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Scam Alerts

Successful scams perpetrated in Sarasota County during the past few months include those listed below.  Please don’t be a victim, report any suspicious contact such as these listed immediately to local law enforcement.    Below scam descriptors are shared with the permission of the National Association of Bunco Investigators.

For information on other popular scams and cons go to www.nabihq.org  or the Federal Trade Commission's website by clicking here.

PEST CONTROL 

The perpetrators of this scam approach typically elderly victims outside their residences or in mobile home parks soliciting sales of pest products or cleaning products.  The perpetrator(s) “accidently” sprays product on the victim and insists on helping them get the “dangerous” product washed off.  When the victim removes their jewelry the perpetrator steals the jewelry and flees.

 BANK EXAMINER

The perpetrators of this type of offense specifically target senior citizens. It is designed to take several thousand dollars (normally various amounts up to $9,000) in one or multiple transactions. Following is a general description of the basic elements of the offense. Different suspects use many variations to convince the senior they are dealing with legitimate law enforcement or bank personnel.

The senior receives a telephone call by a subject posing as a law enforcement officer, bank security, or other official. They are told that there is a "problem" at their bank. The caller may claim that other accounts are involved, and others have agreed to assist. The victim is often informed that a person at their bank is dishonest and is stealing from accounts. The caller elicits the assistance of the senior and requests they withdraw money from their bank and not talk to anyone about the withdrawal. Throughout the offense the suspect reassures the senior that their account will be replenished and they will not loose any money. He may tell the senior not to take a check, and to tell the bank teller/manager that the money is being used for a relative or other cash transaction. The caller tells the senior they will be met by an officer after the withdrawal is made, either at a pre-determined location or their home. The victim is instructed to give the currency they withdrew to the officer who will take the currency for evidence.

 LOTTERY SCAMS

FOREIGN LOTTERY

  • In this scam, you receive a call, email or letter -- usually from a foreign country -- telling you about a way to select winning lottery numbers, and you need to call a toll-free number to find out more. There is no need to call that number. All the con criminal has is a winning way to take your money.

LOTTERIES

  • A person offers to sell a winning lottery ticket or a "law firm" says someone has left you a winning lottery ticket, but you must send money so a computer can verify your identity. The "winning" ticket may be counterfeit or not exist. Be suspicious, do NOT buy a ticket from an individual, and do NOT send money!

 DISTRESSED NEIGHBOR OR TRAVELER SCAM

Going door-to-door, this con artist convinces victims that   they or a neighbor has an emergency and needs money. The needed funds may be for an emergency room fee, gasoline, towing, etc.  

 SWEEPSTAKES

You've Just Won $25,000! Or a boat, or a car, or something else "valuable." So goes The pitch. But if you’re asked to pay before you get your prize, it's a scam. Often these outfits claim the money is for shipping, taxes, or something like that. But legitimate companies rarely require any payment or purchase up front.  

BAIL BOND SCAM

The victim is contacted by phone by a person claiming to be a friend of a relative of the victim or a law enforcement officer. The victim is told that the relative has been arrested for an outstanding warrant or some other minor charge, and needs money to get out of jail. The caller asks the victim for the bail money. If the victim agrees, the caller will arrange for himself or another person to pick up the money or explain how and where to forward wired funds.

MYSTERY SHOPPER SCAM

Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service.

Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they’re a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can "register" to become mystery shoppers — after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch.

Consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who:
  • Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper’s ‘help wanted’ section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it’s much more likely that they’re pitching unnecessary — and possibly bogus — mystery shopping "services."
  • Sell "certification." Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification.
  • Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.
  • Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.
  • Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.

    • For more information on Identity Theft from the Federal Trade Commission click here