Thieves Scamming Ringgold County Residents by Impersonating Sheriff

The Ringgold County Sheriff's Office has had several reports recently of telephone callers trying to scam local citizens out of their money by posing some sort of threat or promise of reward if the citizen purchases gift cards.  The scammer then asks for the identifying numbers off the gift cards.  

One known scam was promise of winning cash and a new vehicle.  The scammer asked the citizen to purchase gift cards at their local pharmacy.  The scammer was persistent and called the citizen several times trying to work out the exchange.  They offered detailed information about prize claim numbers, vehicle information and attorney's coming to deliver the rewards, but wanted the gift cards purchased first.

Another recent scam involved the caller telling  local citizens he was Sheriff Rob Haley and the caller identification showed the call coming from the sheriff's office number.  It was not Rob nor placed from the sheriff's office.  The scammer threatened the citizen that they were in trouble and needed to pay with gift cards to get out of trouble. No law enforcement agency will call you saying they are planning to arrest you.  Further, law enforcement agencies will never ask you to pay in gift cards to avoid arrest or imprisonment.  

Facebook Hoax -- Powerball Winners are not Paying $10,000 per Like or Share

No, Powerball winners are not paying $10,000 or $1,000 to everyone who likes their Facebook pages. Even a Lottery winner has a finite amount of money to give out. These pages are likely hoaxes whose purpose is to collect and share personal private information. Or, they might be simply living out personal fantasies about what life would be like if they were to win such a large amount.

From the link, some are not even legitimate -- you can look up winners by Googling up Powerball. In the worst case, the "winner" will contact you and ask for your bank account details -- so they can deposit the promised $10,000 in your bank account, of course. When you give it to them, they will empty your bank account and cut and run.

If you want to win a quick $1,000 or $10,000, playing the Lottery is a better option; however, the odds are stacked so that the Lottery would win -- otherwise, there would be no more Lottery. There are plenty of good ways to make a better living -- look for a better job in your field would be one way to start. The website jobs.mo.gov would be a good place to start and the Missouri Career Center has an office in Maryville. Draw up a business plan and ask people for funding would be another if you own a business. Holding a yard sale and advertising it in the local papers would be a good way to raise a quick few hundred or a thousand -- and no need to play the odds or give out information to people you don't know personally.

But the best way to get a better lifestyle would be to elect officials who would raise our standard of living -- as opposed to tearing the other person down. Push for policies that would create jobs and improve our way of life. While we have some radical ideas that we think would raise everyone's standard of living, we support any idea from any party that would help. No idea is too large or too small.  If everyone participates in the political process, we would put scammers out of business and raise everyone's standard of living.

New Profile Viewer Scam Circulating on Facebook

A new profile viewer scam is making the rounds at Facebook. The Facebook application, named Hiolper, purports to show users who is viewing either their pictures or their profile. Facecrooks, a Facebook community dedicated to exposing Facebook scams, notes that there have been two such "profile viewer" scams active on Facebook recently and that both require you to install rogue applications and end in survey scams. However, the community page notes that Facebook does not allow developers the access to the data required to create such applications.

A typical message looks like this: "OMG! i just noticed who keep watching my profile and photos. It was really shocking to know. Check who looks at your profile at..." However, users are taken to a request to access basic information, post to Facebook as the user, and access personal data even when users are not using the application.

Users who grant such permission are usually taken to a place that says something like, "Take our JC Penny Survey to win $$$!!!" Users are told that they are required to complete such surveys to make sure it is not a spam request. Once users complete the second survey, they are now spamming messages on friends' walls, messages, and newsfeeds. To remove such applications, go to your Facebook account settings.

Others will claim that Facebook has issued an update allowing people to see who has viewed their profile. However, such claims must come from a first-hand source to be believable; if Facebook does not make such an announcement, be skeptical. Sophos, an Internet security community, notes that Facebook does not treat rogue applications as seriously as it does other issues with the website, allowing such applications to go unchecked. Therefore, it is up to the Facebook community to deal with such apps by refusing to fall for these tricks.

