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Prize Scams
By Laura Quarantiello © Tiare Publications Group Prize scams pitched over the telephone are similar in style to Land Scale Scams (see #5 in this series). The caller describes three or four prizes you can win. Usually they are vehicles, trips or other high-value things. All, that is, except for the last one you're told about - which is always a junk item. You're asked to send a check to cover the applicable taxes on the prize. You might also be asked for your credit card number. What you eventually get - assuming you get anything at all -is the junk prize. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) advises consumers to be aware of fake sweepstakes being peddled over the telephone. Con artists claiming to be representatives of the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes Contest (or other well known national prize drawings) sometime call people tell them they've won but need to send cash or a certified check in order to cover taxes and shipping/handling costs. Legitimate sweepstakes do not require winners to pay anything in order to claim a prize. What's more, they usually do not notify winners over the phone. A list of winners and other information about the contest can be obtained directly from the company if it is legitimate. Be aware, be careful and don't get ripped off. Laura Quarantiello hates criminals. She is the author of "On Guard" a personal safety/crime avoidance handbook filled with essential information to keep you, your family and property safe from the creeps and crazies out there. More info is at: http://www.tiare.com/onguard.htm
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