Federal Trade Commission (FTC) -What to do if your online order never arrives

Dec. 12th, '22 - 

Author: 

Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education

We’ve all been there. During the holidays you order something online and anxiously await its arrival. But then your package doesn’t come when the seller said it would. And worse, you hear nothing. Your happy anticipation is turning to anger and frustration. So now what?

If you didn’t get your stuff:

• First, contact the seller. Most businesses will work with you to resolve the problem and keep you as a customer.
• If that doesn’t work, you still didn’t get your order and the charge shows up on your credit card statement, dispute the charge.
• If you paid by debit card, contact your debit card company (often your bank or credit union). Ask if they can help you. This sample letter for disputing debit card charges can help.

Sometimes, you can head problems off by doing some research before buying from an unfamiliar online store.

• Check out the company or product. Search online for the name plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what other people say about it. And read the seller's description of the product carefully. If they offer name-brand goods at steeply discounted prices, they might be fakes.
• Pay by credit card. You’ll get protections under federal law, so you don’t have to pay for things you ordered but didn’t get.

A word on timing, as the holidays approach: online sellers have to ship when they (or their ads) say they will. (The law says so.) If they don’t ship then, they have to tell you (and give you a chance to cancel and get a full refund). If they don’t give a shipping date, they have 30 days to ship from the date of your order.

If you suspect a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

CPAM's 2022, Conference, Oct. 21st. 1st session: Michigan Office of School Safety - "What Is the Office Of School Safety and How Can It Help Make Schools Safer?"

 

MI Office of School Safetys' website

CPAM's 2022, Conference Presentation Oct. 20th, 3rd session: West Michigan Glass Coating ~ "Glass: Building's Most Vulnerable Point of Access"

 

Presenter: Joe Bockheim, West MI Glass Coating 

West Michigan Glass Coatings website

CPAM's 2022, Conference session #2, Oct. 20th, '22, Ring- Neighbors App

Ring Neighbors App

CPAM's 2022, Conference presentation session #3: MSP Understanding Social Media and The Impact of Technology

 

Presenters: Craig Baumgartner & Carly Pitrago

MSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

CPAM Conference presenters: " 2 The Rescue Life Saving Training ~ Zero to 60: Career Survival & Emotional Wellness"

 

2 The Rescue Life Saving Training Website

CPAM Conference keynote speaker/ 1st session 10,19,22: Patrick Mead, "Fight, Flight, or...?, and The Preciousness of Others"

                                           

                                              

CPAM's Banquet Keynote Speaker

 

"Fight, Flight, or...?", There are more that two options when faced with a sudden, terrifying event. The purpose of this talk is to help us see those options and begin to plan to use them wisely so that, when the time comes, we survive the event with our lives and character intact.

"Our Safe Harbor" website

CPAM Conference 2022 "Learn, Collaboarate, Share & Connect"

The CPAM 2022, the conference was held at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City Michigan was a tremendous success! Thanks to our current CPAM Board of Directors, Conference Training Committee, and presenters.

At our opening night banquet the Annual Outstanding Achievers Award Winners were announced: 

Outstanding Corporate Award - Mr. Rob Calkins and Mr. John Boonstra

Outstanding Volunteer Award - Pastor Rick Pilicci

Special Project in the Field of Crime Prevention: Mrl Yago Williams, "Behind the Badge" YouTube series

 * Information about each recipient can be found on our CPAM social media sites.

Our presenters for the conference: 

A.) Banquet Keynote / first session presenter, Patrick Mead~ "Fight or Flight and The Preciousness of Others"

B.) "Zero to 60: Career Survival & Emotional Wellness", presenters Michael Wierenga & Terry Bykerk

C.) "Understanding Social Media and Technology and How it Affects Today's Youth", Presenters, Craig Baumgartner Digital Forensic Analyst (D.F.A.), and  D/Trp. Spl. Carly Pitrago

D.) Ring " Neighbors App", presenter Carmelita Preston, Amazon

E.) West Michigan Glass Coating Company: "Building's Most Vulnerable Point of Access", presenter  Joe Bockheim, Owner, West MI Glass Coating Company.

F.) "What is the Office of School Safety and How can it help make schools safe?" presenter, Kim Root, Office of MI School Safety

Video interviews with all of the presenters will be posted on the blog.

Did you hear about the student loan announcements? Scammers did, too

 Federal Trade Commission

By

 

K. Michelle Grajales Attorney, Division of Financial Practices  August 26, 2022

You’ve probably already heard about the new government plan that will forgive some federal student loans, once it’s up and running. Also in the news: the federal student loan payment pause has been extended to December 31, 2022. But scammers are watching the news, too, so know this: you don’t need to do anything or pay anybody to sign up for the new program — or the pause. Nobody can get you in early, help you jump the line, or guarantee eligibility. And anybody who says they can — or tries to charge you — is (1) a liar, and (2) a scammer.

