FTC Consumer Alert: Getting bombarded by scam calls? You’re not alone.

Getting bombarded by scam calls? You're not alone. by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC The Social Security Administration (SSA) scam is the number one scam reported to the FTC right now. As soon as a caller threatens you, or demands you pay them with a gift card or by wiring money.  It's a scam.  Even if the caller ID tells you otherwise. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/getting-bombarded-scam-calls-youre-not-alone?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

FTC Consumer Alert: Getting bombarded by scam calls? You’re not alone.

FTC Consumer Alert: Car wrap scam targets college students

Car wrap scam targets college students by Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC If you have a car, you know how expensive the upkeep can be. Gas, maintenance, parking – the whole lot. So what if a company offered to pay you to drive around – which you were already doing – with their branding wrapped onto your car? It could sound like a good deal. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/car-wrap-scam-targets-college-students?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise

Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise by Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC At first, scammers tried to get you to wire them money. Then, they demanded payment with gift cards. Now, scammers are luring people into paying them with Bitcoin – a type of digital money or cryptocurrency.  Read on to learn how to spot and avoid some of the top ways scammers are trying to get you to pay with Bitcoin. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/scams-telling-you-pay-bitcoin-rise?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: “Pass it On” at the holidays

"Pass it On" at the holidays by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education Holidays often mean time with family and friends. If you're looking for conversation starters that avoid tricky topics – like who should've won the World Series – why not chat about scams? Pass it On, an FTC education campaign, gives you new ways to talk about scams and how to prevent them. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/pass-it-holidays?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it

https://youtu.be/T7SiEQWzbAU

FTC Consumer Alert: AT&T Unlimited Data Customers Getting Refunds

AT&T Unlimited Data Customers Getting Refunds by Alvaro Puig, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC You might have heard that AT&T agreed to return $60 million to customers for allegedly reducing the data speed on their unlimited data plans without telling them.  In its 2014 complaint, the FTC said that AT&T's practice of data throttling – slowing down the data speed for unlimited customers who used large amounts of data – was unfair and deceptive.  It was unfair because AT&T promised unlimited data, but didn't give customers the data they paid for. And it was deceptive because AT&T didn't tell customers it was reducing their data speed, says the FTC. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/att-unlimited-data-customers-getting-refunds?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission

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Additional details on settlement

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/11/att-pay-60-million-resolve-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers

FTC Consumer Alert: What Do Not Call complaints are telling us

What Do Not Call complaints are telling us by Amy Hebert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Have you gotten a call from an imposter, maybe someone pretending to be with the Social Security Administration, IRS, or a tech support company, this year? If so, you're not alone. Calls from imposters were the most-reported topic of unwanted calls to the FTC over the past year (FY2019). You can see our annual report on Do Not Call complaints, with state-specific data. But here are some key takeaways. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/10/what-do-not-call-complaints-are-telling-us?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: What Do Not Call complaints are telling us

FTC Consumer Alert: Medicare does not give out DNA kits

Medicare does not give out DNA kits by Lisa Lake,  Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Here's one that goes to show just how creative scammers can be. The FTC is getting reports that callers claiming to be from Medicare are asking people for their Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information…in exchange for DNA testing kits.  The callers might say the test is a free way to get early diagnoses for diseases like cancer, or just that it's a free test, so why not take it? But the truth is, Medicare does not market DNA testing kits to the general public. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/medicare-does-not-give-out-dna-kits?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Outlet shopping - The deal is in the details

Outlet shopping: The deal is in the details by Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC For many of us, it just wouldn't be a summer beach vacation without shopping at the local outlet mall. Over the years, we've picked up a few tips for outlet shopping. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/outlet-shopping-deal-details?utm_source=govdelivery   This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Alert: Put the brakes on phony online car sales

Put the brakes on phony online car sales by Colleen Tressler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC You can buy practically anything online, including used cars. But before you shell out any hard-earned cash, here's a warning about scammers trying to sell cars they don't have or own. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/06/put-brakes-phony-online-car-sales?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Alert: Make it a scam-free vacation

Make it a scam-free vacation by Lisa Lake Consumer Education Specialist, FTC It's almost summer! Right now, you probably have beaches on the brain or you're thinking about that long-planned trip abroad. Before you head out, take steps to help keep your dream vacation from becoming a nightmare: Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/05/make-it-scam-free-vacation?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Operation Donate with Honor continues

Operation Donate with Honor continues by Rosario Méndez Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Last year, the FTC and state charity regulators joined in Operation Donate with Honor to stop sham veterans charities from lying to donors.  Today the FTC is announcing that it shut down two more operations that collected donations with false promises of helping veterans and military service members. Read more online https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/03/operation-donate-honor-continues?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Those (not really) IRS calls (video)

