The Top 10 Scams of the New Year
1. Identity Theft — We all are aware about it, but anyhow very difficult to stop. ID theft occurs when frauds steal personal information from your garbage, mailbox, recycling bin, or computer. They further store all documents containing your personal information in a locked file and cut before discarding. You need to keep all your personal identification numbers very confidential. Do monitor your account statements and your credit report on monthly basis. If you suspect a victim of ID theft, contact local police immediately.
2. Internet Fraud — Beware of fake Web sites, e-mails and phone calls from spammers pretending to legitimate business asking for your banking and personal information. You can enter you personal or credit card information on secured Web sites. Look for the letter â??sâ? (http://) and for an unbroken padlock symbol to determine if in case the site is secured. Check for the BBBOnLine Reliability Seal or even other sign of trust on each Web site. Please do not download programs on your computer from any unknown sources.
3. Advance Fee Loans — When seeking a loan, it’s against the law rule for the provider to ask you to pay for their services until you get your loan or credit. Lawful lenders never “guarantee” or say that you are probable to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, particularly if you have bad credit, no credit or a bankruptcy.
4. Work from Home — Work at home ideas, such as envelope stuffing and product gathering, are not what they’re split up to be. The Internet has seriously increased the number of these scams. Look out for open fees for supplies, claims of no experience needed and exaggerated claims of effectiveness.
5. Nigerian Letter Scam — The Nigerian letter scam carries on proliferating. This scam are regularly received by e-mail, claims there are millions of dollars waiting to be deposited into your personal glance account. But these scammers are only after your checking account information. Best thing to do is completely ignore them.
6. Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams — Victims are informed they have won a huge lottery prize or sweepstakes and are sent a false check for part of the “winnings.” In return, they are asked to pay back a little part to cover taxes and/or processing fees before the remainder of the “winnings” is sent. Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes contests would not need you to pay money in order to receive your prize. Foreign lotteries are against the law in the United States.
7. Overpayment Schemes — This is how it works: You may advertise your car for sale. The scammer agrees to purchase your car, but gives you a check for too much money. He takes the car, and tells you to deposit the check in to your account for the credit, and then send him your check for the difference. By the time you find out his original check is no good, he has your check and the car. Never agree to payment for more than your selling price.
8. Home Repair Rip-offs — More and more, unreliable scam artists show up on your entrance offering to do house and yard work for various costs. Don’t hire them. When you need work done around your home, get guess from a minimum of three contractors who have stable addresses in your area.
9. Health, Beauty & Fitness Claims — Beware of advertisements, which promise “rapid and easy weight-loss,” “miracle cures” or “recently discovered” treatments for disease and illness. Before signing any agreement, take the time to read the fine print and make sure you understand your obligations and the termination or refund policy.
10. Bogus Charities — Watch out for bogus charities with names, which sound like legitimate ones. Ask fund-raisers for their names, the charitable trust names and their contact information before allowing for a donation. Find out how much of your contribution actually goes to the program. Visit www.give.org for a list of national charities.