Right now, the Department of Education is working hard on the details of the new plan: who’s eligible and how to apply to get your student loan debt canceled. It won’t happen overnight, and they’ll announce it widely when the program opens up for debt forgiveness. Sign up for Department of Education updates to be notified when the process has officially opened.

Meanwhile, check on your federal loan servicer: be sure you know who they are and that they have your most recent contact info. That will help you get the latest on the cancellation and pause.

Also, remember that there’s a whole separate program you might be eligible for: the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) program. If you’re eligible, you’ll get federal student loan forgiveness after you have 120 qualifying payments. And until October 31, 2022, the limited waiver offers additional credit for the time that previously didn’t count. Check out the PSLF Help Tool to learn more.

And remember: don’t pay anybody who promises you early or special access, or guaranteed eligibility. Those are scams. If you spot one, tell us at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Subscribe to the FTC’s Consumer Alerts to get updates on avoiding student loan debt relief scams. 

2022, CPAM Conference interview with CPAM President / Conference chair

CPAM board members, today I interview, Rick S, CPAM Pres., and Jeremy H., Conference coordinator for this year's conference. The post-production has been completed and the video is now available to share with our membership. 

I'll be sharing this link w/ my Director and ask if he will send it to all local PD departments in Washtenaw County. Please ask your agency Chief/ Director to share with other agencies. We are encouraging more departments to join our CPAM team of "networking".

Here is the link :

Rich Coleman, PSCC, Pittsfield Twp. DPS

CPAM, Legislative Rep.

CPAM Conference 2022, Oct. 18th - 21st, info and registration

 CPAM's 2022, conference has been finalized and information has been sent to all active members. Our website is currently being updated so information and registration we're posting on the blog. You can also use your mobile device's camera to open the "QR" code below to signup.

 

DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin Release Date: June 7, 2022

 

DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin

Release Date: June 7, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. This is the sixth NTAS Bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since January 2021 and it replaces the current Bulletin that was set to expire at 2:00 PM ET today. 

“As recent acts of violence in communities across the country have so tragically demonstrated, the nation remains in a heightened threat environment, and we expect that environment will become more dynamic in the coming months,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security remains steadfast in our commitment to provide timely information and resources to the American public and our partners across every level of government, in law enforcement, and in the private sector. This includes regular engagements with stakeholders to maintain awareness about the threat environment, trainings and online resources to help communities stay safe, increased sharing of information with law enforcement partners, and millions of dollars in grant funding opportunities for communities and organizations to enhance security and advance prevention efforts.” 

In the coming months, DHS expects the threat environment to become more dynamic as several high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence against a range of possible targets. These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, schools, racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents.

Threat actors have recently mobilized to violence due to factors such as personal grievances, reactions to current events, and adherence to violent extremist ideologies, including racially or ethnically motivated or anti-government/anti-authority violent extremism. Foreign adversaries—including terrorist organizations and nation state adversaries—also remain intent on exploiting the threat environment to promote or inspire violence, sow discord, or undermine U.S. democratic institutions. DHS continues to assess that the primary threat of mass casualty violence in the United States stems from lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances.

DHS works with partners across every level of government, in the private sector, and in local communities to keep Americans safe, including through the following resources and support:

• DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue to share timely and actionable information and intelligence with the broadest audience possible. This includes sharing information and intelligence with partners across every level of government and in the private sector. DHS conducts recurring threat briefings with private sector and state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus partners, including to inform security planning efforts. DHS remains committed to working with partners to identify and prevent all forms of terrorism and targeted violence, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep communities safe.     

• DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center released updated behavioral indicators of U.S. extremist mobilization to violence. Further, I&A’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program continues to provide tools and resources for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners on preventing terrorism and targeted violence, including online suspicious activity reporting training.  

• DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works with government and private sector partners – including owners and operators of critical infrastructure, soft target facilities, and public gathering places – to enhance security and mitigate risks posed by acts of terrorism and targeted violence through its network of Protective Security Advisors and resources addressing Active Shooters, School Safety, Bombing Prevention, and Soft Targets-Crowded Places.  

• DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) educates and trains stakeholders on how to identify indicators of radicalization to violence, where to seek help, and the resources that are available to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.  In 2021, CP3 awarded about $20 million in grants through its Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program.  

• In 2021, DHS designated for the first time domestic violent extremism as a “National Priority Area” within its Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), resulting in at least $77 million being spent on preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to related threats.    