FDA warns public of continued extortion scam by FDA impersonators

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as FDA special agents and other law enforcement personnel as part of a continued international extortion scam.
The criminals call the victims -- who in most cases previously purchased drugs over the Internet or via "telepharmacies" -- and identify themselves as FDA special agents or other law enforcement officials. The criminals inform the victims that purchasing drugs over the Internet or the telephone is illegal, and that law enforcement action will be pursued unless a fine or fee ranging from $100 to $250,000 is paid. Victims often also have fraudulent transactions placed against their credit cards.
The criminals always request the money be sent by wire transfer to a designated location, usually in the Dominican Republic. If victims refuse to send money, they are often threatened with a search of their property, arrest, deportation, physical harm and/or incarceration.
"Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law," said Dara Corrigan, the FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “FDA special agents and other law enforcement officials are not authorized to impose or collect criminal fines. Only a court can take such action.”
In most instances, victims of extortion-related calls have also received telephone solicitations for additional pharmaceutical purchases from other possibly related, illegal entities located overseas. The extortionists use customer lists complete with extensive personal information provided through previous purchase transactions. These include names, addresses, telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, purchase histories and credit card account numbers.

Typically, these criminals use telephone numbers that change constantly and make it appear as though their calls originate in the United States.

No known victim has been approached in person by a law enforcement impersonator associated with this scheme.

The FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of various U.S. Attorneys, are pursuing multiple national and international criminal investigations.

Arrests have been made and additional prosecutions are pending; however, the scheme is likely to continue. The FDA has issued similar warnings in the past:
§ FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators1 (11/12/2008)
§ FDA Warns Public of Continued Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators2 (12/29/2009)

Victims of this scheme who have suffered monetary loss through the payment of funds in response to an extortion call from a person purporting to be an FDA or other law enforcement official regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions may obtain a victim questionnaire by contacting the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations3 and clicking “Report Suspected Criminal Activity.”

Anyone receiving a purported official document on agency letterhead may verify its authenticity by contacting that organization directly via a publicly available phone number. Additionally, all federal agencies use email addresses with a “gov” email extension.

The FDA also reminds consumers that pharmaceutical products offered online and by telephone by sources of unknown origin can pose a substantial health risk. Products recovered during this investigation that were purchased from online or telephone sources have been found to contain trace amounts of heroin, other undisclosed and potentially harmful active pharmaceutical ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. Purchases should only be made from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. In addition to the increased risk of purchasing unsafe and ineffective drugs from Web sites operating outside the law, personal data may be compromised.

For more on unlawful drug sales on the Internet, see Protecting Yourself. If you are called by someone purporting to be a FDA agent in this area, please contact the Worth County Sheriff's Department's secure phone line at (660) 564-2222. They will forward information to the media as well as appropriate agencies.

Beware Of Scam Artists

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cautions Missouri survivors of the recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes to be on the lookout for scam artists pretending to be employed by FEMA or another government agency, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Historically, disasters bring out the very best in people and there are countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors. Unfortunately, our experience shows us that disasters also bring out the worst in some people and storm survivors should be vigilant in protecting their personal assets, particularly when living in such a stressful environment.

“Consumers should keep in mind that a FEMA or SBA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone’s affiliation with these agencies,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Libby Turner. “The best way to verify authorized FEMA or SBA personnel is by checking their laminated photo identification card, which they are required to wear at all times.”

One common fraudulent scheme involves con artists going door-to-door of damaged homes, or phoning victims, and soliciting personal information such as social security and bank account numbers. Consumers should know that FEMA inspectors never require this information. A social security or bank account number is requested during the first phone call to the FEMA registration line. On any follow-up calls, a FEMA representative may ask for the last four digits of your social security number but never the whole number.

There have been reports, during earlier disasters, of scammers telling homeowners they need to pay $1,500 to be put on a list to get their home repaired. Other reports have surfaced of persons pretending to be from the SBA and offering to fill out disaster loan applications for a $50 fee. Survivors should remember that under no circumstances are FEMA or SBA representatives allowed to accept money. FEMA staff registers all applicants without charge and experts are located at Disaster Recovery Centers to assist storm survivors with their application for disaster aid. Also, there is never a charge to be placed on a “FEMA List” or to have SBA representatives assist applicants with their disaster loan application.

