FTC: Scam spotted thanks to a clever store clerk

Scam spotted thanks to a clever store clerk by Monica Vaca Associate Director, Consumer Response and Operations, FTC You're going about your normal day at work when, suddenly, there's a call that looks like it's from your electric company. That's what the caller ID shows, and what the person on the line says. The voice on the line tells you that, because of late payments, the power to your business is about to be cut off. Without power, you can't keep your business running, so that's an emergency. Or is it? Read more This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

MA Consumer Affairs has a 4 Part Series on "A Consumer Guide to Landline Telephone Service"

The MA Consumer Affairs blog has a four part series on "How Do You Connect? A Consumer Guide to Landline Telephone Service"

From Part 1

"When buying landline telephone service for your home, you should be aware of several issues, including technological changes impacting the communications network, and ask questions to make sure you are getting the type of telephone service that best meets your needs. 

Telephone calls are generally categorized as:

• Local: Calls made within your immediate area as determined by the exchanges (area codes) in the calling plan and the service provider you choose. It is possible that calls in your own municipality may not be considered local. Be sure to ask or request a list of the exchanges that are part of your local calling plan;
• Regional: Calls made outside the “local” calling area; and
• Long Distance: Calls generally made out-of-state.

Always contact your service provider of choice to inquire about their service offerings and available calling plans. You can choose one provider for all your calling needs, or you can select different providers for different types of calls. 

Federal Law allows you to keep your current phone number when you change providers as long as you remain within the local exchange. When switching providers be sure to tell your provider you want to keep your existing phone number."

Continue reading part 1
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-do-you-connect-a-consumer-guide-to-landline-telephone-service-part-1-overview/

Part 2
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-do-you-connect-a-consumer-guide-to-landline-telephone-service-part-2-billing/

Part 3
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-do-you-connect-a-consumer-guide-to-landline-telephone-service-part-3-bundled-services/

Part 4
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/how-do-you-connect-a-consumer-guide-to-landline-telephone-service-part-4-slamming-and-cramming/

How Do You Connect? A Consumer Guide to Landline Telephone Service: Part 1—Overview (image from MA Consumer Affairs article)

FTC Scam Alert: Equifax isn’t calling

Many Franklinites are likely among those affected by the Equifax breach (as I was). Hence, this is worthy of sharing!

Equifax isn't calling by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education Ring, ring. "This is Equifax calling to verify your account information." Stop. Don't tell them anything. They're not from Equifax. It's a scam. Equifax will not call you out of the blue. Follow the link to read more This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Also from the Federal Trade Commission - What to do
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/09/equifax-data-breach-what-do

Downtown Partnership: Phone scam targeting local businesses

If you get this solicitation call Franklin Police

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com Phone scam targeting local businesses A new marketing scam that targets local businesses is circulating and may be headed to Franklin. If you receive one of these phone calls please alert the Franklin Police.  Thanks to Matt Lechter and Ken Corkran for the following information:  Late last week Dean College received a phone call from the Woonsocket Police Department informing us of a potential marketing "scam" going on in Rhode Island. An individual, claiming to be "Richard", is stating he works for Beacon Media News and is soliciting advertising space in a "Campus Life" publication. He further states that this publication is sponsored by other colleges such as Dean College, Bryant College, etc. Local business owners are then asked to purchase advertising space in this publication, which does not exist. Should anyone be approached with this solicitation, please contact Franklin Police and do not purchase "advertising" space.  Dean College has no affiliation with this.   Ken Corkran Director of Law Enforcement Services  and Risk Management 99 Main Street Franklin, MA 02038 508-541-1700 | kcorkran@dean.edu Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109 | franklindowntownpartnership.org

Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

Just hang up!

Great advice. The follow except is always a good reminder from MA Consumer Affairs
How can you avoid falling victim to a refinancing scam?

