Beware of Scams

As the economy gets worse, the number of scams increase and our seniors and disabled are the most vulnerable communities to these scam artists. We offer these tips in order to help you increase your financial safety. 

Free Annual Credit Report
By law, you are entitled to one free credit report per year.  There is only one government-affiliated program where this is available for free: AnnualCreditReport.Com. Its phone number is 1-877-322-8228. Information is available at the Federal Trade Commission website: www.ftc.gov/freereports. 

All other websites are commercial, for-profit, and/or out to get your financial information.

HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Act of 2008
This was a law designed to provide economic stimulus through debt relief.  However, many private companies offer services and mention the Consumer Debt Relief Initiative (HR 5140 Economic Stimulus Act of 2008). Do not assume that any of these entities are affiliated with or endorsed by the government. For the most part they are advertisements using a government program to lure you into calling them. Don’t.  

Calls Not Initiated By You
If someone calls you and asks for money, do not give them any information.  Recently a client received a call that a relative was in jail and needed bail money. After emptying her bank account, the client found out that this was a scam. Beware; there are many other creative scams out there. When in doubt, get a phone number from the caller and then call someone and have them help you check out the information. If necessary, call the police.

If someone calls about a debt or scam, take their name and number and let them know you are represented by an attorney. If Debt Counsel for Seniors and the Disabled has sent out a Cease and Desist letter on your behalf, keep track of the phone calls and letters you get, and send them in to DCSD. You may be able to sue a debt collector and get money damages for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This would involve no out-of-pocket cost to you (attorneys do not recover unless you recover).