By Dale Gribow
On Sunday January 19, 2014 the Desert Sun took my lead and discussed recent Scams and ID Theft schemes during this time of the year.
They used many ideas that I have written about in the past, but for those of you that did not read my earlier legal columns on this subject or do not read the Desert Sun I have provided this summary for our readers.
In Chinese culture, 8 is a lucky number but if you fall for one of these 8 Scams you are not so lucky. Knowledge is power.
1. Grandparent Scam: Don’t fall for the alleged relative/friend who emails you saying he/she has just had a crisis in Europe and is contacting you for money to get back to the US. They beg you not to call their parents as they sob away. After you wire money they try to get more. Anyone can set up a phony email account to contact you and pretend to be a friend or relative IN NEED.
2. Jury Duty Scam: Someone calls pretending to be a court official who says a warrant has been issued for your arrest because you didn’t show up for jury duty. Sometimes they even ask you for a credit card number so they can process the cancellation. If you give out any information …your identity has just been stolen!
3. Charity Fraud: People will call claiming to be collecting money for a worthwhile charity or at least something that sounds worthwhile. A deviation of this is the sweetheart scam when someone befriends an elderly person. It could be a neighbor, aide…..or relative. They gain info on your accounts and or convince you to change your will to leave everything to them. This is a form of Elder Abuse and you should seek legal assistance.
4. Lottery or Advanced Fee Scam: They try to get you to pay for something you did not order such as a lottery winning or even an inheritance. They say you won a large prize and you have to send money to cover the costs for taxes etc.
5. Computer Virus Scam: Someone allegedly calls from Microsoft advising you that you have a virus and they can get rid of it. They have you log into a website that lets them control your computer. Then they steal your ID.
6. Time-Share Scam: As we age we do not always want to keep our time shares. Someone contacts you offering to sell your timeshare and they try to get you to pay upfront fees.
7. Medical Scam: Someone calls with medical equipment on sale. It could be a heart monitor, CPAP, or a wheelchair etc. They ask for a deposit and your personal information and Medicaid number before they send this deeply discounted item.
8. Homeowner Scam: They call you and explain they drove by your home and noticed repairs that need to be made such as roof repairs. They are soliciting home repairs you do not need.
5 INSIDER SECRETS CROOKS DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW
-Do not reply to emails requesting your banking info.
-Do not believe promises of large amounts of money for your cooperation.
-Do not provide your Medicare card info or your Social Security number.
-Do not fall for promises of fast profits.
-Do not invest with anyone without researching them and their company. As my dad use to say…”if it is too good to be true it probably is not true.”
The Day of the Super Bowl: DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI………IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME!
Dale Gribow has been “Rated” TOP LAWYER by Palm Springs Life Magazine from 2011-2014 and has a Superb AVVO Legal Rating by his fellow attorneys. Dale Gribow has been Man of the Year 7 times including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day has been declared 4 times. He is the only attorney appointed in December 2013 to the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Public Safety Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Committee addressing Drunk Driving. This group consists of the police chiefs from every city and the mayor of each city as well as the Sheriff of Riverside County and the head of the CHP and Border Patrol. In addition Gribow is the only attorney asked to be part of the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Health Matters Committee addressing Drunk Driving. Gribow is also one of the founders of Shutdown Drunk Driving formed upon the death of his client who was killed by a drunk driver while jogging recently.
If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837 7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com
Dale S. Gribow
Attorney at Law
74-923 Highway 111, #206
Indian Wells, California 92210
760-837-7500
Dale@DaleGribowLaw.com www.DaleGribowLaw.com