• In 2022, DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provided over $250 million in funding to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack.   

• DHS remains focused on disinformation that threatens the security of the American people, including disinformation spread by foreign states such as Russia, China, and Iran, or other adversaries such as transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling organizations.  

• SchoolSafety.gov consolidates school safety-related resources from across the government.  Through this website, the K-12 academic community can also connect with school safety officials and develop school safety plans.  

This NTAS Bulletin will expire on November 30, 2022. This NTAS Bulletin provides the public with information about the threat landscape facing the United States, how to stay safe, and resources and tools to help prevent an individual’s radicalization to violence. The public should report any suspicious activity or threats of violence to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or a local Fusion Center.  

Read the NTAS Bulletin here. 

BBB Scam Alert: Baby formula shortage leads to potential scams By Better Business Bureau. May 12, 2022.

Shortages in the supply of baby formula are leading new moms to find other ways of finding the much-needed item - and risking themselves to potential online scams. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it is taking proactive measures to increase supply to help ease the shortage. 

According to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, online shopping scams are the riskiest. With the current supply issues on many items, including formula, scammers are watching. 

How it works 

An ad, post, or social media group posts they have baby formula available. The buyer contacts the seller via chat or direct message, showing photos of the cans available. The buyer makes a payment through a peer-to-peer platform such as PayPal (a BBB Accredited Business) or Venmo (a BBB Accredited Business), but the formula never arrives.  

Signs of a potential online purchase scam include: 

• Positive reviews on the website that have been copied from honest sites or created by scammers. Be aware, some review websites claim to be independent but are funded by scammers. Check BBB.org.
  
  
• No indication of a brick-and-mortar address or the address shows on a Google map as a parking lot, residence, or unrelated business than what is listed on the website.
  
  
• Misspellings, grammatical errors, or other descriptive language that is inconsistent with the product. 
• The seller advertises on a social media site and is communicative until the payment is made. Once the payment clears, they are unreachable.

Check out the website before making a purchase:  

• Visit  BBB.org  to check a business’s rating and BBB accreditation status. Impostors have been known to copy the BBB seal. If it is real, clicking on the seal will lead to the company’s BBB profile on BBB.org - check the domain of the URL.
  
  
• Conduct an internet search with the company name and the word “scam.” This may locate other complaints about the site.  
• Make a note of the website where the order is placed. Take a screenshot of the item ordered, in case the website disappears, or a different item is received in the mail than what was advertised.  
• Credit cards often provide more protection against fraud than other payment methods.  
• Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. 

Report suspected online shopping fraud to:  

• Better Business Bureau - file a complaint at BBB.org or report a scam at BBB.org/scamtracker. 
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 877-FTC-Help.  
• National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center - report intellectual property and counterfeiting violations to iprcenter.gov/referral/view.  
• Internet Crime Complaint enter (IC3) - file a complaint at ic3.gov/complaint.  
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - file a report at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.  
• Facebook – report ads that violate Facebooks policies by clicking the *** next to an ad to go to facebook.com/business/help.  
• Instagram - report copyright infringement or other policy violations at help.instagram.com.  
• Amazon – report suspicious activities and webpages at Amazon.com.  
• Google – report scams at Google.com.  
• PayPal - call (888) 221-1161 to speak with a live person instead of using an automated system if you receive an item that is not as advertised.  
• Credit card company - Call the phone number on the back of the credit card to report the fraud and request a refund.  

For more information

• See BBB's online shopping resource page.
• Read more tips for shopping online.
• Visit our consumer HQ

 March 22, 2022

FBI Phoenix

Brooke Brennan and Kevin Smith

FBI Tech Tuesday: World Events and Malicious Cyber Activity

PHOENIX, AZ—For this month’s Tech Tuesday, the FBI Phoenix Field Office wants to underscore the importance for private sector businesses and citizens to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for possible increases in malicious cyber activity.

The FBI, along with our federal partners, remains committed to investigating and combating any malicious cyber activity targeting the United States. The FBI has consistently disseminated public threat advisories warning about these activities conducted by Russian cyber actors. We continue to share information proactively with our private sector partners to identify targeting and prevent incidents. We encourage the public to report any suspicious cyber activity to www.ic3.gov.

Because the vast majority of the Internet’s infrastructure is in private hands, companies and the public are critical partners in disrupting cyber threats.

For the Public—Implement cybersecurity best practices including using strong passwords, multifactor authentication, patching, and updating software. We urge people to call us if they see something suspicious or experience issues and problems.

