Top 10 Scams
Now that you know, be on the lookout
1. Job Hunter Scams
Pitch: We will match you with a perfect job that’s ready and waiting for you.
Target: Bank account and/or Social Security numbers
Result: Victims must pay a fee to be considered for a job. Out of money and still don’t have a job.
2. Debt Relief and Settlement Services
Pitch: We will help you eliminate most or all of your debt (for a fraction of the amount you owe).
Target: Collection of upfront fee(s) in order to “settle your debts”.
Result: Potentially leave the consumer drowing in even more debt than they started with and completely ruin their credit.
3. Work from Home Schemes
Pitch: Fire your boss! We can teach you the secrets to making money online, assembling items at home or being a mystery shopper.
Target: Employees tired of the same 9-5 routine. In some cases, the unknowing worker fence stolen goods.
Result: Instead of getting paid you can end up losing hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars in legal trouble.
4. Timeshare Resellers
Pitch: We will help you get our from under your costly vacation property and do it fast.
Target: Collect several thousand dollars to cover fees.
Result: After paying the fees the seller never hears from the company again.
5. Not so “Free” Trial Offers
Pitch: Try a free offer and never be charged – unless you want to continue the offer.
Target: Repeated monthly billings.
Result: The free trial offers seem easy the consumer is repeatedly billed every month and is difficult to cancel.
6. Rogue Home Repair/Roofers
Pitch: We can get that tree out with half down, and fix your roof for a fraction of what that guy is going to charge you.
Target: Upfront fee(s) to get the job started.
Result: Homeowners are often stuck with either an unfinished or never started project and are out the initial money as well.
7. Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams
Pitch: You have won a large lottery or sweepstakes and just have to cover taxes before receiving your money.
Target: Payment under the guise of “covering taxes” or other bogus “fees”.
Result: The victim wires the oney but the prize or money never arrives.
8. Advance-Fee Loan Scams
Pitch: Your or your business qualifies for a large loan but you must pay some upfront fees.
Target: Upfront fee(s). Often more than a thousand dollars.
Result: The victim wires “the fee” to the scammers but never receives the loan.
9. Over Payment Scams
Pitch: Oops, I accidently send you too much money. Would you please wire some back?
Target: Any amount of money that is wired back.
Results: Transaction is reversed and the victim is our the money wired back to the scammers.
10. Identity Theft
Pitch: Hi, this is a very legitimate business, we need to confirm some information today, is that ok?
Target: Gathering personal sensitive information to open lines of credit or just straight stealing money from victim’s account.
Result: Victim is left spending countless hours trying to repair all of the damnage the thieves have done or are still doing.
Remember, always research a business with the BBB before you sign any contracts or hand over any money http://www.bbb.org/.