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NPR on Auto Stealerships

8/30/2022

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Revealing National Public Radio piece on how many auto dealers operate.

https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2022/08/30/1119715886/inside-the-rise-of-stealerships-and-the-shady-economics-of-car-buying
Recently, my truck was stolen, forcing me to get some new wheels. And, for the first time in my life, I've been looking to buy a new car. The process has involved hours of searching. Painful haggling. And encounters with many dealerships that, quite frankly, have been downright duplicitous. The whole thing has been kind of a nightmare.

Cars are, of course, expensive, especially with the supply chain fiasco creating shortages. But it's more than that. Shopping for cars is not like shopping for most other products. Unlike, say, computers or refrigerators, cars are typically not sold for one standard price. Ten people could go into a dealership and each pay a wildly different amount to buy the same exact vehicle.

Economists call this sort of pricing strategy "price discrimination." That's when, instead of charging everyone the same price, sellers charge people different prices based on their willingness to pay. In simpler terms, it means that the seller milks as much money as they can out of you. Not all dealerships engage in this pricing strategy, but many do it aggressively, often with snake oil-style salesmanship, deceptive marketing tactics, hidden fees, and overpriced add-ons, like floor mats, alarm systems, or anti-rust undercoating. Some consumers call the outfits that employ these tactics "stealerships." . . .

See the rest here.


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VERY shady conduct by Experian with its "BOOST" product as the bait

7/27/2022

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A fellow consumer lawyer does a great job exploding how Experian is setting traps for consumers to trick you out of your rights. 

The whole thing is really worth your time to read:

https://goldsonlawoffice.com/consumer-protection/how-experian-tricks-people-into-signing-away-their-rights/

If you are having trouble sleeping one night but don’t mind a possible nightmare of being crushed by a multi-billion dollar corporation, you can read Experian’s Terms of Use Agreement here:
 https://www.experian.com/help/terms-and-conditions.html

So to reiterate – if you have a problem with Experian, you would have to air your grievances in arbitration, not any court. If you are not familiar with arbitration, you can think of it as a fake court that has been found to be very unfair in favor of businesses (who pay them). If you’re interested, you can learn more about how unfair forced arbitration is here https://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers/arbitration/ or here
https://www.citizen.org/article/mandatory-arbitration-clauses-are-discriminatory-and-unfair/

This should beg the questions: Why is Experian so worried about you suing them in court? Why are they so worried about class actions? And wait… are they luring you to click through this “agreement” with the promise of a higher credit score? Yes, they are. In exchange for a higher credit score, you have to promise to never sue them in court.

And if you’re wondering whether Experian ever goes so far as to enforce their forced arbitration clauses; yes, they do . . .
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Warning RE: Identity Theft Losses - You likely won't get the money back

6/27/2022

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Sad news, friends.

If you are a victim of identity theft, if they manage to get money out of your bank, investment, or retirement accounts, you are probably never getting that money back.

You can go to IdentityTheft.gov for a good checklist of things to do if you've been a victim, but they don't suggest anything to help you get the bank or investment broker to take mercy on you and make you whole. (Indeed, from their point of view, if they started paying off on identity theft claims, they would multiply exponentially as people would not take precautions against identity theft.)

If you are not a very comfortable Internet user -- such as if you don't know how to set up and use and maintain unique strong passwords for each different site you subscribe to or each business you patronize on the Internet, you might want to consider NOT doing any business on the Internet and asking for trusted friends to buy things for you and you give them cash or checks for those things.

If you aren't able to clearly recognize spam and phishing attacks promptly, you may need to adopt a strict "no click" policy of never clicking on anything in an email, just like you would never invite people into your home before looking through the door to see who is out there.

(And if you're a super-comfortable Internet user, don't get cocky! People who are experts fall for scams online all the time. Remember, in the old days, you could pretty much only get ripped off by local criminals. Now, every criminal in the world is just one click away from you.)

