COVID-19 SCAMS – Fraudsters are Trying to Take Advantage of the COVID-19 Vaccine

New York based Pfizer Inc. is warning consumers about scammers offering early access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Security professionals have warned that this type of scam is inevitable with the release of a vaccine. Scammers have offered supposed vaccines as early as spring of 2020 well before a vaccine was ready for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  

Pfizer says that it has been actively monitoring scams during the pandemic. It has seen fraudsters on WhatsApp promoting “vaccine tourism” packages with airfare, hotel rooms, meals, and a coronavirus vaccine. Others are publishing online ads and robocalls encouraging people to avoid long lines and purchase a Pfizer vaccine for $79.99. Pfizer knows of at least one care facility that has been approached by scammers trying to sell a vaccine.

The scammers are not only trying to make a quick buck but also collect your Social Security Number and bank account or credit card numbers.

Lev Kubiak, vice president and chief security officer for Pfizer, says “The No. 1 thing that is most troubling to me is that any illegal activity raises doubt in the minds of a population that is already somewhat worried about taking a vaccine. And so, any type of scam, any type of fraudulent offer, further complicates that vaccine confidence."

If you receive a phone call or see an email or text message offering a COVID-19 vaccine, ask who is sending the message and why are they making a vaccine available to you? Mr. Kubiak says that the only way to access Pfizer’s vaccine is through a government-authorized vaccination center in your state. Be sure to monitor local public health departments such as the Washington State Department of Health, https://www.doh.wa.gov/, the Snohomish Health District,  http://www.snohd.org/, or Public Health- Seattle & King County, https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health.aspx, for information on COVID-19 and local vaccine developments.

 

 

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2020/coronavirus-vaccine-counterfeits.html?fbclid=IwAR1_G3SFtLJRztnKzdRzL-fvpUTejCDO_I1xISNe5b0lgF3zDQEOKSjdpnE

 

 

HOLIDAY SHOPPING- Gift Card Scams

As we come closer to Christmas Day, deadlines for delivery before Christmas become tighter and tighter. You might want to give a gift card to the recipient’s favorite store, restaurant, or coffee house.

Scammers have found gift cards as a good way to steal money from you, without a way to be caught. A crook will either jot down or swipe the account number of the card in the store. Then, over the next few days or weeks, the crook can check the number over the phone or on the web to see if the card has been activated. When the card is activated the crook quickly goes on a shopping spree. And your friend or relative is out their gift and you are out your money.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself from a gift card scam,

 

 

• Purchase the gift card online directly from the vendor. This is probably the safest way to purchase a gift card. If the timing is wrong for it to arrive before Christmas, then do the following at the store.
• Take a card from the middle of the rack. Often card scammers will copy numbers from the front or the edges of the rack. After all, they do not want to raise suspicions by being too obvious.
• Check any packaging for signs of tampering. Some card scammers are particularly good, so don’t be embarrassed to be picky about the card that you choose. Also, many gift cards have PINs that are masked on the card. Be sure to check the card to see if the masking has been scratched off or tampered with.
• Encourage the recipient to use the card as soon as possible.

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/12/tips-holiday-gift-card-shopping

 

GiftCards.com:

https://www.giftcards.com/gcgf/giftcard-scams

 

 

CHARITY SCAMS – Donate Your Money with Care

The holidays are a prime time of year for giving to a charity. And with COVID-19 there are many deserving charities that will use your money wisely. However, scammers try to take advantage of your good will by posing as legitimate charities to steal your money and your identification.

Scammers use several tricks to separate you from your money.

·         They may pressure you to decide quickly to donate.

·         They may thank you for a donation that you did not make.

·         They can spoof the Caller ID of a legitimate charity or a phone number from a local area code.

·         Some use names that are similar to legitimate charities.

·         They may make vague, sentimental claims with no specifics on how your donation would be used.

·         They may claim that a donation is tax-deductible when it is not.

·         Sometimes, they may guarantee sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a donation. This offer is a scam and is illegal.

