8/8/2019 BBB Offers Advice on scams

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MAGNOLIA CLIPPING SERVICE

(601) 856-0911 I (205) 758-8610

HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

HATTIESBURG, MS

Circulation =26509

DAILY

11/0512010

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BILLMOAK

BBBoffers

advice

0 : " ; ~ ~ tough economy, scammers are using a variety

of methods to separate trusting, elderly or vulnerable consumers from their money.

They use the telephone,mail and e-mail as well asprint and online pop-up ads.They even knock on doors.

We regularly field calls fromthe victims of these scammers. Scammers often work

outside the U.S., beyond thereach of law enforcementagencies. And they often preyon those who are looking forways to make extra money.

Here is a sampling of the recent scams:

• Delinquent debt Scam

mers try to collect bogus debtsusing high-pressure tactics.

• Secret Shopper. They offeropportunities to spend someone else ' s money for a marketing or consumer researchorganization. In reality, the

consumer's money is used.• Advance Fee Loans. Loansare offered, regardless ofcred- ,it, to payoff debts or makeends meet Up-front fees arerequired to obtain such loans.

• Getting a Job without really trying. For a fee, scam

mers offer to get your application to the person hiring and get it there ahead of others' applications.

• Work at Home - Easy asTwitter. Opportunities tomake money daily by postingto Twitter.com. 

• PayPal or online bankingaccount is frozen. Bogusemails spread the news. Nowtext messages have begun. '\, • Gone "Phishing". Phish

ing E-mail messages try to so- 'licit personal information orget consumers to click on

bogus links in the messages.• Pyramid Schemes. Also

called "Multi-tier Marketing,"these scams recruit productsalespeople/recruiters. Although not all multi-levelbusin,ess are scams, this tacticis often used by scammers.

There are ways to check outan offer or report a scam:

• Contact the BBB atwww.ms.bbb.orgQr1800)987-8280

• Check the FBI internetcrime website at www.lC3.gov

• Contact the AttorneyGeneralis Office ConsumerProtection Division atwww.agjimhood.com or(800) 281-4418

Credit reportsIn these days when identity

theft is rampant across thecountry, the BBB urges consumers to check credit reportsregularly. Every consumer isentitled to receive a free copy of l

their credit report once every12 months from Equifax, Ex-

perian and TransUnion. This isnot an automatic service andrequests must be made. Whenreviewing a credit report, checkfor:

• Accuracy of information.• Completeness of informa

tion.

• New accounts or loanswhich you did not open.

To contact the agencies:.Equifax (800) 685-1111 of

www.equifax.com .Experian (888)397-3742

orwww.experian .com 

.TransUnion (800) 8884213 or www.transunion.com If there is'an error or disput

ed item on your credit report,immediately notify the creditagency in writing. The agencyis required to investigate yourcomplaint, send you a prompt

response in writing (usuallywithin 30 days), correct ordelete any inaccurate information, and send you a copy of ,your report if their investiga- ,tions result in any changes 'to the report.

Bill Moak is president of theBBB ofMississippi. E-mailhim at www.bbbms.org. 

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