More Holiday Scams

The March Group Scam Prevention Program continues to warn consumers of all forms of scam as the holiday season approaches, when people tend to be more vulnerable to be deceived by too-good-to-be-true offers and promotions; yet they still buy into them with enthusiasm and goodwill.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has identified several scams to be aware of, less you lose yourself in the excitement of the holiday rush, and offered some added advice:

iPad Scams

iPads are one of the hottest ticket items this holiday season. Even stores like TJMaxx and Marshalls sold a limited supply. Unfortunately this gives scammers the perfect opportunity to take advantage of consumers. Many consumers are told they will receive a free iPad after purchasing additional products and in reality they never receive any of the items. Other consumers take a quiz to receive a free iPad and then unknowingly provide personal information that signs them up for services they never purchased.

BBB Advice: Beware of deals that sound too good to be true. Consumers should be extremely cautious of low prices on hard-to-get items.

Holiday Job Offers

Many people are trying to make extra cash for the holiday season which puts them at risk for fake work at home schemes and fake job postings. Many of these jobs ask for your social security number which puts you at risk for identity theft.

BBB Advice: Before applying for a job, do your research on the company by visiting www.bbb.org. Never give your social security number to anyone you don’t know and beware of jobs that sound too good to be true.

Holiday Rentals

The holiday season is peak travel season as consumers visit family and friends. Scammers post fake rentals asking for consumers to wire money for deposits on listed properties. As you may have already guessed, the property doesn’t exist and not only is the consumer out the money of the deposit, but they have nowhere to stay.

BBB Advice: Never wire money to anyone you don’t know. Also, do your research on the property to make sure it exists. Ask for pictures and phone numbers of recent renters. If the price is extremely low, take this as a red flag and look for somewhere else to stay.

Read more at http://www.bbb.org/us/post/top-12-scams-of-the-holiday-season-8505

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

The Latest Tax Scam, Found in your Inbox

A recent article in foxbusiness.com featured the latest scam about tax filing. Bonnie Lee, owner of Taxpertise in Sonoma, CA and the author of the book, “Taxpertise, The Complete Book of Dirty Little Secrets and Hidden Deductions for Small Business that the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know,” wrote that she has received emails from various sources that claim the federal tax deposit she made online at EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) has been rejected by the IRS.

Some of the emails claim that she entered the “company code” incorrectly, while others maintain (along with numerous misspellings and grammatical errors) that the IRS could not process the payment because it was made on a holiday.

The emails usually had a link to what looks like the IRS’s website, but the author was suspicious of the link and ignored it, aware that it could redirect to a site that would ask for her financial information, and run the risk of being a victim of identity theft or the transfer of funds to an untraceable overseas account.

The author shared reminders about these tax scam emails:

• The IRS NEVER contacts a taxpayer via e-mail

• If you receive one of these e-mail scams, forward the e-mail in question to phishing@irs.gov. The IRS will send an email response thanking you for forwarding the information to them, but otherwise you won’t hear the outcome.

• You may also call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at: 1-800-366-4484.

• The IRS will not contact you via e-mail about payments or audits or problems associated with your tax return. It uses snail mail for that.

Read more at http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/12/09/dont-fall-latest-tax-scam/

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

Raising the Alert on Holiday Scams

Raising the Alert on Holiday Scams

The holidays are approaching, and everyone is already in a festive mood. Retail spaces are decked with fancy trimmings and arresting window displays, the better to lure in shoppers. Consumers, too, are excited at the prospect of giving and receiving gifts, especially when retailers are bringing out the best and the latest offerings – from toys, clothes, and accessories, to gadgets and home decor. Even better, many of the stores offer not only great discounts, but also the convenience of shopping for the goods online.

But, alas, where there is merrymaking, there’s bound to be trouble-making, too, especially where scammers are concerned.

Below, the Better Business Bureau shares some of the holiday scams to watch out for this season:

Scam shopping sites online

Shoppers are consistently looking out for good bargains online, particularly for the latest items in fashion and tech items, that they seek out the lowest price they can get, which can sometimes be too good to be true. As a result, many have complained about not getting the items they have ordered and paid for online.

BBB advises that when shopping online, check for the BBB seal and click it to verify it is legitimate. If you come across an unfamiliar site, check out the business with BBB before making any transaction.

Finding the season’s hottest toys and gadgets online

As mentioned, the holidays become the perfect time to unveil the latest in most everything,with consumers eagerly snapping up the hottest items. This often causes many products to be “sold-out,” feeding opportunists’ interests in re-selling them in sites like Craigslist or eBay at steeper prices, where eager shoppers willingly pay for them. Unfortunately, some become victims to those sellers who take the money and run.

BBB advises that when shopping through Craigslist, never wire money as payment, but meet up with the seller instead. That way, you can inspect the item up close and know for sure what you are paying for. As for shopping on eBay, research the seller extensively and always listen to your doubts if the deal doesn’t sound legit.

Identity theft at the mall

While you are preoccupied with all the sights and sounds at the mall, not to mention all those shopping bags you are carrying around, thieves might be eying for an opportunity to steal your wallet, and debit and credit card information.

BBB advises to always pay close attention to your wallet and debit and credit cards. When using the cards, be careful to cover the keypad when you key in your PIN number, whether on the counter or at the ATM machine.

Bogus charitable pleas

The holiday season is a great time to be extra generous, that reaching out to charities or less fortunate individuals might be a natural impulse; but scammers have spoiled this by soliciting for donations purely for their selfish gains. Also be wary of charities that don’t necessarily deliver on their promises or are ill-equipped to carry through on their plans.

The BBB advises to research about the charity with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before giving a donation.

Phishing e-mails
Phishing e-mails are a common way for hackers to get at your personal information or break into your computer. Around the holidays, common phishing e-mails include e-cards and messages pretending to be from reputable and well-known big companies.

The BBB advises not to immediately click on links and e-mail attachments until you have confirmed that it does not contain malicious content. Common red flags include e-mail addresses that don’t match up, typos and grammatical mistakes. Also beware of unsolicited e-mails from companies with which you have no association. Make sure you have current anti-virus software and that all security patches have been installed on the computer.

We hope that by sharing these notorious holiday scams with you, you can enjoy a safer and better holiday season ahead. Cheers!

For more advice on being a savvy consumer this holiday season, visit http://dallas.bbb.org/consumer-tips-holiday/

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

The Young and the Holiday Scammers

The holidays are approaching, and children eager for gifts can hardly wait. But children are not the only ones cheered up by the advent of the holidays – scammers are, too! Scam artists are aware that the period leading up to the holidays is a busy time for children looking for the perfect gift to ask for from their parents or other loved ones. Children can be tenacious with what they want for a gift, that they read up on everything there is to know about that product, and the Internet’s easy use and access has made it easier for them to decide on what they want. And cyber scammers are more than jumping on this opportunity to exploit it for their malicious gain.

According to a report on CBS’ moneywatch.com, the scam lures tweens and teens to websites that offer free products such as the latest gadget or high-tech toy in exchange for filling out surveys, watching videos, or playing games, says Jeremy Gin, the co-founder of SiteJabber.com, a consumer protection service that helps people avoid fraudulent sites.

These websites exist year-round, but during the holidays they become particularly very attractive to young ones. For one, as they look up product information online for that gift they want, these illegitimate sites pop up along with the legitimate ones. And second, impressionable young people who think their family may not have the means to buy their gift of choice, or might have been told “No,” will find the free offer for the item the only way to get what they want.

In either case, young victims might unwittingly fill out a form asking for their personal information such as their name, email address and other personal information. The data collected is then sold to marketers and in a worst case scenario, it could be used for identity theft. “Cookies” and malware are other considerations that parents need to worry when kids go onto these sites.

And just like any scam, the prizes promised are hardly guaranteed. The sites require a lot of surveys to be answered, or countless videos to watch that many just it give up. For those who patiently finish the whole process, Gin says the scam artists make it so difficult to redeem the prizes that nearly no one ever wins.

How can youngsters be protected from becoming victims of this scam? They should be warned about giving out their personal information online, and explain the possible consequences when they do. If they really want something you can’t give them just yet, ask them to save up for it from their allowance or money presents, or even work for it if they’re old enough.

Young people should enjoy picking their gifts for Christmas, without the nasty scammers spoiling the holiday fun.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/family-finance/a-holiday-scam-targeting-kids/3443/

The Acai Berry Scam: Compromising Health for Wealth

For quite some time now, we have heard about the wonder food called acai berry, a dark blue berry from South America. Because it is high in antioxidants and fiber, it easily gained popularity with the public that has become increasingly health-conscious over the years. The acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) berry has been marketed as a weight loss star ingredient in products that range from drinks, pills, or powder.

