FTC Hosts Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week Jan. 30th - Feb. 3rd, 2017

 

1/25/17, Webinars, Social Media Events focus on helping consumers reduce their risk.

The Federal Trade Commission will mark Tax Identity Theft Week, January 30 - February 3, with a series of events to alert consumers and businesses to ways they can minimize their risk of tax identity theft, and recover if it happens.

What is tax identity theft? It’s when a scammer files a fraudulent tax return using someone else’s Social Security number (SSN) and steals the victim’s refund. Employment-related tax identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s SSN to earn wages that are then reported as the victim’s income.

This year’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week will feature special events for consumers, tax professionals, small businesses and veterans. The FTC will join with the IRS, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the AARP Fraud Watch Network and others to discuss tax identity theft, IRS imposter scams, cybersecurity and identity theft recovery. Learn more – and join the discussion – at the following events (all times listed are Eastern):

Jan. 30, 2 p.m. The FTC, IRS, and the National Association of Tax Professionals offer a webinar for tax professionals – Tax Identity Theft: Tax Professionals on the Ramparts. Topics include scams targeting tax professionals, cybersecurity, protecting client data, and how tax professionals can help identity theft victims.

Jan. 31, 3 p.m. The FTC and the Identity Theft Resource Center invite consumers to join a Twitter chat focused on tax identity theft, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.

Feb. 1, 11 a.m. The FTC and the Department of Veterans Affairs co-host a Twitter chat about tax identity theft for service members, veterans, and their families. Learn to minimize your risk and how to recover if tax identity theft happens to you.

Feb. 1, 1 p.m. The FTC, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration discuss tax identity theft, IRS imposter scams, how to lower your risk, and what to do if you become a victim, during a webinar for veterans, their families, and those who serve them.

Feb. 1, 4 p.m. The FTC and IRS offer a free webinar for small businesses: Protecting Sensitive Business and Customer Information. Learn about tax identity theft, imposter scams targeting businesses, data breach avoidance and response, and free resources to help you protect your business, employees and customers.

Feb. 2, 2 p.m. The FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network, AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration co-host a webinar about how tax identity theft and IRS imposter scams occur, and recovery steps for victims.

In addition to these events, the FTC has created a wide array of materials to help educate people about this growing issue, all of which can be found at ftc.gov/taxidtheft. The materials are available in English and Spanish, and feature ways that people can share information about tax identity theft with their friends and families.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). 

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FTC - "Pass It On" commuity outreach program / Video

"Pass it on in your community"

January 12, 2017 by  Carol Kando-Pineda               

Counsel, Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Pass it On is the FTC’s consumer education campaign designed to encourage older adults to talk to their friends, neighbors, and relatives about scams. Because we’ve learned that sharing what you know can help protect someone who you know from a scam.
Now, we’ve got a new video that highlights how some local organizations are getting in on the act and using Pass it On materials in their communities – all in different ways. For instance, a Massachusetts agency distributes fraud prevention materials at community centers serving older consumers. A Connecticut publisher and state consumer protection office use the Pass it On tips in a community newspaper published in several languages. And a group of older actors performs skits for their peers in Southern California, giving their audience a heads-up on the latest frauds and rip-offs.

What can you do? Well, you probably know someone who could use a few tips on spotting scams. The next time you’re at your local library, church, or temple, or even visiting a relative in a nursing home, take a stack of Pass it On materials with you. You can order them online for free, in bulk, in English and Spanish.

Do you have other ideas on sharing tips in your community? Let us know your take on passing it on.

 Click the link below to see the FTC video.

FTC - Pass it on , Video

 

FTC - Understanding Mobile Apps

If you have a smart phone or other mobile device, you probably use apps – to play games, get turn-by-turn directions, access news, books, weather, and more. Easy to download and often free, mobile apps can be so much fun and so convenient that you might download them without thinking about some key considerations: how they’re paid for, what information they may gather from your device, or who gets that information.

• Mobile App Basics
• Questions About Your Privacy
• Questions About Advertising
• Malware and Security Concerns
• Mobile App User Reviews
• Kids and Mobile Apps

Mobile App Basics

What’s a mobile app?

A mobile app is a software program you can download and access directly using your phone or another mobile device, like a tablet or music player.

What do I need to download and use an app?

