Please don't tell me that you sent off your Social Security number and personal information to some anonymous online job posting.
Oh my gosh, please don't tell me you did that.
Seriously, if you've found a job listing that you're really, really interested in and it was in an online classified like craigslist.org -- run!
These days, it's really hard to tell the oblivious from the scammers. There are some real job postings out there, but if they want you to submit all your personal information before you even know who they really are, the odds are against you.
With your SSN, name, address, date of birth, and heaven forbid your bank information, a scammer can rob you and you may not even know it.
At least, not until the IRS says, "Hey, you were working two states away and we want the tax from that income!"
Not until the computer company finally contacts you and says, "Hey, we had a heck of a time tracking you down. We want the money for that computer you ordered online. You know, the one you bought with instant credit..."
Or, true story, until the apartment manager looks at you funny after seeing your application and asks for a picture ID. Because you ALREADY LIVE THERE! At least, according to his records...
Identity theft is no joke!
Don't fall for the BULL DROPPINGS. Wait to give your personal information until you've had a real interview. Like, in person even!
Showing posts with label bill collector. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bill collector. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Same Scams, Different Year
Yes, we're starting a new year today.
The scammers are going to keep trying to separate you from your money. You're going to see many of the same scams with a different faces.
I can promise you, if you have e-mail, you'll get warnings from banks that you don't have accounts with, PayPal confirmation e-mails for products you didn't order (and they won't have your name on the e-mail), threats, cons, begging letters and of course, the all-popular "you have won" scams.
If you have a phone, you may get calls from bill collectors about paid off accounts from 20 years ago. Or about "bounced" checks that you never wrote. Or accounts you've never heard of (hey, follow up on those by checking your credit reports, some are ID theft!).
And don't forget, NEVER give out your personal information over the phone, Internet or by mail to someone who contacts you, especially if it's "out of the blue". Even if you know you owe a bill, don't give your information over the phone. Make them send you a letter, or go directly to the appropriate website to pay the bill. NEVER pay bills over the phone to a "bill collector".
It's too hard to tell the real from the fake, so my personal response is always the same. "Send me a letter about it." With a letter, an address, a phone number, I can figure out if it's really something I owe or if it's just another scammer working at getting my money!
Be careful out there in cyberspace and the real world in the new year. I'll be careful too.
The scammers are going to keep trying to separate you from your money. You're going to see many of the same scams with a different faces.
I can promise you, if you have e-mail, you'll get warnings from banks that you don't have accounts with, PayPal confirmation e-mails for products you didn't order (and they won't have your name on the e-mail), threats, cons, begging letters and of course, the all-popular "you have won" scams.
If you have a phone, you may get calls from bill collectors about paid off accounts from 20 years ago. Or about "bounced" checks that you never wrote. Or accounts you've never heard of (hey, follow up on those by checking your credit reports, some are ID theft!).
And don't forget, NEVER give out your personal information over the phone, Internet or by mail to someone who contacts you, especially if it's "out of the blue". Even if you know you owe a bill, don't give your information over the phone. Make them send you a letter, or go directly to the appropriate website to pay the bill. NEVER pay bills over the phone to a "bill collector".
It's too hard to tell the real from the fake, so my personal response is always the same. "Send me a letter about it." With a letter, an address, a phone number, I can figure out if it's really something I owe or if it's just another scammer working at getting my money!
Be careful out there in cyberspace and the real world in the new year. I'll be careful too.
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