SavvySugar

Free Credit Report Scams Aren't Going Away

SavvySugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:23 -0800

By now we all know about the not-so-free nature of those FreeCreditReport.com services; a few of you even say you've fallen for its misleading practices. But even after the government publicly condemned the site, "free" credit monitoring services - which require you to sign up for a paid service, but promise you can cancel at any time - are popping up everywhere.

One friend recently had a particularly nasty experience with one of these companies while apartment hunting. To hear what happened, read more.

An apartment listing on Craigslist requested that she get her own credit report through a specific company. She filled out all the info and put in a credit card when prompted (ouch), but wasn’t able to access the free report she was promised. A week later, charges showed up on her card, but each time she called the company to cancel, she was sent to voicemail. After some Google research revealed that several fraud alerts had already been filed against the company, she reported the charges as fraudulent to her credit card company.

Savvy as we all may be, it’s easier than you think to get sucked into one of these situations. To prevent this from happening to you, keep the following tips in mind:

Only request free credit reports using AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request a free report up to three times a year, once from each of the major reporting agencies. This site will not ask you to enter your credit card number.

Type the Annual Credit Report URL directly into your address bar, rather than clicking on a link from a third party to reach the site. If you’re redirected to a site that isn’t one of the major reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian), don’t continue with the process.

If at any point you’re asked for a credit or debit card number, walk away. Companies only request a credit card for one reason: they plan to charge you. Period.

Have you ever had an experience with one of these companies? Do you have any other tips to add?

Life Experience Degrees Still Fooling People

SavvySugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:31:30 -0700

Jefferson High School, Belford High School, and Belford University sound as real as any learning institution - except diplomas from these online "schools" aren't recognized by anyone. The Better Business Bureau is familiar with the names after receiving complaints about the programs, which offer diplomas after paying for and taking a single online test, but these diplomas are far from genuine.

People seeking to improve their lives stumble upon scammy online schools while searching for alternative ways to earn high school diplomas and even medical degrees. Diane Cerulli received a diploma from Belford University after taking an online multiple choice test based on "life experience" and sending in a check for $1,400. She received a letter from the school after completing the test that stated: "You are now a doctor. Diplomas and paperwork will be mailed to you after you pay $1,400 for the degree."

Now, Cerulli understands she was scammed and said, "Today, my rational thinking is in full bloom, and I could get into a lot of trouble if I put a shingle up and called myself a doctor." Common sense should tell us that if something is too good to be true, it probably is, but sometimes hope gets the best of people. Before you shell out a dime, check the Better Business Bureau and the US Department of Education to see if a school is accredited.

Don't Let a Stripping Woman Ruin Your European Vacation

SavvySugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:30:50 -0700

It would be tough to pass by a chaotic scene like a woman stripping down to prove her innocence against a shoplifting accusation, but in the name of your traveling cash, it's best to keep walking. MSNBC reports that one of the many scams used to trap tourists involves an attractive young woman versus a street vendor, and once she's in her skivvies, all is forgiven and the crowd disperses. The woman gets to put her clothes back on, while tourists might find their wallets have disappeared during the commotion.

When you're traveling, avoid any scenes involving scuffles (and stripping). Unfortunately, pickpockets can be found anywhere and are often disguised in garb like business suits or dressed as tourists themselves. Assume the worst in suspicious situations and keep walking, as much as you might be curious about the outcome. Chances are, the ending will feature you minus one wallet.

Beware of Michael Jackson Scams

SavvySugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:30:14 -0700

If you've been spending your lunch hour scrolling through the many listings for Michael Jackson memorabilia, then make sure your sentiments don't get the best of you by purchasing something unauthentic. What's more, you should have your guard up when an email enters your inbox claiming that you (yes, you!) could own a special piece of history. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), you're a fool to respond to any email offering one-of-a-kind items from Jackson's life.

Steve Bernas, chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau office in Chicago said in a statement, "The cause of Michael Jackson's untimely death still needs to be determined, and already people are seeing suspicious and awkwardly written e-mails appear in their in-boxes offering supposedly authentic items from the pop singer's life." The BBB encourages consumers to use common sense and carefully evaluate who the product is coming from before making a transaction.

Businesses Caught Playing Dirty on Twitter

SavvySugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:30:41 -0700

Celebrities aren't the only ones with Twitter imposters. More and more businesses are using Twitter to communicate with their customers, and the results have been mostly positive. The site allows companies to quickly respond to customer complaints, which saves many hours of waiting on hold, and it gives the companies' customer service a more competent edge. Customer satisfaction is up, so everybody wins.

Everything isn't as peachy as it seems for businesses proud to be hip to modern technology. Big companies like Exxon and American Airlines have discovered Twitter accounts with variations of their names, and Elevation Burger was the victim of Twitter fraud when it discovered an unauthorized profile tweeting about the accolades of its rival burger joint. It took a letter from Elevation Burger's lawyer to get Twitter to suspend the fake profile.