You need a smart phone or another mobile device with internet access. Not all apps work on all mobile devices. Once you buy a device, you’re committed to using the operating system and the type of apps that go with it. The Android, Apple, Microsoft and BlackBerry mobile operating systems have app stores online where you can look for, download, and install apps. Some online retailers also offer app stores. You’ll have to use an app store that works with your device’s operating system. To set up an account, you may have to provide a credit card number, especially if you’re going to download an app that isn’t free.

Data Plans and Wi-Fi: Two ways to access the internet from your phone
You can access the internet using a data plan tied to your phone service, or through a Wi-Fi hotspot. Phone companies generally charge a monthly fee for a data plan that can connect you to the internet.
Wi-Fi connections usually are faster, but you have to be in range of a hotspot to use one. Most public Wi-Fi hotspots – like those in coffee shops, airports, and hotels – don't encrypt the information you send over the internet and are not secure. Get tips for using public Wi-Fi.
To set up a home wireless network, you'll need to pay for internet access and a wireless router, and you’ll want to take steps to secure the network.

Why are some apps free?

Some apps are distributed for free through app stores; the developers make money in a few ways:

• Some sell advertising space within the app. The app developers can earn money from the ads, so they distribute the app for free to reach as many users as possible.
• Some apps offer their basic versions for free. Their developers hope you’ll like the app enough to upgrade to a paid version with more features.
• Some apps allow you to buy more features within the app itself. Usually, you are billed for these in-app purchases through the app store. Many devices have settings that allow you to block in-app purchases.
• Some apps are offered free to interest you in a company’s other products. These apps are a form of advertising. 

Questions About Your Privacy

What types of data can apps access?

When you sign up with an app store or download individual apps, you may be asked for permission to let them access information on your device. Some apps may be able to access:

• your phone and email contacts
• call logs
• internet data
• calendar data
• data about the device’s location
• the device’s unique IDs
• information about how you use the app itself

Some apps access only the data they need to function; others access data that’s not related to the purpose of the app.
If you’re providing information when you’re using the device, someone may be collecting it – whether it’s the app developer, the app store, an advertiser, or an ad network. And if they’re collecting your data, they may share it with other companies.

How can I tell what information an app will access or share?

It’s not always easy to know what data a specific app will access, or how it will be used. Before you download an app, consider what you know about who created it and what it does. The app stores may include information about the company that developed the app, if the developer provides it. If the developer doesn’t provide contact information – like a website or an email address – the app may be less than trustworthy.
If you’re using an Android operating system, you will have an opportunity to read the “permissions” just before you install an app. Read them. It’s useful information that tells you what information the app will access on your device. Ask yourself whether the permissions make sense given the purpose of the app; for example, there’s no reason for an e-book or “wallpaper” app to read your text messages.

Why do some apps collect location data?

Some apps use specific location data to give you maps, coupons for nearby stores, or information about who you might know nearby. Some provide location data to ad networks, which may combine it with other information in their databases to target ads based on your interests and your location.
Once an app has your permission to access your location data, it can do so until you change the settings on your phone. If you don’t want to share your location with advertising networks, you can turn off location services in your phone’s settings. But if you do that, apps won’t be able to give you information based on your location unless you enter it yourself.
Your phone uses general data about its location so your phone carrier can efficiently route calls. Even if you turn off location services in your phone’s settings, it may not be possible to completely stop it from broadcasting your location data.

Questions About Advertising

Why does the app I downloaded have ads in it? 

Developers want to provide their apps as inexpensively as possible so lots of people will use them. If they sell advertising space in the app, they can offer the app for a lower cost than if it didn’t have ads. Some developers sell space in their apps to ad networks that, in turn, sell the space to advertisers.

Why do I see the ads I do?

Advertisers believe you’re more likely to click on an ad targeted to your specific interests. So ad networks gather the information apps collect, including your location data, and may combine it with the kind of information you provide when you register for a service or buy something online. The combined information allows the mobile ad network to send you targeted ads – ads that may be relevant to someone with your preferences and in your location.

Malware and Security Concerns

Should I update my apps?

Your phone may indicate when updates are available for your apps. It’s a good idea to update the apps you’ve installed on your device and the device’s operating system when new versions are available. Updates often have security patches that protect your information and your device from the latest malware.

Could an app infect my phone with malware?

Some hackers have created apps that can infect phones and mobile devices with malware. If your phone sends email or text messages that you didn’t write, or installs apps that you didn’t download, you could be looking at signs of malware.
If you think you have malware on your device, you have a few options: you can contact customer support for the company that made your device; you can contact your mobile phone carrier for help; or you can install a security app to scan and remove apps if it detects malware. Security apps for phones are relatively new; there are only a few on the market, including some with free versions.