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Very Good Article on the truth about "Certified Used Cars"

6/14/2022

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Consumers' Checkbook, a consumer-oriented site, has a very good article on "certified" used cars -- if you are considering one, you will want to read the whole article carefully before you go shopping. Short excerpt below ...

https://www.checkbook.org/puget-sound-area/used-car-certifications-often-not-meaningful/


Used-Car Certifications Often Not Meaningful
by Anthony Giorgianni
Last updated May 2022

Dealers promise rigorously inspected rides and peace-of-mind warranties, but we found some consumers get rebuilt wrecks and even a former crash-test vehicle.

Most used-car shoppers find the process a stressful ordeal filled with possible perils. They worry they’ll end up with an unreliable vehicle, and they don’t feel comfortable dealing with car salespeople: A 2022 Gallup poll found them to be the second-most-hated profession in the U.S.; only lobbyists fared worse. Worst of all, supply-chain problems for new-car factories have created a surge in demand for used ones—during the first quarter of 2022, average prices for secondhand rides were up 35 percent compared to the previous 12 months. Competition is so stiff that many used cars are purchased sight unseen by desperate buyers.

To reassure used-car buyers worried about getting stuck with a lemon, manufacturers in the 1990s began offering “certified” used cars. They’re marketed as the crème de la crème of the secondhand auto world and even come with manufacturer-backed warranties.


But our research uncovered that certified labels don’t guarantee vehicles won’t have serious hidden mechanical or structural problems. We were astonished by some of the flaws we discovered, many that should have been noticed during promised inspections. We also found certified cars that were totaled wrecks that were rebuilt and resold, and even an SUV previously owned by the government and used in crash tests.


Because manufacturers count on their dealers to conduct the promised inspections needed to certify vehicles, certification labels are only as reliable as the diligence of the dealerships and their mechanics in doing the screening tasks and fixing any problems they find. And our research indicates they’re not always diligent. . . .


(Read the whole thing at https://www.checkbook.org/puget-sound-area/used-car-certifications-often-not-meaningful/)

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Another warning on Griftocurrency (aka "cryptocurrency")

6/3/2022

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New Analysis Finds Consumers Reported Losing More than
$1 Billion in Cryptocurrency to Scams since 2021

Most of the Losses Consumers Reported were to Bogus Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

Consumers reported losing over $1 billion to fraud involving cryptocurrencies from January 2021 through March 2022, according to a new analysis from the Federal Trade Commission. Fraud reports suggest cryptocurrency is quickly becoming the payment of choice for many scammers, with about one out of every four dollars reported lost to fraud paid in cryptocurrency.

The FTC’s latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight finds that most of the cryptocurrency losses consumers reported involved bogus cryptocurrency investment opportunities, which totaled $575 million in reported losses since January 2021. These scams often falsely promise potential investors that they can earn huge returns by investing in their cryptocurrency schemes, but people report losing all the money they “invest.”
After cryptocurrency investment schemes, the next largest losses reported by consumers were on:
  • Romance Scams: These often involve a love interest who tries to entice someone into investing in what turns out to be a cryptocurrency scam.
  • Business and Government Impersonation Scams: Reports show these scammers often target consumers by claiming their money is at risk because of fraud or a government investigation and the only way to protect their cash is by converting it to cryptocurrency.
Reports suggest that cryptocurrency-related scams often begin on social media. Nearly half of consumers who reported a cryptocurrency related scam since 2021 said it started with an ad, post or message on a social media platform.
People ages 20 to 49 were more than three times as likely as older age groups to have reported losing money to a cryptocurrency scam. Older age groups, however, reported losing more money when they did report a cryptocurrency-related scam.

Some of the red flags consumers should watch out for include:
  • * anyone who claims they can guarantee profits or big returns by investing in cryptocurrency;
  • * people who require you to buy or pay in cryptocurrency;
  • * and a love interest who wants to show you how to invest in cryptocurrency or to send them cryptocurrency.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.

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One Great Way to Fight Student Debt - You Can Get a Graduate Level Education on How Online Crypto/NFT Scams Work for Free via YouTube

5/17/2022

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Anyone who has EVER thought of "investing" in cryptocurrency or "non-fungible tokens" (NFTs) should watch this priceless expose.

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Don't Paint Cryptocurrency with Such a Broad Brush!

