Public Affairs Committee Lists Common Scams

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VIA SBINSIDER| December 9th

Tuesday morning December 6th saw a small crowd at the presentation provided by the SaddleBrooke Public Affairs Committee regarding scam operations that target our residents.

Unfortunately, the presenter from the Arizona Commerce Commission cancelled the night before. But fortunately, David Loendorf had acquired the PowerPoint presentation a priori and so he took the reins and took the crowd through the slides with suave aplomb.

The highlight of the presentation was the video confession of an experienced and security licensed investment expert relating how he had become a victim of an Oil and Gas lease investment scheme. The thief had nurtured their phone relationship for 2 years, becoming a trusted phone friend. The victim sent 25K which went right into the pocket of the thief. The victim was astounded at his own blindness as the slow con unfolded and warned that even the so-called professional investment experts can be had.

After the slide show, the participants all had stories of attempted fraud, mostly via the internet but noted the increase the text messages as a new venue for crooks.

COMMON SCAMS

Tech Support scam

Tech support claims your computer has malware and requests payment to fix the defects or access your computer.

Impersonation scams

Scammers pose as bank or credit card issuer or a legitimate company and ask you to provide personal information or transfer money by phone, text or email. They might also

use a fake caller ID that could show up as Capital One and/ or request remote access to your device.

Utility scams

Posing as your utility company, you get a text or email with a warning to pay your balance within a limited time or else the utility will be shut off.

Fake Goods

You are presented with a “too good to be true” deal, like $49 for a $300 pair of sneakers. Never transfer money to someone you don’t know.

Fake Rental

A house is legitimately listed for sale online, but scammers have set up a fake website and listed the house as a rental. You send your first month’s deposit to a scammer

pretending to be the landlord/owner.

Fake Websites

Legitimate-looking websites are being created by scammers, and a quick Google search will lead you to a real-looking phone number. When you call, they’ll try to

obtain your sign-in details or other information.

Overpayment scams

You receive an overpayment for an item you’re selling, immediately followed by a request to deposit the check (which turns out to be a bad check) and then send the

difference via a wire or gift card.

Check Cashing

You’re approached outside a bank branch and asked to cash a check for someone who claims they don’t have an account or left their ID home. The bad check will be held

against your account when it doesn’t clear.

Romance scams

If you are asked for financial support from a new partner in a relationship that’s been exclusively online, you’re likely a target of this elaborate scheme.

Charity Scams

You receive a request to donate to a charity that you’ve never heard of and for which you can’t find an official website.

Debt Relief

You receive a request for payment in order to establish a service relationship to pay, settle or get rid of debt.

Home Equity Scam

Please click here to see this article on how you can protect your property for free.

If you have been a victim of a scam, please contact the Pinal County Sheriff office.