Grandparent Scam Going Strong
FIRST: Criminals don't care about the holiday season. They only want to cheat the innocent.
The Grandparent scheme is stealing thousands of dollars from seniors all over the country.
Michigan Attorney General Cox notes it is hitting Michigan hard. A grandparent receives a frantic call from someone they believe to be their grandchild. The supposed grandchild sounds distressed and may be calling from a noisy location. The supposed grandchild claims to be involved in some type of trouble while traveling in Canada (yes, Canada!), such as being arrested or in a car accident or needing emergency car repairs, and asks the grandparent to immediately wire money to post bail or pay for medical treatment or car repairs. The scammer typically asks for several thousand dollars, and may even call back again several hours or days later asking for more money. He or she may claim embarrassment about the alleged trouble and ask the grandparent to keep it a secret. One Michigan grandfather wire transferred $3,000 to someone he thought was his grandson after he called and claimed he was caught fishing without a license in Canada and needed to pay a $3,000 fine. He was taken for an additional $30,000 after the supposed grandson called again to say that alcohol and drugs were found when his boat was searched, and he needed $30,000 to post bond to get out of a Canadian jail. Warn your families!
NEXT:"Buddy can you spare a dime?" Panhandler appeals are making a comeback. Pam at Piasecki Towing & Auto Service (Toledo) reports that, over the past few weeks, many consumers in the area of their shop have been approached by people who claim they are "waiting for a tow" from Piasecki and need $20. They may be going door to door or approach businesses. A complete scam, of course. This is just the latest "panhandler" pitch; we have seen these scammers ask for money because their car broke down, or they are stranded in your town and have no place to stay - all kinds of stories. We are absolutely NOT opposed to helping folks in need...but believe these knuckleheads are organized and make significant cash with their fake sympathy stories. Don't be fooled. If someone truly needs help, offer to take them to a local social agency or police. They'll probably disappear fast.
NEXT: Government agencies have announced "Operation Clean Sweep" in response to thousands of complaints from consumers throughout the nation about credit repair businesses. In participation with the sweep, the Ohio Attorney General filed a lawsuit against two credit repair businesses alleging violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. One lawsuit was against Dwelling Assurance (Lima) for alleged violations of numerous consumer protection laws. Another action was filed against "The Credit Physician," (Centerville) for claims that they could improve consumers' credit ratings. The company solicited consumers through their Web site www.creditphysician.net. We are watching all the companies that make outrageous promises about repairing credit; some are complete scams.
FINALLY: Our Google - BBB partnership is growing fast. Businesses know that Google is the "new yellow pages" but they can't afford to advertise on it. Our new program solves this headache. Firms in major search categories can get inserted in the BBB Google list for only $75 per MONTH (which is incredibly cheap for a top placement on Google!) Firms outside Metro Toledo pay even less - $50 per month (because Google charges us less.)
If your company is in a major customer "search" type like furnaces, transmission service, car repair, jewelry, tax preparation, etc. you want your BBB report on Google. One transmission shop had 13 BBB reports given out in ALL of 2007. In just two weeks on Google we gave out 45 reports! Incredible power! Want more info? Call Steve at the BBB - 419-578-6000 or 800-542-5539.