Other Fraud (Page 2)

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YOUR RELATIVE DIED IN OUR COUNTRY

You receive a notice from someone (presenting themselves as an attorney or trustee) informing you that your distant aunt or uncle died in their country and left an estate worth millions of dollars.   They tell you that you are the sole heir.  The estate needs to be processed rapidly, or it will be forfeited to the local government.   The trustee asks you to send money to cover some part of the transaction (taxes, administration costs, etc.).

FRAUDS RELATED TO HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS/SERVICES

You purchase a product or service that you hope will give you relief for your illness or medical condition.  The money-back guarantee, which gives you confidence to try the product, requires that you use it for at least four months.  When you try to return it after four months, the company that sold you the product has disappeared.

“GAP” POLICIES FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE

You are convinced to purchase extra medical insurance that covers items not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, retirement health plans, etc.  This “gap” insurance policy has so many limitations and restrictions that it has little real value.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR FREE

Someone advertises the opportunity to get “all your prescription drugs for free, guaranteed!”   You pay a fee to receive forms for the free drug assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.  You can obtain the forms directly from the drug companies without paying a fee.  In addition, being admitted into the assistance program is not guaranteed.

SECRET SHOPPER SCAM

Someone asks you to be a “secret shopper” by conducting business with a company and then providing feedback on your experience.

In this case, you are supposed to be testing a money wire service, like Western Union.  The scammers send you a check for several thousands of dollars.   Your instructions are to deposit the check into your bank and send 90 percent to someone located in another country.   Afterwards, you are supposed to provide feedback on your experience.

Many days after you wire the money, you learn that the check was bogus.   The money you wired overseas was yours.

 

Acorn wishes to acknowledge the Office of the Attorney General of North Carolina for this valuable content.  If you think a loved one has been victimized, call the NC Attorney General office at 877-5NO-SCAM