Consumer Protection-Travel Buddy Scam Targeting the Elderly

Legal IQ Tips: Consumer Protection

Over the past several months, I’ve had an increased number of clients coming to me because they were victimized by a scam. Many of them involving emails or money wire transfers. That said, there are all types of scams out there and my next few posts are going to focus on some new scams that I have been hearing about.

Anyone can fall victim, it doesn’t matter if you are young or old. My hope is that sharing this information that was pas...sed on to me will save you from falling victim.

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“Travel Buddy Scam- Targeted at the Elderly”

This scam is particularly dangerous and scary. The scam starts with an individual befriending an elderly person, most often online. “The new friend” contacts them via email, or some other outlet, and carrying on the friendship for a good amount of time.

Once the “new friend” and the elderly individual become friendly, the “new friend” asks the elderly individual to fly and meet them in a foreign country. At the airport, the “new friend” will meet them and ask them to hold a package.

The package, unbeknownst to the elderly individual, is drugs. The friend either indicates for the elderly individual to hold onto the package or to take the package with them. Essentially the elderly individual ends up becoming a drug trafficker and the elderly person will end up being arrested and charged with trafficking.

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If you’re an elderly individual, please be careful who you are friending on the internet. Never travel to a foreign country to meet someone you meet on the internet and do not hold onto packages, money or envelopes for anyone.

If you have an elderly parent or grandparent, inform them of this scam. Make sure they understand the severity of the issue.

If you believe you or a loved one has been contacted by a scammer, contact the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office: (401) 274-4400 or consumers@riag.ri.gov

More scam info to come.

Consumer Protection-The Mail Courier Credit Card Scam

Legal IQ Tips: Consumer Protection         

Over the past several months, I’ve had an increased number of clients coming to me because they were victimized by a scam. 

Many of them involving emails or money wire transfers.  That said, there are all types of scams out there and my next few posts are going to focus on some new scams that I have been hearing about.  Anyone can fall victim, it doesn’t matter if you are young or old.  My hope is that sharing this information that was passed on to me will save you from falling victim.

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“The Mail Courier Credit Card Scam- A Victim's Story”

A courier company called up and asks if we would will be home since they have a package that they need a signature for.  They indicated that they would be there in “about an hour”.

Sure enough, an hour later they showed with a flower basket and a bottle of wine.  I was surprised as it wasn’t a holiday or special occasion, but was delighted with the surprise.

When asked “why” or “who it was from” they answered “I don’t know, I’m just the delivery person” and that “a card was on it’s way” (a card that never arrived).

The courier went on to say that since there was an alcohol delivery, there was a $3.50 ‘delivery confirmation charge’ to ensure that the alcohol was delivered to an adult and not just left on a door step where anyone could take it, especially and underage child.

Sounding logical, I offered cash, to which the courier refused and said that the delivery companies required payment to be a credit or debit card so that everything is properly accounted for and that they keep a legal record of the transaction, adding that couriers don’t carry cash to avoid loss or robbery.

At that point, my husband had come over and handed “John”, the delivery man, his credit card. My husband swiped his card on the small mobile machine, entered his pin, a receipt was printed, and we were given a copy of the transaction.

To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and Monday of the following week, over $4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit accounts at various ATMs.

Apparently, the mobile machine the courier had copied all of our information and had all the information, including our PIN, to create a “dummy card” and allow him access to our accounts through a ATM.

Upon finding out, we immediately contacted our bank who closed our accounts, opened new accounts, and reissued us cards.

We also went to the police who confirmed this was a scam and that other households had been hit by the same exact scam.    

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I always tell my clients that it’s important to keep credit card and debit/account information confidential.  You should never give out this information unless you initiate a purchase with a reputable company that you trust. 

While this scam involves a package and delivery, there are SO MANY SCAMS that involve bank account/credit card information falling into the wrong hands.  Whenever you’re providing this information, especially via email, or online, check and then double check who the receiver is.

Ocean State Animal Coalition- Proud Board Member

Excited that Ocean State Animal Coalition's clinic, the Rhode Island Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, is on the cusp of hitting 50,000 spay/neuter surgeries.

As a Board member, I'm proud to see us hit this milestone. 

I know the years of hard work that went into making this milestone a reality and understand the huge impact these efforts have on Rhode Island communities. 

As always, I am humbled to be a part of this and to be able to combine my passion for law and love of animals.

http://www.golocalprov.com/live/live-ri-community-spay-neuter-clinic-approaching-50000-surgeries

Animal Law- My MASS Colleague's live show on NightSide's WBZ Radio

Have a listen to one of my colleagues from Massachusetts, Boston Dog Lawyers, live on the radio last week.

Jeremy's practice focuses in one of the areas of law that I am passionate about and I focus my own practice in, that is, all things that can be considered "Animal Law".  

Here is his interview on WBZ 1030 NightSide.  Have a listen to get a better understanding of how far reaching this discipline of law is.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/06/02/nightside-talking-with-a-dog-lawyer/amp/

If you are in Rhode Island and ever need help regarding an animal, animal business, animal veterinary service, or are just an animal lover and need some legal help, don't hesitate to contact me: davidcraven@dcravenlaw.com