Esteemed Lending Services A loan for every situation…guaranteed. Loans for a new business, college, or even a vacation. Consolidating the debt you already have. The loan you need, even if you’ve been turned down by other lenders because of a poor credit history. Loan specialists waiting to help you.
The website looks reliable, the company sounds reputable, and the offer is just what many people are looking for. Unfortunately, this is the pitch for an advance fee loan scam. Scammers promise you a loan, but you soon find out there’s a fee you have to pay first. If you pay, it’s unlikely you’ll see the promised loan, and you run the risk of someone using your personal information to steal your identity.
That’s why the FTC created the Esteemed Lending Services website. The company and site are fakes, designed to tip you off to the signs of an advance fee loan scam (and an important reminder that just because a site looks trustworthy doesn’t mean it is). Click on any link, and you’ll go straight to a page letting you in on the truth behind the site and telling you what you need to know to recognize advance fee fraud.
I hope you’ll link to, write about or talk about the site with your audience, members or anyone else in your network. It’s an opportunity for people to see what an advance fee scam looks like, and avoid losing their hard-earned money.
The FTC also offers other “teaser sites.” Learn to weigh the evidence in diet products and spot claims that signal a rip-off at our phony FatFoe site, or to evaluate health claims through Glucobate, a made-up diabetes treatment. Find them all at wemarket4u.net.
[Today's guest blogger is Larry Dyekman, Director of Communications and Education at the National Futures Association.]
“GUARANTEED to double your money in six months!”
Let’s face it; those are words everyone wants to hear, especially when rebuilding from economic uncertainty. Unfortunately, those words are almost never true and many people have lost their life savings because they believed them.
Financial fraud has gotten a lot of attention lately. You might have seen these buzz words and names in recent news headlines: affinity fraud, ponzi schemes and Bernie Madoff. From low-income wage earners to retirees, doctors and political leaders, we are all vulnerable to the tactics of con-artists.
Don’t Become a Victim of Investment Fraud features our President and CEO Dan Roth as he discusses different types of investment fraud, common characteristics of investment scams and the importance of conducting a background check before making any kind of investment decision. Help educate your family, friends and neighbors against investment fraud by sharing these important tips with them.
No foolin’… April 1 was the deadline to mail back your U.S. Census form. If you didn’t, you may get a knock on your door from a Census taker.
Now I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of strangers knocking on my front door, especially when con artists, pretending to be Census takers, are out there, scheming to steal your personal information or commit some other type of fraud.
So I thought this might be a good time to put the old saying, “To be forewarned is to be forearmed” to good use. Here are a few facts to help put you at ease if a Census taker comes a calling:
Census takers must show you an ID badge that has their name, a Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you ask, census takers also will give you information so you can verify their identity with their supervisor or the Local Census Office.
Census takers will not ask to come into your home, and will ask you only the 10 questions on the census form, including name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, whether you own or rent your home, who is in the home at the time you are completing the form, and your phone number. They will not ask for your Social Security number, PIN codes, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
If you aren’t home or can’t come to the door, the census taker will return up to three times, each time leaving a door hanger with a phone number so you can call to schedule a visit.
[Today's guest blogger is Michelle Bernier-Toth, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.]
One of the primary missions of the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State is to protect the lives and interests of American citizens overseas. So, for April Fools’ Day, I’m reaching out to educate U.S. citizens about common international scams that fool hundreds of people out of thousands of dollars every year. In fact, one third of our callers report losses of over $10,000.
Romance scams make up nearly 80 percent of the incidents we see. Victims report that they meet scammers in chat rooms and on well-known dating websites. Scammers also can be found on special-interest sites for Christian singles, widows, and singles with disabilities. Not even the most reputable sites are guaranteed to be scam-proof. The U.S. Embassy in London created this video to help people spot and avoid romance scams.
We also see scams that involve alleged business ventures or bank holdings. The FBI regularly publishes alerts about new e-scams on its website.
In addition, citizens have reported fraudulent websites directing them to pay their passport fees online. To avoid these scams, follow the passport application instructions on our official State Department website.
