Recently, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has sent out
alerts for scams affecting people in the Pacific Northwest:
·
Fake Macy’s Delivery Message. People have been
receiving emails at a subject line something like: “Macys.com Order #5698 ready
for delivery.” If you open the email there is no mention of a delivery, but the
email tells you that you have won a prize in the store’s “monthly give-away”
program. To collect it, all you have to do is click the link. If you click on
the link you will probably receive malware or a request for your personal
information to receive your “prize.” BBB: http://www.bbb.org/blog/2016/03/look-out-for-fake-macys-delivery-message/
·
Scams Targeting Washington State. Three scams
have been highlighted by the BBB:
o
Sweepstakes Scam- An Everett woman was notified
that she had won $150,000 and that she needed to pay a $1,500 customs fee to
receive her winnings. She lost $635 in trying to pay the fees.
o
Instagram Scam- A Lakewood man lost $323 after
ordering a pair of shoes and a belt from am Instagram user. In talking to the
seller over the phone he was told that he would receive a USPS tracking number.
He did not receive the number or the merchandise.
o
Government Grant Scam- A Seattle area woman was
contacted multiple times during a week in March by someone identifying himself
as “Gary Watson” from the U.S. Department of Government Grants. He claimed that
she would receive a grant check and pressured her to make several deposits to
the agency via Western Union. She lost a little more than $3,400. BBB: http://bbbnorthwest.org/2016/04/04/march-scams-roundup/
In mid-March the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office issued an
alert that they have been receiving a steady stream of reports from citizens
about receiving calls from IRS scammers. With a couple of weeks to go until the
deadline for filing our income taxes, expect a continued onslaught of these
calls. The Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone that if you receive one of these
calls report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/. Snohomish
County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560.75416.179360692138012/1032350253505714/?type=1&theater
Also, the IRS is warning everyone to be wary of anyone
claiming to be from the IRS calling to say that they need to verify information
on this year’s tax return. They will claim to need to verify the information to
continue processing your return. They will ask for, or pressure you to give
them your Social Security number and/or bank account numbers or credit card
numbers. Remember, the IRS will not call you for information or to get you to
pay taxes owed or late fees. Consumerist: https://consumerist.com/2016/03/14/no-the-irs-will-not-call-you-to-verify-your-tax-return-information/
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