• Ask questions! Scammers use high pressure tactics to get you to act quickly. When you start asking questions about why they need the card numbers of every credit card you own or why they can’t look up information they should already have about you, the scammer will usually hang up.
• Do not give out your credit card information to someone calling over the phone. Ever! Once a scammer has access to this, they can charge your card for their own purposes or even distribute this information to other scammers. If you question the caller’s authenticity, hang up. Call your credit card provider yourself and ask about any “special offers” or refinancing availabilities.
• Do not share personal information, such as your social security number or your bank account numbers. If you’re looking to make changes to your credit cards, call your provider yourself. They will have access to account numbers and you can verify you’re speaking with a legitimate representative of the company.
• Sign up for the state “Do Not Call” registry as well as the national one to prevent telemarketers from reaching you.
• Although a short cut to pay off your credit card debt would be ideal, it is best to pay down your debt yourself. If you’re struggling with debt, call your card provider’s customer service number (found on the back of your card) and ask about options, such as reduced rates. Consumers struggling with debt should also contact legitimate debt counseling services for advice on how to get back on track.

Just hang up!

Read the full article on the MA Consumer Affairs blog

http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/just-hang-up/

Social Media Roundup: scam alert, drug that kills, rain garden tour, golf fund raiser

Items that I saved from my Facebook feed that seemed share worthy. You likely realize that everyone's Facebook feed is unique to themselves. What you see is not what someone else sees. The continuous Facebook algorithm changes makes it hard for groups to get their message to a broad audience without having to pay to "boost the post". Hence, from time to time, I'll share what I find that makes sense for Franklin to be aware of.

Scam alert from Franklin Police

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2016/08/25/that-is-not-the-irs-calling-you/

Via NPR comes this on the latest in opioid drugs that kill

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492108992/an-even-deadlier-opioid-carfentanil-is-hitting-the-streets?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160902

The Charles River Watershed Association write up of the recent tour of Franklin's rain gardens

http://blog.crwa.org/blog/take-a-tour-of-franklins-best-rain-gardens

FHS boys basketball boosters schedule a golf outing as a fund raiser Oct 8th

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-franklin-boys-basketball-alumni-and-friends-golf-tournament-registration-27345808048

sun rise on the Town Common

Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scam

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scam Continuing his efforts to combat consumer fraud, Norfolk County Register Of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today expressed his ongoing frustration regarding Norfolk County residents who continue to receive direct-mail solicitations offering them a certified copy of their property deed for an exorbitant fee ranging anywhere from $59.50-$83.00. Register O'Donnell stated, "These companies are making an outrageous profit at the consumer's expense. If a consumer knew that the Registry of Deeds would provide them the same certified copy of a property deed for a charge of only $1.00 per page, plus an additional $1.00 for postage, they would never agree to pay these companies such an outrageous fee for service. The average price for a mailed homeowner's deed by the Registry (usually two pages) is $3.00." The Registry has heard numerous stories from Norfolk County residents about examples of receiving deed solicitation notices from a California private company. The solicitations were labeled Recorded Deed Notice and requested that the homeowner forward a check to them in the amount of $83.00 for a copy of their deed. A Dedham resident, who received the solicitation, notified the Registry about the advertisement instead of spending $83.00. Register O'Donnell stated, "While the practice may be legal, it's certainly not ethical. Clearly these direct-mail companies are preying upon the innocent assumptions of Norfolk County residents, many of whom are first-time homeowners or elderly. Consumers are interpreting these notices as a bill, since they are affixed with a due date. I urge Norfolk County citizens not to fall prey to these types of misleading deed scam advertisements." If you receive a deed solicitation notice, please contact the Registry's Customer Service Center immediately at (781) 461-6101 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Additionally, if you desire a copy of your own deed, also contact the Registry's Customer Service Center and we will be glad to provide you with one for a nominal fee of usually $2.00-$3.00. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and/or instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Norfolk Registry of Deeds image

Franklin Police: Telephone scam claiming to be IRS agent

We are aware of an ongoing telephone scam where an individual claiming to be an IRS agent calls residents, states there is an arrest warrant or legal proceedings against the victim, and that the matter can be cleared up by making an immediate wire payment by such services as Western Union or Money Gram.