Companies are concerned about protecting their brands - images that now include Twitter profiles. Do you follow any businesses on Twitter, or used it to submit a complaint?

Ask Savvy: Help! My Friend Is Involved in a Pyramid Scheme

SavvySugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:30:56 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I have a friend who just "invested" into this MTM (like Amway) business. He's been posting about it all over Facebook and trying to convince his friends and family to join. He claims that it's legit and "it's early on, so you're guaranteed to make money." I am pretty disgusted by it, and I am afraid he's going to lose a bunch of money, not to mention the respect of his friends! What do I say when he asks me to join? How do I explain to him that it's not a good idea? Should I even say anything at all?

Savvy says: The so-called business opportunity your friend has signed up for is a multilevel marketing set up, otherwise known as a pyramid scheme. You're right to be concerned about where his involvement may lead him. To see the rest of my answer, just read more.

These schemes loop people in by presenting a too-good-to-be-true scenario in which you're "guaranteed to make money." Of course, nothing is that simple. In the pursuit of money, people like your friend are roped into thinking they'll strike gold by putting in very little time and effort. They're told the more friends and family members they can recruit into the business, the more money they'll make because they are to receive a percentage of whatever sales are made by their personal pyramid.

Dateline investigated a company called Quixtar, which they compare to Amway and mention the latter came under government scrutiny for making false promises to its distributors. The exposé breaks the scam down like this: High-level distributors claim they've struck it rich by selling the company's products, but their income is really coming from the books, tapes, and seminars they sell as requirements to succeeding in the business. The rest of the distributors, like your friend, don't have access to selling those materials but shell out a lot of money to buy them.

When your friend approaches you, politely decline and say you don't feel comfortable with the idea. Do some research on the company - you may discover with a simple Internet search that formal complaints have been made against the business. Gently notify your friend of the allegations made against the company or companies like it, express your concern for the losses he could experience, and hope that he listens.

Source

Identity Scammers Targeting Online Job Seekers

SavvySugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:00:09 -0700

An internal red flag should go up whenever you're asked to provide your social security number. Always ask yourself why the person would need your SSN for their purposes. Sure, it makes sense for a credit card carrier to ask for the number to verify your identity. But something is seriously off when a so-called recruiter who saw your resume online asks for those nine digits.

According to consumer finance guru Steve Weisman, scammers are taking advantage of the flood of online job seekers. The scammers contact hopeful individuals who have posted their resumes online with the premise that they are recruiters for legitimate employers. They say they want to set up an interview but need to do a background first check, which - you guessed it - means supplying your social security number.

Weisman reminds us to withhold personal details until you've met a recruiter or employer in person, and encourages us to verify the legitimacy of an employer through the Better Business Bureau. Is your resume posted on an online job site?

Source

News Flash: Questionable Charges on US Credit Cards

SavvySugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:30:40 -0800

Have you ever heard of a NY based company called Adele Services? No? That's because it doesn't exist, but credit card holders across the country became familiar with the phantom company when it recently appeared on their statements. Consumers from around the country picked up on the $0.25 cent charge with concern that their credit identity had been compromised.

The Better Business Bureau hypothesizes that the scam is meant to build a large sum from many small charges. While $0.25 might not cause you to worry, you may wish to report a false charge out of principal. Scan your statement for the suspicious company and file a dispute with your credit card company.

Source

Hold On to Your Money: Don't Fall For This Scam!

SavvySugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:00:12 -0700

If you've gotten a threatening call from any of these alleged parties lately, it's likely you're a scam target: U.S. National Bank, Federal Investigation Bureau and United Legal Processing, Denzel Washington, and Steve Martin, have all been used by a group of scammers pretending to be debt collectors. They use classic intimidation tactics like impending arrest if victims don't pay their (non-existent) debts and calling people at any available number.

It probably doesn't help the scammers' cause that when using names like Denzel and Steve, they speak in what prosecutors call heavy foreign accents. However, officials with the West Virginia Attorney General's Office say the harassment has been financially lucrative to the disguised debt collectors who have managed to get thousands from victims. Officials have a difficult investigation on their hands, as so far they've been unsuccessful in tracking down any of the scammers.

Source

IRS Says Scammers Are Reaching For Rebate Checks

SavvySugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:09:22 -0700

While you already know when you're going to get your rebate check, some scammers are doing their best to get in their way of you and your check finally coming together. The IRS just issued the top 12 tax scams - usual suspects like phishing and hiding income offshore made the list, but this year scammers have been trying to squeeze money from the economic stimulus rebate checks.

The bad guys gather other people's financial information by convincing them it's the only way to receive their rebates. Imposters are pretending to be from the IRS and calling, sending emails, or going door to door in attempt to gather personal details. Remember that you don't need to fill out anything besides your 2007 tax return to receive your check - the IRS has made this much clear in its YouTube public announcement.

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