Compiled by Zan Deery, Communications/Investigations
10/19/09
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
TRI CITIES WA AND SURROUNDS BUSINESSES BEWARE: COUNTERFEIT BILLS BEING PASSED
Thanks to Richland Police Department for this Bulletin
The Richland Police Department has received four reports over the last week of counterfeit currency being passed or attempted to be passed at different Richland businesses. There have also been incidents of the same type of bills being passed in Kennewick and Pasco.
The counterfeits are $5 bills that are being altered to appear as if they are a $50 or $100 bill. Since they are genuine currency (or were before they were altered) they contain both a watermark and security thread. However, the denomination on the bill DOES NOT MATCH that listed on the watermark and security thread. The counterfeit bills may be detected if the person receiving them is meticulous about matching the values on the face with those indicated on the security measures.
Businesses are reminded to check currency, especially larger bills, to ensure they are real.
There are several ways to check currency:
Check for the watermark on the bill, it should match the denomination printed on the bill.
Check for the security thread by holding the bill up to the light, it should match the denomination printed on the bill.
A counterfeit detecting pen can be useful, but is not always accurate. If the bill doesn’t look or feel right, have another employee or manager look at the bill.
What if you encounter a counterfeit bill?
If you suspect a bill is counterfeit, do not give it back to the person trying to pass it.
Call 911 immediately.
Get a description of the suspect, their clothing and any vehicles associated with them.
You can try to stall the suspect, but do not try to physically detain them.
For further follow up information, contact Cpt. Mike Cobb at 942-7362.
TIP NUMBER TWO
DECIDE WHETHER YOU WANT TO “PAY TO PLAY” PRIZE PROMOTIONS SUCH AS DATA RELEASE DIVISION OFFICE of NY
CPPD Special Matters Office
D.R.D.
Data Release Division Office
PO Box 9000
East Meadow, NY 11554
More and more, people are calling or visiting BBB (with junk mail in hand) asking why they are receiving junk mail offering the potential of winning a prize or monetary award when they have to pay $20 to play. They ask if this is legal, etc. and tend to call the mailing a “scam.”
The reality is, if you have ever played such prize promotions or if you have signed up to agree to receiving mailings from one group, you are most likely going to see an increase in junk mail offers, spam in your inbox, and perhaps even calls offering you additional pitches.
Think twice before signing up or agreeing to “pay to play” offers. Most entities share your information: name, address, phone as part of their marketing, which means you just get more offers sent to you, some of which may be highly questionable.
The above-mentioned company currently has the BBB’s lowest rating.
FULL REPORT HERE:
http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/prize-promotions/cppd-special-matters-office-in-east-meadow-ny-95485/
FTC TIPS ON PRIZE PROMOTIONS HERE:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel17.shtm
BEST “CAN’T FOOL ME” PHONE SCENARIO FROM LAST WEEK: "BBB Says You are a Winner"
A woman in Spokane got a call Friday supposedly from “the New York BBB” saying she had won two million dollars, yet they required her to pay them $230 in administrative fees to process the claim.
BBB ADVICE
The BBB does not, alas, give away money. Nor does it offer contests for prize winnings such as these. If anyone calls you using the BBB name, you are welcome to keep it short, protect personal info, and call BBB to confirm or verify the call, whatever it is about! We’re here to give you advice.
TIP NUMBER THREE
BEWARE Samoan Wesleyan Methodist Church, Rev. Berg Reed, Rev. Danid Wayoque Reed, www.rocketship.com & Rocket Shipping Co.
CREDIT CARD SCAM AGAINST REGIONAL BUSINESS EXPOSED
Thanks to A-I Consolidated of ID for this Warning
A regional business brought to our attention that they are using their business web site to post warnings about credit card scam emails that are targeting them. They wanted to share their latest “run in” with a group of scammers using the above info.
FULL WARNING HERE
http://www.aiconsol.com/berebereandr.html
TIP NUMBER FOUR and a HALF
GOVERNMENT ACTION ISSUED BY FTC ON US MAGAZINE SERVICES of MT and UNION CONSUMER BENEFITS of NY
Full FTC release here:
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/telephoney.shtm
US Magazine Services BBB Report:
http://www.bbb.org/spokane/business-reviews/magazines-subscription-agents/us-magazine-services-in-lolo-mt-828?isbureau=Y&gid=10&gen=10&lid=1
Union Consumer Benefits BBB Report:
http://www.bbb.org/upstate-new-york/business-reviews/insurance-companies/union-consumer-benefits-in-plattsburgh-ny-184144427/
www.nomoredebt.tv Founder, Jason Paul Christenson, FORMERLY of PASCO, WA SENTENCED IN FRAUDULENT $3.2 MILLION PONZI-TYPE DEBT ELIMINATION PROGRAM
Victims from 19 States
Full news release from DOJ
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/wae/press_releases/2009/Docs/101509_Christensen_Sentence.pdf
TIP NUMBER FIVE
WATCH OUT FOR BEING HACKED IN WIFI ZONES
Tips Thanks to FBI
People need to continue to be aware that when using your computer in WI-FI zones, you are vulnerable to more than when even at home on your computer. Here are some tips from the FBI on this continued issue that can strike
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/may08/wifi_050608.html