The Non-Technical Guide To Finding An Email IP Address

James Bigglesworth (CyberCrimeOps.COM)
January 30, 2010

Being an anti-fraud activist for a number of years, and frequenting many different types of anti-fraud communities, I have heard many questions (and answers) about locating IP Addresses from an email. This article is for non-technical explanations into how to find it, and then how to figure out what it means.

MEET THE IP ADDRESS

Before we get started, let us look briefly at what an IP Address actually is.

Simply put, an IP (Internet Protocol) Address is a series of numbers assigned to a device that is part of a computer network. The IP Address can be thought of in the same light as a street address, giving a unique reference to a geographical location.

The IP Address is a set of 4 numbers separated by periods like this; nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn. Each number will be between 0 and 255 like this; 192.168.0.1.

When you connect to the internet, your ISP gives you an IP Address, and it stays with you as you surf the world-wide-web. You may get a different one from your ISP the next time you connect, or you may get the same one. When you send an email, each machine between you and the recipient makes their mark in the email header. These marks give a roadmap of how the email has travelled through the internet.

WHY IS AN IP ADDRESS IMPORTANT?

As mentioned above, an IP Address gives unique geographical pointers, and in the case of email communications can show you where an email actually came from, and the route travelled before it gets to your inbox.

This information can be vital in figuring out whether someone talking to you via email is being truthful about their location or not. For example; if someone you are about to purchase something from says they are in the UK, but their IP Address says Nigeria, then clearly you may be on the verge of being defrauded.

CAN EMAIL IP ADDRESSES BE MANIPULATED?

In short, yes. There are a few ways that an IP Address can be altered when sending an email. Spammers for example, use an Email Relay systems to obfuscate their originating location. So instead of an email really being sent from Russia, it may appear to come from the United States of America. Typically this kind of email is sent in bulk via specialised email software designed just for this task.

Other techniques are to send emails using scripts on a website, probably one that has been hacked into. These may only give the starting IP Address which relates to the machine on which the script was hosted.

Another technique is to use a webmail account that either does not give out the originating IP Address, or the webmail account is logged into whilst using a piggyback machine (Internet Proxy) to hide the real location.

HOW DO I FIND THE EMAIL IP ADDRESS

Locating the IP Address requires that you look at the header information embedded into the email itself. How you get to that information will depend on what you use to read your emails.

Rather than reinvent a wheel, I have chosen to incorporate information already published elsewhere. SpamCop.NET (anti-spam organisation) carry a large list of information regarding the revealing of email header information. The page is part of the SpamCop.NET FAQ [link] and covers many of the more popular software applications and webmail providers.

READING THE EMAIL HEADER

The email header contains a great deal of information, and for our purposes most of this is useless. Due to the possible wealth of information it is very easy (and common) for people to get completely confused.

First obstacle is realise that you must read the header from bottom to top and not top to bottom! This common mistake could mean the difference between identifying someone in Africa, or saying they are in Sunnyvale California and work for Yahoo!

As you read up the header, look for the first IP Address. You may be lucky as the header may have a special field called X-Originating-IP (or similar). If not, keep reading until you spot something, then look this number up using a WHOIS service (see below).

LOOKING UP AN EMAIL IP ADDRESS

As mentioned above, we need to use a WHOIS lookup service once we have located an IP Address. There are literally many hundreds of these on the internet that can be used.

I will recommend only two, as I use both of these myself. The first is called Domain Tools [link] and is my personal favourite. The other is called DNS Stuff [link]. DNS Stuff contains a lot more geeky tools, but look for the "WHOIS/IPWHOIS Lookup" and enter the IP Address.

The information you get back may give you the information your seek, such as the company & country that is allocated to that IP Address.

Some things to think about when getting results you don't understand. Some foreign countries, especially Africa, use satellite connections to get onto the internet. This means that the IP Address will relate to the first landfall that is made from the satellite. This could be in any number of countries, such as UK, Canada, USA, Israel, or others.

It takes more investigation at that point as you then have to visit the corporate website and try and find their coverage map, if they publish it. This will indicate what satellite services they utilise, and what areas of the world it covers.

IS THE ORIGINAL IP ADDRESS ALWAYS IN THE HEADER?

Unfortunately no. Some email services do not log the original IP Address in the header. Typically this would be done from a WebMail provider. Three of the best known IP hiders are GMail, FastMail and HushMail.

GMail and FastMail allow their users to send emails directly from their email application of their computer, instead of using the webmail interface. This mechanism does not hide the original IP Address, so it is always worth having a look at the header, just in case.

ITS TOO COMPLICATED, IS THERE AN EASIER WAY?

Fortunately there are people out there who like to help, by providing tools we can use for free. If you find reading an email header too confusing or complicated then try copying and pasting the whole header into the following web-page; http://headertool.apelord.com/. I have no idea who owns it, but it has been around for many years.

This very useful tool will read the header for you and display all those it finds, along with a probable country of origin. The email header will be displayed to you again, but all IP Addresses will be highlighted so you can see where they all are. This can be very useful if you are learning to read the header yourself.

The ApeLord tool will also have links to DNSStuff, to enable you to look at details in closer detail.

Further Reading

• Wikipedia - IP Address [link] | Private IP Address [link]
• Wikipedia - Email Relay [link]
• Wikipedia - Internet Proxy [link]
• SpamCop.NET - Reveal the full, unmodified email. [link]
• Wikipedia - Email Headers [link] | E-Mail Message Header [link]
• ApeLord - Header Analysis [link]
• WHOIS Lookup - Domain Tools [link] | DNS Stuff [link]

Original article written for Shawn Mosch, co-founder of ScamVictimsUnited.COM

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Cyber - Education/Awareness

From http://calendar.bollearningconnect.com/main.php?view=event&eventid=1260215055941
You offer internet banking because it is cost effective for the bank and convenient for the customer.

