This presentation will look at the different kinds of frauds and scams prevalent in our society today. We will show you how to identify them. We will give you some advice on how to avoid them. And we will show you what to do if you are the victim of one of these crimes.

1. FRAUDS AND SCAMS
SPONSORED BY
COEBURN POLICE DEPT
CREATED BY H. STALLARD JANUARY 2008
hstallard@yahoo.com

2. FRAUDS AND SCAMS
This presentation will look at the different
kinds of frauds and scams prevalent in our
society today.
We will show you how to identify them.
We will give you some advice on how to avoid
them.
And we will show you what to do if you are
the victim of one of these crimes.

3. FRAUDS AND SCAMS
All frauds and scams have two goals in common.
They want your money
or
They want the information that will get your
money.

4. FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Anyone can be victim of a fraud or scam. But 9 out
of 10 times the elderly are targeted because they are
more likely to have pensions, saving accounts, money
marketing accounts, jewelry, and are usually more
trusting.

5. TYPES OF FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Those attempted in person…

6. TYPES OF FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Telemarketing Scams…

7. TYPES OF FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Those attempted through
E-Mail
Snail Mail

8. TYPES OF FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Those directed at Credit Cards and ATM
Machines

9. TYPES OF FRAUDS AND SCAMS
Identity Theft

10. General tip-offs to a fraud or scam
1. They contact you first.
2. They want cash only.
3. They use phrases like… hurry, today only, last
chance, you must act now.
4. It is a get rich quick thing.
5. Sounds too good to be true.
6. They want money up front.
7. They need your credit card number, bank
account number, or check number.

11. General tip-offs to a fraud or scam
8. Something is free but you must pay
shipping, handling, postage, tax, etc to
receive it.
9. They use scare tactics. (If you don’t fix the
roof now it will cost you thousands later.)
10.You don't need to check out the company
with your family, lawyer, accountant, local
Better Business Bureau, or consumer
protection agency.
11.You can't afford to miss this 'high-profit, norisk' offer.

12. In Person Scams
Most in person scams are of the home repair
type.

13. In Person Scams
Roof Repair
Asphalt Driveway Paving
Furnace or Heat Pump
Water Heater Repair
Pest Control Inspections
Siding

14. In Person Scams
The scam artists use high pressure tactics to sell unneeded
and overpriced contracts for "home improvements.“
In these scams they approach you first.
They talk too fast (to confuse you) and pressure you to sign
papers today;
They have left-over supplies from another job and will let
you have them cheap.
They were driving by and just happened to notice a
problem with your roof, driveway, porch, etc.

15. In Person Scams
They want to offer you a free inspection of your
roof, driveway, porch, etc.
They need cash up front to buy the materials to
fix the problem.
If they actually come back, the work is poorly
done usually with inferior materials.
Often these scam artists charge more than their
quoted prices or their work does not live up to
their promises.

16. Telemarketing Scams
Under Federal Law:
It’s illegal for a telemarketer to call you if you
have asked not to be called.
Calling times are restricted to the hours
between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Telemarketers must tell you it’s a sales call,
the name of the seller, and what they are
selling…
before they make their pitch.

17. Telemarketing Scams
Under Federal Law:
If it’s a prize promotion, they must tell you that
you don’t have to pay or buy anything to enter or
win.
Telemarketers may not lie about any information.
Before you pay, telemarketers must tell you the
total cost of the goods and any restrictions on
getting or using them, or that a sale is final or
non-refundable.

18. Telemarketing Scams
Under Federal Law:
In a prize promotion, they must tell you the
odds of winning, that no purchase or payment
is necessary to win and any restrictions or
conditions of receiving the prize.
Telemarketers may not withdraw money from
your checking account without your express,
verifiable authorization.

19. Telemarketing Scams
Under Federal Law:
It’s illegal for any company to ask you to pay
or buy something to win a prize, or to claim
that paying will increase your chances of
winning.
It’s illegal to buy and sell tickets to foreign
lotteries by phone or mail.

20. Telemarketing Scams
To resist high-pressure sales tactics...
Say so if you don’t want the seller to call back.
If they do call back, they’re breaking the law.
That’s a signal to hang up.
Ask for written information about the
product, service, investment opportunity or
charity that’s the subject of the call.

21. Telemarketing Scams
To resist high-pressure sales tactics...
Hang up if you are asked to pay for a prize…
free is free.
Keep information about your bank accounts
and credit cards private unless you know who
you are dealing with.
Hang up if a telemarketer calls before 8 a.m.
or after 9 p.m.

22. Telemarketing Scams
To resist high-pressure sales tactics...
Check out any company with the state and
local consumer protection office before you
buy any product or service or donate any
money as a result of an unsolicited phone call.
Do not send money — cash, check or money
order — by courier, overnight delivery or wire
to anyone who insists on immediate payment.

23. PHISHING
Phishing on the Internet

24. PHISHING
Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal
your valuable personal data, such as credit card
numbers, passwords, account data, or other
information by masquerading as a trustworthy
entity in an electronic communication.
PayPal, eBay, and online banks, are common
targets.

