Consumer Alerts

“Fresh Start Opportunities” reeks of scam

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Teeth Whitening Products Sold Online Wipe Smile off Consumers’ Faces

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

VA Warns Veterans of Telephone Prescription Scam

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Consumers juiced by deceptive açaí and resveratrol product ads

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Survey agent job with Horizon Polls, LLC, a scam

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Pierce County businesses claiming to help homeless aren’t charities

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Better Business Bureau alert: Phony letter from Publishers Clearing House lands in mailboxes across the country

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Letters claim you've won a $1 million prize.

Economic scams boom in recession

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Door-to-door magazine seller pretending to be a charity

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Phone scammers posing as Department of Revenue

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

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 City Light: Customers Urged to Protect Credit Card Information from Con Artists

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

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.

Phone scam targeting Hispanic businesses; Callers claim to be from “the insurance agency”

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT

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.

Attorney General warns of bogus employment scams

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

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.

Watch out for flood-related scams

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

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.

KB Toys gift cards to expire Sunday

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

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.