Lionheart Group Scam Prevention Toolkit

Global warming fraud: the tide begins to turn – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

October 12th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Telegraph.co.uk (blog) Global warming fraud: the tide begins to turn Telegraph.co.uk (blog) All credit to Harold Lewis for his honesty and for the having the courage to state his position. It is indeed one of the greatest scams to have been …

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Global warming fraud: the tide begins to turn – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

Watch Out For Those Money Order Scams: Police – Westcoaster

September 29th, 2010. Published under Money Order Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Watch Out For Those Money Order Scams: Police Westcoaster By Westcoaster.ca Staff UCLUELET — A Ucluelet-area resident is out thousands of dollars thanks to a money-order scam . Sgt. Jeff Swann, of the Ucluelet RCMP …

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Watch Out For Those Money Order Scams: Police – Westcoaster

Data Broker US Search Inc Settles Charges Privacy Pledges Were Deceptive

September 22nd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

An online data broker that charged consumers $10 based on the promise that it could “lock their records”so others could not see or buy them, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its claims were deceptive and violated federal law. The settlement requires that the operation refund the fees it charged to nearly 5,000 consumers and bars misrepresentations about the effectiveness of any service that purports to remove information about consumers from the broker’s website. This is the latest in a series of FTC cases challenging companies’ failure to honor their privacy pledges. US Search, Inc., is an online data broker that compiles public records and sells data about consumers to the public. The records may contain not only names, addresses and phone numbers, but also information such as aliases, marriages and divorces, bankruptcies, neighbors, associates, criminal records, and home values. US Search offered customers a variety of search services, including “People Search,” “Background Check,” Real Estate Reports,” and “Criminal Records/Court Records Searches.” It also offered a “Reverse Lookup” service that can return the name of an individual associated with a particular phone number or property address. Since June 2009, US Search sold consumers its “PrivacyLock” Service, which it claimed would allow them to “lock their records” and prevent their names and other information from appearing on the company’s website, its search results, or advertisements for a year. According to the FTC complaint, the claims were false. The agency alleged the PrivacyLock Service: did not block consumers’ names from showing up as an associate of someone else in a search for the other person’s name; did not block consumers’ information from appearing in a “reverse search” of their phone number or address, or in a search of their address in real estate records; did not work if the consumer changed addresses, thereby generating new records that would not be subject to the PrivacyLock; and did not work if the consumer had multiple records – for example “John Smith” and “John T. Smith.” The settlement bars US Search, Inc. and US Search, LLC from misrepresenting the effectiveness of their PrivacyLock Service or any other service they offer that will allow consumers to remove information about themselves from search results, websites, and advertisements. The settlement order also requires that they disclose any limitations on such services and provide refunds to consumers who paid for the service. The FTC wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the World Privacy Forum in this area. The Commission vote to approve the complaint and accept the proposed consent agreement was 5-0. The FTC will publish an announcement regarding the agreement in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, beginning today and continuing through October 22, 2010. after which the Commission will decide whether to make it final. To file a public comment electronically, please click on the following hyperlink and follow the instructions: https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/ussearch . Written comments should be addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. The FTC is requesting that any comment filed in paper form near the end of the public comment period be sent by courier or overnight service, if possible, because U.S. postal mail in the Washington area and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security precautions. NOTE: Consent agreements are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Data Broker US Search Inc Settles Charges Privacy Pledges Were Deceptive

Court Halts Deceptive Envelope-Stuffing Operation

September 21st, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Consumers Misled to Believe They Could Earn Substantial Income, FTC Alleges At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has temporarily halted an envelope-stuffing operation that allegedly scammed cash-strapped consumers by falsely promising they could make substantial income working from home. As part of ongoing efforts to protect Americans who are struggling to cope with the economic downturn, the FTC charged that Louis Salatto and his company, Global U.S. Resources, deceived consumers into paying up-front fees by making phony promises about the earning potential of their envelope-stuffing operation. According to the FTC’s complaint, Salatto bought classified ads in local pennysavers and community newspapers that promised weekly earnings ranging from $1,200 to $4,400.

A history of scams and frauds – Investors Chronicle

September 17th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

A history of scams and frauds Investors Chronicle Essentially, what Cap 'n Bob had was several powerful weapons in a fraudster's armoury; an ability to bind people to him through either loyalty or greed, …

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A history of scams and frauds – Investors Chronicle

Court Orders Credit Repair Operation To Stop False Claims; Family-Run Scam Surrenders Cars, Houses and Real Estate

September 1st, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

A credit repair operation has agreed to stop making false claims and stop charging up-front fees under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement is part of an ongoing crackdown on scams that target financially strapped consumers, in this case taking hundreds of dollars in fees to purportedly remove negative information from consumers’ credit reports even if the information is accurate and timely. The FTC filed the action in “Operation Clean Sweep” in October 2008. The settlement agreement requires that Clean Credit Report Services, Inc., Ricardo A. Miranda, Ruthy Villabona, and their son, Daniel R. Miranda give up two cars, three houses, and six commercial properties in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in Florida, and in Bogota, Colombia. According to the FTC, they told consumers they would help remove all the negative remarks from their credit reports, as well as current debt. Clean Credit often debited $400 from consumers’ bank accounts before receiving a signed contract, and then did little, if anything, to fulfill its promises. See http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/10/opcleansweep.shtm . The settlement order bars Clean Credit and its owners from making misrepresentations about any good or service, such as the ability to improve a consumer’s creditworthiness or remove negative information from a consumer’s credit report. The order also prohibits Clean Credit from charging money up-front for credit repair services, and from collecting payments from consumers who purchased its services before October 22, 2008, when the court froze the defendants’ assets, including their bank accounts. The order further bars the defendants from disclosing, benefitting from, or failing to properly dispose of customer information. In addition, the settlement order imposes a $14.4 million judgment that will be suspended, contingent upon the defendants surrendering their assets, including frozen funds totaling about $165,000 and any proceeds received from selling their six commercial and three residential properties under foreclosure in Florida; commercial property in Bogota, Colombia; a 1992 Mercedes S300; and a 1997 Chevrolet Venture. The full judgment will become due immediately if the defendants are found to have misrepresented their financial condition. The Commission vote to file the stipulated final order was 5-0. The order was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. NOTE: Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Court Orders Credit Repair Operation To Stop False Claims; Family-Run Scam Surrenders Cars, Houses and Real Estate

