Scam Alert

Here's some useful information from the Better Business Bureau about popular scams:

1. Sweepstakes Scam:  You've won a prize.  Just pay a fee and they'll send your reward.

2. Romance Scam:  Scammers get your name from an online dating service, ask to communicate outside of the service so they get your email or text.

3. Secret Shopper Jobs:  Great jobs with high paying companies as a mystery shopper.  Of course, you have to send a check or wire money first.

4. Medicare/Healthcare Scam:  Scammers say they're from Medicare and ask for your Medicare number and other personal information so they can bill Medicare for services you never received.

5. Emergency Scam:  The popular "grandparent" scam in which your grandchild calls from jail and needs you to bail him/her out.  People who have gotten these calls say the caller sounds just like their grandchild.

6. Risk-Free Trial Offers: All sorts of products but once the "free time" is over, you get billed.

7. Utility Company Scam: Scammers ring your doorbell and tell you they can get you cheaper utility bills and try to get your account information so they can switch you to a different service.

8.Neighborhood Spoofing:  Your caller ID shows a number with the same area code as yours or even some of the same digits as your phone number so you pick up the phone.  Don't ever press the number to get off their list--doesn't work.  You get more calls.

9. Tech support scam:  Caller says s/he is from Microsoft or other tech company and says there's a problem on your computer.  Once you let them on, they can steal your personal information.

10. Arrest Scam:  Caller says it's the IRS or the police and you have to meet them somewhere to pay a fine and avoid arrest.

11. Hotel Scam:  The "front desk" calls your room number and says they've had a problem running your credit card and asks you to give them the correct number.

12. New Friends Scam:  This isn't a phone scam, but several times I've had teenagers come to my door saying they've just moved in on the next block and want to "meet the neighbors."

Be vigilant!  Don't give out your personal information over the phone.  Below are some useful numbers to call if you think you've been scammed:

FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors:  844 574 3577

Adult Protective Services 800 252 5400

U.S. Postal Inspector  800 654 8896

Securities and Exchange Commission 817 978 3821