The IRS does not conduct business in this manner.  They will contact people by certified US mail.  They do not call and demand immediate payment to avoid criminal charges.

If you receive this type of call, hang up.  DO NOT give any information to the caller.

Thank you

Chief Stephan H Semerjian

Franklin Police Station,  911 Panther Way

This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

In the News: state police alert on scams, eagle scouts recognized, development along RT 140, MCAS argued for

Massachusetts State Police issued a scam warning on their official Facebook page Thursday. According to the posting, scammers pretending to be members of the state police or affiliated with the police are calling people and soliciting money for drug prevention and intervention programs. 

The scammers may claim to be part of a narcotics unit, police said.

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150916356/1994/NEWS

Boy Scouts Patrick Cunniff, Jonathan Tomaso and Joseph Kroon, from Troop 99 of Franklin, were honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Aug. 1 for achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts. 

Each scout completed a community service project that benefited the community: Cunniff worked with the Franklin Girls Softball Association to build four dugouts at the Remington-Jefferson fields; Tomaso constructed a walkway between the front and back entrances to the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School benefiting both charter school students and St. Mary Parish CCD students; and Kroon, sponsored by the Town of Franklin, built an arched foot bridge over a stream on the disc golf course at Dacey Fields.

arched foot bridge at Dacey Field disc golf course

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150916212/1994/NEWS

"There will be several different buildings," he said. "There's a gas station and, adjacent to that, a lube place and at least one restaurant. There will be several other retail spaces as well." 

According to Taberner, the developer has not labeled all of the proposed buildings, meaning it is uncertain which businesses will occupy them. 

Taberner said the board has requested more information from the developer, and would likely be considering the project for some time. He said he did not know how long the process might take. 

"The matter was continued to the next Planning Board meeting," he said. "It could be two, three, four or five - I have no idea how many meetings it might take."

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150916038/1994/NEWS

In a meeting with the Daily News editorial board on Wednesday, Pioneer Institute’s Jamie Gass and Tom Birmingham, former Senate president and co-author of the Education Reform Act of 1993 which created the MCAS, cautioned against switching from the long-standing test. Instead, the pair recommended working within the current system for better results. 

After education reform went into effect, Birmingham said the state set and met new standards that have pushed school performance to the top in the nation. If Massachusetts signs on to the PARCC test, Birmingham said he worries standards will drop to accommodate students in other PARCC states that don't have tests as rigorous as those in Massachusetts. 

“Before you outright jettison what has been coincident, at least, with our historic, unprecedented education success stories … I think you should bear in mind the words from the Hippocratic Oath, which is first, do no harm,” Birmingham said. “I’m fearful that if we do jettison MCAS and replace it with something else that is yet completely untested, we are inviting regression in terms of our education success.”

Continue to read the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150915990/1994/NEWS

Info on MCAS can be found here   http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/

IRS and Police fund raising scams top the listing for June 2015

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation compiles publicly available scam, identity theft, and fraud complaints from around the Commonwealth via police logs, news outlets, and other sources, as well as through the Office’s Consumer Information Hotline.

scam log analysis by MA Office of Consumer Affairs

IRS and police related phone scams top the listing for June 2015. The scam log analysis article provides some tips on how to recognize that the phone call maybe attempting to swindle you for a police related fund raising effort. 

Tips to spot police phone scams

1. If you do receive a call from the police department asking for donations for their annual fundraising efforts, they will not be demanding or put you in a high pressure situation. If you find yourself in a high-pressure situation, be skeptical, and do not be afraid to just hang up.
2. If you are told that the money is for local police associations, ask what associations they are for. If you do not recognize any of them, ask to call them back so you can do your homework and find out about the associations yourself. You should also consider contacting the actual police department, which can verify what associations they support.
3. If you are told that the money is to aid an on-going investigation or department advertising, be skeptical. Hang up and call the actual police department to see if they can verify where all of their fundraising efforts go to.

