Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Bus scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bus scams. Show all posts

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Maryland State Police Warning Public about Telephone Scams

Maryland State Police Warning Public about Telephone Scams

#ALERT Maryland State Police is warning the public regarding several recently reported phone scams. As a reminder, never give your personal information out over the phone. https://www.facebook.com/MarylandStatePolice/photos/a.155263044494316/2224530824234184/?type=3&theater

For more up to date information about crime and crime prevention fo here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarylandStatePolice/
According to a release from the Maryland State Police on February 7, 2019

(PIKESVILLE, Md.) — Maryland State Police are warning the public about a reported telephone scam in which the caller cloned a state police number and requested personal information from people as part of a criminal investigation.

A woman called the Maryland State Police on Thursday morning and reported she had received a call in which the caller ID on her phone showed “Maryland State Government” and the number 301-475-8955, which is the number for the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack. When she answered the call, the person on the other end told her she was a suspect in a drug trafficking investigation and that she needed to provide them her Social Security number and other identifying personal information.

This is just one of several phone scams recently reported to Maryland State Police. The Salisbury Barrack reported that some of the scams reported include victims receiving telephone calls where they are threatened with arrest or the continued detention of family members if they do not provide money, account numbers or purchase a re-loadable gift or credit cards.

Another telephone scam includes the victim being called by a representative of the Internal Revenue Service and threatened in the same fashion. The Salisbury Barrack reported that other victims have had their computers infected with a computer virus and were prompted to take immediate action in order to salvage the computer, which included purchasing up to $2,000 in gift cards to pay the company to correct the issue.

This came after the Maryland State Police Cumberland Barrack was recently inundated with numerous telephone calls regarding a scam in which a man or woman claiming to be from the Social Security Administration requested information and threatened to have the police respond to their address to arrest them.

These scammers are using scare tactics and sophisticated technology to attempt to take advantage of the public. If you are a senior citizen, or have a family member that is a senior citizen, please be aware and ensure they are aware of these scams so they do not fall victim to them.

The Maryland State Police, along with government agencies like the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service, would never solicit such information or services over the phone from any citizen. Never give any personal information over the phone, and only allow a qualified reputable computer technician the ability to repair your computer should it become infected with a virus. Many of these telephone scams are disguising themselves by utilizing local telephone number prefixes.

Anyone who receives such a phone call should hang up and then contact their local state police barrack. Callers may remain anonymous.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

iDNS Criminal Domain Slamming


iDNS Criminal Domain Slamming

Domain Name Expiration Notice

Jan. 11, 2016


We recently received a notice from an outfit called iDNS - Internet Domain Name Services which encouraged us to renew our domain name….

It certainly appears to be a cleverly worded letter designed for the purpose of criminally tricking you into paying an exorbitant rate for your domain registration renewal – and in the process you will have moved your domain registration to iDNS which will then charge you excessive yearly maintenance fees….

There are also reports that you can – may lose control of your domain registration, an identity theft of sorts which will result in hours upon hours of frustrating time and money lost.

If you try to remedy your mistake, it has been reported that iDNS will not release your domain name – or charge you an exorbitant rate to release it.

In addition, several sites note that “it may be a phishing scam for credit card numbers…”, i.e., for stealing your credit card…

Shred it and pass the word. And encourage your state’s attorney’s office and state legislatures to aggressively pursue these attempts at fraud and criminal enterprise.


Meanwhile, be sure to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U5mqy5YC38 “Internet Domain Name Services Scam!” 

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Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Los Angeles Times: Firm's extended vehicle warranty offer breaks down under scrutiny

Los Angeles Times: Firm's extended vehicle warranty offer breaks down under scrutiny

A letter that appears to be from an auto dealer is actually from an out-of-state company selling an expensive contract with a sweeping loophole.

March 12, 2013|David Lazarus Los Angeles Times


It was the sort of letter designed to get attention. "Final attempt to notify," it said on the outside.

Within, an official-looking "product warranty expiration notice" said that my Toyota's service contract "is expiring or has expired." It provided a number to call "to extend coverage."

This was troubling because when I purchased my "certified pre-owned" car from a dealer in 2011, I paid $1,700 for a seven-year, 100,000-mile extended warranty. Now it was expiring?

The answer, of course, was no. And the racket I'm about to run down is yet another reminder that you need to examine closely anything that even remotely looks like a financial warning. Chances are, it's a sales pitch for something you don't want and don't need.

Most homeowners have received things like this in the mail relating to their home. Maybe it's called mortgage protection. Maybe it's extended coverage for your gas line or chimney.

This was the first time I've seen one relating to a vehicle. And the format of the letter was particularly insidious, making it seem to be from my dealer and indicating that if I didn't act right away, I could be on the hook for any breakdowns.

My first call was to the Toyota dealer that sold me the car….


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Offer of an extended factory warranty from American Automotive Service Solutions

Dec. 1, 2015

Why are such companies allowed to remain in business?

