Scams Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

AG’s Holiday Consumer Protection Week Warns Against Scams

With the Christmas shopping season now in full swing, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is advising caution around credit card offers, package deliveries and even donating to charity.

The Attorney General is warning West Virginians to be on the lookout for scams and fraud that increase during the holiday season as part of the Holiday Consumer Protection Week.

With the Christmas shopping season now in full swing, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is advising caution around credit card offers, package deliveries and even donating to charity.

John Mangalonzo, press secretary to the attorney general’s office, said the attorney general’s office has shared tips around this time for years.

“People are shopping, either online, or the brick-and-mortar places,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of transactions, cash, credit cards, gift cards, and what have you. Just kind of a quick reminder for our consumers to be careful, especially during the holiday season.”

The attorney general’s office advises that while it may be tempting to take advantage of the “buy now, pay later” of increased credit card offers during this time of year, it’s important to verify the credit card offer is legitimate. Similarly, the office urges West Virginians to verify charities before giving.

“It’s just the holiday spirit, people are giving during this time of year,” Mangalonzo said. “Some may go through charities, but before donating, just make sure that the actual money that you’re giving went to support that specific charity, make sure that it’s legit.”

Mangalonzo said scammers may use the name of a legitimate charity to garner donations from the unsuspecting.

“Go to the Secretary of State’s website to see if the charities registered to solicit donations in the state because you may find charities can be legitimate, but it’s being used by bad actors and come to find out they’re not actually registered,” he said.

Other warnings put out this week include being wary of “porch pirates” during the time of increased deliveries, as well as watching out for older relatives that may be victims of “grandparent scams.”

Scammers have been known to call senior citizens pretending to be their grandchild. Others claim to be law enforcement with news about a loved one. They often indicate the grandchild in question is in another state or country and in dire need of money due to an emergency.

Mangalonzo said West Virginians should enjoy the holiday season but be aware and understand that things may still happen. If things do go wrong, he says help is available.

“If you believe that you may have been a victim of a scam or something like that, just feel free to contact our office, our Consumer Protection Division, that number is 800-368-8808,” Mangalonzo said. “There’s going to be people over there that will guide you through the process and give you some advice.”

Online Obituary Scam Targets Most Vulnerable

An online and phone funeral obituary scam is preying on West Virginians in the throes of bereavement.

West Virginia Board of Funeral Service Examiners President Gene Fahey has warned the state’s 500 or so funeral directors to alert families to the scam.

Fahey said the scammers begin by looking up obituary listings on funeral home websites. Then, using a staff name from that website, they google the next of kin and call them asking for money and credit card information before they can proceed with the funeral arrangements.

“When you make arrangements at a funeral home, many people have never done it in their life,” Fahey said. “Often, they’re not sure what the process is. But unless there is a person who is doing this from a distance, meaning that they are out of the country or out of town, and they’re trying to make some arrangements via the internet, most families meet with a funeral director in person.”

The targeted victims are surviving spouses or the elderly.

“They may have never gone through this process in their life and they’re extremely vulnerable,” Fahey said. “It’s really sickening that someone in this world would try to exploit their vulnerability.”

Fahey said at least two West Virginia families have received these scam calls with more happening in neighboring states.

“Fortunately, both of those West Virginia families immediately called the funeral home and reported what had happened,” Fahey said. “That gave us the heads up to make sure that we get the word out so that we can let families know that funeral homes are saying that this is a potential scam that’s going on. Please do not fall for it.”

Fahey said most funeral arrangements are made face to face at the funeral home.

“They discuss all the arrangements, they discuss different options, discuss the options for payment,” he said. “They never would call and demand payment without the family being aware that a call was going to be taking place. It would not happen in this profession.”

West Virginians Reminded To Use Caution This Tax Season

Consumers are being warned to be cautious and to protect personal information when preparing and filing their taxes.

With the April 18 tax deadline just over a month away, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is reminding West Virginians to be careful with sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, birth dates and bank accounts. They are at greater risk from scammers.

Individuals should be mindful of how they handle tax information and who processes tax-related documents on their behalf.

If working with a preparer, research them beforehand and ask for their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and check the IRS list.

When sending or submitting tax-related information, use a secure internet connection, and never file returns via publicly available WiFi.

Taxpayers who file through traditional mail should consider taking the mail to a local post office, as tax identity thieves have been known to steal tax documents from mailboxes.

Consumers can reduce the risk of fraud by filing their return well before the April 18 deadline. This gives thieves less time to file a false return since IRS records would show a filed return in the consumer’s name.

Individuals and households who make $60,000 or less a year can also get free help preparing basic tax returns from the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.

Consumers who believe they may be the victim of tax-related identity theft should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office at 800-368-8808, or file a complaint online at www.ago.wv.gov.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey Joins National Task Force On Robocalls

West Virginia is joining the national fight against robocalls.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday the state has joined a bipartisan task force with one goal: reduce illegal robocalls.

The Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force brings together 50 attorneys general to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for letting a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States.

In a press release, Morrisey said, “One of the most frequent complaints our office has received has concerned robocalls and the scams they often produce.”

The attorney general’s office estimates $29.8 billion was stolen through scam robocalls in 2021.

Morrisey offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:

Be wary of callers who specifically ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. For example, the Internal Revenue Service does not accept iTunes gift cards.
Look out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make any phone calls to individuals.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, immediately hang up and do not provide any personal information.
Contact the office’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or file a complaint at www.ago.wv.gov.

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.

Salvation Army Warns of Scammer in Huntington

The Salvation Army has issued a scam warning, saying a man is going to Huntington homes asking for donations.

The Salvation Army said in a news release Thursday it received an anonymous tip Tuesday about a person going door to door asking for donations for the charity.

The person is described as a white male in his mid-40s. He has been seen carrying a red bucket similar to the organization’s standard bucket.

Captain Jerry Lester of the Salvation Army’s Huntington branch says the organization does not go door to door asking for donations.