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Scam Alerts

Scam Alerts

Date: September 28, 2009

Case # 09-03-06558

 

Date & Time of Incident:   September 26, 2009

Type of Incident:                Check Fraud / Check Scam

Location of Incident:         City of Bend

 

Victim Information:

1.         HH MedStar Health, Inc.

5565 Sterrett Place 5th Floor

Columbia, MD  21044

 

2.         Local Bend Resident

 

Suspect Information:

 

Brightwood Grants, CO

 

Narrative:

 

On September 28th, 2009, at about 1130 hours, the Bend Police Department received a report of fraud from a local Bend resident.  The local Bend resident received a check in the mail from a company called HH MedStar Health, Inc. in the amount of $2,979.83 on 09-26-09.  A letter was attached to the check from a company called Brightwood Grants, Co., and detailed the check was for an awarded grant totaling $40,000.

 

The Bend Police Department contacted HH MedStar Health, Inc, and determined the check was fraudulent.  Further, HH MedStar Health, Inc., has been notified of numerous other fraudulent checks across the nation.  HH MedStar Health, Inc. does not have any suspect leads at this time.

 

The Bend Police Department has attempted contact with the alleged company of Brightwood Grants, Co., without success.  It is suspected this company is fraudulent as well or their identity has also been defrauded.

 

The Bend Police Department would ask that all Bend Residents be aware of this scam.  They would ask that any similar suspicious checks or letters received would be reported to them as soon as possible.

 

Charges:      None at this time.

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FAKE IRS STIMULUS CHECKS

 

Attorney General John Kroger is warning Oregonians about fake Internal Revenue Service e-mails, which ask recipients for personal financial information to receive additional stimulus checks.  The IRS never uses e-mail to initiate contact with taxpayers, and will never ask for personal information through e-mail.  To date, the IRS reports that taxpayers have forwarded them more than 33,000 of these scam e-mails.  Taxpayers who receive unsolicited e-mails claiming to be from the IRS can forward the message to a special e-mail address: phish@irs.gov.  Included in this alert is an example of a scam IRS e-mail.

 

The most pervasive IRS scam e-mail in circulation relates to economic stimulus payments.  In reality, to receive the stimulus payment from the IRS most taxpayers had to do nothing beyond filing their federal tax return.  Criminals are posing as IRS representatives to try to trick taxpayers into revealing personal financial information to receive the stimulus money; often referred to as a "rebate" in these scam e-mails.    

 

The alleged IRS e-mails, soliciting personal financial information, are classic "phishing" scams.  Phishing is a tactic used by internet-based thieves to trick unsuspecting victims into providing personal financial information, which is then used to access the victim's accounts.  Thieves use the victim's information to liquidate financial accounts; apply for loans or credit in the victim's name; and, sell this valuable information to other thieves. 

 

Here are some tips to spot scam e-mails:

 

1.     Phishing e-mails often purport to be sent from prominent financial institutions or government agencies, but the websites associated with the e-mails do not match those of the real website.  If you suspect an e-mail to be fraudulent, do not click on the embedded website, rather, search for the company or agency independently on the internet.  Contact the company or agency through the "contact us" option link, from your independent web search.

 

2.     No financial institution or government agency will ever ask you for sensitive personal financial information via e-mail.  Nor will any financial institution or government agency ask you to verify information via e-mail.

3.     Be weary of "urgent appeals."  Neither the government, nor financial institutions, will make e-mail contact with you regarding "urgent" actions. 

4.     Phony e-mails often contain broken English and are riddled with grammatical errors.

5.     Stick to the old adage, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."  Common "too good to be true" scams include foreign lottery winnings; work-from-home scams; secret shopper; and, "high return" investment opportunities.

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Please be aware of the latest internet scam:

This is a different twist on an old scheme.  Jobs are posted on various websites seeking part-time "mail assistants" to work from home.  These "mail assistants" will provide mail forwarding services for expatriates, international travelers, and seasonal workers.

These "mail assistants" are to receive the mail at their home, scan the envelopes received, e-mail the scanned images to the company and ship the accumulated mail using prepaid labels provided by e-mail.

 

After several weeks on the job, "mail assistants" receive a message promising a big pay raise and bonus if they pass an "integrity" test.  This test involves receiving a check for $2,000 - $3,000 and sending the company a personal check for the same amount.

 

The checks look legitimate but are completely bogus.  Instead of getting paid, the "mail assistant" has to repay their bank the full amount of the check.  In addition, the scammer has access to the "mail assistant's" checking account information.

 

The Postal Inspection Service is working on shutting down this scheme.  If you have information on this or similar cases, please contact the Postal Inspection Service at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ or call 1-877-876-2455, option 3.

 

 

Please remember these tips:

 

1.  Never give out personal information over the phone or Internet unless you initiate the call.  Financial institutions, law enforcement and government will not call you and ask for social security, bank or other forms of ID numbers.


2.  If you are notified that you have won a prize and are asked to send money for administrative or other fees, don't.  You may receive a check to deposit and be asked to send the remainder to the awarding company.  Don't.  Always check the postmark on the envelope.  Compare it with the return envelope or address where you are asked to mail something.  If they are not the same, be very cautious.


3.  There are thousands of charities all competing for your money.  Select the ones you feel close to and stay with them.  If a charity calls, ask them how much of your money goes to the cause.  Legitimate charities will donate 60% or more, the rest goes for their overhead expenses.  They may try to intimidate you, play on your heart strings or be down right threatening and abrasive.  You are in control, hang up.


4.  The Internet has many traps.  Avoid using quick links as hackers use these to route you to their web site.  It may be in the guise of a bank, business or credit card company.  Always type in the web site yourself.  Predators use the Internet quite effectively.  Monitor what your child is saying on the Internet.  They can be naive about the dangers and can give out personal information about credit cards, where they live or go to school.  If the screen goes blank when you walk into the room, they spend more and more time on the computer, or their demeanor changes, those can be warning signs that all is not well.  The Internet will not protect you or your family.  It is up to you.

In short, be aware that your identity and money are prize commodities.  Their best protection is you.
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