Similarly, non-U.S. citizens sometimes fall victim to scams when they trust unofficial websites, e-mails or print advertisements with fraudulent information about the visa application process. Read our Fraud Warning for more information.
“Nobody likes a complainer,” the old saying goes. But to savvy businesses, customer complaints can be a valuable source of information on how to improve products and performance. That’s why people who take the time to say what’s on their mind may be one of the best resources a company can have.
According to a recent report, the Consumer Sentinel Network – a secure online law enforcement database of complaints received by the FTC and hundreds of partners across the country – logged in 1.3 million complaints in 2009. Most companies work hard to satisfy their customers, but an analysis of complaint data yields some valuable tips for businesses.
Make it easy for people to get your ear. We’ve all experienced the frustration of a customer service line that’s short on the service, but long on the line. Although phone trees and emailboxes are a fact of 21st century life, let your customers know you’re listening.
When law enforcers come to call, some companies express surprise that customers are unhappy. But the warning signs of dissatisfaction were as close as their “in” box. In addition to responding to individual concerns, watch for patterns that suggest a bigger problem.
Positive word-of-mouth buzz is one of the most effective forms of advertising money can’t buy. But the converse is true, too. Unhappy customers rarely keep complaints to themselves. Factor in the power of blogs, chatrooms, and online feedback and how you respond to complaints can make or break your company’s reputation.
Marketing experts say that in the long run, winning back a dissatisfied customer is less expensive than winning over a new one. Going that extra mile to right a wrong may earn you a customer’s loyalty for life.
How customers convey their complaints can be important, too. Here are some suggestions for expressing your concerns constructively.
Details of the deal – dates, invoice numbers, copies of relevant paperwork, etc. – can help companies track down what went wrong. If the problem persists, keep a log where you jot down who you talked to and what they told you.
Remember that old adage about catching more flies with honey than vinegar? As frustrated as you may feel, keep your cool. Maintaining a cordial – but firm – tone lets them know you mean business.
There’s strength in numbers. If you’ve been ripped off or spotted a scam, your complaint to the FTC could help put bad guys out of business. Watch this video for how to file a complaint with the FTC.
Yesterday, NeighborWorks America shared some information about what to do if you’re facing foreclosure, and how to avoid scams. This is an important issue right now, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners have been crackingdown on so-called “foreclosure rescue companies” that take advantage of homeowners in distress.
Of course, education is your first line of defense against these scammers. That’s why the FTC produced the video Real People, Real Stories (also in Spanish and on the FTC’s YouTube channel). This video features the stories of real people taking action to save their homes and encourages homeowners to get the help they need.
As the video says – if you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, avoid any company or individual that:
requires a fee in advance
guarantees to stop a foreclosure or modify a loan
advises you to stop paying your mortgage company
Free help is a phone call away. Call 1-888-995-HOPE or visit www.hopenow.com for free personalized advice from HUD-certified housing counseling agencies.
[Today's guest blogger is Marietta Rodriguez from NeighborWorks America.]
If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably heard about loan modification services—programs that allow struggling homeowners to make changes to their mortgages to lower their monthly payments. And if you’re considering one, you’re not alone. Rising adjustable mortgage rates, unemployment, and the economy will likely cause nearly four million households to face the risk of foreclosure in 2010. And for many people, a loan modification could help.
Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who see people’s economic distress as an opportunity to make a dollar. That’s why NeighborWorks America is hitting the streets with ten tips to help you avoid loan modification and foreclosure rescue scams.
Contact your lender as soon as you get concerned about paying your mortgage.
Determine your options by speaking to your lender’s loss mitigation department.
Be patient but persistent with your lender because getting a loan modification takes time.
Call the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide assistance in multiple languages.
Connect with a local HUD-approved counseling agency for free by calling 1-888-995-HOPE or visiting www.LoanScamAlert.org.
Beware of loan modification scams. Some companies and individuals are out to take advantage of homeowners seeking loan modifications.
Avoid anyone who asks for a fee prior to providing a loan modification service, including companies, individuals, and even lawyers.
Avoid anyone who guarantees to get your loan modified or stop a foreclosure. It’s an empty promise.