4/26/2022

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A clever Twitter user named Pat Dennis posted this perfect gem recently:
Pat Dennis @patdennis

Sick of people calling everything in crypto a Ponzi scheme. Some crypto projects are pump and dump schemes, while others are pyramid schemes. Others are just standard-issue fraud. Others are just middlemen skimming off the top. Stop glossing over the diversity in the industry.
In all seriousness, I see a LOT of signs of bubbles and scams in the cryptocurrency space.

If anyone consulted me, I would advise clients to put no money into cryptocurrency except for money they would happily take to Vegas or Seven Feathers Casino and be absolutely OK with losing. 

As far as I can tell, sellers are the only ones for whom cryptocurrency is an investment -- for buyers, it's just Beanie Babies for nerds.  You might buy low and sell high -- or you might be the one stuck with a roomful of worthlessness. 
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Spearphishing Attacks - How they get you (and how to spot them)

4/23/2022

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So we are selling a house right now, which involves signing an absurd number of forms, many of which we have already signed, and that all have to be re-signed by everyone every time so much as a comma changes. So I'm constantly getting emails from the title company demanding that we go to a document signing website to re-sign things.

So this afternoon, I got the email in the photo on the left and thought "Great, we've got a closing date!" And I was reaching for my mouse when I remembered that we aren't even using First America Title to do the closing. So the entire email was just bait to get me to click on it -- they send them out by the millions, and some fraction of people end up snared by malware that downloads on their computer when they click on the links in the email.  This is called a "spearphishing attack."

To confirm it was spearphishing, I hovered my mouse over the sending email address, and sure enough, it has nothing to do with any real title company. It's no doubt a spoofed address for some criminal somewhere.

So good reminders:
1. Never click on links in unknown mail, especially mail made up to look all official.

2. Learn to use your mouse to hover over sender email address so you can always double check suspicious emails by seeing the actual sending email instead of just looking at the displayed email (as in the photo on the right).


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Annual Business Registration Renewal Scam Returns

4/14/2022

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So, here it is, 2022, and the old favorite scams come back like dandelions.

This one targets small and medium-sized businesses where either the owner is doing everything themselves and is too busy to read the mail really closely or where someone else opens the mail and sends the invoices to the owner for payment, but doesn't realize that this one is a scam.

I've posted about this scam in 2012 and 2019.

Remember: It ONLY COSTS $100 to renew your corporate registration ($50 for nonprofits).

You DO NOT NEED to pay these criminals $185 to do for you what you can do for $100 in five minutes flat at the Secretary of State Corporations Division Website.

You will get a REAL LETTER IN THE MAIL from the Oregon Secretary of State when it's time to renew your corporate registration. Then it will tell you how to go online and renew your registration here:

 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/cbrbr/renewal.action#stay

So don't make it easy or profitable for scammers!  Recycle that trash they mailed you, or --- better yet -- use it to train your people in how to recognize scams so that your business stays away from them entirely.

IF YOU GOT A NOTICE LIKE THE ONE SHOWN BELOW, IT IS A SCAM TRYING TO RIP YOU OFF!
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A very convincing fraudulent email - you must learn how to check actual sender email addresses

3/28/2022

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The scammers are getting better and better all the time. 

You MUST learn how to use your mouse to hover over email addresses so that the ACTUAL sender email displays, because it is very easy for scammers to fake the email address that appears in the header on your email application.

Note how well done this scam email is -- it looks pretty convincing and, to a busy person, the tempting idea of an email about disaster relief money might be just the push they need to click the link -- which leads to disaster, because this is from a scammer operating out of Germany, it is NOT from the US Small Business Administration.  Sad but true, we must learn to be appropriately suspicious of every unexpected email, ESPECIALLY any that seem to be offering something for nothing.

The top photo is what the email looks like when you glance at it in your inbox.

The bottom photo is what you see if you hover your mouse over the (faked) sender email address - hovering the mouse over the email causes the ACTUAL sender email to show up, which is when you see that it's NOT from the Small Biz Administration but rather from someone in Germany (.de is the country domain for Germany).

If you could only learn one anti-scam habit, learning to find the actual email sender is maybe the one to know.
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A reminder as the holidays approach -- beware of lonely heart scams!

