Scams targeting elderly on the rise

CONSUMER FORUM

By Russ Van Arsdale, Executive Director, Northeast CONTACT

Posted June 15, 2013, at 12:18 p.m

The call to a woman in eastern Maine last Thursday sounded legitimate. The caller claimed to be with the Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA) and inquired about the woman’s arthritis.

As the conversation went on, the caller claimed to have access to a “tool” that could help relieve the woman’s pain. All the woman had to do, the caller said, was to provide her Medicare number. When the woman refused (smartly), the caller hung up.

The people from EAAA are understandably upset. There’s no way they would call out of the blue and ask for someone’s personal and financial information. They’re doubly angry, because the scammers are preying on seniors.

However, the targets are not just older Mainers. Troy Morton is Chief Deputy of the Penobscot Sheriff’s Department and chairman of the local TRIAD, an alliance of police and senior citizens groups aimed at protecting our older citizens.

“It’s really flooded the area again,” Morton said of the scam calling.

He said on Friday the calls are going to seniors and non-seniors alike, and the scammers are tailoring their sales pitch depending on who answers their call.

He said scammers will use key terms to gain a person’s trust. They might cite “Part B” coverage when referring to Medicare; using such terms tends to make people think the caller is familiar with the subject, and so is trustworthy.

The moment of truth comes when the caller delivers the pitch: “Give me your Medicare number, and I’ll get the paperwork going,” or words to that effect. The insistence for immediate action — divulging personal or financial information, revealing credit card or bank account numbers — is a tipoff that this is a scam attempt.

“If somebody’s trying to sell you a service, they’ll sell it tomorrow too,” Troy Morton said. People should always be suspicious of “cold calls” and doubly so when the caller turns on the pressure to act right away.

Everyone who advocates on behalf of seniors (and consumers generally) urges them to take a breath and say to themselves, “What’s the worst that could happen if I wait?”

Then, as with any purchase, do your research. Call the business or agency where the offer supposedly originated and see if it’s genuine. Check with family, friends or other trusted people and learn from their experiences; if they’ve been burned, leave it alone.

The scam arthritis call came just a day after Gov. LePage signed a proclamation noting that June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Governor called attention to what has been termed “the crime of the 21st century” because it’s so pervasive and potentially disastrous for victims.

The Maine Council on Elder Abuse has just launched a website at http://elderabuseprevention.info/ with information about preventing all types of abuse of seniors.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s all-volunteer, nonprofit consumer organization. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for information, write Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer 04412, visit http://necontact.wordpress.com or email contacexdir@live.com.

 

You may be eligible for Kellogg settlement – WABI-TV

Russ and Joy discuss the Frosted Mini-wheat settlement

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed it’s case against Kellogg in 2009. They charged them with unfair or deceptive advertising. The issue was a series of TV commercials telling moms the cereal could help their children in school. The ads even claimed that Frosted-Mini Wheats had been “clinically shown to
improve kids attentiveness by nearly 20%.

“When the FTC challenged Kellogg to back up their claim the company agreed to tone down their advertising claims, while they denied any wrongdoing.

Boxes of Frosted Mini-Wheats now claim to keep eaters “full and focused all morning.” The proposed settlement orders Kellogg to limit it’s claim to “clinical studies have shown that kids who eat a filling breakfast like Frosted Mini-Wheats have an 11% better attentiveness in school than kids who skip breakfast” or to have similar wording.

Consumers who feel they were misled by the ads that ran from January 2008 to October 2009 may file claims through a website Kellogg created cerealsettlement.com  Forms can be filled out online or printed and mailed. Consumers who file claims may receive up to $5 per box of Frosted Mini-Wheats they purchased up to a maximum of $15.

Summer Scams – WABI-TV

Joy and Russ discuss the scams that recur each summer: gypsy pavers, chimney liners, tree trimming, etc.

One of Northeast CONTACTs resources

Affordable Care Act Scam — WABI-TV

Watch Joy and Russ discuss the latest effort to steal your identity.

Scammers are trying to get people’s information by signing them up early for the Affordable Care Act.

Sign up for the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare” doesn’t start until October 1st, 2013. If someone is calling to sign you up early, you are advised to just hang up the phone and to give them no information. Also please report the scam attempt if you have received a call.

Another scam associated with the Affordable Care Act is scammers are calling people telling them they can provide them with a government issued insurance card. People will need these cards when the Affordable Care Act kicks in but people calling about them now are just trying to get your account information. Again just hang up and give out no information if they are calling you about signing you up for a card.

Also always remember that government agencies already have your data and will not contact you for it.

