SCDCA Warns Consumers To Be Wary Of Scams On Twitter

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to be vigilant of scams circulating on Twitter.

Historically, from the telegraph to e-mail, con artists have quickly adapted to advancements in communication technology. Thus, it comes as no surprise that they are now targeting social networking sites such as Twitter.

Twitter is a micro blogging tool that allows users to post, in 140 characters or less, what they are doing. Scammers are utilizing the site in the same way. Scammers use spam e-mail to try to entice users.

Easy Money

These scams have been around for years in various incarnations, such as work-at-home scams, pyramid schemes and timeshare fraud. The bottom line is the same – you lose money. Scammers post promises that you can make thousands of dollars doing little or no work. A link is included in the post, directing you to a website that has more information on this “great opportunity.” This is never legitimate. No one is ever going to post on Twitter a legal way for you to make thousands of dollars.

Phishing

In most of these schemes a user posts a link to a website masquerading as a legitimate website. The spoofed site uses any information you enter to steal your identity, hack into financial accounts and generally wreak havoc.

One scam, specific to Twitter, involves receiving a spoofed e-mail made to appear it is from Twitter. The e-mail usually claims you need to click on an accompanying link to see a “funny” post or “great site.” The link takes you to a site spoofing Twitter’s homepage. Once you login, the scammer has your user name and password, giving them access to your account and the ability to pose as you.

How to Protect Yourself

• If you are uncomfortable with a follower, block them. To do so, simply click on their user name and then click the block user box under their picture. You can also protect against unwanted followers by making your posts private.
• Be very wary of users who are following a large number of people, but are not being followed back by very many people. This is an indication the user is just looking for people to spam.
• Never enter personal information into a website you reached by clicking on a link in a Twitter post. Instead, if you are going to enter personal information, open a new web browser and type in what you know to be the organization’s website address.
• Someone you haven’t met is never going to post about a legal, legitimate “opportunity” to make thousands of dollars with little or no work involved.

This is not meant to discourage consumers from using Twitter. It’s one of the safe sites on the Internet, and the organization has taken a very proactive approach to stamping out scams and spam.

SCDCA has a presence on the site and can be reached by tweeting @scdca.

For more information, contact the Public Information Division at (803) 734-4203, 1-800-922-1594, or online at www.scconsumer.gov & click on Live Chat.

SCDCA Cautions Consumers About Searching For Jobs Online

The current economy has not provided much relief for consumers and businesses.

For many, business and income are coming in slowly these days; however, online job search engines are among the few staying quite busy. With millions of consumers looking for employment or supplemental income, these services are in demand more now than ever.

Unfortunately, scammers have not missed a beat and are wreaking havoc through these sites.

Disguised as convenient, well-paying jobs, work-at-home scams are weaving their way through the pages of many reputable and trusted online job search websites. Reports from consumers have described various job offers advertised on sites such as Career Builders, Monster Jobs, Yahoo Hot Jobs and others.

One offer described an available position for a delivery person. The consumer was asked to work out of their home as a third party shipper delivering packages internationally. Other schemes include envelope stuffing jobs or at-home sales opportunities that are nothing more than cleverly disguised pyramid schemes. In most cases, these “scam jobs” are posted directly on the job search website. Some scammers, however, will post listings that direct the consumer to another web page after clicking on a link. The consumer may believe they are still operating within the pages of the search engine when, in fact, they are not.

Experts say work-at-home offers provide a legitimate lead roughly once for every 55 offers. In other words, odds are high that pursuing one of these leads will result in lost dollars or worse. Regardless of how reputable the job search engine may be, scammers have the same access to post jobs as legitimate employers. Consumers should keep in mind that while the search engine may be trustworthy, individual companies and positions should be checked and verified separately. Consumers should also be wary of emails from “employers” that respond to the consumer’s posted resume’ but do hot have a job listed online.

Tips Before Applying Online:

• Verify the company’s history and background separately from the job search site.
• Do not provide financial information.
• Take caution before paying for job search services.
• Do not click on links in emails from job search sites.