11/26/2021

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Good review: Six Common Scams That Target Elders

8/12/2021

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Good review of some of the most common (most effective) scams that target elders. Always remember these safety rules:
     1) Never give any personal/private information to someone who called YOU out of the blue.
     2) Never buy anything from someone who found you and pitched you on it.
     3) You can just hang up! It's not rude to hang up on scammers.

Here are the six common scams in the article -- which is a short good read (just click on the picture).

     1) Sweepstakes/lottery ("You have won! You just need to give us your banking info . . . ")
     2) "Tech Support" ("We have detected a virus on your system, you need to give us access to your system so we can remove it . . . "
     3) "Grandchild in Need" (Grandma, I've been arrested, send money . . . !")
     4) Romance ("Send money and I'll visit you . . . ")
      5) Social Security ("Give us your bank info . . . .")
      6) Natural Disasters/Contractors ("We'll take care of everything, just give us your credit card number and we'll get started. ")


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Good Warning -- Why NOT to use debit cards

7/13/2021

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Why You Should Never Use Your Debit Card

Scammers are everywhere, and debit cards leave your business exposed. . . .

Skimmers are a popular way for thieves to steal card numbers from gas pumps, ATMs and other machines that accept credit and debit cards. The skimmer is slipped into the card reader slot and once connected, it can not only steal the card number but also PINs and zip codes as they're entered. They're pretty tough to detect, and once a number and PIN is stolen it can be used to create counterfeit cards, make purchases over the phone and carry out other forms of identity theft, like setting up other accounts or loans in your name. . . .

The reason why Abagnale and most IT experts I know avoid debit cards deals with cash flow. If a fraudster can compromise a debit card, that person can access your cash. He or she can drain you and your company's bank account. And then you're stuck chasing. If a criminal makes unauthorized use of your credit card, your cash is still in your account.

In either case, according to the Federal Trade Commission, your liability would be no more than $500 — and more than likely considerably less — depending on when you report the theft. . . .


Read the full article from Entrepreneur magazine here: https://apple.news/Am9EeoNQVTteiFykHKUvs9g
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Timeshares are the worst -- except for timeshare resale scams, that is ...

6/17/2021

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Based on the number of people who call me seeking help with timeshares they are unhappy with, I can safely say that, other than herpes, timeshares are just about the worst possible thing you can acquire on a vacation. 

Maybe the only thing worse than getting involved in a timeshare in the first place is then getting ripped off again while trying to get out of one. The "timeshare exit" field is full of pirate scammers who are only too happy to have another shot at separating you from even more of your money and preying on your desperation to unload what has turned out to be a horrible idea.

The FTC has some good guidance you should check out (click the link or download the document below the graphic) if you are even thinking of getting within 100 miles of a timeshare sales pitch, or if you have already been snared and are thinking of trying to unload your timeshare.

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Beware - Social Media is Perfect Vector for Ponzi Schemes

6/9/2021

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Death Row gifting club scam prevalent in Oregon

Salem – The pyramid scheme has a new look and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning consumers to steer clear. Gifting clubs, such as Death Row, are illegal pyramid schemes that are scamming several Oregonians.

The Death Row gifting club, not associated with Death Row Records, was operating in Oregon last year. It advertised on social media and in online forums as a community wealth share group. More than 20 Oregonians lost their initial $1,400 investments. 

The Death Row gifting scheme promised financial returns of at least $9,000. The division was alerted to the scheme when an Oregonian reported not receiving anything in return for their $1,400 investment. The investment was not registered with the division and no one was licensed to sell investments in Death Row. Victims invested their money using a cloud-based payment platform and communicated with others about the investment during online forums for the Death Row program.

The division is still investigating the Death Row gift club. Anyone who has information about the scheme or was a victim of it are asked to contact the Division of Financial Regulation Advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).

“If someone invites you to join a gifting club, just say no to their high-pressure tactics and stories of high earnings,” said TK Keen, Division of Financial Regulation administrator. “The simple reality is that only a few people profit from these schemes at the expense of everyone else who ultimately lose their investments.” 

Gifting club schemes are similar to pyramid schemes because no new money is created. Members of the scheme encourage friends, family, and co-workers to give gifts of cash to higher ranking members. The only way for a person to recover the initial investment is to bring new members into the scheme.