And when you complete a risk assessment, you review E-SIGN rules and logon credentials and disclosures you give your customers. But have you evaluated your customer awareness program? The FFIEC authentication guidance issued several years ago tells us "Financial institutions have made, and should continue to make, efforts to educate their customers. Because customer awareness is a key defense against fraud and identity theft, financial institutions should evaluate their consumer education efforts to determine if additional steps are necessary." It goes on to say that management should both implement a customer awareness program and evaluate its effectiveness periodically.

Banks are being sued by their customers when a loss is incurred via internet banking. While some banks look to Reg E for guidance, it isn't always there, and it won't apply when your customer isn't a consumer. Have you taught your customers how to act and react when there is a threat? In this webinar we will discuss:


What should be in your customer awareness program?

How to educate customers about phishing;

What you need to do when a phishing attack occurs;

Is mobile banking safer than using a PC?

Are customers required to practice safe surfing?

What is safe surfing?

Is multifactor authentication "required" for all customers?

What is a strong password, and how often should it be changed?

And much more.

About the speaker:

Andy Zavoina Mr. Andy Zavoina, CRCM, is a consultant with the Glia Group, best known for its involvement with BankersOnline.com.

Andy has been in finance and banking for 22 years. Over 20 years were with a holding company with two Central Texas community banks that had $534 million in assets, 89 branches spanning Texas and nearly 500 ATMs. After starting in loan workouts, Mr. Zavoina has been a consumer, commercial and real estate lender and managed those departments as well as being the banks first Webmaster. He was responsible for compliance- management, -auditing, and -training for both banks.

Andy is a past Chairman of the American Bankers Association's Compliance Executive Committee. He was the 2003 recipient of the American Bankers Association's Distinguished Service Award for his involvement and accomplishments in the field of regulatory
compliance management. He currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for the ABA's Compliance Magazine, Compliance Action magazine, is a member of the ABA's Compliance School Board and is a BankersOnline Guru. He also served on the
Texas Bankers Association's Compliance Committee.

He is a graduate of the ABA National Commercial Lending School, National Compliance and National Graduate Compliance School and is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager with the Institute of Certified Bankers. He has written numerous articles and
lectured on compliance, the use of the Internet and technology as a tool, as well as compliance in cyberspace to local, state and national associations. Internet policies and other compliance related programs are made available on his personal Web site.

Tax Preparer Scams

From http://www.doj.state.or.us/releases/2010/rel012510.shtml

Paying taxes can be painful, but falling victim to a fraudulent tax preparer is worse. Every year, scammers prey on unsuspecting Oregon taxpayers, stealing their refunds and leaving them with significant tax liabilities. The scammers also inflate expenses and claim false deductions and unallowable credits. As tax season approaches, Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is urging taxpayers to watch out for fraudulent tax preparers. Oregon taxpayers can protect themselves by verifying that their tax preparers are licensed with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners: www.oregon.gov/otpb. Never give out personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account or mortgage receipt to a tax preparer unless you have determined they are licensed.

Oregon is the only state that regulates tax professionals through competency and ethics standards. Anyone who prepares personal income tax returns for compensation in Oregon must be licensed by the Board of Tax Practitioners.

Last year, the Oregon Department of Justice and the Board of Tax Practitioners teamed up to stop an unlicensed tax preparer who violated the law 534 times.

Attorney General Kroger and the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners offer the following tips when choosing an income-tax preparer:

Check to ensure the preparer is licensed at: http://www.oregon.gov/cgi-bin/tax.cgi
Be wary of tax preparers who claim they can obtain larger than normal refunds than others
Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund
Tax evasion is a federal felony, punishable by five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a tax preparer scam, contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners at 503-378-4034.

'Helpless in Scotland' scam hits isle woman and friends - Hawaii News - Starbulletin.com

The story in the article 'Helpless in Scotland' scam hits isle woman and friends - Hawaii News - Starbulletin.com shows how easy it is to become a victim of a scam.


The woman featured in the story had gotten notification that her email account would be shut down if she did not updates some information.  It was through this email that scammers were able to get her email account information and then use her email account to send messages to a number of her friends saying that she needed to borrow some money and asking them to wire the money to her.


If you ever get a message asking you to update email account information, do not do so through any links provided within the email that was sent to you.  Open a new search window and go to your email account provider site on your own and contact their customer support . . . they would know if you really need to update any information.


Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Support Scam Victims United by shopping at
http://shopittous.blogspot.com/

Identity Theft Protection

We recently had a family member who suspected that they could be a potential ID Theft victim. After some credit report checks and talking with a few experts, we believe that all is under control. I just want to take this time to suggest that everyone check their credit reports and learn more about ID Theft and how to protect yourself. One great way is through companies like LifeLock.




LifeLock

Scam mentioned on popular television

Does anyone watch the show Medium, about Allison DuBois who works for the DA's office and can see and hear people who have died and can pick up on things? Allison DuBois is a real person, and her gift has helped to solve many cases.

On the show this week her daughter Bridgette who also has this gift, runs into a man in the library using the computer every day. He is dressed as an African prince, or at least that is the way that he appears to the girl. She sees the name that he uses on an email account, and when her older sister is later complaining about the spam emails and mentions the same name Bridgette tells the family that she knows this guy and that he comes to the library all of the time. They family tried to tell Bridgette that it is a scam, and that he is just pretending to be a Prince with a lot of money and that in his emails he asks you to give him some money to help him get his money out of the bank that it is in.

(sorry . . . you have to watch the short ad in order to see the clip)



So, the next day Bridgette sees this guy at the library again and gives him all of the money she has (about $30 I think . . . remember, this is a girl in grade school) and she says he can take it to help him get his money and then he just has to pay her back when he does get her money.