Auto Warranty Robocaller To Pay $2.3 Million, Sell Mercedes For Consumer Redress

August 23rd, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Consumer Redress Collected from All Defendants in Robocall Case Totals $3 Million One of the telemarketers who blasted U.S. consumers with millions of illegal auto “warranty” robocalls last year will pay approximately $2.3 million, give up his Mercedes, and be barred from telemarketing, under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that wraps up the agency’s case against the deceptive operation. In sum, the FTC is collecting nearly $3 million to reimburse victims of the scam. The settlements resolve FTC charges that Damian Kohlfeld and his two firms made millions of illegal prerecorded calls to consumers nationwide in an attempt to deceive them into buying extended auto warranties or service contracts (audio files of these calls can be found on the FTC’s website as a link to this press release). The robocalls misled consumers into thinking that the callers were affiliated with consumers’ car dealerships or manufacturers, and that their auto warranty was expiring or about to expire. Earlier this year, the FTC announced a settlement with two other defendants who helped make the robocalls, under which they have paid more than $655,000. The FTC also announced a settlement in September 2009 with Transcontinental Warranty, Inc, the company that employed the defendants in this case to make the illegal prerecorded calls. (See press release at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/09/twi.shtm .) “Fortunately for American consumers, the telemarketers who were responsible for millions of unsolicited and annoying robocalls will never be able to telemarket again,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “We’ve also taken away all of their money to provide redress for consumers who were defrauded. This case serves as a clear message: telemarketers who violate the privacy of ordinary Americans will have to pay the price.” According to the FTC’s complaint, Kohlfeld and the Chicago-based firms Voice Foundations, LLC, and Network Foundations, LLC, violated the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry and falsely represented that: the telemarketers were calling from, or affiliated with, the manufacturer or dealer of the consumer’s automobile; the consumer’s original automobile warranty was about to expire; and the telemarketer had specific information about whether the consumer’s vehicle was the subject of a recall. The settlement requires Kohlfeld to pay more than $2.2 million. In addition, he is required to liquidate two investment accounts totaling approximately $130,000 and to sell his 2006 Mercedes. All of the money collected will be used for consumer redress. The settlement order also bans Kohlfeld from telemarketing or assisting others engaged in telemarketing, prevents him from making the misrepresentations alleged in the FTC’s complaint, and bars him from making any misrepresentations related to the sale of any goods or services. The order specifically prohibits him from misrepresenting the cost, use, or effectiveness of any product or service or any of the refund policies associated with any product or services. In addition, Network Foundations will pay $50,000 to be used for consumer redress. Voice Foundations has no assets to pay toward a judgment. If either of the companies later is found to have misrepresented its financial condition, it will be subject to a larger monetary judgment. The Commission vote authorizing the three stipulated final orders settling the court actions against Network Foundations, LLC, Voice Foundations, LLC, and Damian Kohlfeld was 5-0. They were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, on August 19, 2010, and signed by the judge the same day. NOTE: These stipulated final orders are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated final orders requires approval by the court and have the force of law when signed by the judge. Copies of the stipulated final orders are available from the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .

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Auto Warranty Robocaller To Pay $2.3 Million, Sell Mercedes For Consumer Redress

Abusive and Stupid Debt Collector Headlines of the Week

August 20th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Court Orders Internet Marketers of Acai Berry Weight-Loss Pills and "Colon Cleansers" to Stop Deceptive Advertising and Unfair Billing Practices

August 17th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has ordered the marketers of acai berry supplements, “colon cleansers,” and other products to temporarily halt an Internet sales scheme that allegedly scammed consumers out of $30 million or more in 2009 alone through deceptive advertising and unfair billing practices. The FTC will seek a permanent prohibition. Since 2007, victimized consumers have flooded law enforcement agencies and the Better Business Bureau with more than 2,800 complaints about the company. Acai berry supplements, derived from acai palm trees that are native to Central and South America, have become popular in recent years. Last year, the Better Business Bureau named fake “free” trial offers – including those for acai supplements offered by the defendants in this case – as one of the “Top 10 Scams and Rip Offs of 2009.” “Too many ‘free’ offers come with strings attached,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “In this case, the defendants promised buyers a ‘risk free’ trial and then illegally billed their credit cards again and again – and again. We estimate that about a million people have fallen victim to this scam. As if that weren’t enough, there were fake endorsements from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray for a product that didn’t work in the first place.” The court order halts the allegedly illegal conduct of Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc., imposes an asset freeze, and appoints a temporary receiver over CCN and several related companies, while the FTC moves forward with its case to stop the company’s bogus health claims and other deceptive and unfair conduct. The FTC charged CCN, two individuals, and four related companies with multiple violations, including deceptively advertising AcaiPure, an acai berry supplement, as a weight-loss product, and Colopure, a colon cleansing supplement, as an aid for preventing cancer. The FTC complaint alleges that to sell AcaiPure, the marketers made dramatic claims on their website, including: “ WARNING! AcaiPure Is Fast Weight Loss That Works. It Was Not Created For Those People Who Only Want To Lose A Few Measly Pounds. AcaiPure was created to help you achieve the incredible body you have always wanted …USE WITH CAUTION! Major weight loss in short periods of time may occur.” In pitching Colopure, the defendants cited frightening statistics about colon cancer, while promising that their product would get rid of consumers’ “excess weight and toxic buildup.” The marketers also deceived consumers about their purported “free” or “risk free” trial offers, and about the charges and refund terms consumers could expect, according to the FTC’s complaint. The FTC also alleges that the marketers made numerous additional unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts. The alleged deceptive practices include: Falsely claiming that using AcaiPure could lead to rapid and substantial weight loss. Consumers were told that “[m]ost consumers taking AcaiPure report weight loss anywhere from 10-25 pounds in the first month.” Making unproven claims that AcaiPure’s weight-loss claims are backed by “double-blind, placebo-controlled weight loss studies.” Deceptively claiming that Colopure could help prevent colon cancer because it would “cleanse your entire system,” “detoxify your organs,” and break down and remove “toxic waste matter which may have been stuck in the folds and wrinkles of your digestive system for years and years.” Falsely claiming that celebrities including Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray have endorsed products marketed by Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. In marketing AcaiPure, the defendants declared on their homepage, “Acai Berry rated #1 SUPERFOOD by Rachael Ray.” A photo of Oprah appeared on the homepage, next to a quote that read in part, “Studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world!” In fact, in declarations to the FTC, both celebrities denied endorsing AcaiPure. Deceptively claiming that the marketers will provide full refunds to all consumers who request them, and that consumers who paid a nominal fee for a “free” trial supply of supplements would incur no risks or obligations. In fact, many consumers found it all but impossible to avoid paying full price for the products, typically $39.95 to $59.95. Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically enrolled in a membership program and charged for additional monthly supplies of a product. Failing to adequately disclose that consumers would be automatically charged for items other than the trial product unless they opted out. Failing to adequately disclose the terms and conditions of trial programs, membership programs, and additional charges. Making numerous unauthorized charges to consumers’ credit and debit card accounts. Debiting consumers’ bank accounts on an automatic, recurring basis, without obtaining proper preauthorization. The unauthorized debits violated the FTC Act as well as the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, according to the complaint. “Visa is committed to ensuring that consumers trust digital currency when they shop online by protecting them from deceptive merchant marketing practices,” said Martin Elliott, Senior Business Leader, Payment System Risk, Visa Inc. “Deceptive merchant practices hurt the economy by eroding trust in e-commerce and undermining the vast majority of ethical merchants who deal and compete fairly. We have tightened enforcement of our rules against banks whose merchants generate excessive levels of cardholder disputes because of deceptive marketing. We also make it a priority to partner with law enforcement and agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and support their investigations such as this case.” The FTC would like to thank the Better Business Bureau of Central, Northern & Western Arizona and Visa, Inc. for their invaluable assistance in this investigation. The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and seek a temporary restraining order was 5-0. The FTC filed its complaint and requested a temporary restraining order against the defendants from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. On August 6, 2010, the court granted the request for the temporary restraining order. The complaint also names as defendants Graham D. Gibson and Michael A. McKenzy, and four companies affiliated with Central Coast Nutraceuticals, Inc. – iLife Health and Wellness LLC; Simply Naturals LLC; Health and Beauty Solutions LLC; and Fit for Life LLC. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has reason to believe that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Court Orders Internet Marketers of Acai Berry Weight-Loss Pills and "Colon Cleansers" to Stop Deceptive Advertising and Unfair Billing Practices

