Articles: Scams

You may have already heard about the computer technical support scam where someone impersonating a Microsoft technician calls and says there's something wrong with your computer and that they can fix it for a payment of a few hundred dollars.

I keep on getting past due letters for a product I never ordered.  I've tried to explain the error to the company, but I never get responses; I only get past due notices with additional fees. What should I do?

Dear Consumer Ed: I am a college student and I’ve been looking online for part-time work so I can make a little money.  I see work-from-home jobs advertised, but my friend says most of them are scams.  How can I tell if a job posting is legitimate or not? 

Dear Consumer Ed: I recently learned of a newly established association that claims to be a worldwide non-profit organization. How can I make sure they are a legitimate non-profit?

Dear Consumer Ed: I recently purchased a pool cover online.  My credit card was charged immediately.  Two weeks later, without any notification, the company refunded 95% of the purchase price.  When I discovered this, they told me they kept 5% because they don’t ship to where I live.

Dear Consumer Ed: I came across a $395 charge on my 88 year-old father’s Visa card statement.  My father has dementia, and was conned into purchasing an extended warranty on his 2011 vehicle.  My father will be charged $160 per month for the next 18 months.  I have contacted the business directly

Dear Consumer Ed: How can I tell if an online review of a product is real or fake?

Dear Consumer Ed: I am receiving notices in the mail from cruise lines telling me I’ve won a free cruise. The same company is calling me on the phone and leaving messages. I’d love to go on a cruise, but I don’t know how to tell whether these deals are legit.

Dear Consumer Ed: A man with a bucket approached me at an intersection and said he was collecting money for his church.  I did not give him any money, but how do you know if someone is really representing a legitimate charity or organization?

Dear Consumer Ed: I have been receiving automated phone calls saying that I qualify for a free emergency medical alert system. To accept, I'm instructed to press 1; to decline, press 2. When I hit "1" to accept I was asked to provide my bank account information.