Four Holiday Scams And "Gotchas" to Look Out For
Have you seen some holiday offers that look too good to be true? They probably are. A savvy shopper should be aware of scammer's tactics during the shopping season. Protect your pocketbook by avoiding this year's top holiday scams.
North American Sweepstakes Scam
The North American Sweepstakes scam is a form of the Nigerian money scam. Somehow these off-shore thieves are printing checks with the names of legitimate companies that have nothing to do with the scam. If you are cold-called or emailed about winning large sums of money where you're asked to send money, hang up and/or delete the email. They target seniors and low-income persons. Don't be a victim for this fraudulent scheme.
"Free Miracle Air Coolers" - Neither Free Nor Cool
With summer fast approaching, ads promising "free miracle air coolers" that "blast ice cooled air to keep you cool for just pennies a day" have been popping up in magazines and newspapers. If this sounds too good to be true to you, you're not alone. Learn just how expensive these "free" air coolers really are, and why UCAN strongly recommends avoiding them.
Tax season: Beware of Fraud
Is your identity safe? Who sent that email? How did they get your email address?
Beware of Business Filing Division and Annual Review Board LLC filing fee scam
Consumers Beware: You may receive letters that are very official-looking and apppear to be from the state's Business Filings Division and Annual Review Board. These letters are designed to trick you into thinking you have to pay hundreds of dollars for a simple business filing.
Could Obama be reading our blogs?
A month before President Obama was elected, we blogged about the horrendously expensive fraud in the Medicare system and suggested that the new president make that one of his priorities. Apparently, he has as federal agents are already showing impressive results in a nationwide crackdown on Medicare scammers.
Look out for Cash for Clunkers scams
Though the President only recently signed into law the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Scammers are already trying to get your private information under the guise of the program.
Foreclosure consultants, foreclosure rescue, loan modifications -- are they all scams?
Foreclosure consultants offer to save you from foreclosure but the disturbing truth is that many of them are scammers. Know how to protect yourself.
There's only one, UCAN, the Utility Consumers' Action Network, so search the Web carefully
There's only one Web site and phone number for UCAN -- the Utility Consumers' Action Network, based in San Diego, California, yet there are pretenders out there who may not have your best intentions at heart. READ MORE
Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!
Utility Consumers' Action Network - (619) 696-6966
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