FTC Halts Cross Border Domain Name Registration and SEO Fees Scam

August 9th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

The Federal Trade Commission has permanently halted the operations of Canadian con artists who allegedly posed as domain name registrars and convinced thousands of U.S. consumers, small businesses and non-profit organizations to pay bogus bills by leading them to believe they would lose their Web site addresses unless they paid. Settlement and default judgment orders signed by the court will bar the deceptive practices in the future. In June 2008, the FTC charged Toronto-based Internet Listing Service with sending fake invoices to small businesses and others, listing the existing domain name of the consumer’s Web site or a slight variation on the domain name, such as substituting “.org” for “.com.” The invoices appeared to come from the businesses’ existing domain name registrar and instructed them to pay for an annual “WEBSITE ADDRESS LISTING.” The invoices also claimed to include a search engine optimization service. Most consumers who received the “invoices” were led to believe that they had to pay them to maintain their registrations of domain names. Other consumers were induced to pay based on Internet Listing Service’s claims that its “Search Optimization” service would “direct mass traffic” to their sites and that their “proven search engine listing service” would result in “a substantial increase in traffic.” The FTC’s complaint charged that most consumers who paid the defendants’ invoices did not receive any domain name registration services and that the “search optimization” service did not result in increased traffic to the consumers’ Web sites. A federal district court judge in Chicago, Robert M. Dow, Jr., ordered a temporary halt to the deceptive claims and froze the defendants’ assets, pending trial. The settlement and default judgment orders announced today end that litigation. The orders bar the defendants from misrepresenting: that they have a preexisting business relationship with consumers; that consumers owe them money; that they will provide domain name registration; and that they will provide “search optimization services” that will substantially increase traffic to consumers’ Web sites. The defendants are also required to disclose any material restrictions or aspects of any goods or services they provide. The settlement order, entered against defendants Isaac Benlolo, Kirk Mulveney, Pearl Keslassy, and 1646153 Ontario Inc., includes a suspended judgment of $4,261,876, the total amount of consumer injury caused by the illegal activities. Based on the inability of the settling defendants to pay, they will turn over $10,000 to satisfy the judgment. The default judgment order was entered against defendant Steven E. Dale and includes a judgment in the amount of $4,261,876. Charges against Ari Balabanian and Data Business Solutions were dismissed by the court at the FTC’s request. NOTE: Stipulated orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .

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FTC Halts Cross Border Domain Name Registration and SEO Fees Scam

Sharron Angle: I would refuse money from company that supports gay rights – Washington Post (blog)

August 6th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Sharron Angle: I would refuse money from company that supports gay rights Washington Post (blog) … freedom-killing scams like Obamacare and cap and trade . Initially the millions invested in propaganda and the lies and manipulation used by progressives … and more

Investment Schemes To Avoid – The Enterprise Ledger

August 4th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Investment Schemes To Avoid The Enterprise Ledger … carbon credits and other alternative energy financing. Gold and Precious Metals. High gold prices have trapped some investors in gold bullion scams in …

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Investment Schemes To Avoid – The Enterprise Ledger

Home Assure LLC, Mortgage Relief Marketer Will Return $2.4 Million to Consumers to Settle Charges

July 30th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

A company that deceived consumers with promises it could save their homes from foreclosure will pay $2.4 million to victims as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The case is part of the agency’s continuing crackdown on scams that prey on financially distressed homeowners. According to the FTC’s complaint, Home Assure LLC conducted a nationwide marketing campaign designed to take advantage of struggling homeowners by offering so-called mortgage foreclosure rescue services. Home Assure typically charged consumers an up-front fee of $1,500 to $2,500. The company’s representatives falsely claimed that its special relationships with lenders would enable it to get favorable loan modifications or stop foreclosure, and that the company had helped thousands of consumers avoid foreclosure. One of the claims on its website was, “If we are unable to negotiate a plan with your lender that improves your situation or gives you a viable strategy to avoid foreclosure, we will refund 100% of your money. . . No questions asked!” According to the FTC, however, Home Assure did little or nothing to help consumers avoid foreclosure. In numerous instances the company refused to pay refunds, sometimes claiming that consumers did not meet the terms of the contract for a refund or that they had breached the contract by contacting their lender or filing for bankruptcy, and sometimes without giving a reason. (4/6/2009 release http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/hud.shtm ; 11/24/2009 release http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/11/stolenhope.shtm ) The settlement order imposes a $2.4 million judgment on Home Assure and bans the company from selling mortgage loan modification and foreclosure relief services. The order also permanently prohibits Home Assure from misrepresenting any good or service, disclosing or benefitting from customers’ personal information, and failing to dispose of customer information properly. The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the stipulated final order was 5-0. The order was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. NOTE: Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Home Assure LLC, Mortgage Relief Marketer Will Return $2.4 Million to Consumers to Settle Charges

Georgia’s JAK Productions Inc to Pay $300,000 for Abandoning Millions of Telemarketing Calls

June 30th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

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Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market – Stabroek News

June 27th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market Stabroek News These refer to those frauds/ scams in which con artists and bogus firms sell carbon credits to businesses that need them in order to comply with regulatory …

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Buyers beware: Brigands and organized criminals threaten the global carbon market – Stabroek News

Oil spill: Why Obama must crack down on ‘cozy’ friendships – Washington Post (blog)

