Consumer Fraud

Discuss . . . Personal Experiences?

Consumer Fraud Lies or tricks designed to get you to part with your money for product or services that have little or no value

If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is! Buyer Beware! If it sounds too good to be true…it probably is! 90% of victims of consumer fraud never report it

Basic Patterns You’re led to believe you’re getting something for “nothing” or a deal that sounds too good to be true. Someone sells with such vigor you’re ready to pay. Stop and think about it.

Basic Patterns You’re offered something that cannot be found anywhere else. A fraud is announced in the media People tend to trust newspapers and television ads. Not all ads are truthful.

Bait and Switch Bait- super deal to lure someone into a buying frame of mind Switch- Salesperson diverts from the bait to another item that offers him/her a higher profit

Danger of the Internet Most common venue for consumer fraud. Nothing has to be edited on the internet Any type of fraud can happen on the internet

Vanity Rackets Mail Order Scams Prey on human desire to be recognized Offer to publish books, songs, poems and sent to “producers”

Work at Home Mail Order Scams Send money to employer or producer to receive instructions on task Buy a product and assemble; company buys it back

On the Street Phony Goods Broken Not a name brand

In the Home Telephone Cell phone Unknowingly charged for calls Read plans/contracts Can be cloned and minutes charged to your account

In the Home Scholarship scams 300,000 students have been affected Money initially sent in for processing fees Legitimate scholarship donors do not ask for upfront money

Home Improvements Do not sign contracts unless you have detailed plans and specifications by a licensed contractor. Do not sign any contracts until you have comparable bids from other licensed contractors based on the SAME plans and specifications.

Home Improvements Approve contract with lawyer, friends, or family members. Approve financing with bank before signing. Do not pay cash deposit. Performance must come before payment.

Home Improvements Cooling Off Period Allows you to cancel any contract and get full refund any time in the first 3 days. Report to Attorney General or Better Business Bureau

Investments Never agree to invest money from a solicitor (online/phone) SPEAK THESE WORDS: Please remove me from your list

Investments Pyramid Scams- money is given and money can be solicited from others “below in the pyramid”. If you enlist with 10 people and they each enlist with 10 and so on…by the 10th level, 10 billion people must be involved. More people than on Earth

Leisure Abuse with Time Shares High pressure Good incentives offered initially Property not maintained Overbooked

Leisure Vacation Deals Registration fee must be paid upfront Sometimes paid with credit card Use reputable travel agents Work directly with travel institutions

Identity Theft Thieves will steal your: Name Address Social Security Number Driver’s License Number Bank Account Numbers Credit Card Numbers

Identity Theft What can they do with it? Open bank or credit card accounts Obtain car or home loans Establish a phone service Change mailing addresses for existing accounts and use them without your knowledge Empty your bank account

How it occurs Dumpster Diving Stealing Wallets/Purses Stealing Mail Pretending to be a representative of a company or a government official Employee Theft

Tips to Prevent Identity Theft Shred documents Call 1-888-5OPTOUT and ask to stop credit card companies from sending pre-approved applications to your address. (2 years or permanently) Ask your credit card company to stop sending “convenience checks”.

Tips, cont. Review your credit report 3 times/year or if suspicion occurs. Pick up mail ASAP Mail important documents at PO

Top 10, cont. Copy everything in your wallet Do not provide personal info unless you made the contact Keep SS # safe Delete emails with personal information Ask that your name be taken off telemarketers’ lists

Tips, cont. Limit the number of credit cards you hold. Review your statements. Save account records for one year to prove your balance in the event of ID theft.

Identity Theft If suspected call: Illinois State Police 1 (217) 347-2711 Safety Education Unit 1 (217) 524-2525

Identify Theft Severe emotional consequences Issues trusting others Emotional effects similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Weight Loss Scams Quackery Health/Diet Pills Practice of offering uneducated advice with unrealistic “guaranteed” outcomes Health/Diet Pills

Who are the most likely to be victims of fraud?

Senior Citizens Finances Older women more likely to be targets Older Americans have many concerns financially. Signing a power of attorney or any document that allows another person to act on behalf of senior citizens must be taken seriously.

Senior Citizens Education Senior citizens need to be educated on how use digital purchasing devices Scammers will appear to “help” them Those seniors who do not feel comfortable need a trusted friend or family member

Senior Citizens Medical Expenses (Medicare & Medicaid) Overcharging Billing unnecessary items Overcharging for items Billing payments that have already been paid by insurance companies $1 out of every $10 spent on Medicare and Medicaid is lost due to fraudulent claims (U.S. General Accounting Office).

Senior Citizens What can be done? Ask for itemized bill. Call provider if you have questions about a bill. Never give your Medicare number to anyone other than service providers you know. For help call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Help Line: 1-800-252-8966