For more information, contact the Public Information Division at (803) 734-4190, 1-800-922-1594 (toll-free in SC), or online at www.scconsumer.gov & click on Live Chat.

S C Department Of Consumer Affairs Seeing More Economic Stimulus Scams

With so much news about economic stimulus packages and the country’s economic recovery plans, consumers are hoping some of this stimulus money will funnel down to them. This is the perfect opening for con artists to try to scam the vulnerable. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) has received numerous reports of scams using the stimulus package – each with a different twist- to steal personal information and/or money.

One of the more brazen twists uses President Barrack Obama’s image to persuade consumers. SCDCA has received a number of forwarded emails from alert consumers who are suspicious of the offer. The mail, featuring a photograph of President Obama, promises a free stimulus check in varying amounts of money; anywhere from $613.27 to several thousand dollars. Consumers are directed to another link where they must “participate in the program” in order to receive the check.

Participation requires completion of several “reward offers” such as magazine subscriptions that the consumer must purchase or a credit card which can only be activated with a purchase. Although the offers themselves may or may not be real products, the consumer will have to spend money on things they possibly didn’t need, plus they will not receive a stimulus check just for participating in the program.

The Department has also received calls from consumers concerning other e-mails they have received. The e-mail claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and asks for sensitive information;  such as a bank account number or Social Security number in order to process their portion of the stimulus package. Consumers should remember that the IRS or any other government agency will never contact you regarding rebates or refunds via e-mail. Additionally, the IRS will never ask you for personal information.

Another twist on this scam arrives by U S mail and contains an actual check, again in varying amounts. Of course the check is fake, but it looks very real. The accompanying literature instructs the consumer to call a toll free number for further instructions. Callers are then instructed to deposit the check but to wire a certain amount back to either enter into foreclosure rescue, or if you’re not in foreclosure, to purchase a foreclosure “kit” with instructions on how to use the stimulus money to buy foreclosed properties in your area. This scam is for the needy as well as the greedy, but it is a scam nonetheless.

Homeowners qualifying for mortgage assistance or restructuring under the housing portion of the Economic Recovery Plan may be telephoned by their lender just to expedite matters, but they should verify that the caller does indeed represent that lender. Consumers are urged to contact the Department if they are suspicious of anything they receive that purports to represent stimulus money.

For more information, contact the Public Information Division at (803) 734-4190, 1-800-922-1594 (toll-free in SC), or online at www.scconsumer.gov & click on Live Chat.

S C Department Of Consumer Affairs Posts Maximum Rates Online

More than in recent history, consumers are feeling the strain of a struggling economy. With limited cash flow, maintaining credit is especially important to provide temporary relief for major and minor purchases.

While retailers and creditors are offering a variety of payment plans to help consumers, interest rates remain steep.

State law requires any business charging interest rates greater than 18 % to file with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA). In an effort to help consumers during these difficult financial times, SCDCA is taking things one step further. The Department launched a new listing online that provides information on all businesses that have filed maximum rate schedules with interest rates above 18 %. The listing also includes information on all car dealerships charging closing or documentation fees. Consumers may find the listing on the Department’s website or through the following link:

http://www.scconsumer.gov/licensing/mr_mvcf_list.pdf

By making this information readily available to consumers, the Department no only keeps an updated list of registered businesses, but also alerts consumers about costly interest rates before agreeing to a payment schedule. “Some purchases necessitate larger interest rates, but in any event, the consumer should know what they’re getting into before agreeing to a payment plan. Likewise, closing fees on motor vehicle purchases are another one of those costs that can sneak up on you. The consumer has a right and need to know these fees and rates ahead of time,” said Brandolyn Pinkston, SCDCA Administrator.

The list currently includes nearly 1900 businesses and dealerships that either have interest rates greater than 18 % or charge closing fees. Businesses or dealerships that fall under one of these categories and have not filed should contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs immediately or face potential fines.

For more information, contact the Public Information Division at (803) 734-4190, 1-800-922-1594 (toll-free in SC), or online at www.scconsumer.gov & click on Live Chat.