If it sounds too good to be true it probably is! 90% of victims of consumer fraud never report it

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1 DISCUSS... CONSUMER FRAUD/ IDENTITY THEFT Personal Experiences? FTC Scam Watch CONSUMER FRAUD Lies or tricks designed to get you to part with your money for product or services that have little or no value BUYER BEWARE! If it sounds too good to be true it probably is! 90% of victims of consumer fraud never report it BASIC PATTERNS You re led to believe you re getting something for nothing or a deal that sounds too good to be true. Someone sells with such vigor you re ready to pay. Stop and think about it. BASIC PATTERNS You re offered something that cannot be found anywhere else. A fraud is announced in the media People tend to trust newspapers and television ads. Not all ads are truthful. 1

2 BAIT AND SWITCH Bait- super deal to lure someone into a buying frame of mind Switch- Salesperson diverts from the bait to another item that offers him/her a higher profit DANGER OF THE INTERNET Most common venue for consumer fraud. Nothing has to be edited on the internet Any type of fraud can happen on the internet Phishing MAIL ORDER SCAMS Vanity Rackets Prey on human desire to be recognized Offer to publish books, songs, poems and sent to producers MAIL ORDER SCAMS Work at Home Send money to employer or producer to receive instructions on task Buy a product and assemble; company buys it back ON THE STREET Phony Goods Broken Not a name brand RECOGNIZE & REPORT PHONE FRAUD Every sales call you get by phone is an opportunity for a gut check Who s calling and why? What s their hurry? Fast talkers? If it s free, why are they asking me to pay? Why am I confirming i my account information or giving it out at all? What time is it? Between 8am & 9pm? Do I want more calls like this one? National Do Not Call Registry Speak these words: Please remove me from your list Telemarketing 2

3 IN THE HOME Scholarship scams 300,000 students have been affected Money initially sent in for processing fees Legitimate scholarship donors do not ask for upfront money HOME IMPROVEMENTS Do not sign contracts unless you have detailed plans and specifications by a licensed contractor. Do not sign any contracts until you have comparable bids from other licensed contractors based on the SAME plans and specifications. HOME IMPROVEMENTS Approve contract with lawyer, friends, or family members. Approve financing with bank before signing. Do not pay cash deposit. Performance must come before payment. INVESTMENTS Never agree to invest money from a solicitor (online/phone) SPEAK THESE WORDS: Please remove me from your list Cooling Off Period Allows you to cancel any contract and get full refund any time in the first 3 days. INVESTMENTS Pyramid Scams- money is given and money can be solicited from others below in the pyramid. If you enlist with 10 people and they each enlist with 10 and so on by the 10 th level, 10 billion people must be involved. More people than on Earth LEISURE Abuse with Time Shares High pressure Good incentives offered initially Property not maintained Overbooked 3

4 LEISURE Vacation Deals Registration fee must be paid upfront Sometimes paid with credit card Use reputable travel agents Work directly with travel institutions IDENTITY THEFT Thieves will steal your: Name Address Social Security Number Driver s License Number Bank Account Numbers Credit Card Numbers Deter. Detect. Defend. Avoid ID Theft IDENTITY THEFT What can they do with it? Open bank or credit card accounts Obtain car or home loans Establish a phone service Change mailing addresses for existing accounts and use them without your knowledge Empty your bank account HOW IT OCCURS Dumpster Diving Stealing Wallets/Purses Stealing Mail Pretending to be a representative of a company or a government official Employee Theft TIPS TO PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT TIPS, CONT. Shred documents Call OPTOUT and ask to stop credit card companies from sending pre-approved applications to your address. (2 years or permanently) Ask your credit card company to stop sending convenience checks. Review your credit report 3 times/year or if suspicion occurs. Pick up mail ASAP Mail important t documents at PO 4

5 TIPS, CONT. Copy everything in your wallet Do not provide personal info unless you made the contact Keep SS # safe Delete s with personal information Ask that your name be taken off telemarketers lists Stop junk mail TIPS, CONT. Limit the number of credit cards you hold. Review your statements. Save account records for one year to prove your balance in the event of ID theft. VICTIM? If suspected call: Illinois State Police 1 (217) Safety Education Unit 1 (217) Better Business Bureau Federal Trade Commission nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace. collects complaints does not resolve individual consumer complaints IDENTIFY THEFT Severe emotional consequences Issues trusting others Emotional effects similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder File a Complaint HEALTH SCAMS Quackery Practice of offering uneducated advice with unrealistic guaranteed outcomes Health Diet Pills Dietary Supplements Finances Older women more likely to be targets Older Americans have many concerns financially. Signing a power of attorney or any document that allows another person to act on behalf of senior citizens must be taken seriously. 5

6 Education Senior citizens need to be educated on how use digital purchasing devices Scammers will appear to help them Those seniors who do not feel comfortable need a trusted friend or family member Medical Expenses (Medicare & Medicaid) Overcharging Billing unnecessary items Overcharging gfor items Billing payments that have already been paid by insurance companies $1 out of every $10 spent on Medicare and Medicaid is lost due to fraudulent claims (U.S. General Accounting Office). What can be done? Ask for itemized bill. Call provider if you have questions about a bill. Never give your Medicare number to anyone other than service providers you know. For help call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Help Line: