Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
7/13/09
zan@spokane.bbb.org
800-356-1007 or 509-455-4200
www.bbb.org
Readers of these tips should take into consideration the importance of the practice in question and the total performance of a company.
For complete information and BBB reports, please visit
www.bbb.org
TIP NUMBER ONE
Email Scam Targeting Realtors: Falsely Requests to View Your Properties, Call Their Foreign Mobile at 882-135-503-23
Realtors are being warned about a new email scam that is targeting their industry that has been reported by a variety of entities. Here is the email request:
"I am interested in viewing one of your properties, could you please call me on my foreign mobile 882-135-503-23 to setup a time. As I am traveling at the moment I am unable to pickup emails regularly so please call".
DO NOT CALL – If you do, this scam will start billing your number the minute you place the call, since it is a foreign number. Also, you may get someone on the other end of the line attempting to get you to compromise information, etc.
TIP NUMBER TWO
TWISTED TTY RELAY SCAM CONTINUES TO TARGET AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, PROMPTING ALERT FROM FBI’s INTERNET COMPLAINT CENTER www.IC3.gov
Recently the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has seen a dramatic increase in the number of complaints from online businesses being victimized by scammers’ abuse of the IP-Relay to facilitate criminal activity.
Just last week, a local pizza shop had a questionable email request for 300 gyros for a supposed wedding in Western WA. Here is the initial email:
My name is James Williams , I have a wedding coming up on the 11th of July (pick up time is 3 pm) and I have some In laws from Greece so I will need some chicken Gyros sandwiches for about 300 guests that are coming so can I get the price per person and the total price for the 300 people inclusive of tax now so that I can give you the card to charge through. So I will be looking forward to get a total price for the order and i can get back to you with my credit card details to run for the food. The venue of the wedding is at my location : : 2909 SE Village Loop, Vancouver WA 98683. So get back to me ASAP
Being a bit savvy about such requests, the pizza shop owner asked a series of questions that the scammer, eventually, couldn’t answer or substantiate. The biggest red flag was the address the scammer wanted deliveries to be made to. Researching the address, the pizza shop owner came to find that it was an assisted-living center on the Westside.
Back in March of this year, your BBB warned its auto repair shops about a TTY relay scam scenario targeting them with a new twist also using both email and TTY relay to attempt fraud.
Here it is (Tip #4): http://spokane.bbb.org/article/bbb-weekly-tips-you-can-trust-for-the-week-march-23-2009-9668
Just last week, the FBI issued a release on this very scam, stating that it is being reported more and more and that shops all over the US are continuing to fall victim to this twist of a scam using TTY relay. This type of scenario could translate to a scam attempt for other industries, as well, so it pays to become familiar with how it works.
FBI RELEASE, JULY 9, 2009
A new twist involves several recent reports of perpetrators of these schemes exploiting auto repair shops by using TRS (Telephone Relay Services) to request services for a vehicle. The fraudster claims the vehicle has to be shipped to the shop and requests the repairs and shipping fees be charged to a credit card. The charges initially go through without any complications, but unbeknownst to the business, the credit card is fraudulent or stolen. The business is then directed to wire the money to the shipper to cover the shipping costs. After the money is wired, the business is notified of the fraudulent credit card and forced to bear the loss
If you’re not familiar with TRS and how it works here’s a quick rundown from the FBI:
Under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all telephone companies must provide free relay services. At first, the TRS was utilized by the traditional text telephones. However, with the advent of the personal computer and the Internet, TRS users are now able to utilize the Internet to complete an Internet Protocol (IP) Relay. By using the IP-Relay, anyone throughout the world who has a computer and Internet access can connect to a relay operator (a communication assistant CA) and place a free telephone call, to include the international market.
INTERESTING TIDBIT ON TTY RELAY
The relay industry is doing what they can to prevent fraudulent situation from happening and the FCC has posted information on its web site about how to best handle fraudulent situations and report it to the FBI.
Here’s a web link for more information in regards to IP Relay fraud: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/iprelayfraud.html.
Further information about Telecommunication Relay Services can also be found on the FCC website: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/trs.html.
TIP NUMBER THREE
BEST “YOU CAN’T FOOL ME” PHONE SCAM SCENARIO
FROM LAST WEEK
Scenario #1: Southwest Tribe in Crisis Donation Plea
A Spokane woman called to report a suspicious call she received last week at around 7:30 p.m. from a gentleman saying that “a Southwest Indian tribe” was in crisis, could she donate $100? She told him her husband has been out of work and she needed to hold onto her money. The caller said, “$50 will do because donations would go to feeding the elderly and children.” She said she couldn’t afford it. The caller then said, “Can’t you give $20?” at which point she ended the conversation. Her CALLER ID displayed all zeros.
Lesson to Learn from Scenario?
While this may have been a legitimate pitch for a donation, if you are interested in learning more about the call and which charity it actually is, and more about the cause, ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, and gain physical info about the organization prior to donating. If they are a legitimate charity, they will be around tomorrow to take your donation. Ask for a web site, phone number, address, all pertinent info to obtain. If you feel pressured or are not interested in the cause, kindly ask them to remove you from their list and end the call.
TIP NUMBER FOUR
COMPANY FUNDS, INC. of NV TARGETING REGIONAL BUSINESSES
COMPANY FUNDS, INC. aka SBA CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.
3087 E. Warm Springs Rd. Bldg. 7 Ste.100
Las Vegas, NV 89120
(877) 943-8637
www.companyfunds.com
This company specializes in financial funding. In our region, specifically, businesses relay that the company is pitching loan application processing for SBA loans. This company’s web site states:
With over 50 years of combined experience, our Expert Grant Consultants will help you determine which loan product is right for you and your business needs. Let us simplify the loan packaging process for you by helping you identify your funding requirements, assess your eligibility for an SBA loan, help you create a winning business plan, professionally prepare and complete the application, and submit the application to the SBA.
BBB ADVICE
Whenever anybody contacts you offering grant writing or loan application services for your business, we strongly suggest that you obtain information directly from the SBA and not from a third-party before going with the offer for services. If you are interested in an explanation of the SBA’s loan application process, contact SBA directly. To learn more about the SBA loan process, etc. and whether your business is eligible, contact your local/regional SBA office for further details and directives. To find out where your local SBA office is located, go to: www.sba.gov
As for grants for businesses, for more information on grant services and how the grant process works for businesses, we suggest: www.grants.gov
TIP NUMBER FIVE
CREDIT ANSWERS, LLC of TX Has Pattern Regarding
Debt Negotiation Plan it Offers
CREDIT ANSWERS LLC
(972) 202-5222
6200 Tennyson Pkwy Ste 200
Plano, TX 75024-6099
www.creditanswers.com
According to BBB files, this company offers a service for budget review, debt analysis, contacting creditors, and negotiating settlements with creditors for their clients for a fee.
Complaints are regarding dissatisfaction with the company's service and misrepresentation of the results of the debt negotiation program. Specifically, customers complain that paying the company fee and following the debt negotiation program does not reduce debt, as stated by company representatives.
As a result of the program, customers complain, they have an increase in debt due to late fees or additional interest and negative credit reporting.
The company resolves complaints by offering refunds or referring to the Client Services Agreement for explanation. Although the company resolves most of the complaints, it has failed to correct the underlying reason for the complaints.
BBB ADVICE ON DEBT SETTLEMENT
Before you jump to any choices, know your debt settlement PLANS, and the difference between consolidation, negotiation and elimination:
http://www.bbb.org/us/article/9350
Debt negotiation and debt settlement companies advertise their ability to negotiate or settle consumer's debt for a fraction of the debt actually owed and stop creditor harassment. However, the BBB has received many complaints from consumers alleging that many of these programs do not work as well as some of these companies advertise.
The BBB advises consumers to be wary of companies that guarantee debt settlement, inform consumers to stop paying their bills and ignore creditors, and collect upfront fees prior to providing services.
Complaints on some of these companies allege that creditors continue to harass clients, fees and interest continue to accumulate, and that the companies do not contact the creditors. In some cases, creditors turn the claims over to collection agencies, file suit and pursue collection of the money owed to them. Debts are not always settled, customer's credit can be ruined, and individuals that are sued are often forced to seek bankruptcy protection. Consumers usually experience difficulty obtaining refunds from these companies.