And why do these letters only seem to come to Toyota owners? Anecdotally, a quick search of the web indicates that this seemingly misleading and sensational letter – or postcard only seems to come to Toyota owners? In our personal experience, we only get these offers for our Toyota – not our Ford truck…  

Other than that possible explanation; that perhaps the scammers get the information from the Toyota; is it possible that the Maryland Dept. of Motor Vehicles sells our private information and addresses?

Business information:

Principal:

Jarrett Bell (Chief Executive Officer)
Customer Contact: Michael Hall (Chief Operating Officer)
Laura Hall (Chief Financial Officer)

American Automotive Service Solutions
933 Main Plaza Dr
Wentzville, MO 63385

800-827-5528




From the Better Business Bureau – one of several negative customer reviews… “When I opened my mailbox, there was a letter that said "FINAL NOTICE" regarding my newly purchased vehicle. It had the make and model of the vehicle, then "Official Business" and "Penalty For Private Use" in the window of the envelope…” - See more at: http://www.bbb.org/stlouis/business-reviews/auto-service-contract-companies/american-automotive-service-solutions-in-wentzville-mo-310288545/customer-reviews?cacheit=y#sthash.ZWwJPaqn.dpuf
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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Bloomberg Business Week: Target Missed Warnings in Epic Hack of Credit Card Data

Bloomberg Business Week: Target Missed Warnings in Epic Hack of Credit Card Data

Target Missed Warnings in Epic Hack of Credit Card Data Reblogged 5 hours ago from newsweek

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/80106052145/newsweek-the-biggest-retail-hack-in-u-s
newsweek:

The biggest retail hack in U.S. history wasn’t particularly inventive, nor did it appear destined for success. In the days prior to Thanksgiving 2013, someone installed malware in Target’s (TGT) security and payments system designed to steal every credit card used at the company’s 1,797 U.S. stores.
At the critical moment—when the Christmas gifts had been scanned and bagged and the cashier asked for a swipe—the malware would step in, capture the shopper’s credit card number, and store it on a Target server commandeered by the hackers.
Target Missed Warnings in Epic Hack of Credit Card Data
The biggest retail hack in U.S. history wasn’t particularly inventive, nor did it appear destined for success. In the days prior to Thanksgiving 2013, someone installed malware in Target’s (TGT) security and payments system designed to steal every credit card used at the company’s 1,797 U.S. stores.
At the critical moment—when the Christmas gifts had been scanned and bagged and the cashier asked for a swipe—the malware would step in, capture the shopper’s credit card number, and store it on a Target server commandeered by the hackers.


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Friday, March 07, 2014

Associated Publishers Network magazine renewal complaints

Associated Publishers Network magazine renewal complaints

March 7, 2014

Associated Publishers Network
(866) 437-7897
850 S Boulder Hwy Ste 355, Henderson, NV 89015-7564



BBB has received a volume and pattern of complaints regarding billing and collection, delivery, refund or exchange, and sales practice issues.

According to consumer complaints, magazine subscription renewal notices are received from Associated Publishers Network (APN), also know as United Publisher's Clearing House, National Magazine Services, Orbital Publishing, and Publisher's Billing Exchange.

Complainants state they send in payment for renewal of their subscriptions to various magazines, such as Wall Street Journal, The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, and the Times, however, the magazines are not received.

When consumers contact the magazine companies, directly, to check on their subscription they are informed that payment was never received.

Complainants indicate that phone calls and emails sent to APN are generally ignored.

Complainants also state that The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, the Times and Wall Street Journal all claim no affiliation with APN.

APN's typical response states, in part, "Magazine publishers have created the agency sale system for the sale of subscriptions. The publisher contracts with clearinghouses. Under these contracts, the clearinghouse is authorized to sell subscriptions. The clearing house then permits thousands of third parties, such as Associated Publishers Network, to sell subscriptions, which are then "cleared" through the clearinghouse. These third parties have no direct contract with the publisher and their identities are unknown to the publisher.

Offers are sent out periodically and are marketing pieces only. We merely send out offers as stated plainly on each offer and no one is obligated to respond."

Additional responses from APN usually state that it takes 6-12 weeks for delivery.

BBB has informed the company of the volume and pattern of complaints and asked that the company address the issue.

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MSN Money: Is your subscription renewal notice real? By Mitch Lipka


Better Business Bureau issues warning about widespread fake subscription renewal scam after the New York Times and Wall Street Journal complain.

By Mitch Lipka Aug 29, 2013


If you get a subscription renewal, make sure who you're really paying before you send the check out. After getting peppered with complaints from magazine subscribers, and learning of complaints lodged by the publishers of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, the Better Business Bureau on Thursday issued a warning to consumers about phony subscription renewals.

The BBB is warning about a Nevada-based operation called Associated Publishers Network. The company has generated 112 complaints just in the past year, the BBB said. The complaints are coming from all around the country.

[…]

If you get a renewal notice, check when your subscription really expires by looking at the actual subscription label or contacting the publisher directly. If it is time to renew, do it directly through the publisher or by using a notice directly attached to your magazine.

If you get a fake one, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission.



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Federal Trade Commission
FTC Complaint Assistant

Welcome! Complaints from consumers help us detect patterns of fraud and abuse. The FTC would like to know more about your complaint and the Complaint Assistant will help guide you. To use the Complaint Assistant:

Choose a complaint category on the right. If you can't find a match select "Other". Answer a few questions related to your complaint. Tell us what happened in your own words.