The division has three tips to spot an illegal gifting scheme:


  •      Promises of cash, gifts, or electronic payments via mail, email, or social media
  •      The primary focus is to recruit new investors – no goods or services are being sold
  •      No written agreements and the promoters boast about high earnings of a few people


Contact the Division of Financial Regulation’s consumer advocacy team if you spot a gifting scheme or believe you are a victim of one. Advocates can be reached at 888-877-4894 (toll-free), email dfr.financialserviceshelp@oregon.gov, or by visiting dfr.oregon.gov.  



Do not become a victim of an illegal gifting scheme. Be skeptical about investment opportunities, avoid giving your personal information to strangers, and remember – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
For more information about investments and protecting yourself from investment fraud, visit the division’s avoid investment fraud page.


###


About DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.  


About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and http://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx.

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Good piece on why you DO NOT want to buy a salvage/reconstructed car

2/23/2021

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The author of this piece says "almost never" -- I will go further and say that should be "never" for consumers.

That is, unless you are a professional auto rebuilder, stay far away from salvage title/rebuilt title cars and trucks, period. 

They will be nothing but grief for you.

Why You Should Almost Never Buy a Salvage or Rebuilt Title Car
While a salvage or rebuilt title doesn’t necessarily mean the car is a death trap, the bad usually outweighs the good.

It may be tempting to buy a car with a rebuilt title because of its low price point, but what’s tricky is you don’t always know the extent of the damage that gave it a salvage title to begin with. 


“It’s very hard to determine if a car is back to pre-accident condition,” says Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America. “I recommend just staying away from those types of vehicles.” 

Sometimes a rebuilt car can look shiny and new on the outside, but still have some serious internal problems. Flood damage is a prime example of this. Cars that have been damaged in a flood are especially dangerous to drive because it can take months or even years before the water corrodes the electric and mechanical systems. You should always ask an experienced mechanic to inspect a rebuilt car before deciding to make the purchase, but even then, it’s a risky move. 

“If a vehicle was in a flood, you can’t fix it. It’s not rebuildable. If it was wrecked so badly that it was salvaged, chances are the frame or unit body was compromised,” says Shahan. “So if you’re in a subsequent collision, it’s not going to give you anywhere near the same protection that you would’ve gotten if it was an undamaged car.” . . .

Much more at link here.

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Learn the Two Key Red Flags of Someone Trying to Scam You Remotely

2/3/2021

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Wage Theft Needs to be Treated as What it Is: Theft

1/26/2021

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Good article by the Oregon Center for Public Policy on the very real problem of wage theft -- employers not paying workers the wages owed.  If your employer isn't paying you, or isn't paying you all that you are owed, you should consult an attorney.

Lack of True Penalties Exacerbates Wage Theft in Oregon
January 20, 2021
By Janet Bauer
 
Oregon employers face almost no downside to stealing the wages of workers, given that the boss rarely pays a penalty when caught. Although the state may compel employers to pay the wages owed, in only 1 percent of wage claims found to be valid by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) do employers wind up paying a penalty for their wrongdoing.[1] The fact that employers risk little when they violate labor law exacerbates the problem of wage theft in Oregon.

BOLI rarely penalizes employers for wage violations; employers rarely payWage theft is a persistent and widespread problem.[2] Wage theft is a catchall term for the many ways employers fail to pay workers the wages they have earned, such as failing to pay overtime, requiring people to work off the clock, and stealing tips. By one estimate, it costs low-paid workers nationwide over $50 billion annually.[3] In Oregon since 2006, workers have submitted claims for unpaid wages worth more than $50 million.[4]

Despite the pervasive problem that is wage theft, BOLI rarely imposes penalties on employers as a way to deter misconduct. When a worker suffers a wage violation, they may file a claim with BOLI. Of the wage claims filed over the period 2013-19, the Bureau found most of them — 3,703 in total — to be valid. Even though the agency has the authority to impose penalties in addition to requiring payment of wages, it does so rarely. BOLI levied penalties on just 16 percent of valid claims over the six-year period.