Mobile App User Reviews

Can I trust all the user reviews I read about an app?

Most app stores include user reviews that can help you decide whether to download. But some app developers and their marketers have posed as consumers to post positive comments about their own products. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission recently sued a company for posting fake comments about the apps it was paid to promote.

Keeping Up With Kids'
Apps Infographic

Kids and Mobile Apps

What should I know before I download an app for my kids?

In a recent survey of mobile apps for kids, FTC staff found that kids’ apps might:

• collect and share personal information
• let your kids spend real money — even if the app is free
• include ads
• link to social media

What’s more, the apps might not tell you they’re doing it.
To learn more about an app before you download it, look at screen shots, read the description, content rating and any user reviews, and do some research on the developer. You also can look up outside reviews from sources you respect.

Are there ways to restrict how my kids use apps?

Before you pass the phone or tablet to your kids,  take a look at your settings. You may be able to restrict content to what’s right for your kid’s age, set a password so apps can’t be downloaded without it, and set a password so your kids can’t buy stuff without it. You also can turn off Wi-Fi and data services or put your phone on airplane mode so it can’t connect to the internet.
The best way to keep up with kids’ apps is try them out yourself and talk to your kids about your rules for using apps.

2017, Scam Alert: Yahool Customer Service Scam

Yahoo customer service scam

January 3, 2017, by  Andrew Johnson   Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

 

Need to contact Yahoo customer care? There are a few ways to do so — but, Yahoo warns that phone is not an option. That’s right: any phone number you come across in an internet search, claiming to connect you with Yahoo customer care, is fake.

Here at the FTC, we’ve gotten reports that consumers who called these fake customer care numbers were offered “Yahoo customer care services” for a fee.
But the truth is, Yahoo customer support is always free of charge. That means you should never pay to have your Yahoo password reset, for technical support, or help with security concerns. Also,

Yahoo won’t ask to remotely connect to your computer for any support-related request.

Click the link to see the video:

FTC - Yahool customer service scam video

 

FTC Report: Government Imposter Scams

Scammers sometimes pretend to be government officials to get you to send them money. They might promise lottery winnings if you pay “taxes” or other fees, or they might threaten you with arrest or a lawsuit if you don’t pay a supposed debt. Regardless of their tactics, their goal is the same: to get you to send them money.
Don’t do it. Federal government agencies and federal employees don’t ask people to send money for prizes or unpaid loans. Nor are they permitted to ask you to wire money or add money to a prepaid debit card to pay for anything.

• How to Recognize a Government Imposter
• Five Ways to Beat a Government Imposter Scam
• Report the Scam

How to Recognize a Government Imposter

IRS Imposter Scams
Infographic

It could be hard to recognize an imposter through the lies they tell. They use a variety of tricks to get your attention, whether it’s distracting you with a story about money you won or creating a fear that you’ll be sued or arrested.
Here are two deceptions that they have used successfully to steal money from people:

You’ve "Won" a Lottery or Sweepstakes

Someone claiming to be a government official calls, telling you that you’ve won a federally supervised lottery or sweepstakes. They may say they’re from “the national consumer protection agency,” the non-existent National Sweepstakes Bureau, or even the very real Federal Trade Commission — and it looks like they’re calling from a legitimate number. They also might send e-mails, text messages or letters.
They might:

• tell you you’ll have to pay taxes or service charges before you can collect your winnings
• ask you to send money to an agent of “Lloyd’s of London” or some other well-known insurance company to “insure” delivery of your prize
• ask you to wire money right away, often to a foreign country

The truth is that no government agency or insurance company is involved, and there are no winnings. There never were. Scammers take the money you paid them and disappear.

You Owe a Fake Debt

You might get a call or an official-looking letter that has your correct name, address and Social Security number. Often, fake debt collectors say they’re with a law firm or a government agency — for example, the FTC, the IRS or a sheriff’s office. Then, they threaten to arrest you or take you to court if you don’t pay on a debt you supposedly owe.
The truth: there’s no legitimate reason for someone to ask you to wire money or load a rechargeable money card as a way to pay back a debt. If you’re unsure whether the threat is legitimate, look up the official number for the government agency, office or employee (yes, even judges) and call to get the real story. Even if it is a real debt, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Variations on these scams include people claiming to be with the IRS collecting back taxes, or scammers posing as representatives of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) who target immigration applicants and petitioners.