Other points to keep in mind to avoid becoming a fraud victim:

•Check on a contractor’s licensing status with local or State licensing agencies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau, homebuilders association or trade council to see if the contracting firm has any unanswered complaints against it;
•Be suspicious of anyone who offers to increase the amount of your disaster damage assessment;
•Ask for proof of insurance. If a contractor is uninsured, you may be liable for accidents on your property. Make sure the contractor has both disability and worker’s compensation insurance;
•Ask for a written estimate and check to make sure it includes all work you expect to have done, as well as taxes and other fees. Keep in mind that some contractors charge for an estimate;
•Once you decide to use a particular contractor, ask for a written contract that includes all tasks to be performed as well as associated costs, a timeline and payment schedule, and who is responsible for necessary permits and licenses. Never sign a blank contract;
•Do not give anyone an advance cash payment. Pay by check in order to keep a record and avoid double charges;
•Legitimate contractors normally do not require more than one-third of the total charges as a down payment;
•Ask for a written guarantee that states what is covered, who is responsible and how long the guarantee is valid;
• If you feel uncomfortable about a contract and have already signed it, cancel it quickly. You may cancel some contracts within three business days after signing. Be sure to follow the contract cancellation clause procedures.
If you think you have been victimized by fraud or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it to the Missouri State Attorney General’s office at 1-573-751-3321.

IRS Scammers Trying to Steal Credit Card Numbers

The Missouri Department of Revenue reminds citizens that none of its employees will ever contact Missouri taxpayers to ask for credit card or debit card numbers.

The Department recently received a report that a citizen received a call from someone who represented himself as “representing the state of Missouri.” The phone caller stated that he had an “income tax rebate” for the citizen, but that he would need the citizen’s credit card number and expiration date to complete the transaction.

“No employee of the Missouri Department of Revenue will ever contact someone to get a person’s credit card number to process an income tax refund,” said Alana M. Barragán-Scott, the Department’s director. “Scam artists sometimes falsely represent themselves as agents of the government in an attempt to get people’s confidential financial information. The Department urges citizens to ignore these dishonest, would-be thieves.”

If people have questions about tax refunds, they can call the Department of Revenue at (573) 751-3505 or email the Department at income@dor.mo.gov. To report a local scam, please contact the secure phone line at the Worth County Sheriff's Department at (660) 564-2222.

Missouri Division of Finance: Consumers being targeted by loan scammers

The Missouri Division of Finance says scam artists may be targeting consumers who hold mortgages, apply for loans or do other types of financial business in the state. The division says homeowners in Missouri have received bogus mailings inviting them to join a nonexistent class-action lawsuit. Other homeowners have been told to send their mortgage payments to a scammer claiming to be the new processor for the lender.

In another case, a division investigator working undercover applied for an online payday loan. He was then contacted repeatedly by a debt collector claiming he was behind on payments for that loan - while the loan had not even been approved by the lender. There have been reports from across the country that some consumers have sent money in response to these fraudulent collection efforts.

"Consumers with home loans need to know that some of their information is publicly available, including their property deed, the name of their lender and the amount borrowed," said Rich Weaver, commissioner of the Missouri Division of Finance. "This can attract con artists, so Missourians should be highly suspicious of any solicitation, debt collection call or other contact that comes from someone other than their lender."

Weaver offers the following tips for Missouri consumers:

· If you're not past due on your loan, don't believe a stranger who says otherwise.

· If there's any doubt about the balance or status of your loan, contact your lender.

· If contacted by a debt collector, verify with your lender that you owe the money and that the collector is authorized to collect the debt.

· Never give personal information to anyone who contacts you by phone or e-mail; only give out the information when you initiate the contact.

To file a complaint against a bank or lender, or to ask general questions about financial issues, consumers can contact the Division of Finance at 888-246-7225 or visit finance.mo.gov.

The Missouri Division of Finance regulates more than 6,000 financial institutions and individuals in the state, including banks, the residential mortgage industry and consumer lenders.