Follow the link to read the full article to find out how to recognize other phone scams and what to do if you receive one.
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/scam-log-analysis-june-2015/

Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scam

	Norfolk County Registry of Deeds
	Register O'Donnell Warns Homeowners About Deed Scam Continuing his efforts to combat consumer fraud, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell today expressed his ongoing frustration regarding Norfolk County residents receiving direct-mail solicitations offering them a certified copy of their property deed for an outrageous fee of anywhere from $59.50-$83.00. Providing a certified copy of property deeds is a service provided by the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds for a charge of only $1.00 per page plus an additional $1.00 for postage in the case of a request received by mail. Average Registry fee for providing a certified copy of a deed is usually $2.00. A recent example cited by O'Donnell was a deed solicitation received by a Weymouth resident from a private company in California. The solicitation was labeled Recorded Deed Notice and requested the homeowner forward a check to them in the amount of $83.00 for a copy of the homeowner's deed. In this case, the Weymouth resident would have been charged $3.00 by the Registry for providing a mailed copy of the deed, $2.00 if the resident had picked it up at the Registry. Register O'Donnell stated, "While the practice may be legal, it's certainly not ethical. These direct-mail companies are preying upon the innocent assumptions of Norfolk County residents, many of them first-time homeowners. Consumers are interpreting these notices as a bill, since they have a due date. I urge Norfolk County citizens not to fall prey to these types of misleading deed scam advertisements." If you receive such a deed solicitation notice, please contact the Registry's Customer Service Department immediately at (781) 461-6101 or by email at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. Additionally, if you desire a copy of your deed, also contact the Registry's Customer Service Department and we will be glad to provide you with one for a nominal fee of usually $2.00. To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com @NorfolkDeeds. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High Street, Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or on the web at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Register William P. O'Donnell Norfolk County Registry of Deeds email: registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org phone: 781-234-3336 web: http://www.norfolkdeeds.org

Forward email Norfolk County Registry of Deeds | 649 High Street | Dedham, | MA | 02026-1831 Norfolk Deeds masthead

"recognize red flags that might indicate that a call is a scam"

The Mass Consumer Affairs Blog has good info on what to do if you get a phone call that sounds like a scam.

The most important thing that consumers can do is learn to recognize red flags that might indicate that a call is a scam:

• Legitimate debts that you owe should always be documented in writing. Request that the person produce their claim in writing to confirm they are not a scammer. Scammers will likely not do this because it is too much trouble to forge, and because it creates a paper trail leading back to them. If the caller did not notify you in writing, that’s a red flag.

• The IRS (and all government agencies) will never request that you send them money through a prepaid card. Consumers should be extremely suspicious of this kind of request. Another variation of this scam, which is older and less common, is that the scammer tells the consumer to wire them their money. This may sound more legitimate than the prepaid card, but it is still a red flag. Government agencies do not request payment via wire transfers.

The Office of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to hang up the phone if they are suspicious and call theirlocal IRS number to check if they owe a legitimate debt. If it turns out to have been a scam, consumers should report it to the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General’s Office at (617) 727-8400.

Mass Consumer Affairs Blog

You can read the full article on the Mass Consumer Affairs blog here
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/scams/irs-scam-alert-dont-be-tricked-into-paying-debts-you-dont-really-owe/

IRS Warns of Pervasive Telephone Scam

A Facebook message from a regular Franklin reader warns:

"Steve, please let the community know that the IRS does not call anyone directly to collect outstanding tax bills. That's just not how they do business. I just got a call and the person became belligerent when I called them out. The phone number on caller ID came up as 415-251-9782."

A quick search on IRS phone calls brought this information from the IRS.gov webpage

IRS logo

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do:

• If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.

• If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.

• If you’ve been targeted by this scam, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" to the comments of your complaint.

Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. 

The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.

More information on how to report phishing scams involving the IRS is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.

The IRS posted this message in October of 2013.