The man later returns to the library to give Bridgette her money back saying that he cannot take money from a little girl, and that he had only been doing this type of thing for a few weeks. Don't we all wish that THIS part happened in real life!

I do think it is great that they are getting the word about the Nigerian scams out into the popular television shows. This one episode could have helped to educate a lot of people that this is a scam.

http://www.tv.com/medium/dear-dad-.../episode/1317709/summary.html?tag=ep_guide;summary

Counterfeit Check Scams

From the Internet Crime Complaint Center

The FBI continues to receive reports of counterfeit check scheme targeting U.S. law firms. As previously reported, scammers send e-mails to lawyers, claiming to be overseas and seeking legal representation to collect delinquent payments from third parties in the U.S. The law firm receives a retainer agreement, invoices reflecting the amount owed, and a check payable to the law firm. The firm is instructed to extract the retainer fee, including any other fees associated with the transaction, and wire the remaining funds to banks in Korea, China, Ireland, or Canada. By the time the check is determined to be counterfeit, the funds have already been wired overseas.

In a new twist, the fraudulent client seeking legal representation is an ex-wife "on assignment" in an Asian country, and she claims to be pursuing a collection of divorce settlement monies from her ex-husband in the U.S. The law firm agrees to represent the ex-wife, sends an e-mail to the ex-husband, and receives a "certified" check for the settlement via delivery service. The ex-wife instructs the firm to wire the funds, less the retainer fee, to an overseas bank account. When the scam is executed successfully, the law firm wires the money before discovering the check is counterfeit.

All Internet users need to be cautious when they receive unsolicited e-mails. Law firms are advised to conduct as much due diligence as possible before engaging in transactions with parties who are handling their business solely via e-mail, particularly those parties claiming to reside overseas.

Please view an additional public service announcement posted to the IC3 web site regarding a similar Asian extortion scheme located at the following link, http://www.ic3.gov/media/2009/090610.aspx. Individuals who receive information pertaining to counterfeit check schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

The Fight for the CFPA Continues

From the Consumer Law & Policy Blog

The Times reports that President Obama met with Senator Dodd yesterday to push for the CFPA. Over the weekend, Times columnist Gretchen Morgenson wrote a piece, Credit Cards and Reluctant Regulators, about how credit card companies are doing an end run around the Credit CARD Act restraints and how it falls to the OCC, rather than a CFPA to protect consumers. The entire column is worth a read, but here's an excerpt:

[S]uch attempts by card issuers [should] be met with an aggressive regulatory response.

That, however, would be a lot to ask, given that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is tasked with enforcing the new rules at most card issuers. This institution not only failed in its oversight of risky practices at Citigroup, to cite just one case — it more recently objected to one of the sound credit card rules the Fed is putting into effect.

“The O.C.C. to the end fought the rules and tried to get huge exceptions, carrying water again for the large banks they were regulating,” said Travis B. Plunkett, legislative director for the Consumer Federation of America. “Now they have to enforce this law that they disagreed with.”

* * *

For years, consumer protection has been of little interest to the major financial regulatory agencies, with the exception of the F.D.I.C.

THERE is no reason to believe that this mind-set will change, given that the same folks who failed to rein in abusive practices years ago are still in place at these shops. And it is just plain boneheaded to entrust consumer protection to agencies run by people who seem to care more about the interests of the financial institutions they regulate.

Opponents of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, which is part of the financial reform working its way through Congress, say that such a thing smacks of “the nanny state.” But isn’t that preferable to “the pirate state” that brought this economy to its knees?

MYSTERY/SECRET SHOPPER SCHEMES

From http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm

01/20/10—The IC3 has been alerted to an increase in employment schemes pertaining to mystery/secret shopper positions. Many retail and service corporations hire evaluators to perform secret or random checks on themselves or their competitors, and fraudsters are capitalizing on this employment opportunity.

Victims have reported to the IC3 they were contacted via e-mail and U.S. mail to apply to be a mystery shopper. Applicants are asked to send a resume and are purportedly subject to an extensive background check before being accepted as a mystery shopper. The employees are sent a check with instructions to shop at a specified retailer for a specific length of time and spend a specific amount on merchandise from the store. The employees receive instructions to take note of the store's environment, color, payment procedures, gift items, and shopping/carrier bags and report back to the employer. The second evaluation is the ease and accuracy of wiring money from the retail location. The money to be wired is also included in the check sent to the employee. The remaining balance is the employee's payment for the completion of the assignment. After merchandise is purchased and money is wired, the employees are advised by the bank the check cashed was counterfeit, and they are responsible for the money lost in addition to bank fees incurred.

In other versions of the scheme, applicants are requested to provide bank account information to have money directly deposited into their accounts. The fraudster then has acquired access to these victims' accounts and can withdraw money, which makes the applicant a victim of identity theft.

Tips

Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of employment schemes associated with mystery/secret shopping:

Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Virus scan all attachments, if possible.
Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
Always compare the link in the e-mail to the link you are actually directed to and determine if they match and will lead you to a legitimate site.
There are legitimate mystery/secret shopper programs available. Research the legitimacy on companies hiring mystery shoppers. Legitimate companies will not charge an application fee and will accept applications online.
No legitimate mystery/secret shopper program will send payment in advance and ask the employee to send a portion of it back.
Individuals who believe they have information pertaining to mystery/secret shopper schemes are encouraged to file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.

