Jacquelyn Lynn - Online Consumer Advice and Commentary

Consumer Advisory: Harrisburg, PA, Attorney General Corbett cautions consumers about “mystery shopper” counterfeit check scam

2008-02-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Tom Corbett cautioned consumers to be wary of counterfeit check scams which are disguised as offers seeking “mystery shoppers” for major retail stores.

Corbett said the scam mailing typically includes an official-looking notice informing consumers that they have been selected to participate in a “secret shopper” or “mystery shopper” program, where consumers are paid to make purchases at stores and then evaluate the service they received. Consumers are told that they can earn several hundred dollars for each shopping assignment they complete, and the scam mailings imply that the secret shopper program is affiliated with retail outlets such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears, Home Depot, JC Penney and other major chains.

“This scam draws consumers in with an offer of ‘easy money’ – getting paid to shop,” Corbett said. “In reality, consumers are being ‘paid’ with counterfeit checks, and are being asked to electronically transfer money to scam artists, often operating outside the country.”

Corbett said the mystery shopping scam typically asks consumers to evaluate a money transfer using a MoneyGram or Western Union wire transfer as part of their first “training assignment.” A check is normally included with the mystery shopper mailing, which consumers are instructed to deposit in their bank account to cover the cost of their first shopping assignment.

Corbett explained that consumers are often promised earnings of $500 to $800 per week for future shopping assignments, if they successfully complete their training. Consumers are also told that they must keep the nature of their work completely confidential, in order to avoid alerting businesses that they are being evaluated and to preserve the “integrity” of the mystery shopper program.

Corbett said the typical scam instructs consumers to wire-transfer $3,000 to $4,000, often to an address in Canada. Consumers are told that they are sending the money to a training supervisor or account manager, who will evaluate the consumer’s potential as a full-time mystery shopper. After completing the electronic transfer, consumers are asked to immediately send a copy of the MoneyGram or Western Union receipt to a fax number provided in the initial mailing.

Corbett noted that the scam artists are attempting to take advantage of a time-delay between when you deposit their check, and when your bank discovers that the check is actually counterfeit. In some cases, this could take several days, allowing unsuspecting consumers to transfer money long before they discover that the original check was counterfeit – and that consumers are responsible for repaying missing money to the bank.

Corbett said that modern computer and printer technology allows scam artists to generate extremely realistic checks, forms and letters. He urged consumers to look beyond the authentic appearance of any documents, or the attraction of quick money, to identify the basic framework of all these scams.

“Alarm bells should go off in your head any time someone sends you a check, along with a request that you deposit the check in your bank and wire-transfer a certain amount of that money to another person,” Corbett said. “Whether it’s a mystery shopper offer, payment for an online auction, a classified ad, or some other transaction – scam artists are hoping that you send them money quickly, without thinking about the offer, and fall for a deal that’s too good to be true.”

Shield yourself from marketers

2007-08-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

There is absolutely nothing wrong with companies trying to market their products to consumers—that’s business, and it’s what keeps our economy going.

But I like to control—as much as I can, anyway—the amount of marketing messages I receive. You’ll find some great tips for how to do this in Leslie Halpern’s article,“Six Tips for Maintaining Privacy: Marketers Will Invade Your Life If You Let Them.”

Jacquelyn Lynn

Is that really your grandchild calling?

2007-08-22T05:33:00.000-07:00

I have a four-year-old grandson I adore and would do anything for. Right now, “anything” consists of trips to the playground, running around the backyard, and playing with his toys. I imagine things will change when he’s a teenager.

Con artists have sunk to a new low, preying on doting grandparents by posing as a grandchild in trouble and needing help.

The scammer calls on the phone and says something like, “This is your favorite grandson,” or even, “Do you know who this is?” When the unwitting grandparent responds with a name, the scammer has the information he needs. Typically, the scammers spin a story of needing cash but not wanting other family members to know, and they convince the grandparents to wire money.

The easiest way to avoid being a victim is to not offer any information the scammer doesn’t have. If the caller says, “This is your favorite grandson,” ask which one. If the caller asks you to guess who it is, refuse—answer “Do you know who this is?” with “No, I don’t. Who is it?”

And if a grandchild says he or she needs money but doesn’t want his or her parents to know, step back and think. If it was your child, wouldn’t you want to know? Don’t you have a responsibility to your own adult children to tell them when their children are in trouble?

If you get drawn far enough into the scam that you’ve agreed to send money, stop and confirm the need through a known contact number—not the one the scammer has provided—before you come up with any cash.

