Advertisement

Special Offers

Comments 0 0

Homepage > Family & Relationships > Money & Budgeting

Would You Fall for These Scams?By Kelli B. Grant

• •Fast-Cash Con No. 3

When you're told money is coming

your way

The phone rings, and the caller informs you

that you are the lucky recipient of some

funds. The exact pitch can take various

forms — stimulus bucks from the IRS or a

free gift card from your credit card

company are popular ploys, says Gary

Brown, director of communications for the

New York State Consumer Protection

Board. In order to process your reward, though, the caller says he'll need some personal

financial information to make sure he's reached the correct individual. You guessed it: The

subtext here is to collect your credit card and/or bank information and then make

unauthorized purchases. The thieves may also aim for your Social Security number so they

can steal your identity, too.

Protect-yourself plan Never offer up personal or financial information during a call you

didn't initiate, says Brown. (The IRS, for example, does not initiate contact by phone or by e-

mail.) Worried you're missing out on a legit phone pitch? Ask for the information in writing. A

company on the up-and-up will be happy to supply it. And if they already do business with

you, as they claim, they should have your address on file.

Fast-Cash No. 4

When you want to earn cash for shopping

Bethany Mooradian of Seattle was thrilled to accept a "secret shopper" assignment in which

she'd help evaluate a bank. All she had to do was open an account, deposit a check she'd be

mailed, and then transfer most of it elsewhere. "I set up an account," says Mooradian, "but

quickly closed it. It just seemed off." Mooradian still notices (though never signs up for) a

version of the same scam: postings that ask shoppers to "test" a wire-transfer service by

cashing a check sent to them — for, say, $2,500 — and wiring back, say, $2,000.

Such check-fraud scams take advantage of laws requiring your bank to offer temporary credit

for deposited checks within five days of deposit, even though, says Weisman, it can take

weeks for the funds to clear — or bounce, as is usually the case with these fake checks (but

by then, the cash the victim wired is long gone).

Protect-yourself plan True secret-shopper gigs — where companies reimburse you for

purchases at your favorite stores and restaurants if you assess their customer service — are

few and far between. Don't fall for unsolicited e-mail invitations or respond to newspaper ads

for such programs.

Scam-Proof Yourself

Don't Click: Following unsolicited links that arrive in your e-mail may download malware,

which can log your keystrokes — catching account numbers and passwords as you enter

them — or just send you to a spoof website (one that looks like a familiar site but is

actually a ploy designed to steal your information).

Sleep on It: Many scams have a limited-time-only element to them. If you are told you

need to decide ASAP, don't do it. A legit offer will allow you to take your time and ask

questions.

Beef Up Computer Security: Make sure you have security software that updates

automatically. Check out symantec.com or mcafee.com for options.

Help! I've Been Scammed

First, don't be too hard on yourself. Even the savviest of consumers can fall for these ruses.

Next: Take action.

Report the scam File a police report with your local precinct, and send a complaint to

the Federal Trade Commission (ftccomplaintassistant.gov) and your state attorney

general (to find yours, go to naag.org). Investigators may be able to track down the

perpetrator.

Don't shell out any more cash Many scammers double back to victims, posing as

groups that help recover lost funds, warns Levin. Naturally, they ask for a fee up front and

then dash away with more of your cash. Be wary if you receive this kind of unsolicited offer

of help.

Like

Connect with GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Advertisement

Style Yourself from Home: Virtual DressingRoom

The Layered Look That is Perfect for You

Easy Bathroom Decorating Ideas

5 Best Haircuts of All Time

Haircuts that Make You Look Younger

30 Best Drugstore Cosmetics Under $25

Celebrity Pixie Haircuts

Review: The Best Hair Thickening Shampoo

8 Tricks for Putting Off a Haircut

Haircolor: Tips, Tricks & Ideas

The Hottest Short Haircuts

100 Holiday Hairstyle Ideas

Hollywood's 15 Shortest Marriages Ever

33 Ways to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger

Beauty Street Style: Fall 2011

What To Wear To Work This Winter

20 Best Toys of 2011The winners of our fourth annual bestto... Read More

Laptops for Every StudentThe five models that aced ourtests Read More

Best Low-Fat PotatoChipsWhich low-fat chips arebest? Read More

DON'T MISS THESE:

PRODUCT REVIEWS

VIDEO OF THE DAY

FACEBOOK

TRY: Pasta • Best Haircuts • Quick Dinners

Food & RecipesFood & Recipes Home & OrganizingHome & Organizing Diet & HealthDiet & Health Beauty & Anti-AgingBeauty & Anti-Aging Family & RelationshipsFamily & Relationships HolidaysHolidays Product ReviewsProduct Reviews

Subscribe Give a Gift Customer Service Games Win Promotions Video Digital Edition JOIN FREE Sign In with Facebook Sign In

OTHER

Stories You Might LikeWould You Fall for These Scams ?

New Ways You Can Avoid Identity Theft

125 Ways to Manage Your Money

How to Avoid Identity Theft Video

Scared of Identity Thieves?

MOST

Popular StoriesMaster Bedroom Decorating Ideas

The Five Best Haircuts of All Time

52 Home-Organizing Tips

Haircuts That Take Off 10 Years

Is Your Makeup Aging You?

