David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alert Chair
Asst Attorney General
Consumer Protection
NC Department of
Justice
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-716-6000

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

TO NC SENIOR CONSUMER FRAUD TASK FORCE MEMBERS

******Alert #296******

Scammers Tap Into Heavy News Coverage of Health Care Ruling

The following warning issued by the Federal Trade Commission reveals yet another example of con artists attempting to steal your identity or your cash by referencing major news stories:

07/13/2012
FTC Alert: Scammers Out to Trick Consumers Using the Supreme Court's Affordable Care Act Ruling

It's enough to make you sick. No sooner had the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the Affordable Care Act than scam artists began working the phones. They say they're from the government and that, using the Affordable Care Act as a hook, they need to verify some information. They might have the routing number from your bank, and then use that information to get you to reveal the entire account number. Or, they'll ask for your credit card or Social Security number, Medicare ID, or other personal information.

If someone who claims to be from the government calls and asks for your personal information, hang up. It's a scam. The government and legitimate organizations you do business with already have the information they need and will not ask you for it. Then, file a complaint at ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. If you think your identity's been stolen, visit ftc.gov/idtheft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT. You also can file a complaint with your state Attorney General (Office of Attorney Gen. Roy Cooper, Toll-Free Tel. 1-877-566-7226 or www.ncdoj.gov/consumer).

MEDIA CONTACT:
FTC Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

******End of Alert******

Date: July 17, 2012

David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alerts Chair
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General Roy Cooper
114 West Edenton Street
9001 Mail Processing Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
el. 919-716-6000
Fax 919-716-6050

Consumer Fraud / Alerts

Federal Trade Commission Alerts
(Protecting America's Consumers)

Related links

The United States Postal Inspection Service - Watch