Don't Get Scammed Online or By Phone

Kim Wolinski, MSW
"Dr. DeClutter"
www.drdeclutter.com

If you're online, or use the telephone, there are plenty of ways criminals, "to be criminals" and "scammers", hundreds a year, are fishing the consumer (human) waters to engage you, manipulate and scare you into giving up your confidential information and steal your identity.

Here is an example of just one of many phone scams that's been around a while.

JURY DUTY SCAM
Someone calls pretending to be a court official who threateningly says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo! Your identity has now been stolen.

The scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois and Colorado. This (scam) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving Information by pretending they're with the court system. The FBI and the Federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud. Such matters are not handled by telephone. Tell them no, to take you off their list and hang up.

HOW CAN YOU CHECK IF THESE KIND OF SCAMS ARE REAL?
Phone systems, mail and the internet can be used for good or bad, like everything else. Let's concentrate on the good! When you think there's something "fishy" about an ad, call or email (start trusting your "guts" more!) there are several spam buster sites online to check out that you can depend on for the right information.

1. http://www.Snopes.com
For the specific scam above, the link is http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp .
The FBI also has this one pegged, visit http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel05/092805.htm .
2. http://www.korova.com/virus/hoax.htm
Please pass this on to everyone in your email address book. It is spreading fast so be prepared should you get this call.
3. http://www.scam.com/
4. Google "scams" and you'll find other interesting information and sites to help you too.

IN SUMMARY: Don't give out your Social Security#, Credit Card numbers, or other personal confidential information to any caller or invitation online.

©2007 Kim Wolinski, MSW “Dr. DeClutter”Stress, Change and Organizational Skills Expert
Editors and publishers are free to reprint blog articles as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and the signature line remains intact.

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