Finally, if you’ve been the target of a scam of any kind, notify the police.

For more on the fake grandchild scam, check out http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/11/grandparents_scam.html

Jacquelyn Lynn

Entrepreneur’s Almanac nearing completion

2007-08-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have just finished reviewing the page proofs of my newest book, Entrepreneur’s Almanac, due out in October from Entrepreneur Media. This is truly a unique book for business owners and managers, with a special section for start-ups. Click here for more information and to pre-order your copy.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Warning: Company says it is not responsible for criminal acts of its employees

2007-08-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Orlando Sentinel columnist Greg Dawson’s Aug. 9, 2007 consumer column told a frightening tale of a woman who called a company to repair a piece of equipment in her home. The company’s technician said he was taking the equipment for repair, and then stole it. That’s bad enough, but then the company admitted that it did not run a background check on the employee, who had a criminal record and no driver’s license (but was driving to jobs), and said they were not responsible for their employee’s criminal conduct.

Before you let anyone into your home for any reason, be sure you are dealing with a reputable company that screens employees and accepts responsibility for what their employees do.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Exploiting tragedy – don’t get scammed

2007-07-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

A new scam e-mail campaign is attempting to exploit the recent plane crash in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The e-mail claims to be from the airline TAM and attempts to lure recipients into logging onto a special site for more information. But if users click on the link in the e-mail and follow the instructions, they will download and install an information-stealing Trojan Horse on their computers.

All of the people affected by this horrible tragedy are in my thoughts and prayers, and they shouldn’t be further traumatized by becoming crime victims in the aftermath. If you are seeking information about this crash, do not click on links in any incoming e-mails and don’t give out any information unless you initiated the contact and are absolutely certain you are speaking to a legitimate source.

Sadly, this is something that should be kept in mind whenever a tragedy occurs. Some criminals have no problem with taking advantage of people who are vulnerable—don’t become one of their victims.

Jackie

A product I just discovered: Z Trim

2007-05-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about a fantastic product, Z Trim®, that will let you eat the foods you love, but without all the calories and fat. It was developed by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help fight the "War on Obesity". In the best seller recommended by Oprah "You: On A Diet" Drs. Oz and Roizen state that Z Trim may eventually change the way we eat.

After years of research and development, finally there is a solution to managing your weight without dieting; exercising or giving up the foods you love. Z Trim is truly a revolution. Whether used in foods as a zero calorie fat replacement, or taken in capsule form as a nutritional supplement, this patented natural fiber contributes to a feeling of non-bloated fullness that will help you control your appetite safely, with no side effects. As a zero calorie fat replacement gel, Z Trim is gluten-free and mimics fat in food preparation so well that most people prefer it over the high fat version of their favorite foods.

Over the years all those extra calories we’ve been eating have taken their toll on our waistlines. If you’re like me, you have told yourself time after time that you need to lose some weight, but you don’t have the time or the desire to spend long hours in the gym. If you hate punishing yourself with diets, losing a little weight after a hard struggle, only to gain it right back, then you’re not alone. Look at our children today. The majority of Americans are overweight or obese. You can do something about it now and help your loved ones too.

With Z Trim you can reduce calories without drugs, additional exercise, painful fad diets, or giving up your favorite foods. Go online to the link listed below and you can begin to "Live Life Better" and be on your way to a healthier "You".

Z Trim is also available in Appetite Control Capsules. In a recent clinical study held during the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years (undoubtedly the hardest time of the year to lose weight), one to two capsules taken ten minutes before meals allowed 3 out of 4 subjects to feel fuller faster causing them to eat less, and lose a healthy average of a pound per week without any lifestyle changes and no negative side effects. Z Trim gave them more will-power and it can do this for you too.

As a fat replacer, Z Trim is also available in both gel and powder forms. To create an instant and beneficial impact in your household, mix it in with the high fat foods at home such as butter, mayo, cream cheese, sour cream and salad dressing, you can also use it in all of your favorite recipes replacing some of the fats that you would normally consume, and resulting in a dramatic decrease in total calorie intake. Thanks to Z Trim, managing your weight is finally a reachable, realistic goal without the effort. Z Trim is a healthy fiber that improves digestion with no negative side effects.

So stop punishing yourself for enjoying your favorite foods. Click on the link below, read more about the Z Trim products and then order the ones you want and start to "Live Life Better".

Click here to learn more about Z Trim products.

