SCAMMERS POSE AS FTC OFFICIALS TO DEFRAUD CONSUMERS
October 17, 2008
Sandy G.
Tags: FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, FRAUD, SCAMMERS, FTC OFFICIALS, PROMISES OF PRIZE MONEY, LOTTERY, SWEEPSTAKES SCAM, WIRE MONEY, ACCOUNT INFORMATION, CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY, FREE INFORMATION, CALLER ID, WASHINGTON DC AREA CODE, CALLS AND FAXES, IMPERSONATION, NEVER SEND MONEY TO CLAIM A PRIZE, OLDER CONSUMERS, SWEEPSTAKES WINNINGS, INSURANCE, TAXES, SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES, COMMERCIAL MONEY TRANSFER COMPANIES, WESTERN UNION, CON ARTISTS, LOOK-ALIKES, ILLEGAL, PROMOTER, GOVERNMENT AGENCY, DISREPUTABLE COMPANIES, LLOYD'S OF LONDON, INTERNET TECHNOLOGY, FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC, FTC.GOV, 1-877-FTC-HELP
FROM CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM
Promises of prize money are made, but there’s a catch
The phone call sounds official, and to many, convincing. “Hi, I’m calling from the Federal Trade Commission to tell you that you have won $250,000…”
You have to hand it to these scammers — they really have chutzpah.
The newest con involves a call from someone who claims to work for the Federal Trade Commission to inform you that you have won a lottery or sweepstakes. To receive the prize, all you have to do is pay the taxes and insurance. The caller asks you to wire money or send a check for an amount between $1,000 and $10,000.
What should you do?
FOR THE COMPLETE STORY: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/ftc_impersonation.html
~Sandy G.
Entry Filed under: RECALLS
2 Comments
1.
Change Your ID | February 28, 2009 at 1:00 PM
You know things like this anymore can be easily done by spoofing caller identification numbers on the phone itself…
It’s quite an easy process…I got a call one time like that saying that I had been awarded a scholarship to which seemed to be perfect timing because I had applied for one…
Well, little did I know that I got scammed…and once I found that out I changed all my bank account numbers…but they still have my social security…which I’m sure one day will show up to haunt me…
2.
Sandy G. | February 28, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I’m so sorry to hear that. Hopefully you will never have a problem. Is there anything you can do to head off trouble since you know they have your SS#?