Avoid companies that tell you to stop paying your mortgage and pay them instead. This is a sure sign of a scam.
Report loan modification or foreclosure scams. Visit www.LoanScamAlert.org or call 1-888-995-HOPE.
[Today's guest blogger is Janet from the Federal Trade Commission]
It’s the depths of winter. It’s been overcast for weeks. The local tanning salon is advertising an all-you-can-tan deal for $30, and your teen wants to get a tan before the prom. Is it safe?
You can tell your teen the answer is a resounding no. According to the Federal Trade Commission, indoor tanning can cause melanoma and squamous cell skin cancer. In fact, the FTC recently settled charges that a major player in the indoor tanning industry misrepresented the risks of indoor tanning.
The FTC is not the only agency warning about the risks of indoor tanning. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Cancer Institute both advise that you avoid tanning beds entirely. The FDA cites a recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer finding that the use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%. What’s more, the FDA site provides a real life example of the potential consequences of indoor tanning. It features the story of a former Miss Maryland who was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 20, after years of indoor tanning. Since her diagnosis, surgeries have left her with about 25 scars. Visit the FDA site to learn more.
[Today's guest blogger is Janet from the Federal Trade Commission.]
I was surprised, recently, when a good friend told me she was going to host a drinking party for our teens. Our kids were sixteen.
“I know they’re going to drink anyway,” she said, “so I’m just going to keep the car keys. They’ll be safe.”
I had to speak up, and fast! As gently as I could, I laid out the facts: “It’s not your decision to make. Letting other teens drink in your house undermines other parents, and in many states, it violates the law.” I added, “Drunk driving isn’t the only danger associated with teen drinking, and you can’t guarantee that the kids won’t drive after they leave your house. How about offering the kids non-alcoholic choices, instead of another place to drink?”
My friend was surprised at my insistence. I recommended that she check out the FTC’s website, DontServeTeens.gov, for more information.
“It’s a good resource for information about the rates and risks of teen drinking,” I said, “and it answers a lot of common questions about underage drinking.”
What about teen drinking parties?
I was surprised, recently, when a good friend told me she was going to host a drinking party for our teens. Our kids were sixteen.
“I know they’re going to drink anyway,” she said, “so I’m just going to keep the car keys. They’ll be safe.”
I had to speak up, and fast! As gently as I could, I laid out the facts: “It’s not your decision to make. Letting other teens drink in your house undermines other parents, and in many states, it violates the law.” I added, “Drunk driving isn’t the only danger associated with teen drinking, and you can’t guarantee that the kids won’t drive after they leave your house. How about offering the kids non-alcoholic choices, instead of another place to drink?”
My friend was surprised at my insistence. I recommended that she check out the FTC’s website, DontServeTeens.gov, for more information.
“It’s a good resource for information about the rates and risks of teen drinking,” I said, “and it answers a lot of common questions about underage drinking.”
As the mom of a teenager who will be driving soon, I naturally want to make sure my son stays safe. I want him to keep his eyes on the road. I don’t want him to get distracted and accidentally hurt himself or someone else.
According to AAA, nearly 50 percent of teens admit that texting while driving is dangerous. However, Students Against Destructive Driving (SADD), along with Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, also released data that 37 percent of teens continue to send and receive text messages in their moving vehicles anyway. Even though state laws increasingly deal with texting and talking while driving (for example, by legislating the use of hands-free sets), there’s still a ways to go in educating drivers of all ages about the dangers of these habits.
And education is, indeed, a key step to reduce distracted driving. There are articles, web sites, and videos that can assist you in becoming more informed and passing this information along to your children and others in your life. Check out the Federal Communication Commission’s Distracted Driving Page to learn more and get information you can use in your community. The web site also provides links to other agencies – including the Department of Transportation – and organizations that are involved in reducing distracted driving.
Changing behavior is not easy, but it starts with each of us. As for me, I’m striving to set an example for my son by putting away my cell phone and paying closer attention to the road when I’m behind the wheel. It’s a small but critical step in making the road safer for my son and those with whom he shares it. After all, kids may not always listen to their parents; but they do watch what we do.
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