Jackie

Hit-man threat – a new e-mail scam

2007-04-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

From the FBI: A new scam cropping up in e-mail boxes across the country is preying not on recipients’ greed or good intentions, but on their fears. The scam e-mail, which first appeared in December, threatens to kill recipients if they do not pay thousands of dollars to the sender, who purports to be a hired assassin. Click here to read the FBI’s news release.

Your best defense is simply to delete unsolicited spam e-mails without opening them. If you receive e-mail threats, you can also report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center or to the local field office of the FBI.

Jacquelyn Lynn

A new phishing scam masquerading as an e-mail from eBay

2007-03-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

I get the standard “update your account information now” scam e-mails pretending to be from eBay or PayPal on a daily basis. Some creative scammers have come up with a new angle: an invitation to become an eBay PowerSeller.

I just received this scam. I knew immediately it was a scam because I am a very low-volume eBay seller. Also, when I hovered my cursor over the links, I could tell that they weren’t going to a real eBay site.

If you are an eBay seller working on achieving PowerSeller status, be careful not to fall for this. It’s a fairly well-done fraud with only a few typos, so it’s possible that an otherwise careful person could fall for it.

If you have any questions about your PowerSeller status, send an e-mail to: powersellersinfo@ebay.com.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Two Hot Scams: “Free” Credit Reports and Iraqi Dinar Investment

2007-02-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

I’ve written about this before, but it’s worth repeating. Most of the “free” credit report offers out there are either identity theft scams or companies wanting to sell you credit monitoring services. The only site you can get a truly free credit report is www.annualcreditreport.com. Read more about this in Scambusters newsletter.

Another excellent article in that issue of Scambusters warns about an investment scheme involving buying Iraqi currency. Don’t do it. There’s a slim possibility you could make money, but your chances are probably better if you buy lottery tickets—and you know those chances aren’t great, right?

Protect your identity and your money with some common sense.

Jacquelyn Lynn

Caringbridge.org – a way to stay in touch during a health crisis

2007-01-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

Recently I received an e-mail from a friend that a mutual friend of ours was going through a serious health crisis. The e-mail said that a page had been set up at www.caringbridge.org to provide everyone who wanted to know what was happening with convenient and regular updates.

The husband of the friend who is ill makes a post to the CaringBridge site every day. Friends can either go online to check the site for new information or subscribe to an e-mail alert when a new post is made. Friends can also sign a guestbook and leaving encourage comments.

This is a wonderful service that helps friends and family members stay in touch and informed with a minimal amount of stress and effort. While it would be nice if no one ever had to use it, it’s comforting to know that it’s there if you need it.

Jackie

Free international calls

2007-01-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

I just discovered a way to make free international calls. I haven't personally tried it because I don't know anyone in the countries this company serves. But if you do, you might want to check it out.

The link is http://www.futurephone.com/index.html. On the FAQ page, they say the reason for this offer is to build your trust so you'll be receptive to future offers from them. In plain language, I'm sure at some point, they're going to try to sell you something.

If you try this, let me know how it works.

Jackie

Secret Shopper Fraud: A new twist on an old scam

2006-12-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

I recently received the following e-mail from the Economic Crimes Unit of the Seminole County (FL) Sheriff’s Office:

The Altamonte Springs (FL) Police Department received a complaint from a resident who received a letter and counterfeit check in the mail from a company called “Paid Surveys” out of Baltimore, MD. The letter advised he had been selected to be a secret shopper and gave him a list of tasks with places to go to shop. They were warned to keep the shopping confidential. The check was to be used to make specific purchases at the locations which included a Western Union and Money Gram office. The letter advised that when he went to Western Union and Money gram he was “To pose as a potential customer sending a payment to Carol Hernandez, a relative of yours in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada”. It asked that all receipts and a customer service evaluation tool be sent back to them to verify they spent the funds properly. Of course some of the money, $881.00 was to be kept by the secret shopper as their fee. It even had an “honest and ethical conduct” section to be filled out and returned.

If you receive solicitations similar to this, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Jackie

Social Security e-mail scam alert

2006-12-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

Social Security has issued a warning about a new email scam message that is being circulated with the subject "Cost-of-Living for 2007 update." The message redirects the reader to a website designed to look like Social Security's Internet website. Once directed to the phony website, the individual is asked register by giving personal information such as the individual's Social Security number, bank account information and credit card information.

No government agency will ever initiate a request for personal information by e-mail. They won't ask for bank or credit card information, either. Social Security will communicate with you via regular U.S. mail.

