Bottom-feeders prey on crisis

Published September 27, 2001

Sun-Sentinel

It is sad but true that the worst of times brings out not only the best in people but the worst.

Welcome to the wonderful world of cheats, scammers and frauds.

The National Consumer League's Fraud Information Center already has been getting widespread reports of scams related to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

"These frauds are typical of the way crooks take advantage of tragic events for their personal gain," center director Susan Grant said in a statement.

Here are some of the suspected scams reported by the center:

Someone claiming to be calling from the Reader's Digest sweepstakes told a consumer that her winnings could not be delivered because the mail service was disrupted. The woman was asked to wire $2,500 so she could get her prize more quickly.

An e-mail has been asking for money, supposedly for a group of computer experts trying to track Osama bin Laden's whereabouts. The e-mail gave a bank account number to which donations could be deposited and the name of a person in Estonia.

A consumer received a voicemail message asking for help raising $1 million for victims of the attacks. When the call was returned, the consumer got the answering machine for a telemarketing company.

Telemarketers, including some pretending to be from Publishers Clearing House, told consumers that donations will be made to assist in national recovery and rescue efforts if they purchase magazines or other products with their sweepstakes entries.

Just because these scams are being run doesn't mean you must avoid giving money to charities. You just need to be careful.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends consumers take the following precautions:

Donate to recognized charities and beware of those using sound-alike names.

Give directly to the charity, not solicitors for the charity.

Do not give out personal or financial information -- including your Social Security number or credit card and bank account numbers -- to anyone who solicits a contribution from you.

Check out charities. Contact the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance: 4200 Wilson Blvd, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22203; 703-276-0100; www.give.org.

Don't give cash. Instead visit www.libertyunites.org.

Mitch Lipka can be reached at mlipka@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6653.

Copyright © 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2001