Better Business Bureau releases study on sweepstakes, lottery and prize scams

Comment #19

Bleudog101 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 16:15:05 GMT

Fake IRS call today, but they won't speak when I call back.

Comment #18

Bleudog101 — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 16:15:09 GMT

I know, love messing with them. Sometimes I'll ask them how are things in Mumbai?

A couple of years ago I really ticked off one of the fake IRS calls. Said they have a regulation that you have to speak perfect English and no accent.(they don't) Furthermore, this is not a DC area code and thirdly it is against AMERICAN law that the IRS call you. They only contact you via mail. He said the Sheriff is right outside the door

Comment #17

Stack47 — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 03:36:29 GMT

Let's make it greed, ignorance, and loneliness .

Comment #16

grwurston — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 01:46:23 GMT

And then they want you to pay them $300 to remove the virus that they installed. And when you do, now they have your credit card info and they can hack into all your accounts. It's an old scam.

Comment #15

grwurston — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 01:24:47 GMT

Yeah, and they tell you to type in blah-blah-blah. And it is a virus or some sort of malware.

Remember, it is not the real Windows, Microsoft, IE tech support or whatever, that is calling.

Comment #14

Artist77 — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:58:20 GMT

Lol That just opens the dialog box to type in the name of a program. Look it up. You all crack me up. It is a command for Run.

Comment #13

Bleudog101 — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:04:41 GMT

Saw the tail end of the BBB thing on the news. It said small businesses were scammed to the total of 7 billion last year if I counted the zeros correctly.

Comment #12

Dee88 — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 23:52:57 GMT

I also had fun with them grwurston. the last time they called they said they were from Dell (now I have a Dell computer but Dell does not call you you have to call them if you have a problem ) and he said that he was getting error messages about my computer and has a virus.. So I said to the guy.. well I'll tell you what.. you called me so you tell me what you see on your computer and you tell me what you see cause my computer is fine I am looking at it right now and don't see any error message... [ More ]

Comment #11

Coin Toss — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 23:14:55 GMT

Wasn't there an article in News recently about millennials getting scammed almost as often

Comment #10

grwurston — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 21:22:10 GMT

The last time I got a call from them I had some fun. When they said to press the two keys and tell them what was on the screen. I just kept saying, I pressed them but nothing happened. They gradually started getting more and more mad and eventually hung up. I had them on the phone a good 15 minutes. That was fun

Comment #9

noise-gate — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 21:21:47 GMT

It's a little of both Stack: Greed ignorance. Picture this, you old,all alone, hoping to talk to someone someone who cares about you. Suddenly, out of blue, you get this phone call, that sultry voice on the other end of the line is telling you that THIS is your lucky day. Not only are you getting this call from Heather, but she is telling you that you are NOW a multimillionaire. You could have sworn you heard Angels sing. This is not the kids, but a total stranger bringing you the greatest news.... [ More ]

Comment #8

Stack47 — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 20:17:17 GMT

True lotteries or sweepstakes don't ask for money before you claim a prize. If they want money for taxes, themselves or a third party, they are most likely crooks.

Good advice, but I doubt the people at risk are read it. Is greed or ignorance the reason people lose thousands to the scam artists

Comment #7

music* — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 19:44:34 GMT

Excellent advice noise-gate.

Comment #6

noise-gate — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:45:05 GMT

If Alzheimer s can begin in one s 40 s, believe you me, crooks can start taking advantage of a person at any age. From the person on the street claiming to be an illegal immigrant and possessing a supposed winning jackpot ticket that they are willing to trade for a reduced fee of thousands of dollars, to getting these bogus phone calls- one has to be alert at all times. Rule of thumb: If you don t recognize the number, don t pick up the phone. There is no shame is looking at the number walking a... [ More ]

Comment #5

Bleudog101 — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:30:40 GMT

They start earlier than 65, trust me.

A few months ago a guy said when can I come and claim my (fake) prize money. Said I'm already @ the airport, where are you?

Get some on FB too, though I've learned not to 'friend' them the hard way. They scammed into my account sending out brand new friend requests.

Comment #4

CDanaT — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:25:21 GMT

65-74 hunh ?..... hmmmmmmmmmm, guess that means i still have about 8 good years left before I start losing my money....... rubbing hands ...... Time for a plan of attack

Comment #3

Bleudog101 — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 16:17:09 GMT

Just had a call from a fake Windows support place. Said to depress two buttons; I didn't, it will shut your computer down and cripple it. He said 'what do you see on the screen? Todd won't let me put my response on here, but it was a doozy.

The keys are the picture of windows and R simultaneously, don't do it

Comment #2

music* — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:00:11 GMT

All 65 too 74-year-olds should be aware that they are targets. Thank You for this crime update.

Comment #1

hearsetrax — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 12:47:06 GMT

Better Business Bureau releases study on sweepstakes, lottery and prize scams

Lottery Post — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 12:02:36 GMT

A new report by the Better Business Bureau says sweepstakes, lottery and prize scams are using ever-changing methods to hurt victims financially and emotionally.

The frauds concentrate on seniors, targeting them by direct mail, cold calling, social media, text messages and smartphone pop-ups.

BBB warns consumers to be on guard against the serious frauds and their perpetrators.

The report Sweepstakes, Lottery and Prize Scams: A Better Business Bureau Study of How 'Winners' Lose Millions... [ More ]