IRS Imposter Scam.
The year started in March with scammers posing as IRS agents demanding immediate
payment for back taxes often threatening arrest, deportation or seizure of
property. Payment was to be made by Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid debit cards, a
method of payment that the real IRS does not request.
Arrest Warrant Scam. Throughout
the year, scammers tried to extort money from citizens by claiming that they
were about to be arrested for missing jury duty if they did not pay a fine by
using a prepaid debit card (where have we heard this one) immediately. Local
law enforcement agencies do not call to tell you that you have a warrant for
your arrest!
Charity Scams. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office
as well as local law enforcement agencies warned of scammers trying to take
advantage of disasters and tragedies such as the Oso landslide and the shooting
at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Scammers will call, send email or use
internet advertising to claim that they will give donations to victims of these
disasters. Of course the scammers take the money and victims see no money.
Medical Alert Scam. Scammers
will call claiming “increasing rates of death and injury from falls” offering a
“free” medical alert device. And for signing up, you will get thousands of
dollars in free coupons. All you have to do is give the scammer your credit
card number for shipping and activation. Those who did give their credit card
numbers were charged monthly fees for devices that never arrived.
Grandparent Scam. Thousands
of grandparents have been victimized by scammers claiming to be
grandsons/granddaughters or great nieces or nephews in some sort of trouble
with the law or in a bad accident in need of emergency money quick. The scammer
appeals to the grandparent’s emotions and caring for a young relative in order
to get them give money quickly.
For more on how the grandparent scam works, go to:
and
While new scams may show up in 2015, these are scams that we
all need to be on the watch for and avoid.
AARP Fraud Watch Network:
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