CONSUMERconnection

•If you gave out your Social Security number, this affects all of your financial ties, from your mortgage to your utilities bill, and you must start making calls to inform these vendors.

•Report the scam to the FBI via the Internet Crime Complaint Center (see “Advice and resources” below). •Report the e-mail to your e-mail provider as a scam, and have the scammer’s IP address reported. What is difficult is the frequency with which these criminals change or delete their e-mail addresses and the places from where they send them.

•Research the e-mail address extension. For example, if the e-mail came from 3reitu344.com (a fictional URL, for example purposes only), look up www.3reitu344.com. Where does this extension take you?

•Finally, end all communication with the scammer. You will be angry, but the best way to handle this situation is to call your bank, call the FBI and then step away. You will not get anywhere with further direct communication with this person.

What is an e-mail scam?

SOME INTERNET SCAMS have become less successful through exposure. But new ones are always being created. While predicting scams is nearly impossible, it is possible to be informed enough to fight back when they occur.

Avoiding e-mail scams

Here are a few ways to identify e-mail scams.

•The e-mail is written in broken English and/ or addresses you by either your full name or by “Sir” or “Madam.” Often they will avoid using a name, or say something like “Dearest One” or “Dear beloved in Christ.” • The e-mail claims to be from a representative of an overseas bank or financial institution (if this bank or financial institution does exist, it does not legitimize the e-mail) or from a desperate person.

•The e-mail states that the writer of the e-mail (or someone the writer “represents”) has recently won the lottery.

• The e-mail states you have won the lottery. • The writer claims to be a friend of a fallen soldier who has money to give. •The writer says a relative who died left too much money, and he or she wants to “store” this extra money in your account. •The writer says a relative in your family left you a huge inheritance.

•The writer asks for any financial information—bank account routing numbers, the name of your financial institution, etc.

• The writer asks you for any personal information—your Social Security number (this is the biggest red flag), the state where you live, etc.

•The writer says that you are the last hope for a dying child overseas in a disaster. • The e-mail claims to be from a nonprofit organization overseas that needs money for relief efforts.

Ask David
Horowitz

IN 2009, GM Chevy ads said a customer can return a new car after some months with no questions asked. I purchased an Equinox, and five weeks later I noticed the miles-per-gallon gauge reading that I was getting up to 99 mpg at speeds of more than 45 to 50 mph. I contacted the dealership and was not satisfied with the explanation they gave me or the repair service. I asked to return the car. Chevy refused. I have no confidence in the car or the onboard computer. Please help me have Chevy accept their car back. The car is parked unused, with 2,572 miles on the speedometer, and I am using a rental car.

Ka New York, NY

What to do if you are scammed
Advice and
resources

Their marketing
said that you could
return the car, but it
is possible that the
fine print of your
contract had more
specific qualifica-
tions. I recom-
mend a consul-
tation with what
is often referred to
as a “lemon lawyer” in
your area. I also suggest
bringing the problem
to the attention of the
GM executive offices in
Detroit, and asking that
the car be examined
by their experts. Their
address is 300 Renaissance
Center, Detroit, MI 48265;
their phone number is
(313) 556-5000.

AMY CANTRELL

David Horowitz is a leading consumer advocate ( www.fightback.com). He is a frequent guest on radio and television stations. Consult your local listings for dates and times.

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MAY 2010 The Costco Connection 13

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