Our hearts were torn when four Lakewood police officers were killed this week. Many are looking for ways to donate money to help families of the victims. But some fundraisers may not be legit.
An email asking state employees to register for a swine flu vaccination program is hogwash, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clicking on a link in the message can infect your computer.
SEATTLE -- If a young person knocks on your door and says they're selling magazines for a charity, wait before reaching for your pocketbook. The Washington Attorney General’s Office, which issued a
warning about Fresh Start Opportunities in March, says solicitors have returned to Washington state.
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely wary of pervasive online ads offering the promise of a whiter, brighter smile. BBB has received a recent onslaught of complaints from consumers who thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth whitening products but were repeatedly billed for products and services they didn’t want.
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.
SEATTLE – Washington consumers looking to lose weight or wrinkles have jumped at “free trial” offers for açaí berry and resveratrol products. But the fruity supplements came with unexpected costs, say officials at the Washington Attorney General’s Office who want to warn shoppers about deceptive advertising practices.
A job ad for a “survey agent” is too good to be true, the Better Business Bureau warned today. Scammers have randomly emailed people who have posted resumes on sites including CareerBuilder.com. Potential victims are offered a position as a “survey agent” for a company called Horizon Polls, LLC, with the promise of making $1,500-$3,000 weekly. The company uses bogus addresses throughout the Northwest.
TACOMA – The telemarketers’ pitch seems innocent enough: They want you to buy trash bags, light bulbs or gift cards at jacked-up prices. They claim your cash will help the homeless or support employment for those with disabilities. But state officials and consumer advocates are warning residents not to be misled by these sales calls.
Letters claim you've won a $1 million prize.
The worst economic downturn in generations has created a perfect storm of financial shocks: evaporating investments, foreclosures and job losses. To add insult to injury, a new generation of thieves increasingly targets the dwindling bank balances of struggling Washington residents. The Attorney General’s Office has created a new Recession Survival guide on its Web site at
www.atg.wa.gov/economy.aspx to help Washington residents avoid schemes and access legitimate resources to survive the recession.
The Washington Attorney General’s Office today issued a warning about a company selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door in Washington and several other states. Fresh Start Opportunities claims that money from the subscriptions will be used to help young people get a “fresh start on life,” but the company isn’t a registered charity.
Scammers posing as Washington Department of Revenue employees are calling Washington businesses directing them to a bogus international phone number and charging them for the call, the department warned.
SEATTLE - Seattle City Light is urging its customers to be on guard against telephone con artists posing as utility bill collectors who appear to be targeting customers with Asian surnames.
The Washington Attorney General’s Office is alerting residents about a phone scam in which Spanish-speaking callers claim to be representatives of an insurance company and ask for bank account information.
Unemployed workers in Washington and the rest of the country are targets for crooks posing as headhunters, the Attorney General’s Office warned today. Scams include bogus job offers and realistic-looking e-mail messages that contain links to computer viruses or phishing sites.
The Attorney General's Offfice issued a warning about schemes targeting Washngton residents whose homes were damaged by recent floods. Beware of cons, unregistered contractors and flood cars.
If you have a gift card for KB Toys, shop now. The Washington Attorney General’s Office was notified by legal counsel for KB Toys, Inc., that the company is liquidating its stores and will no longer accept gift cards or store credit after Sunday, Jan. 11.
The Washington State Employment Security Department issued a warning about scam that preys on unemployed workers by offering to help file their claim online – for a fee.
The Washington State Department of Financial Institution’s Consumer Services Division advises homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgage to be cautious about using the services of someone offering to help them work with their lender to modify the terms of their home loan.
Cons are now calling seniors, claiming to offer a new medical discount card for Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Seniors reminded that government agencies don’t phone for personal info
OLYMPIA –The Attorney General’s Office is warning Washington residents that they should not provide Social Security numbers, bank accounts or other personal information to callers claiming to be from the government. If past events are any indication, cons are likely to start working the phone lines after today’s
announcement about the availability of a new prepaid debit card to receive federal benefits.
Spammers are using e-mails that appear to be from MSNBC.com and CNN to try to trick recipients into visiting Web sites laden with malware. (From AG's
All Consuming blog)
KENT -- A Kent woman received a call from someone claiming to help her repair her debt. The consumer became suspicious when the caller asked for personal information – including her phone number and the security code on the back of her credit card. (From AG's
All Consuming blog)
RICHLAND – If your grandchild called seeking help, would you send money? The Washington Attorney General’s Office is warning Washington residents about the “grandparent scam,” where cons posing as relatives try to convince elderly victims to wire cash to help pay for emergency car repairs, medical bills – or even post bail.
OLYMPIA -- Consumers are finding Broadway Lending Group’s website and are contacting them regarding obtaining a loan. The company requires the consumer to pay a certain number of monthly payments in advance of receiving loan proceeds. This appears to be an advance fee scam.
SEATTLE -- Seattle City Light is urging its customers to be on guard against telephone con artists posing as utility bill collectors who appear to be targeting customers with Asian surnames.
OLYMPIA -- The Department of Licensing says watch out for a new scam targeting Washington car owners. Cons posing as DOL representatives are contacting people and telling them their vehicle tabs are expired. They then ask for credit card information to renew the tabs over the phone.
SEATTLE – The official-looking postcard in your mailbox warns that your car’s warranty is about to expire and urges you to call a toll-free number to ensure you’re covered. But think twice before you dial. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division says these mailers are advertisements aimed at pressuring you into buying an expensive service contract.
OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today cautioned Washington residents to beware of possible flood-related scams including fraudulent home repair offers and charity appeals.
SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged homeowners to check out contractors they hire to help repair their storm-damaged homes and remove fallen trees caused by yesterday’s 40-50 mph winds.
SPOKANE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged consumers to check the tires on their SUV, pickup or van in case they are among those being recalled. Attorneys General in 24 states issued consumer alerts and have formed a working group to look into concerns that an estimated 270,000 tires brought into the U.S. from China may be potentially unsafe.
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE -- The Washington State Department of Revenue has received reports that taxpayers have received automated phone messages from a party that identifies itself as the Department of Revenue.
LAKEWOOD – Attorney General Rob McKenna warned Washington residents that con artists are becoming increasingly skilled at customizing their pitches. Residents of Lakewood, Washington, have been targeted twice in recent weeks for identity theft and financial fraud scams. The cases appear to be unrelated, but show how far criminals will go in order to convince someone to send money or provide personal information.
TACOMA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned businesses to beware of traveling salesmen who fraudulently claim to be federal government representatives and use coercive tactics to sell labor law posters. Cons were recently reported in the Tacoma area.
OLYMPIA – Thousands of Washington apartment homes and hotels may be especially vulnerable to fire. The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office says up to 500,000 fire sprinkler heads in Washington may be defective – and officials don’t know where they are located.
OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned Washington homeowners and businesses to beware of cons claiming to repair your driveway. Scammers have been reported in communities across Washington, most recently in the Vancouver and Tacoma areas.