25. PHISHING
What does a phishing scam look like?
They often include official-looking logos from
real organizations and other identifying
information taken directly from legitimate Web
sites.

26. PHISHING
To make these phishing e-mail messages look
even more legitimate, the scam artists may place
a link in them that appears to go to the
legitimate Web site but it actually takes you to a
phony scam site or possibly a pop-up window
that looks exactly like the official site.

28. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.
Phrases to look for if you think an e-mail message is a
phishing scam.
Verify or reactivate your account.
If you don't respond, your account will be closed.
Dear Valued Customer---Phishing e-mail messages are
usually sent out in bulk and often do not contain your first
or last name.
Click the link below to gain access to your account.

29. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.

30. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.

31. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.

32. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.

33. PHISHING
How to tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent.

34. PHISHING
How to protect yourself from Internet Phishing
Use the latest products and services to help warn and protect you
from online scams
Install the Microsoft Phishing Filter
Install up-to-date antivirus and antispyware software.
Don’t open any unsolicited or suspicious E-Mail messages.

35. MAIL FRAUD
The US Postal Service lists 50 different
categories that you can make a mail fraud
complaint about.

36. MAIL FRAUD
Everything said previously about scams also applies to mail
fraud.
If you suspect you are a victim of mail fraud, you can
contact the US Postal Inspection Service through your local
post office or go on line and File a Mail Fraud Complaint.

37. CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Your card…
Or its information
5050 6060 7070 8080
Exp. 01/09
is the goal here

38. TO PREVENT CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Never give your card number over the phone
or internet unless you initiated the call.
Never provide your credit card information on
a website that is not a secure site.
Shred all credit card applications you receive.
Memorize your PIN. NEVER write it down.

39. TO PREVENT CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Don’t let your card out of your sight if at all
possible when it is being used.

40. TO PREVENT CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Shield your credit card number so that others
around you can't copy it.
Keep a list in a secure place with all of your
account numbers, expiration dates, phone
number, and address of each bank that has
issued you a credit card.
Never sign a blank credit card receipt.
Draw a line through blanks on the receipt
where additional charges could be
fraudulently added.

41. IF YOU SUSPECT CREDIT CARD FRAUD:
If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact
the issuer(s) immediately.
Most credit card companies have toll-free
numbers and 24-hour service to deal with
these emergencies.
By US law, once you have reported the loss or
theft of your credit card, you have no more
responsibility for unauthorized charges.
Your maximum liability under federal US law is
$50 per credit card

42. ATM SCAMS

43. ATM SCAMS

44. ATM SCAMS

45. ATM SCAMS

46. ATM SCAMS

47. ATM SCAMS

48. ATM SCAMS

49. ATM SCAMS

50. IDENTITY THEFT

51. WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?
Identity-Theft is the fastest growing crime in
America; 9.9 MILLION victims were reported
in 2004 according to a Federal Trade
Commission survey.
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your
personally identifying information, like your
name, Social Security number, or credit card
number, without your permission, to commit
fraud or other crimes.

52. HOW DO THIEVES STEAL AN
IDENTITY?
Dumpster Diving…
They rummage through trash looking for bills
or other paper with your personal information
on it.

53. HOW DO THIEVES STEAL AN
IDENTITY?
Skimming…
They steal credit/debit card numbers by using
a special storage device when processing your
card.

54. HOW DO THIEVES STEAL AN
IDENTITY?
Phishing…
They pretend to be financial institutions or
companies and send spam or pop-up
messages to get you to reveal your personal
information.

55. HOW DO THIEVES STEAL AN
IDENTITY?
Changing your address…
They divert your billing statements to another
location by completing a change of address
form.

56. HOW DO THIEVES STEAL AN
IDENTITY?
Old-Fashioned Stealing…
They steal wallets and purses; mail, including
bank and credit card statements; preapproved credit offers; and new checks or tax
information. They steal personnel records, or
bribe employees who have access.

57. HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT IF YOUR
IDENTITY WAS STOLEN?
The best way to find out is to monitor your
accounts and bank statements each month,
and check your credit report on a regular
basis.

58. HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT IF YOUR
IDENTITY WAS STOLEN?
You may find out when…
Bill collection agencies contact you for
overdue debts you never incurred.
You apply for a mortgage or car loan and learn
that problems with your credit history are
holding up the loan.
You get something in the mail about an
apartment you never rented, a house you
never bought, or a job you never held.

59. What are the steps I should take if I'm
a victim of identity theft?
1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports, and
review your credit reports. (see hand out)
2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe,
have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently.
3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission. (see hand out)
4. File a report with your local police or the police
in the community where the identity theft took
place.

60. REMEMBER…THEY ARE OUT THERE
WAITING FOR YOU

61. • COEBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT
• 114 FRONT STREET
• 395-2111
• CHIEF SCOTT BROOKS
• sbrooks@townofcoeburn.com