Scam and Fraud Alerts

Local Scams
Money for your Efforts
Phone Scam
Paving Scam
Common Fraud Scams
Telemarketing Fraud
Nigerian Letter or 419 Fraud
Impersonation/Identity Fraud
Advance Fee Scheme
Health Insurance
Investment Related Scams
Letter of Credit Fraud
Prime Bank Note
Ponzi Scheme
Pyramid Scheme
Internet Scams
Internet Auction Fraud
Non-Delivery of Merchandise
Credit Card Fraud
Investment Fraud
Business Fraud
Nigerian Letter Scam
Fraud Target: Senior Citizens (Read Warning)
Health Insurance Fraud
Counterfeit Prescription Drugs
Funeral and Cemetery Fraud
Fraudulent "Anti-Aging" Products
Telemarketing Fraud
Internet Fraud
Investment Schemes+

   This one occurred after Ken placed a classified ad.  If you wire the money, they will never send the shipper, and  you will be out the $2,400. Never give anyone extra money in return. Ken emailed this person back and forth to get as much information as possible. This was the first reply:

Email 1

   Greetings,
Thanks for the mail and I'm still interested in buy it. Now I'm going to contact my business associate to issue the check of $2850 in your name and which you are going to send the excess funds to my shipper via western union, who is coming over to your location for the pick-up, he's handles my shipping stuff.


I will be giving $70 for your (efforts and western union fees) I will be very grateful if really you can do everything the same day you receive the check for a prompt transaction and as you know that I am really eager to see it....I'll need your information for the check to make out to your name soonest. as well

NAME................
ADDRESS.............
ZIP CODE............
CITY................
STATE...............
COUNTRY.............
PHONE NUMBER........
(HOME,OFFICE,CELL)..
Pls mail me today. I know I can trust you, Best Regard .

Email 2

Hi Ken S,

Thanks for the mail and the information you gave to me. Now i want you to understand that that $70 am giving you is for your own effort is not for western union fees. So now that you have confirmed that western union fees is going to be $139.00 I will instruct my associates to make the check $3000 so that you can deduct $139.00 out of the $3000 and get the balance wired to my shipper that same day.

Moreover my shipper will come over to your location with the CARTONS that is not a problem. Now what I will need from you now is that I want you to get the balance (funds) ready before the arrival of my shipper so that there won't be any delay with the shipment that same day. So I will be very glad if you can get this balance ready before the arrival of the check because I am really eager in seeing it.

Thanks and mail me back ASAP if you can get it ready.

Phone Scam Alert

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports from citizens who have been getting collect phone calls from jail inmates.  Since August 18, 2004, ten citizens in Hernando County reported that they received collect phone calls wanting them to call a number beginning with *72.  Detectives have determined that these calls are originating from inmates in South Florida jails.

 Here’s how the scam works.  The phone owner receives a call, which usually shows up on the caller ID as “PCG Payphone”.  If the phone owner answers the phone they will be asked to accept a collect phone call.  If the owners accepts, the inmate will make up a story, and ask the owner to call a number beginning with *72.  Some of the ruses have been to tell the phone owner that a relative was hurt in an accident and the phone owner’s number was found in the injured person’s pocket.  Or the inmate will tell the phone owner that a relative has just been brought into the jail and was injured and the phone owner needs to call the hospital but they need to call the special extension which begins with *72.

 When you dial in *72 and a number, it forwards all your incoming calls to the number you just dialed.  This allows the inmate to make calls to whomever they wish and the phone owner foots the bill.  The phone owner’s phone will continue to be forwarded until the phone owner removes the forward feature off the phone.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office would like to make our citizens aware of this phone scam. If you are asked to call a number beginning with *72, don’t do it, it is a scam. These are crooks trying to get something for free, namely using your phone service for free.

The Sheriff’s Office urges you to make a report if you believe you have been a victim of this scam, especially if you have complied with these scam artists and dialed *72 and a number.  You can call the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office at 754-6830 to have a report taken.

TRAVELERS' PAVING SCAM


The Hernando County Sheriff's Office has recently been apprised of the presence of an alleged English Traveling Crime Group that has begun to operate within the county.  To date there has been one known victim of an asphalt paving scam.
These individuals will approach local businesses and homeowners in an attempt to sell a paving job.  They will have the appearance of being well equipped because their vehicles will be new.  Their sales tactics are strong and they will create a feeling of a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.  They will inform the prospect that they have left over asphalt from a previous job and will quote a price that is real cheap.  The workmanship will be of substandard quality.  After the job is complete they will demand payment at an inflated price from what was quoted.  There is the possibility of confrontation when they are challenged about the inflated price.  During the confrontation other apparent participants will engage in the attempt to collect the payment.

Business owners and citizens are encouraged to be cautious of these types of tactics.  They are encouraged to request a written estimate and the opportunity to "think" about the decision to have the job performed.

Anyone who has experienced similar contacts or situations are encouraged to contact Det. Curt Turney or Sgt. Kenny Frazier at the Hernando Co. Sheriff's Office, Brooksville, (352) 754-6830.   If you wish to remain anonymous, a confidential tip message can be left on the TIPS line by calling (352) 797-TIPS(8477) or Internet Tips may be emailed to tips@hernandosheriff.org

Common Fraud Scams

Telemarketing Fraud

When you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.

Warning signs -- what a caller may tell you:

- "You must act 'now' or the offer won't be good."
- "You've won a 'free' gift, vacation, or prize." But you have to pay for "postage and handling" or other charges.
- "You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier." You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
- "You don't need to check out the company with anyone." The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
- "You don't need any written information about their company or their references."
- "You can't afford to miss this 'high-profit, no-risk' offer."
If you hear these--or similar--"lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone.

Some Tips to Avoid Telemarketing Fraud:
It's very difficult to get your money back if you've been cheated over the phone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:
Don't buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.
Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But, unfortunately, beware -- not everything written down is true.
Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.
Obtain a salesperson's name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.
Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.
Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. "What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?"
You must not be asked to pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.
Some con artists will send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.
Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won't pressure you to make a snap decision.
Don't pay for a "free prize." If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.
Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are -- the kinds of financial information you will and won't give out on the telephone.
It's never rude to wait and think about an offer. Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor.
Never respond to an offer you don't understand thoroughly.
Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.
Your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties.
If you have information about a fraud report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.