June 17th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

The Guardian Oil spill: Why Obama must crack down on 'cozy' friendships Washington Post (blog) … Obama must crack down on attempts to use the oil spill to KILL millions of additional jobs and the US economy with SCAMS such as the cap and trade SCAM . … Obama Using Oil Spill To Push Nightmare Green Economy Agenda Prison Planet.com How to quiet those Jimmy Carter comparisons Washington Post (blog) Solari Report: Gulf Oil Spill Q&A With Jim Norman Scoop.co.nz Huffington Post (blog) all 22,994 news articles

Notorious Rogue Internet Service Provider Permanently Shut Down

May 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

3FN Service Specialized in Hosting Spam-Spewing Botnets, Phishing Websites, Child Pornography, and Other Illegal, Malicious Web Content At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a district court judge has permanently shut down a rogue Internet Service Provider that recruited, hosted, and actively participated in the distribution of spam, spyware, child pornography, and other malicious and illegal content. The ISP’s computer servers and other assets have been seized and will be sold by a court-appointed receiver, and the operation has been ordered to turn over $1.08 million in ill-gotten gains to the FTC. In June 2009, the FTC charged that 3FN, which does business under a variety of names, actively recruited and colluded with criminals to distribute harmful electronic content including spyware, viruses, trojan horses, phishing schemes, botnet command-and-control servers, and pornography featuring children, violence, bestiality, and incest. The FTC alleged that the defendant advertised its services in the darkest corners of the Internet, including a chat room for spammers. The FTC complaint alleged that 3FN actively shielded its criminal clientele by either ignoring take-down requests issued by the online security community, or shifting its criminal elements to other Internet protocol addresses it controlled to evade detection. The FTC also alleged that 3FN deployed and operated botnets – large networks of computers that have been compromised and enslaved by the originator of the botnet, known as a “bot herder.” Botnets can be used for a variety of illicit purposes, including sending spam and launching denial-of- service attacks. According to the FTC, the defendant recruited bot herders and hosted the command-and-control servers – the computers that relay commands from the bot herders to the compromised computers known as “zombie drones.” Transcripts of instant-message logs filed with the district court show the defendants’ senior employees discussing the configuration of botnets with bot herders. And, in filings with the district court, the FTC alleged that more than 4,500 malicious software programs were controlled by command-and-control servers hosted by 3FN. This malware included programs capable of keystroke logging, password stealing, and data theft, programs with hidden backdoor remote control activity, and programs involved in spam distribution. The FTC charged that 3FN’s distribution of illegal, malicious, and harmful content and deployment of botnets that compromised thousands of computers, harmed consumers and was an unfair practice, in violation of federal law. On June 15, 2009 the court issued a preliminary injunction to prohibit 3FN’s illegal activities and require its upstream Internet providers and data centers to stop providing services to 3FN. The court has now ordered a permanent bar on the illegal activities of 3FN and its agents and has appointed a receiver and instructed him to liquidate the operation’s assets. The defendants named in the FTC’s complaint are Pricewert LLC, also doing business as 3FN.net, Triple Fiber Network, APS Telecom, APX Telecom, APS Communications, and APS Communication. This case was brought with the invaluable assistance of NASA’s Office of Inspector General, Computer Crime Division; Gary Warner, Director of Research in Computer Forensics, University of Alabama at Birmingham; The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; The Shadowserver Foundation; Symantec Corporation; and The Spamhaus Project. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Notorious Rogue Internet Service Provider Permanently Shut Down

Victims of Work-at-Home Medical Billing Fraud Being Reimbursed $95,000

May 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

3,500 Checks Being Mailed This Week on Behalf of FTC to Consumers Nationwide This week, an administrator working on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission mailed checks to 3,500 consumers nationwide who were defrauded by a group of marketers accused of hawking phony business opportunities. Consumers who were victims of this scam will receive a total of $95,000 in redress. These are legitimate checks, and the FTC urges consumers to cash them. The reimbursement stems from the February 2008 settlement of a case brought as part of Project Fal$e Hope$, a Commission-led law enforcement sweep that included more than 100 actions filed by the FTC, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other agencies in 11 states. In this case, known as EDI Healthclaims, the FTC alleged that scammers used mass mailings to consumers offering a “work-at-home” business opportunity to earn easy money electronically processing health-care providers’ medical claims for insurance reimbursement. According to the FTC, the defendants misled consumers by stating they would help them find their first medical billing client and give them a list of providers in their area looking for billing help – after the consumers paid a “licensing fee” of between $4,985 and $5,985. Consumers, who were promised they would earn at least $1,200 a month, often made nothing and lost their up-front fee, according to the FTC’s complaint, which can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0623033/061212cmp0623033.pdf . The redress checks are valid for 60 days from the date they are issued. Consumers should call 1-877-678-0676 with any questions. The FTC never requires the payment of money up front, or the provision of additional information, before consumers cash redress checks issued to them. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Victims of Work-at-Home Medical Billing Fraud Being Reimbursed $95,000

The Nocebo Effect On The Web : Rise Of The Fake Antivirus

May 15th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

If you’ve ever fallen foul of a computer virus then you will know just how big a problem they are, and how hard they are to remove. They also cause a huge amount of frustration, making your computer a nightmare to deal with. Therefore, if you believe you are infected with a virus right now, you may well be tempted to rush out and get any old antivirus program straight away. What if your computer now handily pops messages up onto your screen, telling you that you are infected, and offering the solution? Would you buy that solution so that you can put your mind at ease and fix your computer immediately? I hope not! The Nocebo Effect On The Web The reason why I say that is because what I described above is fake antivirus , not the real deal. Fake antivirus is a huge problem and it is growing rapidly. In fact, researchers at Google recently released a report called ‘The Nocebo Effect On The Web’ which discovered that have been an ever increasing number of cases in which users were tricked into purchasing fake antivirus software. Malware has been around pretty well since the web was first created and there are thousands, if not millions, of variants in circulation at any one time. It is incredible, then, to think that around 15% of all that malware is of the fake antivirus variety. So big is the problem that fake av is also pushed via malvertising (malware delivered through adverts on the web) to the point where it accounts for 50% of all such malvertising, a 500% increase on last year. Furthermore, according to the report, the number of domains that Google detected as hosting fake antivirus software went from 93 in January 2009 up to 587 in January 2010. Countering Fake Antivirus If you get duped into buying fake antivirus then the money you’ve thrown away may be only be one of many problems you encounter – such programs may themselves install further malware with the intention of stealing your identity and monitoring all of your web activity. Ironically, according to Google’s report, the most effective means of avoiding fake antivirus is to utilise some kind of virus detection mechanism in the first place. Naturally, you will want to avoid the scams and get a product from a reputable vendor – I’d recommend checking out my post about the best 10 antivirus programs of 2010 . The Nocebo Effect On The Web : Rise Of The Fake Antivirus is a post from: Security FAQs

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All that’s ‘green’ is not gold – The Cherokeean Herald

