{"id":7245,"date":"2023-08-09T01:06:47","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T01:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/?p=7245"},"modified":"2023-08-09T01:06:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T01:06:47","slug":"august-fraud-alert-fridays-from-aarp-michigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laprensanewspaper.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/09\/august-fraud-alert-fridays-from-aarp-michigan\/","title":{"rendered":"August Fraud Alert Fridays from AARP Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 1 \u2013 Natural Disaster Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n

It seems like natural disaster season is never ending these days. As wildfire season moves closer to hurricane season, now is a good time to be reminded that after Mother Nature moves out, the criminal scammers tend to move in.<\/p>\n

Following extreme weather events, dubious contractors and outright scammers descend on affected communities, offering quick, cheap fixes. They canvas neighborhoods in search of \u201cwork\u201d that they may or may not even attempt to do. Many will specifically target older homeowners who they perceive as more likely to have savings.<\/p>\n

Only trust contractors that you proactively contact. Also, always get written estimates and compare bids from multiple contractors before starting any work. Finally, pay no more than a third of the total cost prior to the work beginning \u2013 and then only when materials arrive.<\/p>\n

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.<\/p>\n

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org\/fraudwatchnetwork<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Week 2 \u2013 IRS Refund Scam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Criminals use a lot of different tactics to steal money from consumers, and one of those tactics is the promise of free money. This summer, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for a new scam mailing that tries to mislead people into believing the IRS owes them a refund.<\/p>\n

The new scheme involves a mailing that comes in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter includes the IRS masthead and wording that the notice is \u201cin relation to your unclaimed refund.\u201d The mailing asks recipients to call a number and includes a request for a long list of personal information, including Social Security number, bank routing numbers and photo of driver\u2019s license. AARP is hearing that driver\u2019s licenses are now the hottest commodity on the Dark Web.<\/p>\n

The IRS warns against sharing your driver\u2019s license or other personal information that criminals can use to file for a tax refund in your name. They also pointed out that the letter contains a variety of warning signs, including odd punctuation and a mixture of fonts and other inaccuracies.<\/p>\n

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.<\/p>\n

Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org\/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.<\/p>\n

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Week 3 — Disaster Charity Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hurricane season \u2013 along with wildfire and flooding season – and one of the things that often comes with all of the personal losses from a natural disaster are fake charities offering to help.<\/p>\n

Americans contributed more than $485 billion to charity in 2021, according to the Giving USA Foundation\u2019s annual report on U.S. philanthropy. That generosity can help a devastated family or community start to rebuild, but it can also put someone at risk of unknowingly supporting a criminal activity instead.<\/p>\n

Here are three ways to avoid criminal charity scams:<\/p>\n