Cell phones, smartphones, and everything in between are more than just basic communication devices. Today we check our email, do our banking, collect information, watch entertaining videos, and pay for a number of services on top of the traditional uses of making and receiving calls and text messages. Because of all of these options the scams that have been plaguing consumers for years are still out there, but new ways of trying to deceive consumers are falling keep cropping up and scams from other mediums are appear on your phone as you use your phone for those purposes.

There’s an old saying that touches on what happens to people who have a lot of time on their hands. I know it’s not the one that deals with giving someone a fish, but I can’t quite place it. I should probably stop alluding to sayings and idioms that I can’t remember. Anyways, the latest phone scam comes from those who have a lot of time on their hands: inmates in county jails.

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. 

CAUTION ALERT:  San Diego County Teachers & Other Staff-- If you receive a call from a company called Teachers' Retirement Services and you're asked for personal information, do not provide it.  A complainant called UCAN to ask if we had heard of this company.  When we checked out the number that called him (760-737-0196), it turned out to be a # that rings, clicks and no one talks.  When the complainant called this number back after being asked if he had more than $50,000 in his 403 B, it was a telemarketing job answer.

Scam Alert! This blog has been posted by a consumer who wants to share his story to make sure that no one else falls victim to a similar 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.