May 5th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

All that's 'green' is not gold The Cherokeean Herald Laws that cost taxpayer money should not be based on hoaxes and scams , but that is what the cap and trade law is all about. The law would cause everything …

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All that’s ‘green’ is not gold – The Cherokeean Herald

Debunking Glenn Beck’s cap and trade conspiracy theory – Media Matters for America (blog)

May 3rd, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Debunking Glenn Beck's cap and trade conspiracy theory Media Matters for America (blog) The fundamental claim of Beck's conspiracy is that carbon trading is a ” scam ,” and cap and trade is the method the scamsters have come up with to sell their …

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Debunking Glenn Beck’s cap and trade conspiracy theory – Media Matters for America (blog)

The Basic Anatomy Of A Program And How It Can Take Over Your System

May 3rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

There is a big mystery when it comes to the world of programming and how a program actually operates. If the person that you are trying to explain the system to is not a programmer then it is hard to put what is happening behind the scenes of the computer in abstract terms. Even a lot of programmers have trouble digesting what is going on behind the scenes, especially if they work on a language that is several layers above the “metal”. The “metal” is a term that is used when we are describing the hardware parts of the computer. Usually this means the actual CPU and motherboard. When a program runs on the computer, is actually going through several layers before it can execute. I can give you a brief synopsis on how this works and then follow it up with an explanation of how this can lead into someone taking over your computer. Execution When you first start up a program, most of the time the data is just sitting on your hard drive. We will think of it as “sleeping” on your hard drive. Once you click on the button, you are waking the program up. When you wake the program up, you are placing the data into the memory. Another name for memory is ram. Ram actually stands for Random Access Memory. Once the data is there, it is stored and then released to the CPU. But before it goes to the CPU, it must make a stop into two to three caches, depending on the quality of the motherboard. The more caches, the better. These caches are known as L1, L2, and L3. The L3 cache is bigger than the L2. The L2 is bigger than the L1. The data goes through the caches and ends at L1. Once there, it goes into a register and then to the actual CPU to be executed. This may seem like a lot of processes for a single piece of data, but your computer is so fast that you will not notice. The only time that you see a lag in the system is when there is a large amount of data trying this process at once. Once it gets to the CPU, you then witness the magic on your screen. Now that you know how the program executes, you might be wondering how a bad program can ruin this process. Messing With The Memory Well, there are many ways that this can happen but one of the more popular is by messing with the memory . A talented black hat hacker can change the flow of the program by placing something in the memory that is not supposed to be there. Usually this is extra data that causes the computer to skip to a part of memory that is not supposed to, giving a program permissions that it is not supposed to have. These part of the memory that we are referring to is known as the “address”. This is usually the more complicated of attacks. Most attacks are not this complicated but do a lot less damage than this type can. Hopefully I have given you a basic understanding of how your computer works and how the wrong program can do bad things. Once a rogue program is in the memory, it can spell disaster. The Basic Anatomy Of A Program And How It Can Take Over Your System is a post from: Security FAQs

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Democrats pounce on report of Wall Street money swinging to GOP – Washington Post (blog)

April 27th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Democrats pounce on report of Wall Street money swinging to GOP Washington Post (blog) Both scams — as well as the cap-and-trade scam and similar Marxist scams — will destroy jobs, increase the deficit, and further destroy our freedoms and … and more

‘Too many sceptics in BBC’s climate change reporting’ says ‘independent’ ‘expert’ – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

April 24th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

'Too many sceptics in BBC's climate change reporting' says 'independent' 'expert' Telegraph.co.uk (blog) That the BBC is deeply involved in climate scams is common knowledge. Their pension fund is heavily invested in carbon credits schemes. …

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‘Too many sceptics in BBC’s climate change reporting’ says ‘independent’ ‘expert’ – Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

Cap-n-Tax: Team Obama Piles On the Outrages – Big Government (blog)

April 20th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Cap -n-Tax: Team Obama Piles On the Outrages Big Government (blog) ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CAP AND TRADE ARE SCAMS FROM JACKSON AND OBAMA. I'll bring the old paint brushes I need to get rid of anyway … …

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Cap-n-Tax: Team Obama Piles On the Outrages – Big Government (blog)

Ecash and GeteCash Payday Lender Charged by FTC with Deceiving Employers in Scheme to Collect Debts

April 7th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a payday loan operation with illegally trying to garnish borrowers’ wages and using other illegal debt-collection practices. The FTC seeks to stop these practices and require the operators to surrender improperly collected money so it can be used for consumer refunds. According to the FTC’s complaint, the operators do business as Ecash and GeteCash, offering loans of up to $1,000 to be repaid from a borrower’s upcoming paycheck. They require online loan applicants to check a box indicating their agreement with loan terms. These terms include an inconspicuous statement consumers often don’t see, which states that their wages will be garnished to cover delinquent loan payments. The statement allegedly attempts to circumvent federal requirements, including a debtor’s right to revoke a garnishment agreement. U.S. law allows federal agencies to require employers to garnish employees’ wages without a court order when the employees owe the government money. According to the complaint, in letters to employers, GeteCash tries to pass itself off as having the same collection rights as the government. The FTC’s complaint also alleges that GeteCash falsely stated that consumers knew their pay would be garnished and had an opportunity to dispute the debt. In addition, GeteCash allegedly violated the law when it told employers and co-workers about consumers’ debt without their consent. The FTC alleges that, in carrying out their scheme, the operators violated the FTC Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Credit Practices Rule. The defendants are Eastbrook LLC, also doing business as Ecash and GeteCash; LoanPointe LLC; Joe S. Strom; Benjamin J. Lonsdale; James C. Endicott; and Mark S. Lofgren. Eastbrook, LoanPointe, and Strom have agreed to a preliminary injunction barring them from further unlawful practices. The Commission vote to file the complaint was 4-0. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division on March 15, 2010. The FTC would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Financial Management Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Idaho Department of Finance. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Ecash and GeteCash Payday Lender Charged by FTC with Deceiving Employers in Scheme to Collect Debts

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New Jersey-Based Telephone Fundraisers Banned from Soliciting Donations; Will Pay $18.8 Million for Violating FTC Order

April 3rd, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Defendants Deceived Consumers into Believing All Donations Would Help Local Police, Firefighters, Veterans The operators of a New Jersey-based telemarketing scheme will pay a record $18.8 million and leave the charitable donation business to settle charges that they violated a Federal Trade Commission order by misleading consumers to believe that they were donating directly to legitimate charities serving police, firefighters, and veterans, when in fact only a small slice of the donations actually went to these charities. The civil penalty against Civic Development Group, LLC; CDG Management LLC; and owners Scott Pasch and David Keezer is the largest ever in an FTC consumer protection case.

