SCAM Alerts - American Legion 2
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SCAM Alerts
SCAM ALERT!!!We have been notified by other counties in Southeastern Minnesota that some senior citizens in their communities received suspicious phone calls in regards to the COVID-19 vaccine.It was reported that these folks received a phone call from someone to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. The caller then asked them for personal and medical information.This is a scam, and we want to remind everyone to NEVER give out any personal information over the phone. If you receive a call like this, or any other suspicious communication, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 507-765-3874, and press 1 to speak to a deputy.Stay safe everyone, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
BEWARE OF SCAMS -- PHONE, EMAIL, ONLINE, MAIL, DOOR-TO-DOOR ..NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE PHONE OR ONLINE!!If you’re getting calls, emails, or texts, or you’re seeing ads or offers online, keep a few things in mind: First, the government will never call out of the blue to ask for money or your personal information (like Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers). And second, anyone who tells you to pay by Western Union or Money Gram, or by putting money on a gift card, is a scammer. The government and legit businesses will never tell you to pay that way.The Federal Government and Social Security DO NOT call or email you requesting information.Learn about recent scams and how to recognize the warning signs. Please go to the FTC’s (Federal Trade Commission’s) for most recent alerts https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog or browse scams by topics https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alertsFeeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. That’s why the three national credit reporting agencies are giving people weekly access to monitor their credit report — for free. May 18, 2020 by Cathlin Tully Attorney, Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. Click on Credit reports are now free, every week
CLICK HERE for Practical Tips to help you avoid the scammers.
AVOID CORONAVIRUS SCAMS
• Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.• Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.• Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.• Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.
PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY AHEAD OF THE SCAMMERSCrooks use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. They often combine new technology with old tricks to get people to send money or give out personal information. Here are some practical tips to help you stay a step ahead.
1. Spot imposters. Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity, or a company you do business with. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request — whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.2. Do online searches. Type a company or product name into your favorite search engine with words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” Or search for a phrase that describes your situation, like “IRS call.” You can even search for phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams.3. Don’t believe your caller ID. Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the name and number you see aren’t always real. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine.4. Don’t pay upfront for a promise. Someone might ask you to pay in advance for things like debt relief, credit and loan offers, mortgage assistance, or a job. They might even say you’ve won a prize, but first you have to pay taxes or fees. If you do, they will probably take the money and disappear.5. Consider how you pay. Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in, but some payment methods don’t. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. That’s also true for reloadable cards (like MoneyPak or Reloadit) and gift cards (like iTunes or Google Play). Government offices and honest companies won’t require you to use these payment methods.6. Talk to someone. Before you give up your money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story, do an online search, consult an expert — or just tell a friend.7. Hang up on robocalls. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report it to the FTC. These calls are illegal, and often the products are bogus. Don’t press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off the list. That could lead to more calls.8. Be skeptical about free trial offers. Some companies use free trials to sign you up for products and bill you every month until you cancel. Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy. And always review your monthly statements for charges you don’t recognize.9. Don’t deposit a check and wire money back. By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. If a check you deposit turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for repaying the bank.10. Sign up for free scam alerts from the FTC at ftc.gov/scams. Get the latest tips and advice about scams sent right to your inbox.If you spot a scam, report it at ftc.gov/complaint. Your reports help the FTC and other law enforcement investigate scams and bring crooks to justice.
COVID-19 scam reports If you receive texts/emails/calls from a “government agency” promising to get your relief money for you, websites that promise scarce cleaning products or masks (that never arrive), or problems related to getting money back for cancelled travel plans. CLICK HERE for details.Due to the number of Scams that are reported daily, we have listed a few of the scams to beware of. Click on the desired subject below for details.We do recommend signing up for the FTC’s (Federal Trade Commission’s) most recent alerts https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog or browse scams by topics https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts
Have questions or comments? We welcome your opinion. Please email your comments or suggestions to webmaster@lanesboroamericanlegion.org or call Anne at 507-460-9040. Thank you for your support.
