegal use of a credit card, receiving goods obtained illegally and third-degree identity theft. CRIME DOES NOT PAY!!!!!

 

 

      An elderly individual in South Windsor received a phone call from a woman saying she was with the Senior Center regarding property tax relief. The caller asked a bunch of personal questions and sent the beneficiary a card to fill out and return, which she did - not recalling where it was from or where it was going. As a result, the beneficiary then received a phone call from the same woman to schedule an appointment with a representative. This beneficiary brought the situation to the attention of one of CHOICES Counselor & Town of South Windsor Employee Jennifer DiMauro, who set up a sting!

      The number left on the beneficiary’s Caller ID by the calling agency was not in service when Jennifer returned the call. On the date of the scheduled appointment, Jennifer met this gentleman at the beneficiary’s home and acted as a friend of the beneficiary. The agent presented himself as being with a company based in Michigan but his business card had a local address. We could not locate the company in a computer search.  The agent reported to our undercover CHOICES/SMP Counselor “We help newly retired seniors with their pensions, annuities and insurance.”  When informed that the beneficiary was told the appointment was for assistance with property tax, his response was “Oh, no we do income taxes.” People will try almost anything to schedule an appointment with you to try to sell their product. Don't be afraid to ask questions to clarify an offer of "assistance" and don't be afraid to say "no." If you want to learn about Property Tax Relief efforts in your town - your town Assessor's Office will be able to provide you with more information.  
         In the mean time…please be on high alert for such incidents of Fraud and Abuse in our own back yards! Kudos to Mrs. DiMauro for her very helpful investigation!! The information she was able to collect has been and will continue to be extremely helpful! If you or anyone you know has had a similar experience, please contact us ASAP!

 

 

This scam is spreading quickly throughout the nation: "You have been chosen by Walmart to take part in our Customer Satisfaction Survey.
If you decide complete this survey, Walmart will send $150 to your confirmed Credit or Debit Card Account just for your time.Helping us better understand how our customers feel, benefits everyone. With the information collected we can decide to direct a number of changes to improve and expand our services.  The Survey form is attached to this email. Please download the attachment, open it, and follow the instructions on your screen."

   THIS IS A SCAM!  Ashley Hardie at Wal-Mart’s Corporate Offices and stated  “Wal-mart does not participate in this type of promotion and has no affiliation with them.  If you receive a survey, please contact your local authorities as well as the Federal Trade Commission.”  Local Wal-Marts have received hundreds of calls regarding this.  Please get the word out as quickly as possible, as we envision a lot of people falling for this scam.