March 2 – March 8 is National Consumer Protection Week, a perfect time to brush up on common consumer scams and learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to a scam. Last week, CMSS held a presentation on Scam Prevention with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Below we share some key information from the Illinois Attorney General on avoiding common consumer scams.
Imposter Scams
Someone pretends to be a government agency, business, charity, or even an online romantic interest or friend to steal your money or personal information.
Red flags:
- High pressure and urgent reasons for why you need to pay (someone is in danger, you could be punished, arrested, put in jail, etc.)
- Asking for payment via gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, money order or cashier’s check. A reputable company, organization, or government entity will never require payment in any one of these ways.
What you can do:
- Do not answer calls from unknown numbers.
- Hang up immediately if you suspect that someone is a scammer.
- Do not give out personal or financial information.
- Do not buy gift cards, debit cards, or send money via wire transfer, cashier’s check, or money order.
- Do not send money to a stranger that you’ve only met online.
- Report the incident to the Office of the Attorney General.
Home Repair Scams
After weather events and destruction, “contractors” may come door-to-door offering discounts on home repairs.
Red flags:
- Companies that only use a phone number and/or a PO Box, instead of a complete address.
- Offers to inspect your home for free.
- Demands cash payment.
- Refuses to provide references or proof of insurance when requested.
- Discounted prices that seem too good to be true.
- Asks you to sign contract with blank sections/spaces.
What you can do:
- Ask people you know and trust for referrals for home repairs.
- Don’t answer the door or talk with contractors or salespeople, unless you contacted them first.
- Get three written estimates from different contractors.
- Check contractor references.
- Complete the Home Repair Know Your Consumer Rights form with the contractor before they begin work.
- Contact the Office of the Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, or your local Chamber of Commerce for more information.
Charity Scams
Organizations claiming to “do good” and asking for donations.
Red flags:
- A name that sounds like a better known, reputable organization.
- A solicitor who can’t or won’t answer basic questions about the organization.
- High pressure tactics to donate.
- Requests that you donate with cash instead of with a check.
What you can do:
- Find out if the charity is registered with the OAG by calling 312-814-2595 or checking ilag.gov.
- Ask for length of operation, exact name, and local and national addresses.
- Ask what percent of funds go to the cause. Ask for a current financial statement.
- Ask for information to be mailed to you.
- If you are suspicious, do not donate and report to the Office of the Attorney General.
Online or Phone Marketing Scams
Emails, calls, or text messages in which scammers try to lure you into answering personal questions or clicking on links that may give up your personal information.
Red flags:
- Offers of tech support and/or requests for remote access to your computer or phone.
- Messages or calls from your financial institution asking for account information.
- Message or text that directs you to a website to update or verify information like PINs and passwords.
- Offers of travel packages, money making schemes, or savings.
- Notice of lottery win, free gift, vacation or prize that needs shipping or tax fees paid.
- Text message or call from official looking entities with problematic links.
What you can do:
- Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry at gov or call 888-382-1222.
- Hang up on suspected scammers and don’t answer the phone if you do not know the number.
- Ignore unexpected emails or texts, even from organizations/companies that you have heard of. Do not open attachments or click links.
- Do not reveal personal or financial information on unsolicited calls or messages.
- Report to the Office of the Attorney General.
Healthcare Scams
Scammers may contact you offering cure-all remedies, scientific breakthroughs, free medical products or devices, or products/devices that your insurance will cover.
Red flags:
- Promotions that are written in medical jargon to cover deficient claims.
- A health clinic that requires you to travel and stay far from home during treatment.
- Health products advertised as breakthroughs, miraculous, exclusive, ancient or secret.
- Health product advertised with impressive, but undocumented, results.
- Promoter tells you there is a conspiracy to suppress product by healthcare companies/doctors.
What you can do:
- Ask a pharmacist, doctor, or health professional about products/services before purchasing or using them.
- Contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau at 877-305-5145 for more information and to report a scam.
REPORT FRAUD AND SCAMS
Consumer Fraud Helplines
Chicago: 1-800-386-5438
Springfield: 1-800-243-0618
Carbondale: 1-800-243-0607
Health Care Helpline: 1-877-305-5145
Senior Fraud Helpline: 1-800-243-5377
Or visit www.IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov
Thanks to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for providing this information.