You can take the following steps to avoid being victimized by a charity scammer,

·       Make an annual charity plan. Take some time to think about what charities you would like to give to. Do some research on those charities. Make a budget of how much you want to spend toward donations and how much you will give to each of your charities.

·       Before donating, check out the charity. There are several web sites that can give you information about legitimate charities:

o   The Office of the Washington State Secretary of State- https://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/donors.aspx

o   Charity Navigator- https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1004

o   Charity Watch- https://www.charitywatch.org/

o   GuideStar- https://www2.guidestar.org/

o   Give.org- https://give.org/

·       Be wary of unsolicited donation requests. Assume any email or phone solicitations are scams. Do not click on any links in emails. If you do receive a request from an unknown charity that you think you might be interested in, conduct a separate search in your browser with the name of the charity plus the word “scam” and at the above websites.

·       Do not trust Caller ID or URL’s in web searches. Scammers can spoof phone numbers of legitimate charities. Scammers also play games with web addresses with subtle changes to them to make them look like a real charity’s web address.

 

For more information on how to protect yourself from a charity scam check out the following resources,

 

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams

 

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity

 

 

USA.gov:

https://www.usa.gov/donate-to-charity#item-211606

 

 

AARP:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2013/avoiding-charity-scams-during-disasters.html?cmp=SNO-ADV-FB-AO-FWN&socialid=611207403

 

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/charity.html

 

The Herald:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/where-to-give-and-where-to-find-help-directory-of-services/

DELIVERY PHISHING SCAMS – Beware of Texts/Emails About Package Deliveries

With package deliveries hot and heavy as we approach Christmas day, there has been a rise of a new scam technique that tries to steal your identity or install malware on your smartphone or computer. Some cybersecurity observers point out that there has been an over 440% increase in shipping-related phishing emails over the past month!

Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning about text messages being sent to consumers that contain a fake shipment tracking code allegedly from one of the major delivery companies such as UPS, FEDEX, or the US Post Office. The text message will have a link to update delivery preferences, or to solve some sort of problem with the delivery.

Other reporting talks about emails, supposedly from one of the major delivery companies, that claim there is a “delivery issue” or urge users to “track your shipment.” Some of the emails have been reported as claiming an additional payment needs to be made for the delivery to be carried out. Then there is a link to a web page that collects your name, address, and credit card information. In some cases, the link takes you to a survey to take.

These are phishing attempts to collect your personal information.

If you receive an email or text like this, stop and think twice.

Do not click on any links. If you think you might need to act based on this email/text, do not click on the link, but go to the company’s website separately through your browser and investigate. Do not call the company from the phone number in the email/text. Look up the phone number separately with a web search.

Be suspicious of any email/text that tells you that you need to act right away, or that you need to pay extra for delivery.

 

 

Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/text-message-about-your-fedex-package-really-scam

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages

 

ZDNET:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/that-email-about-your-delivery-could-be-fake-phishing-scammers-increase-their-attack-on-online-shoppers/

 

 

 

HOLIDAY ONLINE SHOPPING – Beware of Scammers Ripping You Off

We are heavy into the holiday shopping season. Here are a few reminders of what to watch for to avoid being scammed.

Scammers use several techniques to collect your money and/or your personal information while you are shopping online. Some of the techniques include,

 

·       Creating fake websites and sending out fraudulent emails. They can spoof a real company’s website. They may make offers that are “too good to be true.” You might make an order, give the information to pay them, then not receive what you ordered.

·       Intercepting insecure transactions. With an unsecure link they can collect your personal and account information to sell to other criminals or to purchase items for themselves.

·       Targeting computers that are not up to date with their anti-virus or anti-malware software. Scammers will download malware to collect your personal information, collect the information in your address book, or insert ransomware.

 

You can avoid fraudulent online shopping by,

 

·         Be sure your operating system and your anti-virus and anti-malware software is up to date.

