***Stimulus Plan Scam-- you receive an official looking letter or email informing you that because you recently lost a job you are qualified for a grant from the Federal Economic Stimulus plan.
***Federal jobs-- you receive a letter or email sending you to an official looking website saying state or federal government jobs are available in your region.
***Grant money-- to cover education costs, bills, home business expenditures and home repairs.
I would like to highlight one of the top phishing scams that has recently come to light:
***President Obama will pay your utility bills.
When you look at these scams they are all trying to take advantage of the economic conditions in our country today. With millions of people unemployed, unable to find work and their unemployment benefits running out the government offers programs to try and help these people. So when they receive notices or emails misrepresenting government agencies such as Social Security,Medicare,Department of Labor and the IRS,that appear to be legitimate and may contain phony government seals, symbols and/or names the natural reaction is to trust this information and provide the data that is requested, and in doing so you have unwittingly provided the scammers with your social security number and other information that they will use to steal your identity.
Tips For Avoiding Phony
Government Scams
Until you have verified the legitimacy of these letters or emails do not provide financial information or your Social Security number.
Do not send money until you have verified that you are dealing with a legitimate government agency.
You can verify the legitimacy of the request by contacting the appropriate agencies by phone or through their website.
If it's a state or local program you should contact your state or local governments.
So in closing this portion of this week's blog I think you can see there is one common tip that everyone should follow before they give anyone personal information, financial information or money. And that is verify the legitimacy of the request by getting in touch with your local, state or federal government agencies using trusted phone numbers or websites. Take the time to do your due diligence and you should be able to avoid having your identity,personal information or money taken from you.
New phone scam
Police are warning the public to be aware of a phone scam involving callers who represent themselves as members of the Palm Springs Police Department.
The scammers tell would be victims they owe a fine for missing jury duty and have to pay $500. They then instruct the victim to go to a local convenience store and purchase a prepaid green card in that amount and call them back.
They are instructing anyone who receives or has received this kind of call to contact the local Palm Springs Police Department.
Now this may be local to Palm Springs or it could be something that is being done throughout the country. I just thought I would make you aware of it
.
Why you may need a lawyer
As an independent associate for LegalShield the most common response I get is if I am a good person why do I need a lawyer. I would like you to ask yourself have you ever:
Signed a contract or document?
Been overcharged or treated unfairly?
Received a traffic ticket?
Known a victim of identity theft?
Been in the situation where I thought advice from an attorney might be useful?
These are everyday real life occurrences that in consultation with an attorney would be beneficial to you.
And finally I invite everyone to visit the senior scams website that Peter Brusso and I have developed.
Also anyone interested in learning about self defense techniques should visit his new website as it contains valuable information on how to protect yourself.
http://www.selfdefenseweaponssite.com/
Finally I welcome any and all comments on my blogs. Your feedback will help me improve the content of my blog.
Finally I welcome any and all comments on my blogs. Your feedback will help me improve the content of my blog.
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