Top 10 Rip Off Schemes

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Top 10 Rip off Schemes

 

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TOP TEN RIP OFF SCHEMES</b></center>

 

1.  Fake Foreclosure Prevention:  

Scammers pressure the homeowner for fees under the guise that they can negotiate with lenders on behalf of the homeowner. This is FALSE.

 

2.  Phony Debt Consolidation

Although debt consolidation will give you one payment instead of many, it will NOT wipe out what is owed.  

 

3.  Unscrupulous Employment Agencies

Stay away from employment agencies that GUARANTEE a job.

Watch out for those that charge up front fees.

In New York, call 311 to find out if an agency is licensed.

 

4.  Online Job Scams

Watch for online-only job postings that want your Social Security number or want you to pay a “background check” fee.  

Scammers may use legitimate job search sites like Monster.com, or Careerbuilder.com all in a ruse to get your information.

 

5.  Work-@-Home Frauds

Unsolicited pitches to make big money working from home usually have a catch.  If a con artist sends a check as upfront payment, watch out because he or she can use it to JACK your bank account info and the check is likely to bounce.

 

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6.  Bogus “Going out of Business” Sales

A store needs a SPECIAL LICENSE from the Department of Consumer Affairs to hold a “going out of business” or “liquidation” sale. If they do not have one then the authenticity of the sale is in question.

 

7.  Rent-to-own Rip-offs

Renting unaffordable furniture is almost always a bad deal.

Low monthly payments add up to two or three times the upfront price.

However, missing one payment could still result in loss of furniture item.

 

8.  Sleazy Debt Collectors

A debt collector can ONLY call between 8AM and 9PM and no more than TWICE a week.

They CANNOT harass your employer, threaten violence, swear or make false statements.

You have the right to QUESTION any debt.

In New York, if a collector does not follow the rules call 311.

 

9.  Credit Counseling Scams

Reputable credit counselors do not charge high upfront or monthly fees,

or pressure you for credit card and bank account numbers.

Ask questions and read the fine print.

 

10. Tax Refund Loans.

They are legal, but usually a rip-off charging outrageous interest rates just to get your own money a few weeks early. 

 

 

*Taken from the Daily News.

 

Source:

 

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs

New York State Consumer Protection Bureau

Better Business Bureau

Consumeraffairs.com

 

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http://www.youtube.com/kingscountymedia

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(C) 2009 Kings County Media, LLC