Michael Finney's Consumer Blog

Fake lottery scam

The fake lottery scam is branching out. For years it has preyed on seniors asking for money to 'pay taxes on the winnings', now the scamsters are moving into new territory: diverting social security checks.  The scamsters say the senior has won the lottery and the money will be sent directly to their account. The bad guys ask for their names and bank account numbers so they can forward the winnings. Instead the scamsters send a notice to the Soical Security administration directing the monthly payment be rerouted to a new account. Slick. Tell your parents what to watch out for.

Scam promises not to kill you for $5,000

“Someone you call your friend, wants you dead”. That is how this scam email starts. It continues, “I was paid to eliminate you and I have to do it within 5 days. Someone you call your friend wants you dead by all means, and the person have spent a lot of money on this, the person also came to us and told us that he wants you dead and he provided us your names, photograph and other necessary information we needed about you.”  The assassin offers not to kill you for $5,000.00. Don’t fall for it, it is just an old scam making the rounds.

Western Union cuts off lottery scammers

Here is a consumer victory coming straight from a major corporation. Western Union has cut off Montego Bay! Closed down wire transfer to that part of Jamaica. Why? There is a lottery scam that preys on the elderly in the US that is based out of this area. Things are apparently so out of control, Western Union has shut down wire transfers for two weeks so it can investigate. Go Western Union!

Scam alert! Never trust an email

Scam Alert! Now you can't even trust an e-mail from the BBB. Con men are sending out fake BBB notices and complaints. Of course, they eventually want information or money. So, as with any other organization or business, never trust an email.

Don't fall for Colorado shooting scams

Colorado shooting scams!

Don't fall for con men making telephone and internet pitches. After every tragedy, these no-goods come out of the woodwork looking to rip off kind people in the name of victims. This time, let's not fall for it.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has set up the Aurora Victim Relief Fund. Give by going to GivingFirst.org.

Feds crackdown on 70 fake websites

The feds are going after knock off kings that knock off websites and then highly wanted sports and designer items.  These sites look real and so do their products. Among those who got busted are those using the website: “Official San Francisco 49ers.com” The fake sites also sold Raiders items and Louis Vuitton designer bags. This was a huge undercover police action. “Project Copy Cat” began about four months ago, with federal officers purchasing goods such as baby carriers, language instruction and fitness DVDs.

Watch out for 'cramming' charges on phone bills

Charges for services you never asked for and never received could be lurking in that six page phone bill you receive in the mail or online. Scamsters are sneaking charges into the bills by calling them “service fees” or “monthly charge”. It is called cramming -as in cramming charges on to a bill- and has really taken off in recent months. So read your phone bill and if you find a fake charge, call your carrier and demand it be removed.

How to spot a scam email in record time

Email scams are never ending, so spotting them quickly saves time, money and heart ache. Here’s my list of top five words that suggest the email is a scam: Congratulations, employers, free, won and Viagra. What words are your tip-offs?

Scam Alert! Obama does not want to pay your utility bill

Scam Alert! Obama does not want to pay your utility bill. Conmen are posing as utility company employees offering to help consumers pay their bills with a new federal program that offers money to those in need. Don't fall for it. There is no new program. Your utility bill, in most cases, is your problem.

Has your Best Buy account been hacked?

Our friends over at The Consumerist are asking this question: Has your Best Buy account been hacked? "Have phantom orders been placed using your Best Buy website account that you had nothing to do with? Since the wee hours of this morning, we've heard from two separate readers who write that their accounts and credit cards were used to order downloadable content that was delivered to another person's email address."

Details --> http://consumerist.com/2012/05/has-your-best-buy-account-been-hacked.html