Five Ways to Beat a Government Imposter Scam

1. Don’t wire money

Scammers often pressure people into wiring money, or strongly suggest that people put money on a prepaid debit card and send it to them. Why? It’s like sending cash: once it’s gone, you can’t trace it or get it back. Never deposit a “winnings” check and wire money back, either. The check is a fake, no matter how good it looks, and you will owe the bank any money you withdraw. And don’t share your account information, or send a check or money order using an overnight delivery or courier service. Con artists recommend these services so they can get your money before you realize you’ve been cheated.

2. Don’t pay for a prize

If you enter and win a legitimate sweepstakes, you don’t have to pay insurance, taxes, or shipping charges to collect your prize. If you have to pay, it’s not a prize. And companies, including Lloyd’s of London, don’t insure delivery of sweepstakes winnings.
If you didn’t enter a sweepstakes or lottery, then you can’t have won. Remember that it’s illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or over the phone.

3. Don’t give the caller your financial or other personal information

Never give out or confirm financial or other sensitive information, including your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number, unless you know who you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft — charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name. If you get a call about a debt that may be legitimate — but you think the collector may not be — contact the company you owe money to about the calls.

4. Don’t trust a name or number

Con artists use official-sounding names to make you trust them. It’s illegal for any promoter to lie about an affiliation with — or an endorsement by — a government agency or any other well-known organization. No matter how convincing their story — or their stationery — they're lying. No legitimate government official will ask you to send money to collect a prize, and they won’t call to collect your debt.
To make their call seem legitimate, scammers also use internet technology to disguise their area code. So even though it may look like they’re calling from Washington, DC, they could be calling from anywhere in the world.

5. Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry

Ok, so this won’t stop scammers from calling. But it should make you skeptical of calls you get from out of the blue. Most legitimate sales people generally honor the Do Not Call list. Scammers ignore it. Putting your number on the list helps to “screen” your calls for legitimacy and reduce the number of legitimate telemarketing calls you get. Register your phone number at donotcall.gov.

Report the Scam

If you get a call from a government imposter, file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint. Be sure to include:

• date and time of the call
• name of the government agency the imposter used
• what they tell you, including the amount of money and the payment method they ask for
• phone number of the caller; although scammers may use technology to create a fake number or spoof a real one, law enforcement agents may be able to track that number to identify the caller
• any other details from the call

Curious about other imposter scams? Check out some of our previous scam alerts. And if you haven’t already, sign up to get new scam alerts by email.

FTC - Bar none: Imposter scams hit lawyers and other licensed professionals

By: Lesley Fair | Dec 28, 2016, Lesley Fair
Dec 28, 2016 Bureau of Consumer Protection –

You oversleep, spill the coffee, and get caught in a rush hour traffic jam. Then you check your messages and the day really heads south because according to the State Bar (or Board of Accountancy, Medical Society, or other group), you’re in trouble with your professional association.  Or are you?

The FTC has been warning consumers for years about government imposter scams: phone calls or email falsely claiming to be from the IRS, the local sheriff’s office, immigration authorities, or even the FTC. Sometimes the voice on the other end threatens people with arrest if they don’t wire money immediately. Or they may want personal information – credit card numbers, banking data, or the like. The modus operandi is ever-evolving, but this much is true: The messages are false.

Now the bottom feeders have turned their attention to attorneys, accountants, doctors, and others who hold state licenses or certifications. With the click of a mouse, they mock up an official-looking – but not official, of course – email telling recipients that their licenses will be suspended unless they send past-due “fees” immediately. Some insist that you wire the money by the close of business, while others demand your credit card number.

In a variation on the scheme, fraudsters claim that someone has filed a professional complaint against you. To get the details, you’re directed to click on a link, which then installs malware on your computer.

Of course, State Bars and Boards regularly communicate with members via email – and yes, we all have to pay our annual dues. But if the circumstance is so serious that a person’s professional license is on the line, the first they’ll hear about it won’t be in email like that.

What should you do if you get a message claiming your dues are overdue, a complaint has been filed against you, the sender needs your trust account number, or your license is at risk? Call the Bar or Board directly. Just don’t use a phone number in the iffy email. Use one you know to be genuine – for example, the number on your membership card. And if it turns out to be a scam, report it to the FTC and warn others in your field that con artists may have them in their sights.