Direct Marketing Associates Corp Settles FTC Charges; Falsely Told Consumers They Were Pre-Approved for Auto Loans

March 30th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

A marketing company that solicits prospective customers for automobile dealers has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it falsely told low-income and “credit-challenged” consumers that they were pre-approved for auto loans and improperly obtained their names from a consumer reporting agency. According to the FTC, the company prepared sales solicitations for automobile dealers telling consumers that a specific finance company would lend them money to buy a car, but the finance companies featured in the ads lacked business licenses and didn’t actually make any loans. The marketing company obtained lists of consumers from a credit reporting agency by falsely representing that the lists would be used to make prescreened firm offers of credit to consumers. The settlement order bars the company and its principal from telling consumers they are pre-approved for, or are likely to receive, an extension of credit or financing unless the defendants know that a lender can make good on the offer for all eligible customers. The order also prohibits the defendants from obtaining credit reports from consumer reporting agencies without a purpose authorized by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The order imposes a $157,000 civil penalty that is suspended based on the defendants’ inability to pay. The full judgment will be imposed if they are found to have misrepresented their financial condition. The defendants are Direct Marketing Associates Corp. and its president and owner, John M. Rainey, Jr. The Commission vote to authorize staff to refer the complaint and proposed stipulated final order to the Department of Justice for filing was 4-0. The documents were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Phoenix Division. NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. A complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the full force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Direct Marketing Associates Corp Settles FTC Charges; Falsely Told Consumers They Were Pre-Approved for Auto Loans

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Beware of Debt Collection Scam Phone Calls

March 22nd, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

There has been a lot of news and complaints about fake debt collectors scamming unwary consumers or non-existent debts. Any time a debt collector calls you and demands money over the phone, tell them to put the demand in writing. No matter how many times they call, tell them the same thing, be adamant. If they are scammers they’ll eventually give up. If they are abusive real collectors eventually they’ll get the message that their tactics aren’t going to work. Often the scammers will tell you that unless you pay them you will be put in jail and then require you to use Western Union or other wire service to pay them. Never pay a debt whether real or imagined using a money transfer service. Never give financial any financial information over the phone to any sort of collections company, no matter what. Especially cold callers that demand money. If in doubt just hang up. Block the number if possible or let it go to voice mail. You aren’t required by law to talk to a debt collector, and that goes double for scammers. Hopefully they’ll leave threats on your answering machine that can be used as evidence. Be savvy, don’t give in and tell them to put it in writing.

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Beware of Debt Collection Scam Phone Calls

Kaptur to vote for health-care reform – Washington Post (blog)

March 21st, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Kaptur to vote for health-care reform Washington Post (blog) … help of the dumbed down population (previously called “useful idiots”) to spread their virus to the US through scams like Obamacare and cap and trade . … and more

Health bill gains steam ahead of Sunday climax – Washington Post (blog)

March 19th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Health bill gains steam ahead of Sunday climax Washington Post (blog) | March 19, 2010; 8:00 AM ET idealist61, Obama's “help-the-poor” SCAMS like Obamacare and cap and trade are almost identical to the … and more

Just can’t legislate without you, baby – Washington Post (blog)

March 11th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Just can't legislate without you, baby Washington Post (blog) … to defend their future — and the future of their children and grandchildren — from Obama and his Marxist scams , including Obamacare and cap and trade . … and more

Beware of calls from 206-337-9266 – Big Money ATM Scammers

March 11th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

I hate automated messages left on my answering machine. Last night I received a call from 206-337-9266 asking me if I needed money now. The message left by the scammers smelled all too much like a typical get rich quick scam. In the message they left a domain name (Big Money ATM .Com – i put spaces in it to prevent accidently hyperlinking). I pulled the domain registration for the domain and of course it is a private registration that hides the owners true identity. If the caller and owner were legitimate the domain “who is” record would display the actual owners. the scammers use GoDaddy registration and hosting services. It figures. Most of the email scams and robo-caller phone scams I see or hear all point back to GoDaddy.com hosting and domain registration services. If you get a call from 206-337-9266, report them to the Federal Trade Commission ( www.ftc.gov ). Maybe one day GoDaddy will actually enforce their terms of service and boot scammers like this.

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Payment Processing CEO Banned from the Business; Company Illegally Debited Millions from Consumers’ Bank Accounts

March 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

The chief executive officer of a payment processing company will be banned from the business as part of a settlement resolving Federal Trade Commission charges that the company illegally debited millions of dollars in bogus charges from consumers’ bank accounts. In 2007, the FTC charged the executive, Tarzenea Dixon, her company, and others with processing unauthorized debits on behalf of deceptive telemarketers and Internet-based schemes they knew, or deliberately avoided knowing, were violating the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule. In addition, the attorneys general of Illinois, Iowa, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Vermont charged the defendants with violating various state laws. According to the FTC complaint, the company played a critical role in helping many of its clients carry out these illegal schemes by providing access to the banking system and the means to extract money from consumers’ bank accounts. Between June 23, 2004, and March 31, 2006, the defendants processed more than $200 million in debits and attempted debits. More than $69 million of the attempted debits were returned or rejected by consumers or their banks for various reasons, an indication that in many cases consumers had never authorized the charges. In many instances, the merchants either failed to deliver the promised products or services or sent consumers relatively worthless items. The settling defendant is Tarzenea Dixon. Her co-defendants are Your Money Access, LLC d/b/a Netchex Corp., Universal Payment Solutions, Check Recovery Systems, Nterglobal Payment Solutions, and Subscription Services, Ltd.; YMA Company, LLC; and Derrelle Janey. In addition to permanently banning Dixon from any payment processing, the settlement order bans her from substantially aiding any marketer when she knows, or consciously avoids knowing, that it is violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The order imposes a $22 million judgment that is stayed based on her inability to pay. The full judgment will become due immediately if she is found to have misrepresented her financial condition. The Commission vote approving the consent in settlement of the court action against Dixon was 4-0. The FTC filed the documents in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on December 22, 2009, and court entered the order on January 11, 2010. Litigation against Janey continues. On October 28, 2008, the court entered a default judgment against the corporate defendants, Your Money Access, LLC and YMA Company, LLC, barring them from payment processing for any client whose business practices are deceptive, unfair, or abusive within the meaning of the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and the state consumer protection laws. The case was part of the FTC’s “Operation Tele-PHONEY” telemarketing fraud law enforcement sweep announced in May 2008. Wachovia Bank Redress Program In December 2008, the FTC announced a settlement between the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Wachovia Bank, N.A. to issue more than $150 million in redress checks to victims of telemarketing fraud. The checks reimbursed consumers for funds deducted from their accounts by three payment processors that maintained accounts with Wachovia, including Your Money Access. NOTE: Stipulated final judgments and orders are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Consent judgments have the force of law when signed by the judge. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Payment Processing CEO Banned from the Business; Company Illegally Debited Millions from Consumers’ Bank Accounts

Exclusive: Yes, Virginia: No, These are Not Solutions – They Are Scams – Family Security Matters

March 1st, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Family Security Matters Exclusive: Yes, Virginia: No, These are Not Solutions – They Are Scams Family Security Matters Congressional shills demanded legislation to roll back the climate by implementing a major tax increase called cap and trade . …

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Exclusive: Yes, Virginia: No, These are Not Solutions – They Are Scams – Family Security Matters

Why You Should Beware Of Dance Studio Scams

February 15th, 2010. Published under Scams. No Comments.

