SERVING

Those That

SERVED

Scams

Charity Scam
July 27, 2017

   

Veterans and dependents are being warned to keep an eye out for a charity scam that’s taking advantage of their generosity to give to veterans and veterans organizations.

The scam charity goes by the name “Coalition for Veterans of America.”

     

Here’s How The Scam Works

  

Hundreds of boiler room callers from the scam charity are reaching out to veterans and dependents and informing them they have been selected to assist with a small tax deductible donation that will help aid veteran homelessness and pay for veterans’ medical expenses.  The scammers go on further to inform the veteran or dependent that a nominal thank you gift will be mailed to them as soon as an accurate address in provided.  The scammers are collecting address information to sell, and taking money from veterans and dependents who believe they are helping a worthy cause.  

  

Be advised, that if you are not familiar with a charity or organization claiming to help veterans, you can verify their authenticity by visiting charitynavigator.org.  Charity Navigator has become the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

  

   

  

  

Use the following tips to avoid this charity scam:

  • First, do not feel obligated to send money or financial information over the phone.
  • Beware of charities that sound similar to others.
  • Be cautious of invitations to donate via social media; some may be legitimate, but they should be verified before you make a commitment to donate.
  • You should always ask solicitors what percentage of your donation will be given to relief efforts. By law, the solicitor must tell you if you ask.
  • Make sure to avoid wire transfers or giving gift cards as a donation method (major red flag).

      

     

Thieves After Your Cards
July 31, 2017

    

The process of stealing your information for personal gain has never been easier and cheaper to pull off then it is right now.  High-tech thieves are using much more powerful versions of identity scanners to steal your information with relative ease.  According to Anti-Theft companies, stealing data from your credit card or any card equipped with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip is accomplished very easily by using technologically advanced devices that can be purchased online for under $100.  The crooks use the devices to steal your credit card information right through the air, with incredible ease and without you ever knowing it. 

    

Over 150 million Americans are currently at serious risk.  Unfortunately, millions have already felt the strain of being ripped off from scammers using one of these new devices.  Authorities believe millions more will be affected in the future.  It’s not a matter of “if,” but “when” you will be ripped off by these technologically advanced robbers.

  

Without requiring a physical swipe, the device can collect account numbers, expiration dates, security codes, social security numbers, credit card numbers and other information from cards that contain RFID chips.

   

Electronic pick-pocketing, or “crowd hacking” as it is referred to has been linked to millions of Americans being ripped off.  If you have a "chipped" credit card, the chip can be scanned at stores, restaurants, sporting events, the airport, or as you sit in your automobile at a traffic light.  The new scanners can reach outwards 25 – 30 feet to grab your information from cards containing RFID technology.

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

    

    

   

So far, it appears as though the criminals are targeting RFID credit/debit cards, military CAC cards, military ID cards, VA medical cards, access cards to buildings, school ID cards, U.S. passports issued after 2006 and Enhanced Driver's Licenses.

There are currently an estimated 250 million chipped RFID cards in use in the U.S.

    

What to Do to Protect Yourself

    

The BBB suggests cutting two pieces of cardboard the size of a credit card and wrap each with aluminum foil.  Then place the chip-containing card between the foil-wrapped pieces to block data transmission from the scanners.  Some people are finding success in purchasing wallets containing aluminum linings that block scanner transmissions. 

   

Also, there is a product you can purchase called Wallet Bunny that goes in your wallet and defends against electronic theft by making a whining noise if you are attacked and it lights up to inform you if you are ever targeted by criminals.