Franklin Police Chief Thomas Lynch had a voice message to all residents recently alerting us to avoid phone scams. This FTC video delivers the same message

Those (not really) IRS calls by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education You've probably gotten one of these calls: They say it's the IRS and they're filing a lawsuit against you for back taxes. They may threaten to arrest or deport you. What do you do? Watch this video to learn more: Read more online https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/03/those-not-really-irs-calls?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Netflix phishing scam: Don’t take the bait

Netflix phishing scam: Don't take the bait by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Phishing is when someone uses fake emails or texts to get you to share valuable personal information – like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. Scammers use your information to steal your money, your identity, or both. They also use phishing emails to get access to your computer or network. If you click on a link, they can install ransomware or other programs that can lock you out of your data. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/12/netflix-phishing-scam-dont-take-bait?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Consumer Alert: Immigration help – watch your step

Immigration help – watch your step by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education If you're looking for immigration help, you might run across what look like government websites – but are actually from companies pretending to be part of the U.S. government. The FTC's recent settlement  has some lessons on how to protect yourself.  Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/immigration-help-watch-your-step?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Alert: It’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

It's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month by Ari Lazarus Consumer Education Specialist, FTC October is spooky enough with its ghouls and goblins. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here to remind us how to stay safe and secure from real (and maybe even scarier) threats – malware and scammers. Read more  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/its-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Alert: What you need to know if you were a MOBE customer

What you need to know if you were a MOBE customer by Alvaro Puig Consumer Education Specialist, FTC We recently wrote about steps that the FTC took to stop MOBE, an internet business-coaching scheme that was promoting a bogus online business opportunity to retirees and veterans. We've gotten a lot of questions from MOBE customers on our consumer blog and business blog. Here's what you need to know if you were a MOBE customer. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/what-you-need-know-if-you-were-mobe-customer?utm_source=govdelivery and https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/06/ftc-action-halts-mobe-massive-internet-business-coaching-scheme This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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FTC Alert: Promoter pitches “secrets” to big bucks on Amazon

Promoter pitches "secrets" to big bucks on Amazon by Lesley Fair Senior Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Online ads and in-person workshops for Sellers Playbook claim to offer "secrets" to making big money on Amazon. But like a lot of namedroppers, the truth doesn't live up to the hype. That's what the FTC and the Minnesota Attorney General allege in a lawsuit they filed. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/08/promoter-pitches-secrets-big-bucks-amazon?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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“They’re just looking for you to react to the email"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Local residents are experiencing an old email scam with a new twist: Sextortion scammers appear to be hacking into breached databases and using old passwords for leverage over their victims. 

Scammers claim to have videos of their intended victims on their laptops while they watch pornography on the internet. They threaten that if a certain amount of money isn’t paid, they will send those videos to everyone in their target’s address book. The password trick is just an additional ploy. 

Kevin Morton, owner of Franklin computer repair shop Nerds-To-Go, was working on a sextortion case when contacted on Thursday afternoon. He said scammers are usually all bark and no bite, but he has seen a higher volume of these calls for help coming from the Milford and MetroWest areas in the past few weeks.

“To fix it, just simply delete the email and change the password,” Morton said. “It’s not really necessary to get a new email address.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180729/sextortion-scam-hits-franklin-over-past-week

Regular readers will recognize that I share info from the FTC on scam alerts that they post. Being vigilant these days is required. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Several of these alerts can be found in the archives
http://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=FTC%2C+alert

FTC Scam Alert: Avoiding tech support scams

Avoiding tech support scams by Carol Kando-Pineda Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education You're working on your computer when, suddenly, a message pops up on the screen: "Virus detected! Call now for a free security scan and to repair your device."  That's a tech support scam. Don't call, text, or email. Legit tech support companies don't operate that way Read more => https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/07/avoiding-tech-support-scams?utm_source=govdelivery

FTC Scam Alert: Online love asking for money? It’s a scam.

Online love asking for money? It's a scam. by Carol Kando-Pineda Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education While plenty of successful relationships begin online, scammers also use online dating sites, apps, and chat rooms to trick you into sending them money. These impostors create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love. Some even make wedding plans before disappearing with the money.  It's a big problem: reports to the FBI about online romance scams tripled between 2012 and 2016, and impostor scams were among the top reports to the Federal Trade Commission for both the general population and the military community. Read more  -->>  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/07/online-love-asking-money-its-scam?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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