(Read the rest at link: https://www.ocpp.org/2021/01/20/lack-true-penalties-exacerbates-wage-theft-oregon/?blm_aid=28620)

Download PDF

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Reminder of why we must remain in COVID mode for the long haul

10/21/2020

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Useful Info on Avoiding Scams after the Wildfires

10/2/2020

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Some shady folks look at disasters and see dollar signs. Oregon DOJ has some useful information to help you keep from becoming a victim to those folks.  You can download them below.
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Don't fall for a Foreclosure "Rescue" Scam -- BBB article helpful

8/18/2020

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Straight Talk: Don’t fall for foreclosure rescue scams

By Better Business Bureau
Posted Aug 9, 2020 at 11:00 AM

Are you facing the threat of losing your home? Be wary of individuals and companies offering to “help” you out of your difficult financial situation. Consumer advocates report an increase in complaints about foreclosure “rescue” scams. These scams specifically target homeowners who are in financial distress. Scam operators may advertise over the Internet and in local publications, plaster posters on telephone poles and at bus stops, stick flyers in people’s front doors or contact people whose homes are listed in public foreclosure notices. Sometimes they direct their appeals to specific religious or ethnic groups.

 
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
In one scenario, the scam operator offers to “buy” the homeowner’s property by paying off the amount that is overdue on the loan. The scammer convinces the homeowner to deed the property over to a third party. The homeowner is given the option of renting the property with the option to buy it back later. The rent payment on the home is often higher than the homeowner can afford. Frequently, the original homeowner cannot make the rent payment and is evicted from their home. Or, if the homeowner expresses a desire to buy back the property, the scam operator usually sets the price of the home higher than the homeowner can afford.


Hapless homeowners can lose their equity and their homes. Sometimes, the homeowner’s troubles go even deeper. In many cases, the initial mortgage has not been paid off and the deed was never transferred, as promised. Not only is the homeowner faced with eviction from the home, but the scam victim may still owe for the original loan amount.


In other versions of the scam, the homeowner receives a call, text, or email with the promise of lowering the mortgage payment and avoiding foreclosure. The scammer sometimes asks for payment for their services in the form of personal checks or gift cards. A recent victim in Ohio reported to BBB Scam Tracker that she sent $3000 in Walmart gift cards to a scammer asking for payment to help lower her interest rate.


The Better Business Bureau advises consumers who are tempted by such offers to recognize that they are at real risk of losing money, equity, their home or all three.
 


Tips to help if your mortgage is in arrears or you are facing foreclosure:
‒ Talk to your lender. Ask how to restructure your loan payment or how to refinance. Some foreclosure “rescuers” will offer to “negotiate” with your lender or lawyer. Know that such an offer is likely to involve a significant fee. If you are hesitant to talk to your lender yourself, engage the assistance of a trusted family member.
‒ Try selling the house on your own to pay off the lender. Signing over a deed in no way releases you from your mortgage responsibilities!
‒ Don’t allow anyone to complete paperwork for you, or ask you to sign a stack of documents, supposedly to secure a new mortgage. Victims have later learned that they signed a quit-claim deed to their home.
‒ Beware the personal approach. Some less-than-ethical businesses will stuff a handwritten note in your front door or mailbox that implies that “help” is available from someone you know or who has your best interests in mind. Foreclosure scam artists know exactly what neighborhoods to blanket with their offers.
‒ If a foreclosure “rescuer” instructs you not to contact your mortgage company or your attorney, beware. Your mortgage company is the very business that you should be in touch with! Furthermore, why would you agree to cease contact with your attorney when dealing with complicated financial matters that involve perhaps your biggest investment, your home?
‒ You should never sign a contract under pressure and never sign away ownership of your property when you don’t intend to sell it. Ask a trusted family member, your attorney or a financial professional to review any paperwork you may be asked to sign.
‒ Never pay with gift cards. A reputable company will not ask for payment via a gift card.
‒ Before signing any deals with a potential buyer, contact BBB to request a report on the company and check with your state Attorney General and local government department of consumer affairs.
‒ Seek foreclosure prevention information. Try calling the HOPE hotline, 888-995-HOPE, for free foreclosure prevention information, or visit their website at 995hope.org. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures website, the HOPE hotline is operated by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a nonprofit “dedicated to preserving homeownership and preventing foreclosure.”
 


