Crime Alerts

DON’T GET CHEATED BY CREDIT REPORT SCHEME
by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

Alhough many Internet sites claim to offer free annual credit reports, only one Web site is actually authorized to do so: www.annualcreditreport.com.

In 2003, Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which granted every American the right to look at their credit report once a year at no charge. As a result, all Texans may request a free annual copy of their credit report from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site created by the three major credit bureaus to help consumers obtain their free credit report.

Since the FCRA’s enactment, online marketers have launched Web sites that purport to offer “free” credit reports – but rarely follow through on their promises. Many alternative sites require users to purchase other products or services, and place unnecessary conditions on credit report requests.

Learn more... 

Home Repair Scam
4/03/2007

Home Repair scammers are smooth-talking, professional con artists who specialize in scamming elderly homeowners out of thousands of dollars. They seek out victims by driving neighborhoods or knocking on doors, offering driveway paving; roof and chimney repair; shingle and foundation waterproofing; tree pruning and disease/pest control; rodent elimination; and other home repairs…at a “special” price. They finish the job quickly, then demand much more money than was agreed. Your check will be cashed long before you realize the “repair” is merely cosmetic and completely substandard.

The City of Richardson requires all solicitors to obtain and display a city permit.
This is your FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST HOME REPAIR SCAMS.

Tip-offs to a possible home repair scam—

1. They approach you in your yard or at your door
2. They offer a great deal, a special price, or “it won’t cost much”
3. They have leftover materials from a previous job, a special spray sealant for your roof, or a machine to drive out rodents
4. They furnish no contract, no written estimate, nor itemized bill
5. Receipts are hand-written, absent of any printing or company logo
6. They typically drive pickup trucks with no markings or signage
7. They may have women and children with them to ease suspicion

Five warning signs of a scam—

1. Unsolicited mail, e-mail, phone call, or face to face contact
2. A promise of a large sum of money
3. Any effort to obtain personal financial information
4. You must PAY money first before you GET money
5. You are asked to WIRE money

Remember—

• There is no such thing as getting something for nothing
• Real money is hard to get. It does not fall from the sky
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

For more information on scams, cons and frauds contact the Richardson Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 972-744-4955. Call 9-1-1 or (972) 744-4800 to report a scam to the Richardson Police Department.

“Hit Man” Scam
1/18/2007

A new e-mail scam is not only making the rounds on the Internet , but is making some recipients very nervous. The "Hit Man" or "Hired Hit" scam purports to be from a "hit man" hired to "terminate" the recipient (YOU, should you receive such an e-mail). The recipient is instructed to respond and eventually send the "hit man" some money so he will not carry through with the "contract." This new SPAM starting appearing in December '06, initially targeting business and medical professionals. The message resembles nothing more than other typical "cast - and - hook" schemes that depend solely upon your reply to identify a willing participant. Now that the "Hit Man" scam is expanding all over the world via the Internet, you could eventually find such an e-mail SPAMMED to your in-box.

You can read more about it by visiting the provided "UrbanLegends" link below. Should you receive the "Hit Man" scam, DO NOT RESPOND to the sender. The "UrbanLegends" summary provides full text examples of the "Hit Man" scam mails for comparison, commentary from the FBI, and several links to recent news stories on this scam. The summary also features a quick and convenient way to report on-line to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Certainly, no one should take lightly any death threat or extortion attempt. If you receive such an e-mail, take the time to compare the content to the "Hit Man" scam e-mails currently circulating. Should you desire to speak with a Police Officer about this, or any threatening communique, contact the Richardson Police Department at (972) 744-4800.

For more information:
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_hit_man_scam.htm 

New E-mail Scam: Social Security Cost of Living Update

The Commissioner of Social Security and the Inspector General of Social Security issued a warning Tuesday about a new e-mail scam that is bilking e-mail users of their personal information.  The alert came after the Social Security Administration received several reports of an e-mail message being disseminated with the subject "Cost-of-Living for 2007 update" purporting to be from the federal agency. The message provides information about the 3.3 percent benefit increase for 2007 and contains the following:

"NOTE: We now need you to update your personal information. If this is not completed by November 11, 2006, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely."

The reader is then directed to a Web site designed to look like Social Security's Internet Web site. Once directed to the fake Web site, people are asked to register for a password and to confirm their identities by providing personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account and credit card information.

New Scam: IRS Refund - October 17, 2006

Sample e-mail:

There is no "form for your tax refund." The IRS just mails you a check. This is a scam aimed at stealing your personal identification....IF you provide it by clicking on the link. Do not fall for this sort of e-mail: DELETE IT. The I.R.S. has more information on this scam.

EMT Alert Card Is A Scam
July 20, 2006

My office has received a report of consumers being contacted by a Phoenix-based company called "EMT Alert Inc." The caller says he is calling on behalf of and working with the City of San Antonio Fire Department. The caller says that the City of San Antonio is now requiring everyone to purchase an "EMT Alert Card," and that the $300 card would guarantee fire and ambulance service. Supposedly, the card lets emergency workers know what types of medical emergencies they should be aware of at the consumer's address. The caller then wants the consumer's bank account information "to process the card."

A person who needs emergency help can simply call 911. My office has confirmed that the City of San Antonio does not recognize, let alone require, an EMT Alert card. This is a scam. It is all the more brazen when you consider that the consumer would not realize it was a scam until he or she tried to use the card in an emergency. Since emergencies are rare, most buyers would never find out the card was worthless.

If you receive a call from EMT Alert, be forewarned that the caller may have your name and address. This doesn't mean anything. Do not give the caller any additional information about yourself, especially not financial information like your bank account number. Don't buy anything. Just hang up.

Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas