The best way to avoid a scam is to know what’s going around. In just a few minutes, Martin Bailey describes current scams circulating the community -– including scams over the phone, on the internet and at your front door.
 
Martin Bailey is a member of the AARP Virginia Fraud Watch Network, the Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol, and Fairfax County’s Silver Shield Task Force. The use of any organization affiliation that Martin may be associated with, whether expressed or implied, does not signify any official endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with that organization as part of this audio scam slam series.

Find out more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults/fairfax-county-silver-shield-anti-scam-campaign.
 
Report scams and unlicensed solicitors to the Fairfax County Police Non-Emergency Line at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.

Scam Slam Audio Series

Hello. What we want to cover in this Scam Slam are verification codes and why someone ask us for it?    
But before I begin, I want to let the listeners know that the use of any organization affiliation, that I may be associated with, in any form, whether expressed or implied, does not signify any official endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with that organization during this session.
These tips are brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission.
When you log into your bank or credit card account, you might get a text message or email with a verification code. You then enter it at the login screen to confirm it’s really you. That’s a form of two-factor authentication that adds a layer of security to your account — and helps keep would-be scammers and hackers out.
Your account password and a verification code work together, like the lock on your doorknob and a deadbolt lock. If you unlock the doorknob but not the deadbolt, you can’t get in. Likewise, if you know the account password but not the verification code, you can’t get in.
The same goes for scammers trying to get into your account. To break into your account, scammers need both keys. That’s why they try to trick you into sharing your verification code.
Scammers pretend to be someone you can trust, and say they’ve discovered a problem with one of your accounts — or that someone’s using your identity. They may know some things about you and sound very convincing. They may even be very sympathetic to your problem: offering to help you set things right … and then asking for your verification code to get into your account.
If you give them the code, they can log into your account and transfer all the money out of your savings or investment accounts.
Never give your verification code to someone else. It’s only for you to log into your account. Anyone who asks you for your account verification code is a scammer.
If someone asks you for your verification code, don’t engage. Hang up. Block their number. Stop texting them. Then report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you’re worried there's a problem with your account, contact your bank, credit union, or investment advisor directly. Use a number you trust, like the one on your statement or in your app. Never use the number the caller gave you; it’ll take you to the scammer.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this type of scam is urged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you’ve found this information helpful, please consider sharing. We know that people who talk about scams are less likely to fall for them, and by presenting these Scam Slams we hope to spark discussions by offering conversation-starting ideas. Thanks so much for listening. Take care, be safe and most of all stay healthy!

What’s a Verification Code and Why Would Someone Ask Me for It? Scam Slam Audio

Hello. What we want to cover in this Scam Slam is how to protect yourself from storm chasers after a natural disaster. Before I begin, please note that the use of any organization affiliation that I may be associated with, whether expressed or implied, does not signify any official endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with that organization as part of this audio scam slam. 

These tips are brought to you by the Better Business Bureau.

Natural disasters like storms,  tornadoes,  hurricanes,  flooding, and wildfires often bring out the best in people as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors who take advantage of those who have already been victimized by the disaster. 

Local contractors may be busier than usual with new customers after a natural disaster, which means victims of storm damage may be antsy to hire a contractor to fix their damaged homes as quickly as possible. Remember, it’s important to stay vigilant.

The Better Business Bureau warns homeowners affected by natural disasters to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. These storm chasers may lack the proper licensing, offer quick fixes, quote low prices, or make big promises which they don’t keep. 

There are some things you should do when hiring any contractor, such as getting three estimates, getting everything in writing, and paying with a credit card. 

Here is how you can avoid this scam: 
•	Do your research. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org by looking for the Accredited Business Seal. Check your state government agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors. Get references from friends and relatives. 
•	Resist high-pressure sales. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches with too-good-to-be-true offers on price and timelines. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor.
•	Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors.  Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plate number.  
•	Don’t sign over insurance checks to contractors. Get an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly, preferably with a credit card. Don’t sign any documents that give the contractor rights to your insurance claims. Be sure to read all documents carefully before signing.  If you have questions, contact your insurance company.
•	Be cautious of requests to pay for everything up-front. “Storm chasers” may ask for the full payment or a very large down payment before any work begins. This is a red flag, as the contractor would now have your money and could choose not to return to complete the job. As mentioned, always pay with a credit card for additional fraud protection. If you have to pay a portion of the cost before any work begins, be sure to have a signed contract in place that outlines the payment terms.
•	Be wary regarding places you can’t see. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts, and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself.
•	Get familiar with your home. Keep tabs on the conditions of your roof, siding, gutters, and other exterior areas of your home often. If your home is damaged by a storm, you’ll have a better idea of what needs to be repaired versus what a “storm chaser” tells you should be fixed.

For more information, visit BBB.org and search for “storm resources”. 

Anyone who believes they may have experienced this type of scam is urged to report it to the Better Business Bureau at BBB Scam Tracker.

Protect Yourself from Storm Chasers After a Natural Disaster - Scam Slam Audio

Hello. What we want to cover in this Scam Slam is how to protect yourself from scammers targeting you to sell your timeshare. 

Before I begin, please note that the use of any organization affiliation that I may be associated with, whether expressed or implied, does not signify any official endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with that organization as part of this audio scam slam. 
These tips are brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission 

Maybe you weren’t thinking about selling your timeshare — but suddenly, someone calls and tells you they’re a real estate agent who has an interested buyer. They might have information about your property that makes the offer appear credible. Then, the so-called timeshare expert asks you to pay upfront to finalize the deal.

Stop. That could be a scam.
Scammers are using public records to target people in the U.S. who own timeshares abroad, especially older adults, who may not use their timeshares often. These so-called “real estate agents” start by asking for a small fee, promising to help you make big money selling your timeshare. But soon the ask turns into demands for thousands of dollars…before you find out there’s no buyer, your money and the agent are gone.
Timeshares are hard to sell and only a scammer will tell you they already have a buyer or can find one fast. If you want out, it’s best to start by contacting the timeshare company directly.
Here is how to avoid a timeshare resale scam:
•	Don’t pay upfront fees. Only scammers demand fees before they help you sell.
•	Do your research.  Search for the company name or person who contacted you plus the words "scam" or "complaint." See what other people are saying about their experience.
•	Watch your bottom line. Sometimes scammers ask you to pay more than you originally paid for the timeshare. Walk away.
•	Check out the agent and ask for references. Check with the real estate licensing agency in the state where the timeshare is located. Deal only with real estate agents and brokers licensed in that area. Then ask for references from satisfied clients — and check them out.

Anyone who believes they may have experienced this type of scam is urged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you’ve found this information helpful, please consider sharing. We know that people who talk about scams are better able to protect themselves, and by presenting these Scam Slams we hope to spark discussions by offering conversation-starting ideas. Thanks so much for listening. Take care, be safe and most of all stay healthy!

If You Have a Timeshare Scammers Might Target You - Scam Slam Audio

Hello. What we want to cover in this Scam Slam are new insights about imposter scams.
But before I begin I want to let the listeners know that the use of any organization affiliation that I may be associated with, in any form, whether expressed or implied, does not signify any official endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership with that organization during this session.

These tips are brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission. 

Last year, people reported almost half a million business and government imposter scams directly to the FTC. These reports reveal three trends:
1.	Scammers are relying more on text or email messages to start their schemes, and less on phone calls.
2.	Scammers are increasingly convincing people to send money through bank transfers or to pay with cryptocurrency.
3.	Scammers often impersonate more than one organization, like a business and a government agency.

