Local Scams in Play Throughout Southwest Florida
Pest Control “Accident” Jewelry Swipe
The scammer approaches a victim outside their home soliciting sales of pest products or cleaning products. The scammer “accidentally” sprays product on the victim and insists on helping them wash off the “dangerous” product. When the victim removes their jewelry, the perpetrator grabs the jewelry and runs.
Helping a “Bank Examiner” Catch a Thief
The con artist specifically targets senior citizens. The senior receives a telephone call by a person posing as a law enforcement officer or bank security official. The victim is told that a person at their bank is stealing from accounts. The con artist asks the victim to help catch the thief by withdrawing cash from their account, but not to talk to anyone about the withdrawal. The victim is told that he or she will be met at either a pre-determined location or their home by an officer who will take the money for evidence.
Send Money to Claim Winning Lottery Ticket
A person offers to sell you a winning lottery ticket; or a "law firm" says someone has bequeathed you a winning lottery ticket, but you must send money so a computer can verify your identity. The ticket is either counterfeit or does not exist. Do not buy lottery tickets from individuals. Do not send money to anyone to buy a lottery ticket.
Help a Distressed Neighbor or Traveler
Going door-to-door, this con artist convinces victims that the con artist or one of the victim's neighbors has an emergency and needs money. They say the funds are needed for an emergency room fee, gasoline, towing, etc. It's a lie.
Pay to Claim a Sweepstakes Win
A phone call, letter or email informs you that you've just won $25,000, or a boat, or a car, or something else "valuable." If you're asked to pay shipping, taxes, or a fee of some kind before you get your prize, it's a scam.
Bail Out a Relative
The victim is contacted by phone by a person claiming to be a law enforcement officer, or a friend of a relative of the victim. The victim is told that the relative has been arrested and needs money to get out of jail. The caller asks the victim for bail money. If the victim agrees, the caller arranges to pick up the money or explains how to forward wired funds.
Pay to Become a Mystery Shopper
Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores. These companies use mystery shoppers to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service.
Fraudulent mystery shopping promoters use newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they're a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can "register" to become mystery shoppers - after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.
Be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who:
• Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper's help-wanted section or by email.
• Sell shopper "certification."
• Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.
• Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.
• Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.
Sarasota County Sheriff Scam Alerts
http://www.sarasotasheriff.org/Scams.asp
Scams in Play Throughout the United States
The FBI warns that these frauds and scams are in play across Florida and the rest of the nation: telemarketing fraud, Nigerian letter or 419 fraud, impersonation /identity fraud, advance fee scheme and health insurance fraud.
The FBI reports that investment-related cons include letter of credit and prime bank note scams, and Ponzi and pyramid schemes.
The bureau says common Internet-based scams include frauds involving Internet auctions, non-delivery of merchandise, credit cards fraud, and investment and business frauds.
According to the FBI, frauds that target senior citizens involve health insurance, counterfeit prescription drugs, funeral and cemetery sales, and anti-aging products.
For explanations of how con artists work these scams, go to “Common Fraud Schemes” on the FBI website.
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
FBI Alert
Bogus Jury Duty Callers Want Personal Identity
The FBI warns the public that individuals identifying themselves as U.S. court employees have been telephoning citizens and advising them that they have been selected for jury duty. The individuals ask to verify names and Social Security numbers, and then ask for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.
The judicial system does not contact people by telephone and ask for personal information. If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals. It is an attempt to defraud you.
Protect Your Computers
A new generation of scammers attack through business and home computers. Follow this link to the FBI website to learn how to protect your computer.
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/protect_online.htm
To learn about more scams and frauds, visit the website of the National Association of Bunco Investigators.
http://www.nabihq.org/en-us/cons_and_scams/
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