Photo from acaiberryfruits.net

But as with anything good, it was just a matter of time before scammers got their hands in on the action. In a report by MSNBC.com last September, Central Coast Nutraceuticals (CCN) offered customers a free trial of their product AcaiPure. Customers would only have to pay $4.95 for shipping and handling, but when the package arrived it came with a $68 bill already charged to the customer’s debit card.

Landria Brattain, who lives near Indianapolis, was a victim of this scam. She was even more shocked when she received two more bills, which caused her to get an overdraft fee and consequently to close her account to stop the charges. After complaining to the Better Business Bureau, she eventually got her money back.

In August, a federal judge approved the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request to prevent CCN from making deceptive claims, freeze the company’s assets and turn the firm over to a court-appointed receiver.

The FTC also charges CNN with three major allegations:
– that the trials were free and risk-free: As mentioned above, this is not the case, since customer had to cover the cost of having the product shipped to them. It was also found out that by ordering the free trial, the customer also “agreed” to be enrolled in the “Lifestyle Program” which would automatically ship them another 30-day supply of the products monthly.
– false claims of aiding weight loss: CCN does not have proof to back up these claims, much less any scientific studies that support them
– false endorsements: CCN products are supposedly being endorsed by Oprah and Rachel Ray, which is bogus. Rachel Ray has a given FTC a sworn statement saying that she does not endorse it, or any acai-related product. A spokesperson for Harpo (Oprah’s production company) also clarified that Oprah does not endorse the product either.

When signing up for anything “free,” especially online, be sure to read the fine print and find out what the catch is. Also, be careful about filling out the information asking for your credit or debit card account number, unless it’s a company you have transacted with before or that you trust. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38958053/ns/business-consumer_news/#



A Warning to Shoppers: New Scams

The holidays are just around the corner, and consumers are starting to buzz around in malls and just about everywhere checking out great finds and good deals. The March Group Scam Protection Blog knows that this is also the time of year when the biggest spoilsports come out – the scammers! Yes, scammers operate year-round, but they become especially busy during the holiday season, when shoppers have a little more to spend, and do spend more.

As consumers have become more aware and cautious over time about different scams, scammers too have become increasingly sophisticated in their methods of  ripping people off. Here are a few of the new shopping scams to be wary of, according to consumer.org:

Smishing

The term is a combination of SMS (short message service) and phishing. In a twist to phishing, instead of an email, the victim gets a text message to call a toll free number. It is answered by “a bogus interactive voice-response system that tries to fool you into providing your account number and password.”

According to Rod Rasmussen, president and CTO of IID, an Internet security firm, thieves can use random-dialing telemarketing services to access your number.

To avoid being a victim, it is best to confirm with your bank or other service provider the text message you have received and the number mentioned in it.

Teeny, tiny charges

In June, spokesman Frank Dorman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed this scam where thieves make small charges, anywhere between 20 cents to $10, to the victim’s credit or debit card. The charges appear under a legitimate-sounding corporate name in the account statement along with a toll free number that when called to, is either disconnected or answered by voicemail but no return calls. The small charges are often overlooked because of their seemingly insignificant amount, but according to the FTC, this scam is estimated to have rung up about $10 million.

To prevent being a victim of, and inadvertently contributing to this scam, thoroughly scrutinize your account statement every time, and report immediately to your bank any questionable charge or detail in it. Be aware of the time frame financial companies give for reporting cases like this – credit card charge concerns allow for a longer reporting time than for a debit card’s.

Skimmers

Skimming is a type of scam where thieves attach devices to an ATM or any machine that accepts debit card transactions. The device is usually placed at the card slot so when you slide it into the ATM machine, it records the data off of the magnetic strip at the back of the card. This is usually accompanied by another device, say a hidden camera or a transparent plastic PIN pad overlay that records the victim’s PIN upon typing it.

According to Brian Krebs, a computer security expert and author of “Krebs on Security” at Krebsonsecurity.com, whereas before thieves would have to go back to the location where the machine is to retrieve the “stolen” data, these days “wireless technology enables the devices to be rigged to send account information via text message to the thief’s cell phone.” He adds, “”As long as he’s got a working phone signal, he can get the information sent to him right away and start using it.” This makes the scam that much quicker to be acted on.

