 |
|
|
SCAM ALERT
Sometimes
you don't have to do much to find yourself the victim of a scam.
In fact the scam sometimes comes straight to your front door... and
what you think is your lucky break is actually a wolf in sheep's
clothing.
When it comes to stopping a thief in his tracks- you
are your own best advocate... and no one knows that better than Heister
Smith.
There's a scam going all the time.
Heister Smith says
that the older he gets the more prize notifications show up in his
mailbox.
A lot of times I just throw them in the trash but I
thought how many people are buying into this thing especially senior
citizens on social security like we are. They think wow look at this I
can get a million and a half. I'm guaranteed a winner.
Heister
has received several notices in the last month asking for $20 to be
entered for a chance to win millions. A quick Google search of the
company sending the letter reveals hundreds of thousands of hits... all
calling it a con.
You must refer to the specific... rules for
that sweepstakes
The Better Business Bureau says these mail scams
might be an old trick, but are still out there in large numbers...
sometimes claiming to be Readers Digest or Publisher's Clearing House.
That
looks like a very official prize document
This veteran doesn't think
much of groups that aim to get someone else's hard earned money.
They
have no conscious. It's money. That's the bottom line. It's a scam.
Anyway they can make some money.
You should never send a check,
credit card number or cash to someone you don't know or haven't done
business with in the past. You should never have to send money to
receive any winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes.
you don't have to do much to find yourself the victim of a scam.
In fact the scam sometimes comes straight to your front door... and
what you think is your lucky break is actually a wolf in sheep's
clothing.
When it comes to stopping a thief in his tracks- you
are your own best advocate... and no one knows that better than Heister
Smith.
There's a scam going all the time.
Heister Smith says
that the older he gets the more prize notifications show up in his
mailbox.
A lot of times I just throw them in the trash but I
thought how many people are buying into this thing especially senior
citizens on social security like we are. They think wow look at this I
can get a million and a half. I'm guaranteed a winner.
Heister
has received several notices in the last month asking for $20 to be
entered for a chance to win millions. A quick Google search of the
company sending the letter reveals hundreds of thousands of hits... all
calling it a con.
You must refer to the specific... rules for
that sweepstakes
The Better Business Bureau says these mail scams
might be an old trick, but are still out there in large numbers...
sometimes claiming to be Readers Digest or Publisher's Clearing House.
That
looks like a very official prize document
This veteran doesn't think
much of groups that aim to get someone else's hard earned money.
They
have no conscious. It's money. That's the bottom line. It's a scam.
Anyway they can make some money.
You should never send a check,
credit card number or cash to someone you don't know or haven't done
business with in the past. You should never have to send money to
receive any winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes.
VIEWER FEEDBACK
COMMENTS
VIDEO LIST
THIS WEEK'S TIPS
This week on Channel 3 News we're taking a look at the Top 5 scams circulating our area and telling you what to watch out for to avoid being ripped off.
A few common characteristics stick out among these scams - here's a list of our Top 5 Scam Avoiding Tips:
1) If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! There's no such thing as a free lunch (or a free iPad)!
2) Government agencies will notify you of changes in writing- not over the phone or by email.
3) Personal information like credit card or social security numbers should never be written down or given to someone you haven't confirmed is a legitimate agent for a business or government office.
4) Con artists are smooth! Double check any information (or even literature) they give you. Simple Google searches or a phone call to the agency or person they claim to represent can help you determine if something is false.
5) Know fraud protection policies at your bank and ask for their help in flagging any suspicious activity.
We encourage you to leave your comments and let us know of any unique scams you've seen so we can get the word out- and stop these thieves in their tracks. Tune in all this week at 5:00 p.m. to learn more about the Top 5 Scams.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Identity Theft Victim Kit
The Better Business Bureau
ID Theft Center's Scams Library
UPCOMING EVENTS
 |
|
|
BUSINESS NEWS
Stocks inch higher but worries about Europe linger
NEW YORK (AP) -- Hopes that the U.S. housing market is starting to recover sent stocks edging higher on Wall Street.
CONSUMER INFO
Honda shows robotics for easy and hands-free ride
TOKYO (AP) -- Look, no hands. Scooting about on what looks like a floating car seat is no sweat for anyone with Honda's new hands-free robotics technology. ...
SCIENCE/TECH NEWS
IN THE NEWS: DIFFERENCES IN MAJOR CELL PHONE COMPANIES NARROW
NEW YORK (AP) -- Which cellular phone company is the best?
GET THIS
FIST-PUMPING RECORD
AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- James Peterson probably will want to keep his hands down for a while.