And according to the FTC these are the five most common imposter scams people described:
1.	Scammers send bogus alerts about suspicious activity or unauthorized charges on your account. 
2.	Scammers send you phony notices saying they’re going to charge you hundreds of dollars to renew a subscription, often impersonating Best Buy’s Geek Squad tech support service. 
3.	Scammers try to trick you into paying for things like fake discounts, bogus giveaways, or non-existent prizes.
4.	Scammers make bogus allegations implying you committed a crime but then claim they’ll connect you with someone who’ll help. 
5.	Scammers send you fake delivery notifications to trick you into giving up your financial information, and have been known to impersonate the U.S. Postal Service and FedEx.
For additional information about these and other scams, Google “How To Avoid Imposter Scams.”

Anyone who believes they may have experienced this type of scam is urged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at Reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If you’ve found this information helpful, please consider sharing. We know that people who talk about scams are better able to protect themselves, and by presenting these Scam Slams we hope to spark discussions by offering conversation-starting ideas. Thanks so much for listening. Take care, be safe and most of all stay healthy!

New Insights About Imposter Scams - Scam Slam Audio

What we want to cover in this Scam Slam is how to protect you against moving scams. These tips are brought to you by the Better Business Bureau.

Moving is always stressful. Throw in the threat of a moving scam, and things get even worse. Before hiring a moving company, careful research is necessary. Moving scams run from missing items, massive price hikes, and sometimes, goods being held hostage for additional payment.

In 2023, 1.5 million inquiries were made to the BBB about moving companies, and 5,918 complaints were filed.  Additionally, consumers who fell victim to moving scams and reported them to BBB Scam Tracker in 2023 lost a median of $350.

How does this scam work?  
With the amount of moving activity during spring and summer, the potential of being a victim of a moving scam also increases. Versions of moving scams reported to the BBB every year include:
•	No show: Consumers receive a quote and pay a deposit, but the movers never show up.
•	Upcharge: Consumers are charged on their credit cards for more money than the moving company originally quoted for their services.
•	Extra fees: The moving company provides a quote based on expected weight, and after loading the truck, they inform the consumer that the load is over the expected weight and an additional fee must be paid. Many times, the additional fee is significantly more expensive per pound, sometimes as much as double the original estimate. 
•	Stolen items: One of the most disruptive and difficult-to-anticipate moving scams is when everything appears to be going well. The movers provide an estimate, arrive on time, and load your belongings on a truck. However, this is where the scam starts. When the truck fails to arrive at its destination, either your belongings are gone, or the company requires the consumer to pay an additional fee to deliver them, holding your belongings hostage. 

Here are some recommendations to avoid a moving scam: 
•	Watch out for warning signs. When reviewing a company’s website, if there is no address or information about a mover’s registration or insurance, it is a sign that it may not possess the proper policies to protect a consumer’s belongings. Additionally, if the mover uses a rented truck or offers an estimate over the phone prior to or instead of conducting an on-site inspection, it may not be a legitimate business. Another warning is if telephone calls are answered with a generic “movers” rather than a company name.
•	Be wary of unusual requests and extra costs. If a mover asks for a large down payment or full payment in advance, that may indicate a fraudulent business. If an individual’s possessions are being held hostage for additional payment may also indicate a fraudulent business
•	Get everything in writing. When moving between states, check if the business is reputable. In the U.S., all interstate moving companies require an identification number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number. Make sure to read the terms and conditions of your moving contract carefully, the limits of liability, and any disclaimers. The pickup and expected delivery date should be easily identified. 
•	Keep an inventory of your belongings. An inventory sheet is one of the best ways to keep track of your possessions. BBB recommends consumers label the boxes their belongings are packed in and what is in each box. In general, movers are not liable for lost or damaged contents in customer-packed boxes unless there is provable negligence on the mover's part. Taking photos of the contents before packing is a great way to prove if damages were incurred during the moving process. 
•	Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. If the moving company can’t or won’t answer your questions, look for another company.
 
For more information
For more moving tips search, BBB's moving HQ.

Moving Scams - Scam Slam Audio

Official SoundCloud account of Fairfax County Government. 