To report receipt of this email message or other suspicious activity to Social Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG), call the OIG Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. A Public Fraud Reporting form is also available online at OIG's website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig

Jackie

Online Shopper’s Survival Guide: A perfect Christmas gift

2006-11-29T17:25:00.000-08:00

I admit: this post is a bit of shameless self-promotion. My book, Online Shopper’s Survival Guide, makes a great Christmas gift, especially for a youth or a senior just learning how to maneuver online, or anyone who wants to know more about savvy online shopping.

To hear my interview about the book on Written Voices, click here.

Jackie

After Black Friday comes Cyber Monday

2006-11-24T13:17:00.000-08:00

Monday, Nov. 27, 2006 is being called “Cyber Monday” and is expected to be the busiest online shopping day of the holiday season. More and more people are choosing to avoid the hassle of brick-and-mortar stores and are shopping online instead.

That’s great—but only if you know what you’re doing and shop wisely. Buy only from e-tailers you know or have researched. Order in plenty of time for your merchandise to arrive before you need it. Pay attention so you don’t get caught in a scam.

Avoiding fraud and finding great deals are two things I discuss at length in Online Shopper’s Survival Guide. Visit my website at www.jacquelynlynn.com to read an excerpt on how to evaluate an online seller.

Jackie

Be a savvy mortgage consumer

2006-11-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

Recently I saw a news article about a couple that had purchased their dream home with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). When the initial low term of the mortgage was over, the payments nearly doubled, and the homeowners couldn’t afford the higher amount. The wife was quoted as saying that she hadn’t understood the terms of the loan. Now, they’re facing foreclosure.

This is an all-too-common circumstance, and speaks to the importance of understanding absolutely everything about any loan that you take out—especially a loan that uses your home as collateral. Don’t feel stupid because you have questions. Ask them and make sure you’re satisfied with the answers. If a mortgage broker or loan officer demonstrates impatience with your questions, tries to rush you through the process, tells you not to worry about items in the contract, or says or does anything that makes you uncomfortable, you need to find someone else to deal with.

Don’t let emotions override your common sense. It’s better to buy a home you can afford and keep it than to use “creative financing” to buy one you can’t afford and will lose in a few years because your payments skyrocket to an amount you can’t pay.

For some good information about mortgages that will help you be an educated consumer, visit PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com.

Jackie

Extended warranties: Don’t waste your money

2006-11-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

Consumer Reports feels so strongly that extended warranties are a waste of money (with two possible exceptions) that the consumer organization took out a full page ad in USA Today that says simply:

“Dear Shopper,
Despite what the salesperson says, you don’t need an extended warranty.
Consumer Reports”

Yet, according to Consumer Reports, shoppers are expected to spend $1.6 billion on extended warranties this holiday season. Think about that -- that's not for merchandise, it's just for warranties. Read Why You Don’t Need an Extended Warranty to learn more about this issue and to find out the two exceptions to this advice.

Salespeople can be very pushy with extended warranties because they are so profitable for the stores. A technique that I have used to halt that part of the sales process is to ask, “Are you telling me that I’m buying a product that will likely break in the near future? If the quality isn’t any better than that, maybe I should reconsider this purchase.”

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Some salespeople are more persistent than others. But the bottom line on extended warranties is that, in most cases, you should just say no to them.

Jackie

Online shopping: for when you don’t fit in at the retail stores

2006-11-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

Baltimore Sun columnist Susan Reimer and I must be sisters under the skin. In a recent column, she made a number of observations that had me thinking, “How did she know how I feel?”

For example, she writes, “I try to spend, but I am too confused. … My coffee shop sells books and music. My cheese shop sells linen towels. My bookstore sells coffee and desserts. My grocery store sells beach chairs.” She notes the “you don’t belong here” atmosphere of stores such as Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. She points out that in stores such as Saks, Talbots, and Nordstrom, “the help is better dressed than I am on my best day. I don’t have the clothes to shop for clothes in these stores.” Neither do I.

Click here to read the complete column. Then join those of us who prefer to shop online in the comfort of our homes or offices.

And – here’s the shameless plug – if you’d like to know more about online shopping, my book Online Shopper’s Survival Guide will tell you everything you need to know to find bargains and shop safely on the internet.

Jackie

Is all your eBay income taxable?

2006-11-19T16:20:00.000-08:00

Recently someone posted a comment to my post about the IRS looking at PayPal records for people who are trying to avoid paying taxes on eBay income. Click here to see the post and comment.