More CFPA info

From http://www.uspirg.org/consumer-blog/consumer-blog/fight-to-save-the-cfpa-heats-up#1uziu6ds9Km3gdB8dzt3Ug

As newspapers continue to falsely report that the Consumer Financial Protection Agency is dead on arrival in the Senate, supporters of the agency are stepping up efforts to urge Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) of the Senate Banking Committee not to knuckle under to the bank lobbyists, who surely do want it dead. CFPA god-mother Elizabeth Warren issued a statement to supporters. [CLICK READ MORE for all links] Americans for Financial Reform issued a news release. Ralph Nader, a Connecticut native, sent Senator Dodd a strong letter supporting CFPA. Center for Responsible Lending made a video explaining why we need a consumer watchdog. Center for Media and Democracy and Banksterusa.org made a cute video urging Senator Dodd to dance with Main Street, not Wall Street. After you watch the video, sign the petition for strong reform and a strong CFPA.

From http://pubcit.typepad.com/clpblog/2010/01/consumer-financial-protection-agency-proposal-said-to-be-in-trouble-in-senate.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ConsumerLawPolicyBlog+%28Consumer+Law+%26+Policy+Blog%29

Consumer Financial Protection Agency Proposal Said to be in Trouble in Senate
by Jeff Sovern

The Wall Street Journal story is here. Senator Dodd is said to be willing to settle for a beefed-up consumer protection agency within another federal agency, perhaps the Treasury. Of course, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is such an agency, and it has been more of a hindrance to consumer protection than a help. Settling for such a half-step--and maybe it's not even that--would be a huge disappointment. The Huffington Post has Elizabeth Warren's take on this proposal and Reuters has this story on her reaction.

National Center for Disaster Fraud to Coordinate Haitian Fraud Complaints

The FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) have established a telephone hotline to report suspected Haitian earthquake relief fraud. The number is (866) 720-5721. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also e-mail information directly to disaster@leo.gov.

The National Center for Disaster Fraud was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to Haitian relief fraud.

The FBI continues to remind the public to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of Haitian victims. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the legitimacy of non-profit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group's existence and its non-profit status.

Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

Do not be pressured into making contributions, as reputable charities do not use such tactics.

Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card, or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud from someone or an organization soliciting relief on behalf Haitian earthquake victims, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. You can also fax information to fax (225) 334-4707 or e-mail it to disaster@leo.gov. Anyone who has received an e-mail soliciting donations or is aware of fraudulent charity websites claiming to be collecting for Haitian victims, please notify the IC3 via www.ic3.gov.

Consumer Action

Tell Congress not to cave on consumer protection . . . have your voice heard!

Consumer Action

National Center for Disaster Fraud to Coordinate Haitian Fraud Complaints

The FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) have established a telephone hotline to report suspected Haitian earthquake relief fraud. The number is (866) 720-5721. The phone line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also e-mail information directly to disaster@leo.gov.

The National Center for Disaster Fraud was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to Haitian relief fraud.

The FBI continues to remind the public to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of Haitian victims. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.

Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, including the following:

Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including clicking links contained within those messages.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.

Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the legitimacy of non-profit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources that may assist in confirming the group’s existence and its non-profit status.

Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.

Do not be pressured into making contributions, as reputable charities do not use such tactics.

Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by debit or credit card, or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud from a person or an organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of Haitian earthquake victims, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721. You can also fax information to (225) 334-4707 or e-mail it to disaster@leo.gov.

You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov.

What A Nigerian Facebook Scam Looks Like

What A Nigerian Facebook Scam Looks Like

Posted using ShareThis

Consumer Cause of Action

Another great group that I had the pleasure to meet while I was at the Consumer Expo in Florida was Consumer Cause of Action.

Consumer Cause of Action assists consumers against abusive lenders.

When you know your rights, you have options.

There are specific laws and statues that lenders must follow when underwriting and funding a loan. Many loan documents contain a variety of violations with TILA (Truth In Lending Act), and in some cases predatory lending and possible fraud and misrepresentation. In some cases if a homeowner is simply overcharged by only #45 or if the annual percentage rate is only 0.125% higher than what was originally disclosed, there may be a TILA violation.

Our service is very specialized and vital in identifying federal and state regulatory violations. Have one of our qualified forensic loan auditors review your loan documents and determine if your lender has complied with all of the federal and state statutes.

Facing Foreclosure? You have options:

Loan Modification
Litigation
Short Sale
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Americans for Fairness in Lending

Americans for Fairness in Lending (AFFIL) and Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) are partnering to reform the nation’s lending industry and financial system to protect Americans’ neighborhoods, homes and pocketbooks.

The work very hard to make sure that the consumer's rights are taken into consideration and that help to get the voice of the people heard. Here are some of the things that they are working on, and how you can help.

The Senate Banking Committee is expected to address its version of financial reform this month. Tell your Senators that we need a strong CFPA as part of the package! Click Here!

Move Your Money! Our friends at the Huffington Post and Americans for Financial Reform are encouraging people to move their money away from the biggest, baddest banks to smaller, community based banks and credit unions. Read all about it, and give some thought to moving your money if you bank with one of the "Big Four."

Avoid that Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)! Every year, consumers spend millions of their own dollars to get their tax returns just a few days early. If you get your taxes prepared professionally, make sure to say "no" if you are offered a rapid refund (RAL). It's really a loan with an extremely high interest rate -- like 1300%! Sit tight and wait a few days for your full refund. (Can't wait even a few days? Visit the Consumer Federation of America for tips finding affordable short-term loans.)

Information on the Credit CARD Act

This information can be found at the Consumer Law & Policy Blog

The Fed has announced new amendments to Regulation Z to implement the provisions of the Credit CARD Act that go into effect next month. The Fed is still working on amendments to implement the Credit CARD Act measures that take effect in August. Here's an excerpt from the Fed's press release summarizing the effect of the new amendments

Among other things, the rule will:

Protect consumers from unexpected increases in credit card interest rates by generally prohibiting increases in a rate during the first year after an account is opened and increases in a rate that applies to an existing credit card balance.

Prohibit creditors from issuing a credit card to a consumer who is younger than the age of 21 unless the consumer has the ability to make the required payments or obtains the signature of a parent or other cosigner with the ability to do so.