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U.S. Postal Inspection Service


File a Complaint

Report these issues to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online:

Mail fraud  (may include scams or deceptive ads via the mail, or postage fraud)
Mail theft (mail you failed to receive but should have, or that you received with the contents missing)
Vandalism to your mail receptacle

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud related to the U.S. Mail, including mailed sweepstakes, lotteries, on-line auctions, work-at-home scams or chain letters, report your concern to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as mail fraud.

All information is voluntary, but the more you provide, the more likely it is that we can help you. We may share your information with other agencies if it comes under their jurisdiction. See the Privacy Act Statement for more details. This site uses secure methods to transfer data.

The Postal Inspection Service will contact you only if more information is needed. We gather data on mail-related crime to determine whether a violation has occurred. While we can’t guarantee we can recover lost money or items, your information can help alert Postal Inspectors to problem areas and possibly prevent others from being victimized. Inspectors base their investigations on the number, substance and pattern of complaints. We ask you to keep all original documents related to your complaint.

If you would prefer to mail in your report, click here to print a Mail Theft Complaint. If this is an urgent matter, contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

Report problems with mail delivery or service to the U.S. Postal Service.

Mail correspondence to this address:

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER
ATTN: MAIL FRAUD
433 W HARRISON STREET ROOM 3255
CHICAGO IL  60699-3255
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MSN Money: Is your subscription renewal notice real? By Mitch Lipka

MSN Money: Is your subscription renewal notice real? By Mitch Lipka


Better Business Bureau issues warning about widespread fake subscription renewal scam after the New York Times and Wall Street Journal complain.

By Mitch Lipka Aug 29, 2013


If you get a subscription renewal, make sure who you're really paying before you send the check out. After getting peppered with complaints from magazine subscribers, and learning of complaints lodged by the publishers of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, the Better Business Bureau on Thursday issued a warning to consumers about phony subscription renewals.

The BBB is warning about a Nevada-based operation called Associated Publishers Network. The company has generated 112 complaints just in the past year, the BBB said. The complaints are coming from all around the country.

[…]

If you get a renewal notice, check when your subscription really expires by looking at the actual subscription label or contacting the publisher directly. If it is time to renew, do it directly through the publisher or by using a notice directly attached to your magazine.

If you get a fake one, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission.


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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

FTC Releases Top 10 Complaint Categories for 2012

For Release: 02/26/2013

FTC Releases Top 10 Complaint Categories for 2012

Identity Theft Tops List for 13th Consecutive Year in Report of National Consumer Complaints


Identity theft is once more the top complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission, which has released its 2012 annual report of complaints. 2012 marks the first year in which the FTC received more than 2 million complaints overall, and 369,132, or 18 percent, were related to identity theft. Of those, more than 43 percent related to tax- or wage-related fraud.
The report gives national data, as well as a state-by-state accounting of top complaint categories and a listing of the metropolitan areas that generated the most complaints. This includes the top 50 metropolitan areas for both fraud complaints and identity theft complaints.
The remainder of complaint categories making up the top 10 are:
NumberPercent
Debt collection199,72110 percent
Banks and Lenders132,3406 percent
Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales115,1846 percent
Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries98,4795 percent
Impostor Scams82,8964 percent
Internet Services81,4384 percent
Auto-Related Complaints78,0624 percent
Telephone and Mobile Services76,7834 percent
Credit Cards51,5503 percent
A complete list of all complaint categories is available on page six of the report.
The FTC enters complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database that is available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies across the country. Agencies use the data to research cases, identify victims and track possible targets.
Other federal and state law enforcement agencies contribute to Consumer Sentinel, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the offices of 14 state attorneys general. Private-sector organizations contributing data include all Better Business Bureaus in the U.S. and Canada, PrivacyStar, Publishers Clearing House and others.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC's onlineComplaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us onTwitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jay Mayfield
Office of Public Affairs

202-326-2181
 
STAFF CONTACT:
David Torok
Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-3075
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Thursday, December 15, 2011

VOICE OF BALTIMORE: TV scam in Sun classified ad


LOCAL SECURITY GUARD  WIRES DEPOSIT
FOR NEW-IN-THE-BOX LARGE PLASMA TV
AT PRICE THAT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Classified ad used to fleece unwitting buyers;
Consumer Protection Div. shows disinterest

How would you like to buy a new-in-the-box never-been-used 65-inch flat-screen plasma TV for under $400?
Sound too good to be true?  Well, maybe that's because it is.

Baltimore security guard Cynthia Green found out the hard way.  She answered what seemed to be a reasonable classified ad; talked by cellphone to the woman offering the television set for sale; and wired her a good faith deposit of $100.

That was the last she saw of her money.  The last communication she had with the seller (except for several hang-up phone calls).  And the TV set?  The TV set was never really in the mix.  ............

READ THE STORY AT VOICE OF BALTIMORE --- http://voiceofbaltimore.org/archives/1450

VOICE OF BALTIMORE: TV scam in Sun classified ad
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