See All Money & Budgeting Articles

Comments 0 0

Start a Conversation

Latest Stories

Advertisement Special Offers

Like

Back 1 2

• •

Report: Investment ScamsInvestment Scams are everywhere andwe have a free report detailing it.MoneyMorning.com/investing_scams

3 Credit Scores (Free)View your latest Credit Scores from All 3bureaus in 60 seconds for $0!FreeScore360.com

Stop Email ScamsBlock Phishing Attacks at Server Level. TryGFI MailEssentials Now!www.gfi.com/email-phishing

MARRIAGE & SEX ADVICEMarried Sex

How to Save Your Marriage

Spice Up Your Marriage

Money & Marriage Problems

Read More

PARENTING TIPSToddler to Teen Party Planner

Video Game Ratings

Back-to-School Tips

Cheap Kids' Clothes

Read More

FAMILY TRAVEL & ACTIVITIESFind Travel Discounts

Best Family Movies

Best Cities to Raise a Family

Family Vacation Destinations

Read More

PET ADVICEKathy Santo Pet Expert

Dog Breed Quiz

Medium Sized Dogs

Large Dog Breeds

Read More

PEGGY POST ETIQUETTEWedding Etiquette

Email Etiquette

Etiquette Quiz

Table Manners

Read More

CELEBRITY INTERVIEWSInspirational People

Celebrity Diet Secrets

Celebrity Hairstyles

Book Suggesstions

Read More

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTSBaby Stoller Reviews

Kids' Backpack Reviews

Kids' Sneaker Reviews

Toy Reviews

Read More

MONEY & BUDGETPart Time Work from Home

How to Get Out of Debt

How to Manage Money

Work & Career Advice

Read More

Good HousekeepingMORE FROM

Facebook social plugin

Comment

Add a comment...

Classic ComfortFood RecipesTry our simple,satisfying recipesfor mac andcheese, meatloaf,and more.

Quick HolidayGuest-RoomPrepGet your houseready withoutgetting stressed

Drop a DressSize in 6 WeeksOur simpleexercise andeating plan willshow you how

MakeupMistakes ThatAge YouThese 12mistakes add onyears, but ourquick protechniques canhelp you turnback the clock.

Food & Recipes

Home & Organizing

Diet & Health

Beauty & Anti-Aging

Enter Now!

Mah-Jongg DimensionsIt's the classic game, upgraded forthe future! Play Now

Monkey GemsBenBen the monkey needs your help!Play Now

Sushi EggzMatch Sushi rolls of the same color inthis fun and addicting game! PlayNow

See All Games

See All Tools

Stain Buster

Your A-Z Guide to RemovingSmudges, Spots, and Other SpillsRead More

Virtual Anti-Aging

Diet Matchmaker

Virtual Haircut and Makeover

See All

FDAOcean Spray Voluntarily Recalls LimitedQuantity of Original Flavor Craisins® DriedCranberries and Bulk Dried Cranberries Sales

Maxipan Bakery Corp Issues Allergy Alert OnUndeclared Milk Allergens In "Semita De Pina"(Sweet Pineapple Cake)

CPSCCollective Brands Recalls KEDS Girls' Shoes Dueto Laceration Hazard

Children's Animal Slippers Recalled Due toChoking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at FamilyDollar Stores

Gina Steve Candace Charles Beth

Lois Nur Huwaina Meghan Rita Angel

Good Housekeeping on Facebook

61,548 people like Good Housekeeping.

Like

Facebook social plugin

ENTER TO WIN

Win two We Wish You a MerryChristmas Glass Ornaments withStands from Coton Colors!

GAMES

TOOLS

PRODUCT RECALLS

Good HousekeepingMagazine

Subscribe

Customer Service

Address Change

Renewals

Give a Subscription Gift

Other Hearst

Subscriptions

Events & Promotions

The GH Store

GH Media Kit

Advertise Online

About our Ads

GoodHousekeeping.com

Digital Edition

About GH

Community Guidelines

Contact Us

Games

Coupons

Sweepstakes

Newsletters

Site Map

Privacy & Terms of Use

Press Room

Topics

Food & Recipes

1,200 Calorie Diet

Chicken Breast Recipes

Sweet Potato Fries

Low-Fat Desserts

Perfect Brunch Menu

Low-Calorie Recipes

Zucchini Recipes

Pasta Salad Recipes

Pecan Pie Recipe

Oven-Fried Chicken

Barefoot Contessa

Recipes

Home & Decorating

Small Apartment Decor

Entryway Ideas

Bathroom Decorating

Ideas

Bedroom Decorating

DIY Decorating Ideas

Kitchen Designs

Bathroom Design

Baby Room Decor

Table Setting Ideas

Family Room

Decorating

Thanksgiving Ideas

Thanksgiving Appetizers

Stuffing Recipes

Butternut Squash Soup

Thanksgiving Table

Decorating

Thanksgiving Menu

Best Pumpkin Desserts

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanksgiving Desserts

Thanksgiving Recipes

How-To & Crafts

Fabric Drawer Pulls

Napkin Ring Craft

How to Lose 20 Pounds

Thanksgiving Ideas

Thanksgiving Table

Decor

How to Fold Napkins

Best Blenders

Best Paint Colors

Thanksgiving

Centerpieces

Thanksgiving Table

Settings

TRY: Pasta • Best Haircuts • Quick Dinners

Connect with us |

©2011 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Being Green | Who's got the seal?

Why did I get this ad?