Dancing can either be a fun pastime or, for some gifted people, a great career opportunity. Dance studios can cater to both types of dancer, though they tend to be aimed more at those who are looking to have fun and socialise rather than pursue a career. Students can learn new techniques and have fun at a dance studio but they should, perhaps, be a little wary when signing up.. Dance studios generate large amounts of money for those who run them and so, just as with most types of business, scam artists become involved in a small number of them. HOW DANCING STUDIO SCAMS ARE COMMITTED Dance studios don’t tend to allow students to come and go as they please, preferring to organise agreements for minimum periods instead. Clients will be signed up for a certain amount of time, typically a year or more, during which will they be contractually obligated to continue paying fees. Dance studios that are looking to earn as much as they can from their clients then find ways of using those contracts, including adding terms and conditions that compel their students to make purchases of training materials or equipment solely through them or an agent of their choice (who will undoubtedly be giving them a nice kickback) . Additionally, such contracts may also compel clients into paying additional fees too, such as a contribution towards the cost of the venue, or for extra training sessions. Funnily enough, a lot of these ‘extras’ will either be unwanted or will go unused. HOW TO AVOID DANCING STUDIO SCAMS As with everything in life, common sense is key. Before joining a dance studio be sure to check them out and ask questions. Speak to people who are already members as well as searching for the studio on the internet. Whilst you shouldn’t believe everything you read it will be worth investigating any complaints you see or hear. Here are some ideas of the types of question you should be asking before joining a dance studio – What is the cost per dancing lesson? Will there be a need to pay for extra materials or lessons? What are the total costs of the contract? Are there any advance payments or deposits required? Will there be monthly or annual fee increases during the term of the contract? How many lessons you are paying for, when are they held and how long do they last? Can you cancel early and what would be the cost of doing so? Is your payment protected if the studio goes out of business? Check whether the answers to those questions will be contained in the contract and, before signing the contract, it may be worth consulting with an attorney to verify that you are clear on what you are paying for and what rights you have. Enjoy your dancing! Why You Should Beware Of Dance Studio Scams is a post from: Scam Types dot Com Check out The Best Internet Security Programs Of 2009

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Rainmaking scams refuse to dry up and blow away Commentary William A. Levinson – Wilkes Barre Times-Leader

February 15th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Wilkes Barre Times-Leader Rainmaking scams refuse to dry up and blow away Commentary William A. Levinson Wilkes Barre Times-Leader Lehman Brothers and Enron also planned to profit from cap and trade . • Various environmental groups have their hands out for donations and/or payments for …

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How Are Online Ads Used To Scam People?

January 21st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

The human race is an imaginative bunch. If there is a problem that is in front of us, we do our best to solve it. The same goes for when we have an objective to achieve. We will pull out our imaginations and come up with something very cunning. This is what hackers and online scam artists do on a daily basis. They see an objective, which is how to get the money that is in your wallet, and figure out a way to accomplish it. Online Classified Ads Scam The latest scam has been using online classified ads to find their victims. There have always been scams when it came to classified ads, even online ones. Craigslist, Ebay and all of the other types of classified web sites, have all had to increase their security over the years. No one wants to visit these places, if all that happens is, them being scammed and their money taken. So there are safe guards in place to help prevent this from happening. But these safeguards deal with just the normal crooks. These days, the online classified ads scams are being done by organized groups of individuals. Organized Crime The groups that are involved with the scams range from organized crime members in the US to criminals operating out of Nigeria. There is just not one group of individuals who are committing these crimes, it has gone international. People have found it lucrative and are taking advantage of it. The range of scams are also great. The different scams include fake electronics, bait and switch, robbery, and even real estate fraud. Some of these scams might need a little bit of explanation so that you know how to avoid them. The bait and switch is especially popular on EBay . It involves someone advertising an item and showing a picture of it in a package. In little letters at the bottom of the page, they say that they are selling the packaging and not the item itself. So when you get only the packaging and you start to complain, they bring up that it is exactly what was advertised. Robbery happens a lot on Craigslist . People will pretend that they are selling something and they need you to pick it up. When you go there with your money, they physically assault you and take the money out of your pocket. This happens more often than people think. Make sure you meet in a public place if possible, when purchasing items off of craigslist. The real estate scam involves people claiming that they have a house for rent or sale. They will tell you that they live there but are out of the country. They then send you a key, and you send them the money. When you get to the place, you find out that the key doesn’t work. This is a relatively new crime that has been happening a lot. Most traces claim that a lot of the real estate scams are originating from Nigeria. Online classifieds are a great way to get a deal but they have their share of risk as well. If you are careful and make sure that read the listing very throughly, you should be able to avoid the scams. How Are Online Ads Used To Scam People? is a post from: Scam Types dot Com Check out The Best Internet Security Programs Of 2009

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Beware of the Fake IRS – Unreported/Underreported Income Scam Emails

January 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Luckily I read all email in plain text format as opposed to HTML email,, because I do that I can see the actual links in emails instead of the links being hidden in HTML format email. I got this scam email this morning and for a moment I thought it might be legit until I saw the last portion of the link. It directs to a site in Poland (.pl). The Internal Revenue Service does not use email regarding problems with your taxes. They always correspond via printer letters sent via US postal mail. Any time you get an email from the US government regarding a problem like taxes, do not click any links, print it our and contact the agency, as in the case the IRS ( www.irs.gov ).

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Beware of the Fake IRS – Unreported/Underreported Income Scam Emails

Congressman Demands FTC Probe of Cash4Gold

January 20th, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

I had posted

VAT Scam Dogs Europe’s Hot Air Trade – Technorati (blog)

January 18th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Technorati (blog) VAT Scam Dogs Europe's Hot Air Trade Technorati (blog) … as the UK issued 93% of free carbon permits to emitters in 2008. Even such low mitigation are dogged by carbon credit scams ! The loser here: planet Earth.

