WASHINGTON, DC—Con
artists are exploiting the terrorist attacks on September 11 to bilk people,
according to the National Consumers League, a nonprofit consumer advocacy
organization. NCL’s National Fraud
Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch program, a hotline for reporting
telemarketing and Internet fraud, has begun to receive information about
disaster-related scams. “These frauds are typical of the way crooks take
advantage of tragic events for their personal gain,” says Susan Grant,
director of the NFIC/IFW.
Suspected
scams reported so far:
-
A
caller falsely claiming to represent the Readers Digest sweepstakes told a
consumer that her winnings could not be delivered because the mail service
was disrupted. He asked her to wire him $2,500 in order to expedite
delivery.
-
A
man received an email asking for financial support for a group of computer
experts who were supposedly attempting to track Osama Bin Laden’s
whereabouts. The email gave a bank account number to which donations could
be deposited and the name of an individual in the country of Estonia.
-
A
voice mail message asked for help in raising $1 million for victims of the
attacks. When the consumer called the number back he reached the answering
machine for an unfamiliar telemarketing company.
-
Fraudulent
telemarketers, some pretending to be from Publishers Clearing House, have
told consumers that donations will be made to assist in national recovery
and rescue efforts if they purchase magazines or other products with their
sweepstakes entries.
Be
cautious about any solicitation that mentions the disaster.
“Give
to charities you know and trust,” says Grant. “If someone claims to be
collecting money that will go to charities, ask which ones and check with them
directly to make sure it’s true.” Consumers can confirm that charities are
properly registered by contacting their state charities regulators, which are
listed in the state government pages of their telephone books. Information
about charities is also available from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving
Alliance, 703-276-0100, www.give.org.
Beware
of disaster-related emails
NCL
warns consumers to be especially wary of emails from strangers. While many
legitimate companies, organizations, and individuals are using the Internet to
mobilize help for disaster victims and share information about the latest
developments, crooks also take advantage of this new medium to reach a wide
audience of potential victims.
Consumers
can report disaster-related telemarketing or Internet fraud to NCL by calling
800-876-7060 or via the online complaint form on www.fraud.org.
The Department of Justice has created a special
Web page to inform the public about the telemarketing and Internet schemes
that are seeking to exploit the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The National
Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer
organization. Our mission is to identify, protect, represent, and advance the
economic and social interests of consumers and workers. NCL is a private,
nonprofit membership organization.