Require creditors to obtain a consumer's consent before charging fees for transactions that exceed the credit limit.

Limit the high fees associated with subprime credit cards.

Ban creditors from using the "two-cycle" billing method to impose interest charges.

Prohibit creditors from allocating payments in ways that maximize interest charges.

Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert

We should have seen it coming . . . with just about every major event or tragedy that happens in our world today, someone out there will come up with a scam to try and con people out of their money. The latest one is the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud. The sad part is that the victims of these scams are people who just want to do some good by helping out another person in trouble.

Here are links to some warnings that were issued today

FBI Alert
Oregon Attorney General's office
The Better Business Bureau

Always verify the charity before you make a donation. The BBB has a page where you can check out a charity. It is located at http://minnesota.app.bbb.org/search

BBB Top 10 Scams for 2010

From http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/bbb-stats-pedict-scams-january-12-2010

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The recession has thousands of people out of work, but the scam artists are hard at work. In year ahead, the Better Business Bureau says they are likely to come at you from every angle.

No one knows that better than the Bureau’s Dan Hendrickson.

“The people that are out there trying to get information dishonestly are very persistent, said Hendrickson. “And they will keep on coming at you and that’s way you always have to be on guard.”

The Better Business Bureau has looked at the past to try and predict what will happen in the future, in this case the next year. For 2010, it has put together its own Top Ten List of scams:

1. Winter Olympics Scams. This year’s Olympic Games are fairly close by in Vancouver, British Columbia. A little known fact is that U.S. citizens can buy event tickets only through www.cosport.com . Buy your tickets anywhere else, and the BBB says you risk losing your money. It also advises consumers to be aware of travel packages that don’t provide accommodations.

2. Census Scams. At its core the government Census is about counting people. For the crook it’s about counting something else. The BBB fears that under the guise of collecting data, scammers will try to trick people into giving out banking and other personal information. The Census WILL NOT contact you by email, and if a Census worker comes to your door, you have the right to ask for their credentials proving they work for the Census.

3. Green Remodeling Offers. President Obama and Congress are giving away tax credits for qualified remodeling projects that reduce energy consumption. When working with a contractor, homeowners should have a clear understanding of what makes a product or appliance green and if it benefits them. Also, check the credentials of the contractor with the Better Business Bureau or the state licensing agencies.

4. Job Scams. In this recession, scammers will try to rope people into fraudulent re-shipping schemes or offer jobs in exchange for an upfront payment.

5. Pre-Acquired Account Marketing Offers. It’s a high-brow term for a low-brow attempt to take your money. It happens when you buy something on line and you suddenly get a pop-up offering discounts to the store from which you just made a purchase. By clicking on these offers to save, customers unknowingly sign up for memberships which result in a monthly bill.

6. IRS Related Scams. These are typically by email. The message indicates it’s from the IRS asking for financial information. The IRS reminds taxpayers that it never discusses tax account information by email.

7. Wireless Security Breaches. Which business person or college student hasn’t fired up their laptop and gone online at a coffee shop? Yes, they are great places to hang out, but everything you transmit is viewable on an unsecured network.

8. Fake Online Classified Ads or Auction Sales. Think Craigslist. It’s a great site, but also a place where crooks can post fake ads to scam you out of your money. The BBB advises that if you buy from a online classified ad or auction site that you consider only making payment through third party transaction companies such as PayPal.

9. Gift Card Scams. The BBB says there are actually online sites where people can buy gift cards at reduced prices. Later they discover that the cards carry little to no value.

10. Smishing Scams. This works like Phishing on your computer, except Smishing takes place on your cell phone. It happens when a text message is sent to your phone indicating your bank or credit card accounts have been frozen and you need to call a certain number to rectify the accounts. The scammer is looking to collect your banking information. This actually happened in December of 2008 to many customers of a major Twin Cities bank.

The best advice from the Better Business Bureau is to be aware.

“We hear so many times people saying, ‘Well it sounded like such a good deal, or such a good offer, I had to do it,’” said Hendrickson. “And, you know we understand that. But the reality is if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Scammed couple gets their money back!

This one makes me so happy!

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1001/100111sanjose.htm

Feds return money to Bay Area elderly scammed by Canadian con artists Investigators warn public to be wary of callers soliciting money

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Investigators with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Monday returned $7,000 to an elderly San Jose couple victimized by Canadian con artists who told them they had won a multi-million dollar Canadian sweepstakes.

ICE and USPIS investigators handed the octogenarians a check for a portion of the funds they forwarded to a Canadian postal box over the course of the last several months. The money was ostensibly to pay the Canadian "luxury" tax on the sweepstakes winnings so they could collect the prize. Like many elderly victims targeted in this and similar telemarketing scams, the couple believed the man who called them last year claiming to be an attorney responsible for alerting them about their sweepstakes win. In response to repeated appeals, the couple mailed multiple cashiers checks and packages containing cash to various Canadian addresses.

The check given to the couple this week represented the cash found in a parcel intercepted by Canadian authorities assigned to Project COLT (Center of Operations Linked to Telemarketing), a binational effort involving numerous agencies, including ICE, USPIS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Quebec Provincial Police. The case is under ongoing investigation by Canadian authorities.

"This couple is fortunate investigators were able to recover some of the money they lost, but regrettably much of their life savings will probably never be accounted for," said Mark Wollman, special agent in charge for the ICE office of investigations in San Francisco. "While ICE and its enforcement partners are doing everything possible to stop this kind of fraud, the first line of defense is for people to be suspicious of anyone who calls and asks them to send money."

This week marks the second time in as many months ICE agents have intervened in a case involving an elderly local resident targeted by Canadian telemarketing con artists. In November, they returned $4,000 to a San Jose woman who sent that sum in cash to Canada after receiving a call from a person claiming to be her grandson. The male caller said he was in jail and needed bail money immediately. Soon after, the woman received a call from a man purporting to be her grandson's attorney who urged her to send the money without delay. Only later did the women learn that her grandson was not in jail and never had been.