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VAT Scam Dogs Europe’s Hot Air Trade – Technorati (blog)

Reader Comments – U.S. News & World Report (blog)

January 13th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Reader Comments U.S. News & World Report (blog) … takes to defend their future – and the future of their children and grandchildren — from Obama and his Marxist scams , like Obamacare and cap and trade . …

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Reader Comments – U.S. News & World Report (blog)

Backgrounder: A roundup up of Carbon Fraud reports – Probe International

January 13th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Telegraph.co.uk Backgrounder: A roundup up of Carbon Fraud reports Probe International Carbon credit scams add to the growing list of alleged fraud cases: Officials in at least five European countries are investigating an international carbon … British carbon traders charged with money laundering relating to alleged … Telegraph.co.uk all 12 news articles

Backrounder: A roundup up of Carbon Fraud reports – Probe International

January 13th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Telegraph.co.uk Backrounder: A roundup up of Carbon Fraud reports Probe International Carbon credit scams add to the growing list of alleged fraud cases: Officials in at least five European countries are investigating an international carbon … British carbon traders charged with money laundering relating to alleged … Telegraph.co.uk all 12 news articles

Extra Oil 2009 Recap 48: Economy + 2010 News – Gather.com

January 12th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Extra Oil 2009 Recap 48: Economy + 2010 News Gather.com SCAMS : mass mail outs by psychics, seers, astrologers promising, for a fee, to tell your future regarding $, what will happen if you fly; …

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Extra Oil 2009 Recap 48: Economy + 2010 News – Gather.com

Marketers of Unproven Weight-Loss Products Bronson Partners LLC Ordered to Pay Nearly $2 Million

January 11th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Court Rules in Favor of FTC in Case of Diet Tea and Bio-Slim Patch A federal district court has ordered the marketers of an herbal tea and a diet patch to pay nearly $2 million to the Federal Trade Commission for making deceptive claims that both products would allow users to lose weight quickly without diet or exercise. For nearly two years before the FTC complaint was filed, Bronson Partners, LLC and its officer, Martin Howard, marketed Chinese Diet Tea, telling consumers they could lose as much as six pounds a week by drinking one cup of the green tea after each meal to “neutralize the absorption of fattening foods.” Advertising in national magazines such as USA Weekend and Clipper Magazine, the marketers charged $24.95 plus shipping and handling for a month’s supply. Also during this time, the marketers sold the Bio-Slim Patch, a diet patch that contained extracts from the fucus, garcinia, and guarana plants. Instructing consumers to wear the patches 24 hours a day for at least three months, the marketers claimed that “repulsive, excess ugly fatty tissue will disappear at a spectacular rate due to the combination and synergy of these three natural ingredients.” The marketers advertised the patch in national magazines and in a company catalog, and consumers paid $24.95 plus shipping and handling for a month’s supply. In addition to ordering the nearly $2 million payment, citing “obvious and widespread” violations of the FTC Act, Judge Stefan R. Underhill of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted the FTC’s request to prohibit the defendants from selling or advertising any weight-loss products. “Future violations of a similar nature would surely result in financial harm to consumers, and possible physical harm if consumers engage in risky weight-loss techniques in reliance on (the) defendants’ misleading representations,” the judge wrote in his December 2009 ruling and order. He also ordered the defendants to help the FTC identify consumer victims who lost money on the products, so that restitution can be made. The FTC filed its complaint against Bronson Partners, LLC and Martin Howard as part of the “Big Fat Lie” law enforcement sweep in November 2004. The sweep targeted marketers of bogus weight-loss products, such as pills, powders, gels, green teas, and diet patches. In July 2008, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted the FTC’s request for summary judgment against Howard and Bronson Partners, LLC – also doing business as New England Diet Center and Bronson Day Spa. Copies of the November 2004 complaint and the December 2009 ruling and order are available on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .

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Marketers of Unproven Weight-Loss Products Bronson Partners LLC Ordered to Pay Nearly $2 Million

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Police warn public about online classified ad money order scam – Winnipeg Sun

January 10th, 2010. Published under Money Order Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Police warn public about online classified ad money order scam Winnipeg Sun By WINNIPEG SUN Winnipeg police are urging users of classified advertising websites to be wary of online scams, following reports from several suspicious … and more

Restaurant Scams – WTOP

January 7th, 2010. Published under Money Order Scams, Scams. No Comments.

Restaurant Scams WTOP This is a variation of the fake check or money order scam . Another scam involved a man who claimed he wanted to order food for his wife's birthday party. …

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Restaurant Scams – WTOP

King: Use word ‘terrorism’ more – Politico (blog)

January 6th, 2010. Published under Political Scams, Scams. No Comments.

King: Use word 'terrorism' more Politico (blog) Obamacare, Cap and trade , two really big scams to shove down our throats that will empower them and destroy the coountry. RE to : Vic Livingston | January … and more

The Curbstoning Auto Scam

January 1st, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.

Curbstoning refers to auto dealers who try to bypass the law by selling their vehicles on the street, by pretending to be private sellers. In this auto scam dishonest car dealers use curbstoning as a means of circumventing their state laws which govern the sale of cars. Most states have limits in place with regards to how many vehicles a person may buy and sell in a particular time frame before being required to be a licensed car dealer. The big disadvantage of being licensed, to these people, is that licensed car dealers have to meet certain requirements in order to stay in business. Curbstoners, because they appear to be private sellers, do not have any such restrictions to work within. Inferior Cars Often, a curbstoning car dealer will utilise this scam in order to offload the type of vehicle they would struggle to sell through their dealership. Whatever part of the country you live, or wherever in the world for that fact, you have probably seen this scam in operation on a street corner near you. There will be several cars for sale in the same place, often parked along the curb, hence the name ‘curbstoners’. Typically, these cars will be ones with problems, that are hard for the dealers to sell through their official businesses. Additionally, cars bought at the roadside may have had their clocks rolled back ( odometer fraud ). ‘Internetstoning’ Popular internet sites, such as eBay, have proven to be popular with curbstoners. This is because they often afford the seller a great deal of anonymity, making it difficult for disgruntled purchasers, and government agencies alike, to track them down. Internet adverts for lemon autos allows the scammer to utilise a few different techniques in order to increase their chances of selling their vehicles. Poor resolution photographs are often used as they can hide a multitude of sins, from dents to rust, and many others besides. Another often used tactic in online sales is affinity fraud. Avoiding Curbstoning Scams Whilst there are laws in place that prohibit curbstoning, they are rarely enforced or prosecuted. Likewise, eBay cannot keep up with the problem either – if detected, a scammer will just close an account and start again with a new id. Therefore, vigilance is the key if you wish to avoid buying a car that – may have had it’s odometer rolled back could be stolen has previously been written off or damaged has someone else’s credit outstanding on it has been designated as being for export only If you really must buy a car off the street, or via an online auction then take care. Verify the seller’s identity, get any guarantees or representations in writing and, if possible arrange a viewing (with a mechanic) in advance. The Curbstoning Auto Scam is a post from: Scam Types dot Com Check out The Best Internet Security Programs Of 2009

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The Curbstoning Auto Scam