This person asked: so if I sell the junk in my basement, I have to pay taxes on it?

The answer is, in most cases no.

The reason is that the IRS has a rule about occasional income, such as the money you might make from garage sales or selling other used personal items. Also, chances are that you’ll get less than you paid for a used item when you sell it, so you’re not making a profit on the transaction that could be taxable income.

It’s a different story if you’re buying someone else’s junk and selling it – that’s a business. eBay sellers who shop at garage sales for items they sell on eBay and other online auctions should be tracking their income and expenses, and then reporting their income appropriately. Another situation where you might have to pay tax on the sale of a personal item is when you have a collectible that has increased in value.

If you’re cleaning out your closets, garage, attic, basement, etc., and make a little money in the process, that’s one thing. If you are running an ongoing business, that’s something entirely different.

And now for the disclaimer: check with a qualified tax advisor if you have any questions.

Jackie

Greetings from the White House

2006-11-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the White House will send greetings from the President to commemorate special events, including birthdays for those 80 and older, wedding anniversaries for those married 50 years or more, weddings, and the birth of babies.

Requests for birthday and anniversary greetings must be made at least 6 weeks in advance; wedding and birth greeting requests should be made after the fact.

For more information and to make your request, go to https://app1.whitehouse.gov/greetings/home.

Jackie

If someone uses your Social Security number to get a job

2006-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

Last month, I wrote about the problem of illegal immigrants using stolen Social Security numbers to get jobs and how this could create havoc with your own Social Security account if you are a victim. I suggested that you review your Social Security Statement regularly (www.ssa.gov/mystatement) and make sure the numbers match what you know your earnings to be.

While this seems logical, it’s not a guaranteed way to be sure your Social Security number has been stolen and is being used for an illegal to gain employment. It’s possible that not all of those earnings will get reported on your account. Even so, checking your Social Security Statement each year is a good idea because it will help you identify and correct problems quickly. Consider how challenging it would be to correct your income records from 10 or 15 years ago.

When it comes to identity theft, there is no single thing you can do to protect yourself—you need to use a variety of strategies that include keeping your personal information private and monitoring your records and credit reports.

Jackie

Got a complaint? Sometimes the old-fashioned way works best

2006-11-04T08:07:00.000-08:00

Got a problem with a company? First, try its posted problem-resolution processes (usually a form message sent to customer service; in many cases, you can find the link on the website). If that doesn't work, try e-mailing a senior person in the company. And if that doesn't work, you may need to resort to old-fashioned snail mail and send a letter via the U.S. Postal Service to the president of the company.

This will work almost all the time. You can find the name of the president or CEO by doing online searches (states have publicly accessible databases of companies registered and/or incorporated in that state, or you can search public companies through the SEC).

Most of my complaints have been responded to and the situation handled within a week to 10 days after I mailed the letter. A complaint letter to FedEx resulted in an apology (which was all I really wanted) plus an American Express gift card (a nice surprise). The one time in recent memory that it didn't work was when I sent a complaint letter to Nike; they ignored the first letter and a follow up, so I just won't buy Nike shoes anymore. But smart companies respond to letters and use them as training opportunities, so if you can't get the results you want any other way (assuming, of course, that your complaint is valid and your resolution request is reasonable), try an old-fashioned letter.

Jackie

Online Safe Deposit Box – Extra Security for Important Papers

2006-10-31T05:58:00.000-08:00

Physical safe deposit boxes are a great idea, but they don’t meet all your document security needs. And they have definite limitations because they are physical.

An Online Safe Deposit Box lets you store copies of important documents (your passport, driver’s license, credit card information, insurance policies, etc.) online in a completely secure and encrypted location that you can access from virtually anywhere in the world.

Consider these scenarios: You’re traveling on business or vacation and your wallet is stolen. How fast can you access copies of your identification and credit card account numbers? With an Online Safe Deposit Box, that information is available immediately.

Or, what if your home is damaged by a fire or natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado and your files are destroyed? With an Online Safe Deposit Box, no problem—you’ve got access to that information so you can begin your recovery process right away.

Visit www.keepyousafe.com for complete details and to sign up for a free box.

Jackie

Fraudulent Spam E-Mail Claiming to be From FBI Director Mueller

2006-10-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

A bogus e-mail claiming to be from FBI Director Robert Mueller III is circulating around the internet. The attempt to defraud victims comes in two separate e-mails and includes threats from the FBI for those who fail to comply.

This e-mail is a scam; just delete it.

Click here for the full details from the FBI.

Jackie