"Sadly, we encounter these types of scenarios over and over again," said Joseph Adiano, inspector for the USPIS. "While it's hard to believe people fall for ploys like this, you have to remember the telemarketing con artists are incredibly persuasive and they purposely prey primarily on the elderly, who tend to be more trusting."

Authorities say the most frequent telemarketing scam involves callers posing as "customs agents" who tell victims they have won the Canadian lottery but must send a "processing fee" or "customs duty" before they can collect their winnings. The fraudulent telemarketers may also purport to be lawyers, government officials, police officers, accountants, or lottery company officials. Investigators emphasize the con artists are very believable and will persist until they bilk as much money as possible from their victims.

Initiated in 1998, the goal of Project COLT is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle telemarketing fraud operations. As part of the initiative, law enforcement officers strive to intercept funds - often cash and cashier's checks - so they can ultimately be returned to victims. Project COLT investigators also work to prevent further victimization, both through public education and the prosecution of those who commit the fraud.

Since its inception, Project COLT has resulted in the seizure and return of more than $25 million to telemarketing fraud victims in the United States and Canada. Telemarketing fraud has become one of the most pervasive forms of white-collar crime in Canada and the United States, with annual losses in both countries in the billions of dollars. These criminal organizations are heavily involved with international and violent organized crime, including the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang, and as such they represent a significant assault on the United States homeland and upon the financial security and livelihood of its citizens.

Project COLT members also have formed partnerships with Canada Border Services Agency, Canada Post Corporation, Federal Express, Purolator, United Parcel Service, DHL and other companies to assist with fund interception and return.

Before sending any money to telemarketers, ICE urges the public to contact PHONEBUSTERS, Canada's Anti-fraud Call Center at 1-888-495-8501. The staff at PHONEBUSTERS work closely with Project COLT investigators and other law enforcement agencies. More information on the initiative is also available through the PHONEBUSTERS website at http://www.phonebusters.com/.

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1001/100111sanjose.htm

Bank of America

Are you one of the millions of Americans who would love to tell the big banks what you think of their policies and procedures? Now is your chance!

Tomorrow a group from the PICO National Network will be meeting with Bank Of America executives for a face to face conversation about the problems that they have caused for so many people. They need your help . . . if you have a Bank of America story, go to http://action.seiu.org/page/s/bofameeting to submit your story. The more stories that they have, the more that they can try to hold Bank of America accountable for.

SuspectedScammers.com

I wanted to introduce you to the site http://www.suspectedscammers.com, which was started after the founders had an encounter with a Craigslist scammer. The allow you to enter the email address of the person that scammed you, and then others can come and search that database.

While we all know that the database will never be complete and totally up to date, because scammers change their email addresses faster than some people change their socks, this is another resource that people can tap into.

Remember, just because the email address of the person that you are dealing with is NOT on this site, that does not mean that they are not a scammer . . . it just means no one has reported them yet. If the situation that they want you to enter into involves a cashier's check, money order or traveler's check and wiring money then it is a scam for sure.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Support Scam Victims United by shopping at
http://shopittous.blogspot.com/

Identity Theft: How to Beat Id Theft and What Your Legal Rights are... - Denise Richardson

I was introduced via email to a remarkable man yesterday by the name of Eric Drew.  Not only has Eric had to fight against cancer, but he has also fought against Identity Theft.  It was actually while Eric was in the hospital fighting for his life that he learned that he was a victim of ID theft and would also have to fight to recover his good name.

You can read Eric's story here
Identity Theft: How to Beat Id Theft and What Your Legal Rights are... - Denise Richardson
and you can visit his website The Eric Drew Foundation.

Is there a banker in the house?

because I just got this from Banker's Online . . .

Paperless Fed - A Game Changer for Financial Institutions
Soon the Federal Reserve will be all electronic when it comes to processing checks. No longer will the Federal receive paper cash letters or send financial institutions their daily in-clearing items. The same applies to returned items. It will not be long before the Federal Reserve will make an announcement (very similar to ACH tape decision made in 1993) informing financial institutions that all check related transactions will be transmitted electronically. If your institution is unable to receive your daily files electronically, you will need to designate a processor or correspondent institution to receive your items on your behalf.

This program will address the legal, regulatory, technical and operational impacts of the Fed's elimination of all but one Check Processing Center including but not limited to:

The impact on Funds Availability and bank disclosures (with one processing center, all checks become local checks)
The impact on return items (paper and electronic)
Operational and technical impact on financial institutions that are not image capable
Forward Cash Letters
Return Cash Letters
Presentment by the Federal Reserve and Other financial institutions
Transportation Costs
Federal Reserve Processing Fees
What happens to same day settlement?
What are the processing and other considerations of Non-Cash Items (Collection Items and Foreign Checks)?
What do you do with Bonds, Coupons and Securities?
Bank Float Schedules?

http://calendar.bollearningconnect.com/main.php?view=event&eventid=1262627344036

Here is my question . . . will this help to stop more counterfeit cashier's check scams? In the past, what I have been told is that the reason that the banks do not find out that the check is counterfeit for a week or more is because the paper check still has to go through all of the normal processing channels . . . go to the correct clearing house . . . but if it is all done electronically, wouldn't that speed up that process? And if that is so, wouldn't they be able to catch that these checks are counterfeit sooner? (and if so, how much sooner?)

You will never be lonely

This is a powerful song that a daughter had written in honor of her mother, who was a scam victim. To learn more about the story behind the video go to www.thinkjessica.com

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Support Scam Victims United by shopping at
http://shopittous.blogspot.com/

Support Scam Victims United by going out to eat!

