Summertime Scam list

Summer Scams are the topic of discussion these days. The following information is provided by the San Diego Better Business Bureau and is very good reading! Just when you think you've heard them all, another scam strikes. It pays to keep on top of them and for that reason, I've devoted this newsletter to current scams.

San Diego PC
News July, 2007
Top Ten Scams of Summer
Starting with Number 10:

* TRAVEL: You get a brochure or coupon saying that you could stay at a beach resort (or similar) at an unbelievable price, such as a 7-day stay for $199.

* HOME IMPROVEMENT: They knock on your door, saying things like "We're in the neighborhood and noticed your trees need trimming." Or worse yet, you may be informed that they have 'extra' materials left over from a roofing job and for a Killer Deal, they will fix your obviously degraded roof.

* CANDY: Children come to your home, saying that they need to sell candy so that they can win a trip to Disneyland. This is a very old cash-raising scheme where someone hires the kids in a neighborhood and makes these promises to them. Hoodlums can make a lot of money making empty promises to children.

* SLAM & CRAM: Telephone theives don't even have the courage to come to your door! Your Long Distance Provider can be changed without you knowing (Phone Slamming) when they call you and ask a simple question. They then claim that you authorized the changes during that phone call.

They can also add services to your account (Cramming) which is just as illegal. To find out who your Long Distance Provider is, call this phone number: 1-700-555-4141

* INTERNET FRAUD: Ahh, the Chain Letter. These days, it does not come in the Postal Mail...that's too expensive! It will come via Email instead. You will get offers for everything from new Stocks to buy, to making some body part bigger, to Vitamins and Supplements. Incredible deals! All you need to do is send them money and these products come right to your door or your computer desktop. It's easy!


* INVESTMENTS: They offer you Guaranteed Returns! All you need to do is BUY TODAY!

* FOREIGN LOTTO: "All you need to do" is send them the Sales Tax on your winnings! You have already won! WOW! What a crock that is! If you fall for this one, you certainly are not reading the newspapers or watching TV. By the way, did you know that even if you did win a foreign lottery or some such sweepstakes, you still could never collect? It's against the law to participate in these things!

* Charity: Somebody else's distress causes scam artists to knock on your door. Hurricane victims, wildfire, floods, you name it. Scammers come to your door asking for donations. There is a very big RED FLAG here though; when they ask for cash. Yes, they are brazen enough to ask you to give them cash, no checks are allowed.

* WORK AT HOME: You've seen the ads, no doubt. You can work from your own home in your pajamas if you want. And you can make thousands of dollars a week PART TIME! Envelope Stuffing, hanging signs on trees, assembling kits. You name it, the scam artists will pay you to do it. Yea, right...

* IDENTITY THEFT: This is the top of the BBB list of current fraud complaints. Buy a shredder. Use it! Don't throw ANYTHING away that has sensitive information displayed. The more vigilent you are the better. Remember that it's YOUR identity that you are protecting! You cannot be careful enough.

They also are advising us to get regular credit reports on ourselves. If you learn how to read one there is a lot of data there. Protect yourself!