FOR MORE INFORMATION Read more about housing scams in BBB’s Scam Alert on Home Title Fraud. This can be found at www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/22679-bbb-alert-home-title-fraud. If you encounter a scam, we ask that you report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help warn others.

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More on Romance Scams -- The Whirlwind Courtship is Likely Trouble

2/12/2020

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New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing More Than $200 Million to Romance Scams in 2019

New Federal Trade Commission data from the agency’s Consumer Sentinel Network show that consumers reported losing $201 million to romance scams in 2019—up nearly 40% since 2018.

Romance Scams InfographicRomance scammers prey on consumers who are looking for love, converting what feels like a budding relationship into an ask for money to help the scammer get out of some manufactured crisis. The stories and feelings can be compelling, and the losses can be huge.

In 2019, more than 25,000 consumers filed a report with the FTC about romance scams, and over the past two years total reported losses to romance scams were higher than to any other scam reported to the FTC.
A new blog post from the FTC has more information about the scams, including tips for recognizing a romance scam, along with a new infographic highlighting the latest data.

More information is also available on the FTC’s romance scam page, as well as in a video. Information about FTC complaint data can be found at ftc.gov/exploredata, and consumers can file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

CONTACT FOR CONSUMERS: Consumer Response Center. 877-382-4357
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More on the Market Success that is Killing Americans

12/17/2019

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Sometimes people say that health care in the US is an example of "market failure" because health care has few, if any, of the traits that economists say make for fair markets where competition leads to optimal outcomes (lots of willing buyers who are able to walk away from a bad deal, lots of willing sellers competing for the business of the willing buyers, transparency in pricing, absence of monopoly control, etc.).

But calling the US health care a "market failure" is dumb, because it misses what game the Medical-Industrial Complex and Big Pharma are playing -- what they actually do and want to maximize.

Hospitals (even nominally "nonprofit" hospitals), labs, and especially drug companies are highly successful in what they do that they care about, which is the money markets.  It's absurd to say US health care is a market failure when they provide a globally vastly inferior product while still commanding the highest prices by a long shot. If that's failure, it's the kind of failure every other business would like to have.

They are screaming successes at making money, and any "health" benefit is incidental to them - indeed, health hurts their business model, which is why they prioritize new, patentable products and treatments rather than prevention and changing the ways we live (and expose ourselves to pollutants) to enjoy greater health.  They have erected enough barriers to competition and built such expensive entry tolls for health care practitioners that very few can refuse to become indentured servants to the "health care" industry or question its practices.

The "health care" system is the single biggest consumer ripoff in America today.
But it's definitely not a "market failure" -- it's just the screaming success that kills.

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Tips on Spotting Phony Debt-Collectors Trying to Scam You

11/25/2019

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The Truth About Forced Arbitration -- the real story emerges from data from the arbitration companies themselves

9/10/2019

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Forced arbitration is a rigged system designed by corporations in which injured workers and consumers have no meaningful chance of finding justice.

Forced arbitration requires Americans to “agree” to surrender fundamental constitutional rights – often without ever realizing they’ve done so.

When corporations harm workers and consumers by cheating, stealing, or even breaking the law, cases that should be heard by a judge or jury are instead funneled into a secret system controlled by the wrongdoers in which there is no right to go to court, no right to a jury, no right to a written record, no right to discovery, no transparency, no legal precedents to follow, no opportunity for group actions when it would be too difficult or costly to file a claim alone, no guarantee of an adjudicator with legal expertise, no transparency, and no meaningful judicial review. Without such checks and balances, the deck is stacked heavily against workers, patients, and consumers, and systemic misconduct is allowed to continue in secret.


Forced arbitration’s proponents counter that the process is faster, fairer, and better for workers and consumers than going to court. However, this comprehensive analysis of the self-reported data provided by the arbitration organizations makes clear that forced arbitration is not an alternative judicial process, but instead eliminates claims, immunizes corporations, and allows abuse, discrimination, fraud, and essentially all other corporate wrongdoing to go unchecked.

Americans are more likely to be struck by lightning than they are to win a monetary award in forced arbitration.

Click on the image to get a copy of the full report or download it here.



forced-arbitration-2019-final.pdf
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