Here is an EASY way for people to support Scam Victims United . . . go out to eat!

What am I talking about? Well, if you go to
http://shopittous.blogspot.com/2010/01/eat-out-for-less.html
you will find links to a site where you can purchase discounted gift certificates for local restaurants! You can search by state or zip code, and then purchase the gift certificates and print them off and head out to dinner knowing that you have saved some money AND supported Scam Victims United. (a portion of all purchases made from the link at http://shopittous.blogspot.com/2010/01/eat-out-for-less.html goes directly to us)

We did this and were able to get $25 gift certificates for $12!

Check it out and see if your favorite restaurant is listed, but remember, to support Scam Victims United you have to use the links at http://shopittous.blogspot.com/2010/01/eat-out-for-less.html

Weight Loss Scams

It is that time of year . . . when people make New Year's Resolutions, and one popular resolution is to drop some weight. The scammers know this, and that is why there is an increase in weight loss scams this time of year. The Oregon Attorney General's office put out this information on the topic.


ATTORNEY GENERAL KROGER WARNS OF HEALTH PRODUCT SCAMS

With the season of resolutions upon us, Attorney General John Kroger warns Oregonians of weight loss scams. A common resolution for the New Year is to lead a more healthy life and lose some of the excess weight gained from holiday revelries. It is especially during this time of year that scammers exploit our desire to slim-down with phony products that claim to help you lose weight with little to no effort. Many weight loss scams suggest you can achieve “great results” without exercise or modifying your diet.

At best, fad diets and fake health products might result in short-term temporary weight loss but can be dangerous if followed over a longer period. In 2009, over 300 Oregon consumers received refunds totaling more than $180,000 from owners of the defunct diet chain LA Weight Loss Franchise Company based on a settlement reached by the Oregon Department of Justice. The lawsuit alleged that the company had no competent and reliable scientific evidence to back up health claims about their "dietary supplements," including that one normalized blood pressure

Attorney General Kroger offers the following tips to spot weight loss scams. You should proceed with caution if a product demonstrates one of the following:

Lacks scientific evidence or a demonstrated link between the product and the promoted health benefits.

Sold only through the internet, individuals, telemarketers, mail, or on television.

Claims fast weight loss without exercise or diet.

Uses terms such as “miraculous breakthrough” and “effortless.”

Promotes one particular ingredient as the central factor for success.

Demands large advance payments, or requires you enter into long-term contracts.

The Oregon Department of Justice is committed to keeping fraudulent businesses and products out of Oregon. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a health product or weight loss scam, contact the Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. Don’t let the scammers foil your New Year’s resolutions.


Online: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov.

Follow us on twitter! http://twitter.com/oregonscamalert

National Consumer Protection Week

NCPW 2010
Dollars and Sense: Rated A for All Ages


NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK: Consumer Resources for All Ages

Scam Victims United is proud to announce that it has joined a group of federal, state, and local government agencies and national consumer organizations to launch the 12th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13, 2010.

NCPW 2010 — Dollars and Sense: Rated A for All Ages — highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement.

NCPW partners are promoting free resources to help people protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, understand credit and mortgages, and steer clear of frauds and scams. In addition, NCPW partners are reaching out to kids, focusing on websites, videos and games designed for a younger audience.

To become a partner in this national campaign, visit the website at www.consumer.gov/ncpw, where you’ll find a blog that offers tips for getting involved and promoting NCPW. Check out the Outreach Toolkit for a sample press release, web buttons and banners, and flyers you can use to spread the word about NCPW.

From the FTC

The FTC will mail more than 356,000 checks — totaling approximately $14 million — to reimburse people who were victimized by a fraudulent telemarketing scheme operated by Suntasia Marketing. In a December 2008 settlement, Suntasia and its affiliates agreed to pay more than $11 million in cash to the FTC and turn over various property to be sold. According to the FTC, from 1999 to 2007, Suntasia deceptively marketed a series of memberships in buyers’ and travel clubs to nearly a million consumers nationwide. Press Release Here.

FRAUD FORUM. Proposes developing more effective ways to protect people from scams, including reaching under-served communities; improving victim assistance; training law enforcers and legal services in the use of new technologies to fight fraud; expanding the number of contributors to the Consumer Sentinel Network database; and encouraging more research on fraud victims and scammers. Press release: www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/fraud.shtm.

NEW MATERIALS FOR CONSUMERS

YOU ARE HERE. Helps kids protect their privacy, spot frauds and scams, and avoid identity theft. At the new Security Plaza at www.ftc.gov/youarehere, visitors can build a social networking page, see the unintended consequences of posting personal information, and get tips on how to keep their computers safe while they’re online. In the arcade, visitors can play Info Defender 3 and protect Earthlings from Cyclorian invaders who would steal their identities. www.ftc.gov/youarehere.

TIP OF THE MONTH – NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK (NCPW) 2010

The FTC encourages all Members to participate with other federal, state and local government agencies and consumer protection organizations in the 12th Annual NCPW, March 7-13. This coordinated consumer education campaign provides tips and resources at www.consumer.gov/ncpw to help everyone take full advantage of their consumer rights. This year’s theme -- Dollars & Sense: Rated “A” for All Ages -- highlights the importance of using good consumer sense at every stage of life – from grade school to retirement. The message of NCPW 2010: It’s never too early or too late to become a more informed and empowered consumer. The FTC and its partners are promoting free materials on protecting privacy, managing money and debt, avoiding identity theft, understanding credit and mortgages, and steering clear of frauds and scams. You can download content from www.consumer.gov/ or order free materials at http://bulkorder.ftc.gov. Grab buttons and banners to link to the NCPW site, cut and paste information into your constituent newsletters or blog posts, distribute copies of materials in your offices or use them in a town hall meeting. For more information about how you can promote NCPW in your district, contact Derick Rill at drill@ftc.gov.

