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THE 10 BIGGEST INTERNET SCAMS, TRAPS AND MISTAKES CONSUMERS MAKE

THE 10 BIGGEST INTERNET SCAMS, TRAPS AND MISTAKES CONSUMERS MAKE. By: Bill Kahn renbar@earthlink.net Melissa allums mallums@sao9.org Tuesday, april 23, 2013 5:00 p.m. MODERATED BY: ALAN S. GASSMAN agassman@Gassmanpa.com A webinar by Gassman law associates, p.a. ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS.

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THE 10 BIGGEST INTERNET SCAMS, TRAPS AND MISTAKES CONSUMERS MAKE

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  1. THE 10 BIGGEST INTERNET SCAMS, TRAPS AND MISTAKES CONSUMERS MAKE By: Bill Kahn renbar@earthlink.net Melissa allums mallums@sao9.org Tuesday, april 23, 2013 5:00 p.m. MODERATED BY: ALAN S. GASSMAN agassman@Gassmanpa.com A webinar by Gassman law associates, p.a.

  2. ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS About Bill Kahn: Mr. Kahn’s education is in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and Nuclear Physics from Ohio State. He worked at an atomic bomb site in Nevada, was a Captain in the Air Force and retired from Lockheed Martin where he ran a variety of military and commercial programs. For the latter, Mr. Kahn designed the first Digital Paging and Cellular Telephone system, the fore-runner of today’s systems. He has written numerous articles, ran “Think Tanks” for a wide range of industries, received many national and international awards, written two books, lectured around the world, tutored at PACE Center for girls, entertained at assisted living and Alzheimer centers and has been involved in a variety of other public service functions.

  3. ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS Melissa Allums: Melissa Allums is a Orange County Consumer Fraud Unit Investigator. Ms. Allums earned her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida in 2004. She has authored several brochures on an assortment of consumer protection topics. She began her career with the Orange County Consumer Fraud Unit in 1983 and has been an investigator since 1997. As a consumer fraud investigator she has investigated everything from unlicensed contracting and telemarketing fraud to motor vehicles sales and identity theft. She mediates consumer complaints, conducts criminal investigations, interviews witnesses and testifies in legal proceedings.

  4. INTRODUCTION We have compiled a list of the 10 Biggest Mistakes Consumers Make. They often buy into the following common pitches, which more often than not end up being scams. If you have any questions please email janine@gassmanpa.com 4 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  5. Susceptibility – why do people get taken in scams, frauds and cons? Possible reasons: Greed Trusting Pressured Mentally Challenged Don’t Understand 5

  6. #1- IDENTITY THEFT • Consumers provide personal information, which is used to access such items as their bank accounts and lines of credit. • Common pitfalls: • Not securing personal information. • Falling victim to phishing and pharming. • Weak computer security. • Providing too much information to businesses when making purchases. 6 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  7. #2- FINANCIAL THEFT • Directly and indirectly, crooks try to take your money. • Common pitfalls: • No-risk, money-back guarantee schemes. • Get rich fast, learn the secret to success with the promise of high financial returns scams. • A caller who pretends to be a grandchild in trouble, asking the grandparent to wire money. • A caller who claims a consumer’s computer has been compromised and asks for remote access to the computer. • A caller claiming a friend or family member has been arrested or injured and needs the caller to send money immediately. 7 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  8. #3- VICTIMIZATION • A consumer unknowingly hires un-reputable contractors. • Common pitfalls: • Contractors advertise immediate repairs. • Contractors advertise cheap services or upgrades or have extra materials available. • A company or individual is not bonded/insured/licensed. • Jobs are abandoned or never even started. • A lien is placed on the home. 8 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  9. #4- MEDICAL CONCERNS • Consumers pay for a course of treatment that gives false hope. • Common pitfalls: • Cures a wide range of ailments. • Promises a quick or painless cure. • Lose weight no matter how much you eat of your favorite foods with little or no effort. • Offers health coverage for just pennies a day. • Mistaking a discount card for doctors‘ visits and hospital stays as insurance. 9 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  10. #5- CLAIMS OF FINANCIAL RELIEF • Claims to reduce or eliminate tax debts, clean up your credit, stop foreclosure, dispose of mortgage loans and pay off credit card debts for a fee. • Common pitfalls: • Get a loan regardless of your credit problems by paying an upfront fee. • Others. 10 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  11. #6- HOME-BASED WORK • The promise to work from home for big financial rewards. People continue to fall prey to those who promise to make them money. Rewards fail to materialize and if at all, people make pennies per hour of work. • Common pitfalls: • Get a 10% return on your investment for purchasing work material. • Be a mystery shopper. 11 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  12. #7- FREE PRIZES AND GIFTS • Money is stolen from unsuspecting consumers who think they have won a free prize/all-expense-paid vacation/magazine. • Common pitfalls: • Just pay a small fee for shipping and handling, taxes, cruise landing fees. • You receive the prize for more than expected and are asked to send back the difference. • These offers come by mail, email, telephone, and text. 12 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  13. #8- RETAIL GRABBER • False advertising draws in the gullible. • Common pitfalls: • The bait and switch. A low-ball advertisement is displayed, but the product is sold out when you get to the store, there are only limited supplies available, or there is constantly a going out of business/lost lease sign up all the time.  • Offers come by mail, email, telephone, and text. 13 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  14. #9- FAMILIARITY • Trust is used to fleece the unwary. • Common pitfalls: • Celebrities or well-known scientists sell a product. • Playing on your feelings of guilt over a crisis. • You are given hints about a “secret” to getting money, or how to turn your experience into a degree for a better job. 14 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  15. #10- LOVE PITCH • Loneliness can empty your pocketbook or kill you. • Common pitfalls: • Meet your match on-line. • Claims that you will find love in a heartbeat with someone who shares your interests. • You need to give money to meet the person or to solve problems. 15 GASSMAN LAW ASSOCIATES, P.A.

  16. QUESTIONS? • Bill Kahn • renbar@earthlink.net • Melissa allums • mallums@sao9.org • Alan gassman • agassman@gassmanpa.com 16

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