1. PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM SCAMS Welcome to Just say NO! Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

2. Overview of topics Recognizing scams Protecting yourself from fraud Steps to take if you become a victim Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

3. Be Alert Walk with confidence Pay attention to your surroundings Do not talk on cell phone while walking Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

4. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Why Scams Work Con artists are often very clever I’m too smart to fall for one of those scams We want to be nice & helpful AARP states that the average age of a fraud victim is 69. Other studies use an average of between 55 and 65 years old

5. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Distraction Scams Many different forms Approach you in a store asking for directions/help Talk their way into your home Disruption/fight to direct your focus elsewhere Summit County Cases

6. Sucker lists If you often respond to sweepstakes or contests, your name might be added to lists sold to con artists A sucker list contains the names of people who have been, or are good candidates to be, victims of fraud People on the lists may hear from crooks who claim they can help recover, for a fee, money lost to a con artist Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

7. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Street Scams Don’t talk to strangers and never hand over money Don’t believe sad stories

8. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Gas Station Scam Well-oiled money making scheme While you are filling your tank a man approaches with empty fuel can claiming to have “just run out of gas a couple of blocks away” Well-dressed and polite Continues on that he “forgot his wallet and needs $10-$15” May offer business card and promise to re-pay ?

9. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Grandparent Scam Common Scam Now Phone call late night/early morning Plea for money right away Don’t tell Mom or Dad Play on emotions Ask questions

10. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Jury Duty Scam Con-Artist claims you did not show for jury duty. Warrant for your arrest Asks for personal information for “verification” purposes Demand for credit card or bank information to pay “fine”

11. Nigerian letters E-mails asking recipients to provide their bank account number to help them share in a big pot of money If you respond to these letters you will lose your money Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

12. Sweepstakes and lotteries You’re told that you’ve won a foreign country’s sweepstakes or a foreign lottery You’re asked to pay for processing, taxes or delivery, or provide a bank account number to verify your identity No one ever receives a penny except for the thieves Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

13. ID theft ID theft criminals use your personal information to apply for credit or government benefits Your name Your birth date Your Social Security number Your address Your bank account or credit card numbers Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

14. Phishing A term used for emails that claim to be from your bank, a reputable business or a government agency Criminals ask for personal information such as Social Security numbers or account numbers to steal funds and/or steal identities Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

15. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Tampering with mail Missing mail Looking for preapproved credit card offers, personal bank or brokerage account statements or checks to pay bills To obtain account numbers Change address Opt out of preapproved credit card offers 1-888-567-8688 OptOutPrescreen.com

16. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Tampering with mail Review all credit card statements, bank and investment statements and telephone bills Make sure each statement shows up monthly when expected Mail bills from work or the post office Shred Everything

17. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Mailbox Red Flags Beacon for thieves Thieves go through your mailbox and gather all kinds of personal information Name, address, bank account number, credit card numbers, etc. Check-printing programs and magnetic ink easily available at Staples or Office Max Summit County Case ?

18. Travel scams Before buying travel packages Get the offer in writing Check to see if the company is legitimate: The Better Business Bureau State Attorney General’s office Your local consumer protection agency The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) at 202-366-2396 Always use a credit card to purchase travel Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

19. Charities Nonprofit and charitable groups must file IRS Form 990 Check 990s at GuideStar www.guidestar.org www.guidestar.org Before you donate, check to see if the charity is legitimate www.charitywatch.org: 773-529-2300www.charitywatch.org Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

20. Work-at-home scams Do not respond—these offers are scams If you respond, you’ll be asked to pay for supplies upfront Might ask you for your credit card, bank account or Social Security numbers for fraudulent uses Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

21. Dumpster diving Crooks look in garbage cans and elsewhere for discarded credit card statements and receipts to obtain the card numbers These papers can be used to steal your identity and set up credit in your name Shred sensitive papers Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

22. Credit card fraud Keep an eye on your credit cards at all times Unscrupulous employees might steal the information from your credit card and use it to make counterfeit cards Shred all credit card statements, receipts and solicitations before throwing them away Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

23. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Loss Limitations Credit Cards Fair credit billing Act Limited to $50 per card provided that the institution is notified by the customer within 60 days of the date that the first statement showing the unauthorized charge was sent to the consumer Debit cards and ATM transaction Electronic funds transfer Act Through loss or unauthorized use if reports within 2 business days the loss is limited to $50. If reported after 60 days the loss could be unlimited. Don’t buy loss protection insurance sold by telemarketers

24. Contractor fraud Traveling contractors are rarely licensed or insured and often take a large cash payment up front They will probably never return to complete the work When you need a contractor for a home improvement job, get at least 3 estimates from reputable local contractors Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

25. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Front Door Scams Home repair / construction fraud I was just in the neighborhood Don’t hire someone who just shows up – seek referrals of friends Never pay money upfront Get it in writing Do a background check – State or BBB Fake Utility Workers Other unknown visitors Ruse entry burglary, salesmen, or charitable appeals If you feel uneasy don’t open the door Call and verify identity from a different source Identification is easy to fake Never give away any personal information

26. Caretaker crimes Be alert for caregivers who try to isolate them from their friends and family who ask about their will and investments who ask to be given power of attorney who try to dominate or influence them Tell family members or call Adult Protective Services Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

27. Protect your property and assets Financial exploitation is often committed by a person that is trusted by the victim Keep all important financial documents under lock and key in your home Store valuables in a bank safe deposit box Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

28. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH What is Elder Financial Abuse Signs to watch: Making unusual or unnecessary purchases Making unnecessary home repairs – often over priced and poorly done Becoming too close with a much younger person or an inappropriate person A caregiver is too interested in someone’s finances

29. Warning signs of fraud Be suspicious if you hear You’ve won a prize or free gift You’ve been selected to receive a special offer You must act immediately or lose out You must pay for shipping your prize or free gift Give us your credit card number and expiration date to verify that you are a credit cardholder Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

30. More warning signs of fraud You’re asked for personal information You’re asked to donate to an agency whose name sounds like a well known charity You’re one of only a chosen few to receive this offer A courier will come to your home to get your payment Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

31. Protect your assets Never reveal your financial information to someone who calls you on the phone allow strangers to come into your home believe that a stranger will use your money for a good purpose assign power of attorney to people you don’t know very well sign contracts that have any blank lines in them Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

32. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH There are 3 major credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian and TransUnion You have responsibility for the accuracy of the reports Individual can receive a free copy of their credit reports once every 12 months under fair and accurate credit transaction Act. At www.annualcreditreport.com orwww.annualcreditreport.com call 1-800-322-8228 Can also receive a free copy due to adverse action Denial of credit, housing, insurance, or employment Your Credit Report

33. If you become a victim... Call the police You may need a police report to help you prove that you were a victim Contact your state and local law enforcement agencies such as your prosecutor’s office or the state attorney general Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH

34. Summit County Prosecutor SHERRI BEVAN WALSH SummitCountyProsecutor Follow us on Facebook for additional Information on staying safe.