·       Know who you are doing business with. Only shop with reputable businesses that you know. If you are thinking about do business on a website that you do not know, check it out with a web search and include the words “who is” or “scam” in your search. Look for customer reviews of the seller.

·       Don’t use websites that make you download anything.

·       Be sure that the website is secure with “https://” in the URL. Also, do not shop online over an unsecure public Wi-Fi.

·        Don’t over share your information. Online vendors should only need your shipping address, name, your email and your credit card number.

·       When making a purchase use your credit card, not your debit card, a gift card, or wire transfer. If the vendor does not live up the transaction you have protection through your credit card. Debit cards gives vendors direct access to your bank account and gift cards or wire transfers are like cash, once the vendor receives the funds, your money is gone.

 

 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA):

https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/tips/ST07-001

 

Yahoo Finance:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/how-to-avoid-holiday-shopping-scams-in-2020/ar-BB1bG3WH

 

 

 

WINTER HIKING – Take the Right Precautions

Hiking in our mountains has become a popular way to get out of the house during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And while spring and summer are times when most people think about hiking in the mountains, many people might consider hiking over the winter to get some fresh air.

Winter hiking does pose unique risks that you should be prepared for should you decide to hit the trails. Here are some suggestions form the Washington Trails Association (WTA),

 

·       Choose where you hike wisely. Avalanches, snow and otherwise, are big problems in the winter. You can find the best trails for winter hiking (and the ones to stay away from) on the Washington Trails Association website. Also, check out avalanche conditions in the mountains at the Northwest Avalanche Center.

o   Washington Trails Association:

§  Hiking Guide- https://www.wta.org/go-outside/hikes

§  Where to go and not go for a winter hike- https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/seasonal-avalanche-chute-trails-snow-hazards?fbclid=IwAR3zyyI-XUMjdIkz3at5-pwtCVHZlhjOJx_L9WMzL5t2cehLs2BcZ8qe25g#.X755yHyxEzU.facebook

o   Northwest Avalanche Center:

§  https://nwac.us/

·      Check the weather. Before you go, check the weather forecast for the mountains. The National Weather Service’s Mountain Forecast website is a good place for this information.

o   National Weather Service Mountain Forecast:

§  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/forecast03.php

·      Check road conditions. You can check mountain pass conditions on the WSDOT website.

o   Washington State Department of Transportation Mountain Passes:

§  https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes/default.aspx?_ga=2.36509670.753784110.1575328800-1791644849.1571669599

·      Wear the right clothing. With colder, rainy, or snowy weather, you need to be sure that you have the right clothing to survive the cold. Have a base layer of long thermal underwear tops and/or bottoms. Next, a warm insulating layer such as a fleece jacket or wool sweater. Finally, a waterproof/windproof layer like rain/wind jackets and hiking or rain pants.

·       Let someone know where you are going. Make out a trip plan and leave it with someone who can call 911 if you do not return on time from your hike.

o   WTA Hike Itinerary Form:

§  https://www.wta.org/go-outside/new-to-hiking/hiking-101-1/hike-itinerary

·      Take the 10 essentials with you.

o   WTA 10 Essentials:

§  https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/ten-essentials

 

 

Washington Trails Association:

https://www.wta.org/

 

The Herald:

 https://www.heraldnet.com/life/heres-how-to-hike-safely-during-the-rainy-season/

 

KING TV News:

https://www.king5.com/article/travel/destinations/explore-the-pnw/search-and-rescue-volunteers-fatigued-concerned/281-e3039541-8c3e-4f4e-a37d-862858717eab

 

 

 

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS – Rare Metals Attracting Thieves

Over the past several months, thieves have been stealing catalytic converters throughout the Puget Sound region. And for some reason, catalytic converter thieves are concentrating on Toyota Prius’.

Catalytic converters convert harmful gases from your car’s exhaust system into less harmful gases and are mandated by federal law to be on all new vehicles. They contain rare, precious metals that are part of the conversion process. The metals attract thieves because they can get a little more for them at metal recyclers.

Thieves can get around $100 for a catalytic converter while the replacement cost for a car owner can be up to $3,000 to $4,000.

Thieves target vehicles that are easier to crawl under such as SUV’s and trucks. Prius’ may be targeted because they are easy to lift.

Removing a catalytic converter can take less than two minutes. Catalytic converters may be bolted or welded to the car frame. Thieves need a wrench or a reciprocating saw for the easy removal.

Reports of catalytic converter thefts have been made throughout the Puget Sound region including Edmonds, Everett, Monroe, Bellingham, Auburn, and Woodinville. The thefts can take place overnight, but police have noted many reports of them occurring in broad daylight in parking lots of grocery stores or shopping areas. Sometimes the thieves wear traffic vests to look like a worker or mechanic and if asked what they are doing just say that they are working on the car.

Victims of the theft have returned to their vehicles to a noisy sounding engine when they turn it on.

Some things that you can do to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen include,

 

·         Park your vehicle in your garage.

·         Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and close to building entrances.

·         Consider placing an aftermarket cage over your catalytic converter to deter theft.

·         Some experts recommend welding the converter to the car frame.

·         Engrave your vehicle’s VIN to the catalytic converter.

·         Adjust your car alarm to detect vibrations created by sawing.

·         When going through a public parking lot, be on the lookout for suspicious activity such as people working underneath a vehicle or someone who looks like they are acting like a lookout. Edmonds PD says that using a saw is not normal car maintenance behavior. Call 911 if you see suspicious activity.

·         At home, be sure your home surveillance cameras are working.

 

 

 

 

 

KING News:

https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/spike-in-catalytic-converter-thefts-reported-across-western-washington/281-39bfb3fa-fe64-4df6-8589-9d0df61a68a8

 

My Edmonds News:

https://myedmondsnews.com/2020/12/edmonds-police-report-increasing-number-of-catalytic-converter-thefts/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

My Northwest:

https://mynorthwest.com/2177123/prius-catalytic-converter-thieves-puget-sound-region/

 

Allstate Insurance:

https://www.allstate.com/blog/catalytic-converter-theft/

 

Edmunds.com:

https://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/in-under-two-minutes-catalytic-converter-theft.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGE THEFT – Porch Pirates on the Rise

The holiday season brings an expectation that porch pirates will be in neighborhoods looking for packages on front porches to take. And with COVID-19, package theft has been a major concern for homeowners and local police departments.

The Bellevue Police Department says that is has seen a 100 percent increase in package thefts and a 72 percent increase in mail theft compared to this time last year. The Everett Police Department has been sending out reminders on how to prevent package theft on its Twitter feed. And a study places the Seattle area as seventh nationwide for package thefts with 503 reported thefts per 100,000 population.

Here are some reminders of what you can do to keep porch pirates from taking your deliveries,

·       Track your packages so that you know when they are delivered to your house. FEDEX, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service all have ways to track packages on their way to your house.

·       Pick up your package promptly. If you will not be home when it arrives, have a trusted neighbor pick it up for you.

·       Give the carrier special instructions. Have them place it out of sight such as on the side of the house, on the back deck, or other easy hiding place.

·       Have the package delivered to another secure location such as a UPS Store, FEDEX Store, your local Post Office or an Amazon Locker.

·       Consider installing a security camera on your front porch. This may have some deterrent effect. If your package is stolen, the video can give police evidence of who stole your package.

 

 

KOMO News:

https://komonews.com/news/local/record-spike-in-mail-packaging-theft-in-bellevue-as-online-shopping

 

Seattle PI:

https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/slideshow/seattle-package-theft-increase-2020-covid-pandemic-213686.php

 

Bid-On-Equipment:

https://www.bid-on-equipment.com/post/package-theft-covid-19-pandemic

 

Market Watch:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/8-ways-to-outsmart-package-thieving-porch-pirates-over-the-holidays-2020-12-01?mod=hp_minor_pos20

 

FEDEX:

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/delivery-manager/how-to-prevent-stolen-missing-packages.html

 

UPS:

https://www.ups.com/us/en/services/knowledge-center/article.page?name=how-to-keep-packages-safe-from-porch-pirates&kid=art16a45bd35dd

 

USPS:

https://uspsblog.com/postal-inspection-service-tips/

SCAM ALERT – Secret Sisters is a Pyramid Scheme

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning the public about a pyramid scheme that comes around during the holidays called “Secret Sister” gift exchange.

