Fraud Alert--2009
Fraud Alert--January 2009
SECRET SHOPPER SCAM
During these tough economic times many folks are looking for part-time work to help offset rising costs.
One enticing proposition is the opportunity to become a ‘Secret Shopper.’ You are offered the opportunity to get paid to go shopping. You visit a retail store, buy a few items, and then evaluate your shopping experience. The hours are flexible; you can work as much or little as desired. The pay is remarkable for the time spent ‘on the job.’ Additionally, you get to keep the items you purchased. These offers are posted in local newspapers, on websites or you may be solicited through email. While such legitimate services may exist, most are a scam. Usually, the scam runs like this:
Shortly after signing up to become a ‘Secret Shopper’ your assignment arrives, along with a very legitimate-looking check. The first assignment, which must be completed within 48 hours, goes something like this: Deposit the enclosed check for $4900 at your bank;- Go to a popular discount store, spend $100 (and keep what you buy), and complete an evaluation of the service. Keep $100 for your evaluation;
- Go to MoneyGram and send $4200 to another ‘Secret Shopper’ associate (the forwarding information will be provided to you) and evaluate the service at MoneyGram. Keep $200 for making your evaluation;
- Keep an additional $300 as your income.
While it looks like you made $500, the check you deposited at your bank is bogus and will bounce. The money (your money) you send via MoneyGram may never be recovered.
To protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud, always remember:
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is;
- Check out the legitimacy of a business by calling the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/ or 303-758-2100) or the office of the Secretary of State (303-894-2200);
- Call the District Attorney’s Fraud Hotline (303-271-6980) to see if the offer might be a scam;
- Never cash or deposit a check that has been sent to you without due reason;
- Remember that once money is sent via a wire transfer it is often gone for good;
- Even in today’s sophisticated electronic world it may take 7-10 days for a check to clear. So if the check is bogus you won’t know for 7-10 days.
Fraud Alert--February 2009
SUPPRESS YOUR CHILD’S CREDIT
An increasingly common form of identity theft is the theft and use of Social Security numbers belonging to children. Social Security numbers are the key to obtaining credit. The major credit reporting agencies do not know us by name, but rather by our Social Security numbers.
Approximately six weeks following the birth of a child, the parent will receive the child’s Social Security number. If this information is stolen, credit can then be illegally obtained in the name of that child. This is a crime that can go unnoticed for many years, often until the child applies for their first credit card, a school loan, or a job.
You may suppress your child’s credit until they reach the age of 18 (the age where children are considered legally capable of enforcing a contract). Suppressing their credit will block access to your child’s credit report and can be an effective means of preventing some forms of identity theft.
To suppress your child’s credit you must send a request in writing, by certified mail, with “Return Receipt Requested” to each of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies:
|
Equifax Child Suppression
P.O. Box 10513
Atlanta, GA 30348 |
Equifax Child Suppression
P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013 |
Equifax Child Suppression
Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834 |
In your request:
- State that you are writing on behalf of your child, as the legal guardian, list the child’s Social Security number and include a photocopy of your government issued ID;
- Provide your child’s full name, with middle initial and generation, such as Jr.;
- Enclose a copy of the child’s birth certificate; and
- Ask for credit suppression until the child’s 18TH birthday.
Four to six weeks after your request, go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ and obtain one copy of your child’s credit report to ensure that their credit has been suppressed.
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Last Modified: Aug 10, 2009 09:41 AM