Since this sounds like a high tech scam, one should observe extreme caution in using ATM machines. Avoid non-bank ATMs found in obscure locations where scammers can easily tamper with the machines. Check the card slot and be aware of any suspicious-looking device or a plastic strip/film sticking out of the card reader.

Shopping, be it during the holidays or not, should be a stress-free and enjoyable activity. Armed with the knowledge of these latest scams that you might be a victim of, The March Group Scam Protection blog might just have made your shopping safer, and a lot more fun.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/448/the-sneakiest-new-shopping-scams/



A Prescription for Online Pharmacy Scam

Online pharmacies have become an efficient and convenient means of providing for the medical needs of people, especially for the elderly and those in remote places where going to a store to buy medication would be necessary. Unfortunately, where a good thing is, scammers could not be far behind.

Photo from safefromscams.co.uk

Bogus pharmacy websites are all over the Internet, and there is the probable risk of making a transaction in any one of these. Such sites can pose a threat in both the safety of your health, with questionable manufacturing processes and ingredients in the products sold; and your personal identity, with many of these bogus websites in operation only to collect personal information including the victim’s financial data for identity theft and fraudulent sales transactions.

According to Scambusters.org, a free online resource dedicated to exposing different scams affecting individuals and businesses, there are several ways with which to avoid becoming a victim of an online pharmacy scam:

• Don’t deal with sites that offer controlled meds without prescription.
• Be wary of those that offer a prescription based only on completion of an online questionnaire; the American Medical Association suggests these are unlikely to meet appropriate standards of medical care.
• Don’t use sites without a verifiable address or phone number.
• Check the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) site listings for any online pharmacy you’re thinking of using.
• Discuss your online prescription plans with your physician.
• If you’ve previously bought online, ignore intimidating calls purportedly from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) threatening to fine you; government departments don’t operate this way and don’t fine you over the phone.
• Consider using a one-time, disposable credit card number for your purchases (many card operators offer these — check with your provider).
• If in doubt, contact the FDA or NABP.

Online pharmacies are supposed to be a boon to consumers, but scammers’ dirty tricks threaten to smear the credibility of an otherwise great innovation to the industry. Consumers owe it to themselves to be informed and alert of when a good thing might do more harm than good.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

http://www.scambusters.org/onlinepharmacies.html

The New York City Cab Fare Scam

The March Group Scam Protection Program  recently came across an interesting article in The New York Times involving a scam perpetrated by an industry closely identified with New York city.

On September 22, it was reported that 59 New York City cab drivers were arrested and charged in Manhattan for manipulating their meters to double the fare rate, ripping off passengers in the process.

According to Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, the drivers who were arrested stole more than $235,000 in overcharged fares on more than 77,000 rides.

“Although the overcharged amount for each trip may only have been a few dollars, this kind of aggressive scam sends ripples of mistrust throughout our city,” Mr. Vance said. “No other American city depends so much on its taxi fleet.”

The Taxi and Limousine Commission’s head, David Yassky, said that they had found evidence that about 2,000 taxi drivers charged the wrong rate. He said that most of them went through administrative proceedings that resulted in either being fined or having their licenses revoked.

The widespread scam was uncovered when investigators, prompted by a passenger’s complaint last year, found out that a cab driver, Wasim Khalid Cheema, from Brooklyn had overcharged 574 passengers in just one month last year. Mr. Cheema’s driver’s license has since been revoked.

Those drivers who were found to have overcharged passengers at least 300 times were criminally prosecuted, Mr. Vance said.

Of those arrested, forty-five were charged with a felony of first-degree scheme to defraud, punishable by up to four years in prison. The remainder of those arrested were charged with a misdemeanor of petty larceny.

The drivers were accused of charging passengers with Rate Code 4, the rate reserved for rides to the suburbs such as Nassau and Westchester Counties, for rides within the city.

According to prosecutors, among the drivers Santiago Rossi was found to have improperly charged riders most often, having done it 5,127 times, and earning him $11,066.45 in overcharges; while Mfamara Camara made the most in overcharge fees: $15,502.30.

