Better Business Bureau - Scams Update

Fake Police, Roving Pavers and Other Alerts

Yesterday we were flooded with calls from consumers who had received a phone call from Major Paul Stevens of the police department. He informed them that they had failed to show up for jury duty and a bench warrant was being issued for their arrest! The baffled consumers pleaded that they had never received any letter and were innocent. How could they avoid arrest? The answer was simple; go to the local drug store and buy a "green dot" card (a way to send money while avoiding Western Union) for $ 940, then call him back with the claim numbers. We know that some consumers fell for the threats and high pressure and sent the money. The call came from a wireless phone and we have given the details to (the real) police for investigation. We have no idea where "Major Stevens" was calling from; it could be Ohio, Michigan or Bombay!

"Police" threats are common now. They terrorize seniors - "we have a car down the street and are coming to arrest you if you don't send us money!" One told a lady, "We are following your cell phone on our GPS so we will know if you don't go to the drug store and buy that green dot card!"

NEXT: They're Baaaack! The door-to-door pavers have arrived in NW Ohio and SE Michigan. They come to your business or home with claims that "We were just doing a parking lot (or driveway) down the street and we noticed that yours is pretty bad. We have some sealer left on the truck and we can do your area for a really low price." 

Every year, as they return, we get reports of major overcharges, high pressure selling, shoddy workmanship, and poor quality materials. Even when they do a good job (which sometimes happens) they soon leave town, so any guarantee they give is of doubtful value. Our suggestion; deal with a local contractor who will be around if you need him later.

NEXT: Deed Scams are hitting Lenawee County. Letters from "Registered Property Services" (Sioux Falls, SD) titled "Deed Processing Notice" look very official and attempt to sell you a copy of your own property deed for $ 83. They imply that every homeowner needs to have their deed or they may incur a penalty. Actually there is no need for you to obtain your deed, and they are easily obtained from most courthouses for a dollar or two a page - and most are only one or two pages. Lenawee County Sheriff Jack Welsh warns residents to not be fooled by these letters.

NEXT: That fake "Department of Transportation" letter is back! Chastity ofMesenburg Brothers (Collins, OH) reports receiving this bogus letter, which claims that your company "has not submitted your financial information release form." The latest letter is signed "Louis James, Senior Procurement Officer" but we have seen these phony letters with different signatures for years. Although the letter appears to come from the DOT in Washington, the fax number goes to the Baltimore area. Do NOT send financial information in response to this letter!

NEXT: How can they get you to click on their link? Scammers keep sending emails with every kind of trick to get you to click on their link - which will download viruses into your computer. This is why we warn to WAIT before clicking on any link, even if it looks legitimate. The latest scam we see says this:

Dear (email address)
We have been sent a sample of your blood analysis for further research. During the complete blood count (CBC) we have revealed that white blood cells is very low, and unfortunately we have a suspicion of a cancer. White Blood cells 1200 Low Hemoglobin 12 Normal Platelets 19000 Low. We suggest you to print out your CBC test results and interpretations in attachment below (link) and visit your family doctor as soon as possible 
Sincerely, Dr. Avery Ernie, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Actually this "National Institute" is located in London and Manchester, England. Its web site has a big "spam" warning against this email. Don't click on the link!

Dick Eppstein, BBB