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We recently outlined some of the most active scams targeting consumers. As promised, here are more to watch out for: Sign-In Rosters There are some companies, colleges, and governmental agencies that ask you to provide your name, address, SSN, etc. on a sign-in roster. Be aware that identity thieves may sign up toward the end of a page (purposely) so that they can copy and collect personal identifying information. If you encounter a sign-in roster like this, the best way to handle the situation is to write Just your last name and "will provide in person” for all other info requests. You might also question a company/school representative about this practice and work to get it discontinued. Please do not make up an SSN if asked. It might belong to another innocent person. Nigeria Needs Money! Everyone has received an email from a “representative” of a foreign government or law firm asking you to help move money from one account to another. This scam still nets $100 million annually proving people are still falling for it. Nigerian money offers now account for about 12% of the scam offers people receive, according to a recent National Consumers League poll. However complaints about these offers increased 900 percent from 2000 to 2001. The “deceased relative” you never knew you had have been recently joined by the “dying woman”, “killed solider”, and “pro-American college student”. “Fun” Questionnaires from Your “Friend” You get a survey, test, questionnaire, or game from someone you know or have known. Most likely your friend’s e-mail address book has been obtained and you were in it. The scammer’s survey might ask questions seemingly in the process of having “fun” that help them to determine things like your birthdate or your passwords (“what are your favorite things?” “what’s your pet’s name?”). Some openly ask for your maiden name, SSN, or place of employment. Do not answer these, even with false information. You only let the other party know that they have reached a "live" person and contact can intensify. These people are slick and can easily convince you to divulge information you don't intent do. That is why they are called con artists. Store Security Needs YOU Individuals identifying themselves as in-store security may request a customer's help in catching a bad employee. They ask for personal information or ask you to pre-fill out a credit application and then give it to the “employee” in question, who is actually in on the scam. Missed Jury Duty The scammer calls claiming to work for the local court and claims you've failed to report for jury duty. He tells you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Obviously, you never received a jury duty notification. The scammer then asks the victim for confidential information for "verification" purposes. Court workers will never call and ask for your private information. In fact, most courts follow up by postal mail and never call. Disaster Relief Scams Disasters bring out the best and worst in people. After every disaster (hurricane, earthquake, refugee strife, act of terrorism) there are people who either call you for donations or set up fake websites. To avoid falling victim to these scams contact a media source for information on correct phone numbers to call or addresses where disaster money is being collected. “Hospital Staff” Making the Rounds There are scam artists posing as hospital employees (and we can assume this goes on in nursing homes) asking patients to either verify information or to help fill in some gaps in their records. They may carry clipboards and may even wear easily obtained hospital or lab coats. A medicated patient or elderly person is often specifically targeted. If targeted, say any conversation must take place at the nearest nursing station. A scam artist will not stick around.
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