The widespread scam has threatened to tarnish an iconic industry that has become a part of New York’s image and an essential part of the city’s lifestyle.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/dozens-of-cabbies-arrested-in-fare-scheme/?scp=6&sq=scam&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/nyregion/13taxi.html?_r=1

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

Loan Modification Scams: Bane of the Mortgage Crisis

The March Group Scam Prevention Program feels for the homeowners driven away from their own homes because of rising mortgage costs, and their inability to make the payments. We hear of countless stories of displaced families living in motels, in trailers, or worse in their cars as the effect of this, but nothing can be more frustrating, and infuriating, than hearing about those who lost their homes as victims of a scam that was supposed to keep the roof above their heads.

Scam artists have always thrived on periods of crisis when people are at their most vulnerable, ready to grab anything that might present itself as an opportunity to redeem them of their current situation. The mortgage crisis is not an exception. Scammers have found ways to exploit it by offering victims loan modifications.

Today, we review some of the most common loan modification scams out there:

• Phony Counseling or Foreclosure Rescue Scams
  The scam artist poses as a counselor and tells you he can negotiate a deal with your lender to save your house—if you pay him a fee first. He may even tell you not to contact your lender, lawyer or housing counselor—that he’ll handle all details. He may even insist that you make all mortgage payments directly to him while he negotiates with the lender. Once you pay the fee, or a few mortgage payments, the scammer disappears with your money.

• Fake “Government” Modification Programs
  Some scammers may claim to be affiliated with, or approved by, the government, or they may ask you to pay high, up-front fees to qualify for government mortgage modification programs. The scammer’s company name and Web site may sound like a real government agency. You may also see terms like “federal,” “TARP” or other words related to official U.S. government programs.

Your lender will be able to tell you if you qualify for any government programs to prevent foreclosure. And you do not have to pay to benefit from these programs.

• Bait-and-Switch
  The scam artist convinces you to sign documents for a “new loan modification” that will make your existing mortgage current. This is a trick. You actually just signed documents that surrender the title of your house to the scam artist in exchange for a “rescue” loan.

• Rent-to-Own or Leaseback Scheme
  A scammer urges you to surrender the title of your home as part of a deal that will let you stay in your home as a renter and then buy it back in a few years. He may tell you that surrendering the title will permit a borrower with a better credit rating to get new financing—and keep you from losing your home. However, the scammer may have no intention of ever selling the home back to you.

But the terms of these deals usually make buying back your home impossible. Worse yet, when the new borrower defaults on the loan, you’re evicted.

The present crisis is already tough as it is. Challenging times call for vigilance and greater awareness about the goings on around us. Preventing yourself from becoming a scam victim is an objective you cannot take lightly.

http://www.loanscamalert.org/common-scams.aspx

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

Pigeon Drop Scam – Fallen from Heaven, Landing in Scam Hell

Interestingly named, the Pigeon Drop Scam is a form of rip off where the victim is supposed to earn money when he pays money. The scammer lures the victim to part with his money with the promise of getting a bigger amount in return. The March Group Scam Prevention Program takes a look.

Back in March, a pigeon drop scam in action was caught on tape. It took place in a Kroger parking lot in Vicksburg, Mississippi where a surveillance cameras were rolling. According to the news report, the video showed the victim, who was identified only as Lonnie, being asked by a woman if she dropped a white envelope. Lonnie said no. Then, a man walked by, got hold of the envelope and opened it which revealed cash inside.

The man suggested that they split the money into 3. Lonnie said that they could not do it at the parking lot, so the woman, who said her name is Suzanne, offered that they do it at Walgreen’s, which was across the street and where she worked.

Once there, Suzanne went inside to count the money, and when she came out, announced that it’s worth $80,000. Then, Suzanne and the man required Lonnie to show $15,000 so she could take her $25,000 share.

Lonnie was jobless at the time and thought she could use the money, so she withdrew that amount from the bank, and met up with the other two right after. She gave the $15,000 to Suzanne, who asked her to go in the store and wait at aisle 6 where she will be given the $25,000. Lonnie complied, and stood waiting at the store. It was only after several minutes did she realize that she got scammed.

It is unfortunate to hear stories like this, but it also elicits a “How could she have fallen for that scam?” kind of reaction. It seems that for people who have fallen on hard times, all that glitters looks blindingly gold.

http://www.hotscams.com/articles/what-on-earth-is-pigeon-drop-scam.html

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/apr2008/sb20080414_093118.htm