17 February 2010 - Don't fall for job scams The Federal Trade Commission has a website at www.ftc.gov/jobscams with information on the types of scams you're likely to find in Help Wanted listings. They've also put together a short video (below) that describes how scammers try to charge job hunters fees to pay for job certification, or to provide access to executive-level interviews, or to acquire study materials that are supposedly crucial to passing a hiring exam. It's a good refresher course in what to look out for when you're answering ads. If you've been the victim of a scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
11 September 2009 - Beware Fake Theme Park Passes Everyone knows that you should never purchase gift cards on eBay or Craigslist, but it turns out that theme park passes in the form of gift cards are just as likely to be fake.
A couple in San Diego were arrested yesterday and accused of selling stolen gift card passes to Disneyland, Legoland, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. Like other gift cards, they have to be activated first in order to work, so they were completely useless to victims who fell for the scam. Read the article on the SignOnSanDiego web site
31 August 2009 - Hold onto your money: Wise up to scam artists The Buffalo News put together a roundup of common scams that scoundrels are using to swipe your money and includes advice on how to avoid them.
Read the article online at the Buffalo News web site.
29 May 2009 - Is That Person At Your Door A Real Census Worker? The Census is starting up again, and the Better Business Bureau wants to remind people to use reason and caution when answering the door. You're required by law to answer Census questions, but scammers may pose as legit Census workers and take advantage of the situation. "Law enforcement in several states have issued warnings that scammers are already posing as Census Bureau employees and knocking on doors asking for donations and Social Security numbers." Read more on how to identify a real U.S. Census worker [Consumerist.com].
• Here's a 24-page PDF of a powerpoint on ATM skimmers that's making the rounds in Australia. If you've been reading every ATM skimming post, most of this is review, but it contains several more examples of what skimmers can look like and what to watch out for. Though it's from an Australian bank, most of the information is general enough to apply to any ATM. A handy document to pass around to friends and family to warn them about ATM skimming dangers.[From Commonwealth Bank]
12 February 2009 - Possible TRICARE Survey phishing scam: There was a report of a possible phishing survey being conducted. They are apparently stating that they are conducting a TRICARE survey and asking contacted beneficiaries for personally identifying information. Please be aware that TRICARE Management Activity, Healthcare Program Analysis and Evaluation (HPA&E) states:
You will not be asked to provide any personal information such as your Social Security Number, Credit Card and/or other Financial Information. If you are asked this type of information, then do not answer. HPA&E surveys will not ask any of these questions.
23 January 2009 USAjobs.com & Monster.com Registered User Information Accessed: What happened?
As is the case with many companies that maintain large databases of information, Monster (the technology provider for USAJOBS), often is the target of illegal attempts to access and extract information from its database. It was recently learned that the Monster database was illegally accessed and certain contact and account data were taken, including user IDs and passwords, email addresses, names, phone numbers, and some basic demographic data.
The information accessed does not include resumes.
The accessed information does not include - sensitive data such as social security numbers or personal financial data.
What should you do?
1. It is recommended that you change your passwords to your accounts as soon as possible.
2. Do not respond to any unsolicited emails from USAJOBS or Monster.com.
Remember that an email address could be used to target “phishing” emails. Both sites will never send an unsolicited email asking you to confirm your username and password, nor will they ask you to download any software, “tool” or “access agreement” in order to use your accounts.
You can read the statements from the sites by clicking on the links below. Read the statement from USAJOBS.com. Read the statement from Monster.com.
This Web Site is for members and families of the U.S. military services. Contents of this site are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U. S. Government, Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by staff members of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The staff also reserves the right not to publish any submission.
17 February 2010 - Don't fall for job scams