It is March in the greater Palm Springs community and we are in the middle of our season. With that comes an influx of visitors and some of them are not people you want to know. They are here to Steal IDs and Pull Scams. I have listed below some of the situations for which you want to be aware.
1. Hotel:
You would normally arrive at your hotel/motel and check in at the front desk. You usually give the front desk your credit card for incidental room charges during your stay. When you get to your room you settle in.
The SCAM is when someone calls the front desk and asks for (example) Room 620 – which happens to be your room. When the phone rings in your room you answer it and the person on the other end says ‘This is the front desk. We came across a problem with your credit card information when you checked into the hotel/motel. Would you please provide me with your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers on the reverse side of your card.’
Thinking this is the front desk, you might give the caller your information. But actually, this is a scam where someone calls from outside the hotel/motel and asks for a random room number. They then ask you for your credit card and home address information. You provide the requested information because it sounds so professional and you think you are talking to the front desk.
If this happens to you, please tell the caller that you will be right down to the front desk to clear up any problems. When you get to the front desk ask if there was a problem. If there was none, advise the hotel manager that someone called to Scam you out of your credit card information by acting as a front desk employee.
ANYONE traveling should be aware of this SCAM!
OR if you are a CROOK, you could make a bundle of money by doing this ~ your choice
2. JURY DUTY:
Here is another 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. PHONE OFFERS:
If it sounds too good to be true……it is a scam. Don’t fall for the alleged relative/friend who emails you saying he/she has just their wallet stolen in Europe and is contacting you for money to get back to the US. Anyone can set up a phony email account to contact you and pretend to be a friend or relative IN NEED.
4. CHECKS:
Never put your complete credit card account number on your check when paying a bill. You are better off using your work address and work number on your checks.
5. CREDIT CARDS:
I Always write on the back of my credit card “ASK FOR ID”. Always make copies of the front and back of all your credit cards so you will have that information if they are lost or stolen.
6. LUGGAGE:
Remove old airline tags from your bags and never list your home address on your luggage. That info makes it too easy for someone to know you are not home and then can burglarize your home.
7. ID THEFT:
If you think you are the victim of an ID Theft then cancel your credit cards ASAP. You should place a fraud alert on the cards and call the police to make a report. In addition Report Lost or stolen checks asap so your bank can block any payment on them
8. REPORT POTENTIAL ID THEFT to:
Equifax 1-800 525 6285; fraud alert 888 766 0008; order credit report 800 685 1111
Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888 397 3742 to place fraud alert; order credit rpt 888 397 3742
Trans Union 1-800 680 7289 for Fraud alert: order credit report 800 888 4213
Social Security Administration (fraud line) 1-800 269 0271.
You can obtain a free credit report by going to: www.annualcreditreport.com: 877 322 8228
9. Credit reporting agencies must stop reporting allegedly fraudulent account info when a consumer establishes that he or she has been the Victim of an ID theft.
Creditors or businesses must provide copies of business records or fraudulent accounts or transactions related to them. This info can assist the victims in proving that they are in fact victims.
Consumers will be allowed to report accounts affected by ID theft directly to creditors in addition to credit reporting agencies to prevent the spread of erroneous info
10. Notify your banker of any suspicious phones inquiries such as asking for account info to verify a statement or award a prize, and closely guard your Bank ATM; PIN and ATM receipts
11. Shred any financial solicitations and bank statements before disposing of them
12. Put outgoing mail into a secure and official postal service collection box. If regular bills fail to reach you call the company to find out why.
If you have any questions contact me at 760 341 4411 or dale@gribowlaw.com.