The Federal Trade Commission has a website with a list of scams and where you can sign up for email notifications about new scams. The website is consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts…

 

The Affordable Care Act: When Scams Follow the News | Consumer Information

May 10, 2013

by

Tracey Thomas

Attorney, Division of Marketing Practices, FTC

The Affordable Care Act is in the news lately. And one thing we’ve learned at the Federal Trade Commission is that scams often follow the news. Natural disaster? Charity scams will follow. Implementation of a major new law affecting millions of people? Scammers will be there.

To cut through some of the clutter in the environment with all the articles and discussion of the Act, here’s one key fact to hold onto that can help spot and avoid scams:

You can’t sign up yet.

Enrollment in the new Health Insurance Marketplace doesn’t start until October 1, 2013. Anyone who claims to be able to sign you up sooner is trying to scam you. Please report them.

We’ve heard from consumers and from other federal agencies that scammers are trying to convince people to act now. Scammers always want to get your money before you have time to stop and think. So remember that date: October 1, 2013. That’s the first time anyone, anywhere can sign up for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.

And please: if you see someone trying to enroll people for health insurance under the Act before October 1, 2013, say something. We can only investigate the scams we know about, so every report helps us find and stop the bad guys. Thanks in advance!

 

Helping Victims of the Bombing in Boston — Make Sure Your Donations Count

April 17, 2013

by

Colleen Tressler

Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

After the bombing at the Boston Marathon, many people are looking for ways to help, like donating to a charity or fund.

Doing some research first will help ensure that your donation will go to a reputable organization that will use the money as promised — and as you intend. Urgent appeals for aid that you get in person, by phone or mail, by e-mail, on websites, or on social networking sites may not be on the up-and-up. Unfortunately, legitimate charities face competition from fraudsters who either solicit for bogus charities or aren’t entirely honest about how a so-called charity will use your contribution.

If you’re asked to make a charitable donation to support victims of the bombing in Boston, consider these tips:

• Donate to charities you know and trust. Be alert for charities that seem to have sprung up overnight in connection with current events, like the bombing.
• Ask if a caller is a paid fundraiser, who they work for, and what percentage of your donation goes to the charity and to the fundraiser. If you don’t get a clear answer — or if you don’t like the answer you get — consider donating to a different organization.
• Don’t give out personal or financial information — including your credit card or bank account number — unless you know the charity is reputable.
• Never send cash: you can’t be sure the organization will receive your donation, and you won’t have a record for tax purposes.
• Check out the charity with the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.
• Find out if the charity or fundraiser must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials.

For more on the questions to ask and for a list of groups that can help you research a charity, go to Charity Scams.

 

Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference – WABI-TV

Russ and Wayne discuss April as Financial Literacy Month. VIDEO

Many people find themselves living beyond their means and one way to stop that from happening and the debt from piling up is to become financially literate.

Russ told us about the website MyMoney.gov It’s a government website that has financial advice for people to become more aware of how to make budgets, where to keep your money, and how to save for when emergencies happen.

There is a conference set to take place on Thursday May, 2nd 2013 in Augusta to help promote financial literacy in Maine schools. The conference is called Fostering Financial Literacy in Maine Schools Conference and is organized by corporate, nonprofit, and government sponsors. The goal of this conference is to give teachers the tools to help students in kindergarten through college prepare for life in the real world. For more information about this conference you can call the Office of Securities at 1-877-624-8551 or email Lindsay.J.Laxon@maine.gov.

 

Tax Return Fraud – WABI-TV, April 1, 2013

Russ and Joy discuss the possibility of your tax refund going to someone else. Watch Video

Google Maps settlement reveals privacy concerns

CONSUMER FORUM

By Russ Van Arsdale, Executive Director, Northeast CONTACT
Posted March 31, 2013, at 11:03 a.m.

Last month, the attorneys general of 38 states, including Maine, announced a $7 million settlement of charges that Google engaged in unauthorized collection of data from wireless networks. Of most concern to privacy advocates was the collection that took place in residential neighborhoods, from unsecured Wi-Fi networks of home Internet users.

The collecting happened as part of Google’s Street View effort. Google announced the program five years ago, saying it would give viewers the ability to take a 360-degree look around places on all seven continents. It was supposed to help people looking to find a home, explore places they’d never been, or simply gawk.

To collect the data for Street View, Google dispatched a fleet of vehicles equipped with cameras and computers. They roamed the streets of the United States, photographing whatever could be seen from public streets. The intent was not to invade people’s privacy, but in some cases the data collection was, shall we say, vigorous.

Some of Google’s colorful cars gathered electronic data from wireless computer networks in residential areas. The information that they collected included what is termed “payload data,” including email texts and addresses to Web pages people were viewing. It’s likely that more than a little business content was captured as well.

As soon as the unauthorized data gathering was discovered, Google management said it was not aware that it had been happening; that the company isolated the data once it was discovered; and that the company never used payload data in any of Google’s products or services.