Carfax

I wanted to pass on some information that I got from the Consumer Law and Policy Blog.

by Deepak Gupta

Way back in May 2007, we posted here about objections by Public Citizen and the Center for Auto Safety to a nationwide-class action settlement involving Carfax. The underlying suit alleged that Carfax deceived customers by concealing the limits of the information contained in its popular vehicle history reports. Under the proposed settlement, Carfax would get a complete release of all claims, the plaintiffs' lawyers would get fees, and consumers nationwide would get the option to receive coupons for more free Carfax reports. The case was a poster-child for a bad coupon settlement. Nevertheless, a state trial court in Ohio approved the settlement over our objections.

In September 2009, I flew out to Ohio to argue the case before the state appeals court. We had three straightforward arguments for why the settlement was defective: (1) Carfax did not even attempt notice to the vast majority of the class, (2) the trial court approved the settlement without considering information concerning the actual value of the coupons to the class (as revealed by the number of claims made) and (3) the trial court inexplicably denied a request that Carfax turn over the relevant claims information. Although the state court does not get many class actions, let alone nationwide class-action settlement objections, the judges seemed surprisingly well prepared and had pointed questions for the settling parties' lawyers.

I'm pleased to report that the Ohio Court of Appeals handed us a victory over the holidays, ruling in our favor on all three grounds. Beyond the importance of this ruling for consumers in the vehicle history context, it's significant for several reasons. Ohio has a remarkably sparse class-action-fairness jurisprudence, and we're hopeful that this case will set some minimum standards, including an individual-notice requrement as a constitutional floor for notice. In addition, the insistence on the discovery of coupon-redemption information is also quite significant in its own right. When that kind information is revealed -- for example, when people find out that far less than 1% of the class is likely to claim the coupons -- it becomes really hard to defend a bad coupon settlement.

Good coverage of our Carfax victory appeared this week in the New York Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Consumer Affairs.

In related vehicle-history-information news, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System -- a long-overdue public alternative to Carfax that was launched in response to our successful lawsuit against the Justice Department -- continues to proceed toward full implementation. Here's an update on some of the latest.

Nigerian government - or lack there of

I was reading the article at http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/nigeria-yaradua-react010410-80560327.html about the Nigerian government and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the man who attempted to bomb a plane on Christmas Day.

In the article it talks about how the Nigerian President was rushed to Saudi Arabia for treatment of heart problems over a month ago. Here are a few quotes from the article.

“Even when you have a president in place in Nigeria, he has to work 24/7 to contain the infighting and intrigues that are around. When you have no president in place, the problem is just compounded. So there’s no doubt about it, that Nigeria is under virtual no-management at this point,” . . .

“While Nigerians generally do not condone this sort of thing and will not participate in this type of thing, the President of Nigeria himself was a fundamentalist who implemented Sharia (Islamic law) in his state. So it is this type of extreme positioning that the politicians have done, whether for political reasons or elections or whatever, that has created the climate where some people will go to the fringe extreme,” . . .

there’s no real leadership coming from the Nigerian side of the divide that is addressing this issue head-on,” . . .

I would like to say that not only is no one from the Nigerian side addressing THIS issue, but no one from the Nigerian side is addressing OTHER issues that can only be controlled by the Nigerian law enforcement and government, such as the topic of scams and fraud. And who can really say that none of the money going into Nigeria from these scams and fraud is going to fund events like this bombing attempt or other future terrorist attacks. But for some reason, the Nigerian law enforcement and government turns a blind eye to this.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of ScamVictimsUnited.com
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Lottery scam site

To anyone who knows how to take down a website, I am looking for your help.

I got this email
----------------------------

LOTTERY WINNING CONGRATULATION!!!
From: MR KANE IVA


Dear Lucky Winner,

This is to inform you that your email was chosen as one of the winner of the
Southeast Asia Lottery.

For more details please visit our web site:

http://southeast2009.law.officelive.com/default.aspx

On how to redeem your prize.


South East Asia Lottery

Congratulation Once Again!!!
--------------------------------

I would like to see the website contained in this email taken down.

Shawn Mosch
Co-Founder of http://ScamVictimsUnited.com
There is strength in numbers!

Check out our blog at
http://scamvictimsunited.blogspot.com/
Find us on Twitter, Facebook and more through
http://www.retaggr.com/page/ShawnMosch

Police warn of counterfeit checks

From http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=393342

SAGINAW TOWNSHIP -- It’s the season for holiday cheer and unfortunately holiday scammers stealing money from consumers by using fake checks.

"This kind of stuff increases when people are…busy,” said Lieutenant Grauf. “They think [it's an] influx of money right before Christmas."

Saginaw Township police say scammers are finding new ways to steal your money and they're doing it through your mailbox.

Scammers send the counterfeit checks right to your home, and then ask you to send a small payment in return.

"Were talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars in counterfeit checks that are sweeping probably across the entire tri-city area," said Mr. Grauf.

He is a professional at spotting scams but says there are things you can do to detect a counterfeit.

First before you cash a check that you get in the mail, check the company's web-site to make sure it is legit.

Secondly real money grams always have a 1-800 number on the back so try calling the number if you have any doubts.

Finally talk to an expert if you have any questions. “Take it to your bank and have the bank put a 30 day hold on it,” said Grauf. “That will give the check time to clear."

It takes only a few minutes to cash in on what you may think to be free cash, but if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

"There are no free checks and if you did not play the Canadian lottery, you're certainly not going to get a check in the mail saying you've won it," Grauf said.

Police are also warning about another holiday scam.

Authorities say people are posing as mystery shopping companies and taking consumer’s money.

In the case of scams victims are always held accountable and could end up paying thousands of dollars in banks fees.

So it's important to research the company before giving any money.