Posted in Consumer issues, FTC, Identity theft, Internet Dangers, Investments, Money, Money Finesse, Scams
Scammers have been using the internet to bilk consumers out of money and personal information with great success. Now the FTC has an online resource for consumers to hone their skills at identifying investment scams and research investment opportunities, promotors and references.
At OnGuardOnline consumers can read up on some ways to avoid investment scams or play an online game Invest Quest. As players move around the game board, they are asked questions related to investing online, such as deleting unsolicited requests for personal information, checking investment tips against unbiased sources, and using a security token. Correct answers have players investing wisely, and gaining life milestones: a car, home, education, and retirement. Wrong answers can place players in the unfriendly hands of hackers, identity thieves, and investment scammers.
Posted in FTC, Gambling, Internet Dangers, Money, Money Finesse, News, Scams
Scammers who ran a sweepstakes that promised $3 million in prizes but in reality delivered no prizes whatsoever, were charged in Federal Court by the Federal Trade Commission.
According to the complaint filed by the FTC in the US District Court for the District of Nevada, the fraudulent sweepstakes involved sending personalized letters to millions of consumers nationwide, advising them falsely that they had won a substantial cash prize. The letters requested that the consumers respond by sending $20 in order to receive their prize. Some other mailings stated that “unawarded money” had been “located and documented” in the name of the addressee.
However, instead of winning a prize, consumers were sent a newsletter telling them how to enter sweepstakes or requests for more money, suggesting that the consumer had won other prizes.
Defendants named in the case are:
National Prize Information Group Corp (NPIGC) and John Rincorn, individually and as an offcicer of NIPGC;
Prize Search Express;
Department of Unclaimed Awards;
United States Sweepstakes Advisory;
United States of America Patriotism Awards;
National Bureau of Prize Information;
and Lapham, Vargas and Cornell
For more information on sweepstakes scams, visit the FTC website.
