Debt Collection Scams
Check Out @ Your Library!
What Are the Dangers of Online Scams? by Call Number: 364.16 ALLISBN: 9781682828878Publication Date: 2020
Businesses & Charities
- Better Business BureauCheck out ratings for businesses;
BBB also has a Charities look-up tool: BBB Give.org.
How to Spot a Con
- Common Fraud Schemeshttps://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes. A list of some of the most common scams that the FBI investigates and tips to help prevent you from being victimized.
- Consumer Informationhttp://www.consumer.ftc.gov/. Learn how to avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.
- Fighting Fraud: U.S. Senate Aging Committee Identifies Top 10 Scams Targeting Our Nation’s Seniors [.pdf]U.S. Senate. Read this report compiled by Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) for tips on fighting fraud.
Credit Freeze Information
Free Credit Freezes
Federal Trade Commission blog (06.07.2018)
by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC
Go to: FTC Free Credit Report information and link.
by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney, FTC
Looking for stronger ways to protect your credit? Thanks to a recent federal law, you can get free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts. Here’s what is available:
- Free credit freezes
- Free child credit freezes
- Year-long fraud alerts
Go to: FTC Free Credit Report information and link.
Identity Theft
Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
-- United States Department of Justice "Identity Theft"
Identity Theft is a CRIME.
-- United States Department of Justice "Identity Theft"
Identity Theft is a CRIME.
- ID Theft Victim Toolkit (printable)If you’ve been the victim of identity theft, you can take steps to reclaim your good name. North Carolina and the federal government have resources to help you. [PDF]
Telephone Robocalls
- National Do Not Call Registry"Maybe you’ve gotten one — you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person. Internet-powered phone systems have made it cheap and easy for scammers to make illegal sales robocalls from anywhere in the world. Fortunately, you have some options to block robocalls and other unwanted calls." ‘Tis the season for stopping robocalls by Ari Lazarus, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC.
Some tips:
- Do not give out your phone number except to people you know.
- Do not answer calls from numbers you don't recognize.
- If you do answer a robocall, do not press a button to "opt out"-- that only confirms that your number is active and further targets you. Do not say "yes"; do not answer any questions. Just hang up.
- If your phone has the option, take a moment to block unwanted numbers.
- Register your phone number(s) with the National Do Not Call Registry. Note: this will not stop calls from charities, bill collection agencies, etc. But telemarketers that do call illegally may be reported to the FTC by calling 1-888-382-1222. Website: https://www.donotcall.gov/
Fraud Alerts
- NC Department of Justice E-Newsletterhttps://ncdoj.gov/newsroom/enewsletter-subscription/ North Carolina Department of Justice: receive scam alerts and newsletters in your email.
- Aging and Adult Serviceshttps://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/aging-and-adult-services. NC Department of Health & Human Services. Help finding senior services, and avoiding fraud.
- Tax Fraud Alertshttps://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/tax-fraud-alerts. IRS: Learn about current tax scams.
Citation
Author: Gaston County Public Library
Title: Avoiding Scams, Frauds, and Cons
URL: https://gastonlibrary.libguides.com/scams
Revised: 10 August 2022
Title: Avoiding Scams, Frauds, and Cons
URL: https://gastonlibrary.libguides.com/scams
Revised: 10 August 2022