This scheme has been around since at least 2015 and will come to you in an email or social media invitation to join. All you have to do is to give a $10 gift to the next person on a list. Then you need to give your name, address, and some other personal information, along with the personal information of some of your friends to the list. Then you need to invite 6 of your friends to the list. Your reward is gifts from up to 36 members on the list.

It sounds so easy. But like other pyramid schemes, the key to keeping the scheme going is to continuously recruit new members. When people stop participating, the gift supply stops. Individuals rarely receive 36 gifts. Most people are disappointed.

This latest version of the scheme has an added twist of asking for personal information, an opportunity for an identity thief to collect personal information from many people.

The BBB recommends,

·         Ignore pyramid schemes. If you are invited to join a Secret Sister exchange or another pyramid scheme ignore it. You will avoid losing money. Plus, the US Postal Inspection Service warns that participating in a pyramid scheme is against federal law.

·         Report pyramid schemes. Report invitations to take part in a pyramid scheme to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at https://www.uspis.gov/report/. You can also report pyramid invitations that come through Facebook by clicking on the upper righthand corner and selecting “Report post” or “Report photo.”

·         Never give your personal information to strangers. The fact that the Secret Sister exchange asks for personal information should also be a warning not to participate.

·         Be wary of false claims. A pyramid scheme might claim that they are legal and are endorsed by the government. This is not true!

 

 

 

Better Business Bureau:

https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/18854-bbb-warning-secret-sister-gift-exchange-is-illegal

 

U.S, Postal Inspection Service:

https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/pyramid-schemes/

 

Identity Theft Resource Center:

https://www.idtheftcenter.org/secret-sisterhood-scam-alert/

 

USA Today:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/11/12/secret-sister-gift-exchange-scam-better-business-bureau-warns/6265662002/

 

Snopes:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/secret-sisters-gift-exchange/

 

 

 

 

BICYCLE THEFT – Protecting Your Ride from Theft

Having a bicycle stolen is not fun. Whether the bike is used by your child, for commuting, or for recreation on a nice day, you would hope that no one else would take your bike.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office averages 3 stolen bike reports per month. While this may seem very modest for a county of our size (cities in the county may have different experiences with bike theft). You still want to know that bicycles that you own are secure.

Here are some things you can do to prevent bike theft,

·       Use a lock. Be sure it is made from hardened stainless steel and offers good weather resistance. Some people recommend U-locks and D-locks as being tougher and harder to be picked.

·       Apply your lock effectively. Secure your bike to something that is cemented o bolted to the ground and cannot be easily lifted, and is made of a material that cannot be easily cut. Place the lock around the bike rack, street pole/parking meter, or parking sign so that it secures the bicycle frame and a wheel. If possible, also secure the second wheel (see picture below).

·       Remove anything that can be taken (quick-release seat, light, etc.) and take it with you.

·       Choose a well-lit area if you are parking your bike when it is dark.

·       Do not store your bike outside overnight. Take it inside of your garage or your apartment.

·       Take a picture of your bike and make a note of its serial number, color, make, model, size, and save it where you keep your records for your valuable possessions. This can be used in your report to the Sheriff’s Office if your bike is stolen.

 

 

 

 This bike is secured properly. The U-lock secures the frame and the rear wheel. The attached cable secures the front wheel.

                                         

 

 

Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia:

https://bicyclecoalition.org/resources/locking-and-theft/

 

Reolink:

https://reolink.com/best-bike-theft-prevention-tips/

 

Economical Insurance:

https://www.economical.com/en/blog/economical-blog/june-2018/8-tips-to-prevent-bicycle-theft