It seemed that was good enough for the Federal Trade Commission, which said in May 2010 it would “take a very, very close look” at Google’s actions. The FTC ended its investigation that October, apparently without examining the data Google had gathered. The Electronic Privacy Information Center ( epic.org) filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the FTC the following February, settling the case after the FTC turned over documents suggesting that it lacked enforcement authority.

Connecticut’s attorney general led the legal action by the states and the District of Columbia; the upshot was the settlement announced March 12. Under the terms, Google will not use any of the data that had been collected and segregated in its products or services; that data will be destroyed. The company will train employees about privacy and confidentiality of user data and run an ad campaign to help educate consumers about securing their personal information when using wireless networks.

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills called the settlement “a reminder that people should take steps to protect themselves from unwarranted intrusions of their personal and financial matters. Password-protecting your home or business Wi-Fi networks is a simple first step.”

To make sure your wireless network can’t be accessed by unwanted or unknown parties, read PC World’s article, “How To Lock Down Your Wireless Network” ( find.pcworld.com/72367). You may also want to contact your Internet service provider for help.

Maine’s share of the settlement is just over $106,000. That money may be used to pay for litigation or for future consumer protection or privacy enforcement and education.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s all-volunteer, nonprofit consumer organization. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for information, write Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer 04412, visit http://necontact.wordpress.com or email contacexdir@live.com.

CPSC – CPSC and ACCC Warn of Poison Dangers with Liquid Laundry Packets

CPSC – CPSC and ACCC Warn of Poison Dangers with Liquid Laundry Packets.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are urging parents to take immediate action to ensure their family is not exposed to the hazards posed by liquid laundry packets or capsules. Young children who are exposed to the highly concentrated, toxic detergent are at risk of serious injury.

Reports of incidents in the United States and Australia have prompted the product safety agencies to warn parents about what can happen if these products are not used safely. Children who have ingested detergent from the packets have required medical attention and hospitalization for loss of consciousness, excessive vomiting, drowsiness, throat swelling, and difficulty breathing. Eye contact has also resulted in reports of injury, including severe irritation and temporary loss of vision.

“A product intended to make your clothes clean and bright should not lead to a parent having to call the poison help line because their child is in distress,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “CPSC has played a leading role in addressing this emerging hazard.  We are conducting an investigation, we are educating consumers, and we are urging that changes be made that will reduce incidents and injuries.”

“Poison call centers across Australia have received more than 85 calls in the last 18 months relating to exposure to these laundry capsules,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. “The experience in Australia is consistent with an international trend, where most cases have involved a child aged five years or younger.”

The number of incidents, in a relatively short period of time, suggests that children are highly attracted to the packets, which can resemble play items. The soft and colorful product can be easily mistaken by a child for candy, toys, or a teething product.

Water, wet hands, and saliva can cause the packets to dissolve quickly and release their highly concentrated toxic contents. Parents and caregivers are urged always to handle the product carefully and with dry hands.

To prevent unintended exposure to the toxic chemicals in the packets, the following steps are recommended:

1.  Do not let children handle the laundry packets.
2.  Keep the liquid laundry packets sealed in their original packaging, and make sure they are locked up and out of a child’s sight and reach.
3.  Ensure your hands are dry before using a laundry packet/capsule, and wash and dry your hands thoroughly after each use.
4.  If swallowed or exposed to the eye:

• immediately call Poison Help at:1-800-222-1222 in the United States; or in Australia, call the Poisons Information Centre on: 13 11 26.
• if swallowed, rinse as much of the detergent as possible from the mouth.
• if exposed to the eye, flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes.

 

Tenenbaum and Rickard noted that while consumers can take some precautions, the industry can also look to improve the product to make it safer for all concerned.

“CPSC has received more than 500 reports of incidents involving children and adults and is working with manufacturers of the liquid laundry packets to prevent additional ingestions and eye injuries,” added Chairman Tenenbaum.  CPSC is encouraged that the manufacturers of laundry packets are developing improved warning labels, making their product packaging less attractive to children, and have committed to implement a comprehensive multi-year consumer awareness campaign.  However, CPSC seeks additional design changes to all types of packages containing laundry packets that will make individual packets less accessible to children.

“The ACCC has been working closely with industry association Accord Australasia to improve the safety and packaging of these products. With the assistance of Accord, industry has acknowledged our concerns and has signaled that changes will be made. Expected changes include the redesign of the product and outer packaging so it features prominent warning labels and consistent safety information,” said Ms. Rickard.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products ─ such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals ─ contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

In the United States, federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov, or call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772, or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety, or by subscribing to CPSC’s free e-mail newsletters.