For the Private Sector—Among suggested actions for safety and security, company leaders are encouraged to ask cyber network defenders to review recent Cybersecurity Advisories (CSA) and continually review the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) alerts at https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/alerts. Know if your company has any connectivity in Russia and surrounding territories. Exercise cybersecurity incident response plans, and, if compromised, the FBI encourages reporting information promptly to the local FBI field office.

Rewards for Justice program—If anyone has information on state-sponsored Russian cyber operations targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, you are asked to contact the Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program. People may be eligible for a reward of up to $10 million, which the State Department is offering for information leading to the identification or location of any person who, while acting under the direction or control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activity against U.S. critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Contact (202) 702-7843, on WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, or send information via the Rewards for Justice secure Tor-based tips line located on the Dark Web. For more details, refer to rewardsforjustice.net.

 

AG Nessel Issues Video Outlining Potential Punishments for Making School Threats

Agency: Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746
Public inquiries: 517-335-7622

January 4, 2022

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a new video today that highlights the seriousness of making threats against schools. The Michigan Department of Education will be sharing the video with districts for additional awareness and distribution. 

"In recent weeks, threats of violence have been reported at schools across Michigan," Nessel says in the video. "Local law enforcement agencies have reported threats on social media that number in the hundreds within their own communities. As a result, kids in our state have missed valuable days of instruction as school administrators are forced to close buildings to keep kids safe. Whether these are real threats made by that intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences." 

In the video, Nessel explains the potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence, which include: 

• communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony; 
• calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony; 
• malicious use of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor; and 
• threatening violence against school employees or students, a one-year misdemeanor. 

"Threatening the lives of students and staff, whether with intent to harm or simply to disrupt, is an outrage, particularly in the wake of the tragedy in Oxford," State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice said. "Our students and staff should feel safe in our schools, and anyone that threatens that safety should be subject to swift and significant consequences." 

The video can be viewed on the Department of Attorney General's YouTube page. 

MI AG's YouTube channel

If you receive a threat or know of a threat of violence against your community, please contact your local law enforcement.  

You can also leave a tip with the state's OK2SAY hotline by calling 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). The hotline operates 24/7 and protects the confidentiality of the reporter's identity. 

OK2SAY, which is housed within the Michigan State Police, provides for confidential reports of potential self-harm, harm to others, or criminal acts including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, assault, or rape, directed at students, school employees, or schools in this state.  

###

Inspector General for the Social Security Administration "Newest Imposter Scam Tactic"

  

Inspector General Warns of Newest Imposter Scam Tactic

December 13, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gail S. Ennis, the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (SSA), is advising the public about the latest development involving Social Security-related scams that use fraudulent SSA letterhead to feign legitimacy and gain trust to target individuals for money or personal information.

Scammers are using U.S. mail delivery to send fraudulent letters, advising the recipient to call a toll-free number to activate an increase in SSA benefits, such as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The letters appear to be from an SSA official and are designed to look like real SSA letterhead; however, they are not from SSA.

Inspector General Ennis is reminding the public that the COLA is automatic for all SSA beneficiaries and does not require activation. Beneficiaries can view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

Inspector General Ennis previously warned about scammers using the real names of SSA and OIG officials—many of which are publicly available on the Internet. Common tactics include scammers citing “badge numbers” of law enforcement officers, sending emails with attachments containing real personal information about a fake “investigation,” or phishing for personal information by texting links to click on and “learn more” about a Social Security-related problem.

Recognizing the signs of a scam can help you avoid falling victim to one. It’s a scam if someone:

• Threatens to suspend your Social Security number
• Warns of arrest or legal action
• Demands immediate payment
• Requires payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, Internet currency, or by mailing cash
• Pressures you for personal information (date of birth, SSN or bank account number)
• Requests secrecy
• Threatens to seize your bank account
• Promises to increase your Social Security benefit
• Tries to gain your trust by providing fake “documentation” or false “evidence”
• Makes demands and threats, or requests immediate action.

“Social Security will never threaten, scare, or pressure you to take immediate action,” Inspector General Ennis said. “If you receive a suspicious call, text message, email, or letter hang up immediately or ignore the message. Visit ssa.gov and contact SSA directly if you have an ongoing business to resolve.”

Inspector General Ennis also advises that if you owe money to Social Security, SSA will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. SSA will also send a letter to notify beneficiaries about the COLA; however, it is automatic and does not require activation.

Visit our website https://oig.ssa.gov to report Social Security-related scams. Our scam awareness page provides more information about scams and past alerts. Follow SSA OIG on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information. Please share this information with your friends and family to help protect them from Social Security-related scams.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected Social Security fraud to the OIG at https://oig.ssa.gov.