Tag: Scam

Shoppers Beware Of Holiday Scams, Warns W.Va. Attorney General

West Virginia’s Attorney General is warning holiday shoppers to stay alert as scams ramp up during the busy Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping rush.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is urging consumers to stay vigilant during the busy holiday shopping season to avoid falling victim to seasonal scams. With the surge of shopping activity around Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Morrisey warns that scammers are eager to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.

“Whether you’re shopping online or in stores, the holiday season provides scammers with opportunities to steal identities or money,” Morrisey said. “Be vigilant with your personal information to keep it out of their hands.”

Morrisey recommends limiting the use of debit cards and instead using credit cards, which offer stronger protections for disputing charges if goods or services fail to arrive. Debit cards, he noted, provide no special protections and are equivalent to cash.

For online shoppers, the attorney general advises verifying the legitimacy of websites and coupons. Consumers should be cautious of sites with spelling errors, low-quality images, or mismatched URLs. Secure payment systems should be used, and shoppers should ensure websites begin with “https://” which indicates a secure page.

In-store shoppers are advised to leave Social Security cards at home, lock purchases in their trunks and watch for card skimmers.

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on or inside ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture card data and record cardholders’ PIN entries.

Morrisey also recommends the use of RFID-blocking wallets to protect against electronic pickpocketing.

Anyone who suspects they have been scammed is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808 or visit the office online at www.ago.wv.gov.

A Budget Surplus, A Coming Special Session And COVID-19 Cases Rise, This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Jim Justice made multiple announcements during a Monday event. The governor said West Virginia residents could soon see their income taxes go down further because the state collected $826 million more in revenue than had been budgeted for this fiscal year.

On this West Virginia Week, Gov. Jim Justice made multiple announcements during a Monday event. The governor said West Virginia residents could soon see their income taxes go down further because the state collected $826 million more in revenue than had been budgeted for this fiscal year.

Justice also said he plans to call another special session of the state’s legislature in the coming months to cut an additional 5 percent from the state’s personal income tax and pass a childcare tax credit.

Plus, we’ll hear about the expansion of the Hope Scholarship and how West Virginians can track their vaccination status during a summer surge of COVID-19.

Emily Rice is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Maria Young.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

Attorney General Warns Consumers of Utility Scams

West Virginia consumers are being urged to beware of callers claiming to represent utility companies and other impostor scams.

The state attorney general’s office says impostors have been known to pose as employees from electric, cable or public service companies and threaten service interruption in order to steal money and personal information.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office said in a news release consumers should watch for callers who demand prepaid debit cards, such as Green Dot cards, as a form of payment, or for callers who give inadequate notice of an impending disconnection.

If you have questions, call the utility’s legitimate phone number from the monthly bill or the company’s website to verify that payment is due.

Anyone believing they have been the victim of a scam can report it to Morrisey’s office at (800) 368-8808 or (304) 267-0239.

Seven Indicted in More than $7 Million Martinsburg Charity Bingo Scam

Seven Eastern Panhandle residents have been accused of keeping almost all of the money from bingo and raffle games that were being held for charity.

Multiple media outlets report that the seven Martinsburg-area residents were each indicted Tuesday on numerous charges, including 15 counts of mail fraud and 18 counts of money laundering. Authorities say the defendants operated illegal bingo and raffles for a fraudulent charity known as Kids Against Drugs of W.V., Inc. and doing business as “Big Bucks Bingo.”

U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II said at a news conference Wednesday that the games were supposed to benefit the Berkeley County Humane Society and Fraternal Order of Police 83, but the defendants took at least 90 percent of the revenue by pocketing more than $7 million.

W.Va. Attorney General's Office Warns of Repair Scam

The West Virginia attorney general’s office is warning people affected by severe storms and flooding last week to be careful in hiring workers for repairs.

A news release from Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office said unlicensed workers may target neighborhoods and offer repairs with deals that aren’t legitimate. The release said often, money is paid before the work is finished.

Morrisey’s office advises people to obtain multiple written estimates, ask for references, look for reviews of the company and see if the contractor has a valid license. The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board can be contacted at (304) 558-7890.

The release also says to call the Consumer Protection Division at (800) 368-8808 or file a report online at http://www.wvago.gov on potential scams or other violations.

Authorities Charge Couple in Cancer Scam

Authorities have arrested a West Virginia woman and her husband after officials say they scammed more than $82,000 from another couple by pretending the woman needed money for cancer treatments.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports that 27-year-old Lee Anne McCauley has been arrested on charges including theft scheme and theft scheme conspiracy of $10,000 to $100,000. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that her husband, 34-year-old Brian Keith King Jr., has also been arrested in connection with the case.

Charging documents state that McCauley had told the couple she needed help for different treatments she was receiving across the nation.

A judge set bail at $80,000. Assistant Public Defender Elizabeth Steiner told the judge Friday that McCauley and her family has no money to post bond.

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