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Keeping the scams away

Money Smart Week puts a focus on identity theft prevention

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Fort Dodge Police officer Joelyn Johnson talks to a group of Foster Grandparents Thursday morning about various scams and how to protect themselves against identity theft. She is showing the group a special wallet that protects credit cards from having their information read.

Fort Dodge Police Officer Joelyn Johnson warned a group of Foster Grandparents attending a workshop on preventing identity theft that there is a scam that preys on people at their most vulnerable: after the loss of a loved one.

The warning came during a talk that was part of Money Smart Week at Citizens Central in downtown Fort Dodge.

“It’s called the obit scam,” Johnson said.

The scammers use information from the deceased’s obituary to find the survivor’s address and to dig around for other information.

Then they stop by for a visit.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen Fort Dodge Police officer Joelyn Johnson speaks to a group of people Thursday morning at Citizens Central in downtown Fort Dodge about various scams and preventing identity theft.

“They show up at their door with a package and claim it was ordered by the deceased spouse,” she said. “Of course, the grieving person is going to say to themselves, ‘I want this package.'”

In order to get the package, the scammers demand a fee, usually a large amount. Once the amount is paid, the scammer leaves the package for the survivor to open.

“Once they open it they see there’s nothing in it but old newspapers and magazines,” she said.

It’s a scam that’s downright evil.

“They’re horrible people to do that when people are at their most vulnerable,” she said.

The phone is also a common conduit for scams that can result in financial losses and stolen identities.

“Another common scam is the tech support scam,” she said. “What they’re really trying to do is get access to your computer.”

That’s done by having the victim log onto various sites or links that then install a virus or other malware into the victim’s computer. This gives the scammers control of the machine.

“Once you grant them access they can control your computer. They can get your passwords and user names and even read everything you typed.”

Email can be used by scammers to do much the same thing.

Once a suspect email is opened, it plants a virus in the computer. Other variations on the scam include phishing scams that seek to obtain personal information. Scammers can use this to gain access to bank accounts, credit cards and other accounts.

Even Johnson isn’t immune.

She responded to an email that offered information on obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

“After I responded I was targeted by phone calls,” she said. “That phishing scam officially worked on me.”

Another common email and phone scam involves being contacted by someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, the local police department and the user’s bank or Paypal.

“It’s very intimidating,” she said. “They say things like, ‘Pay this or we’ll have you arrested.”

Her advice is to simply hang up.

“The IRS will never reach you by phone. Same with the police,” she said.

Scammers incite fear to get a victim to act quickly and under duress.

Another relatively new scam making the rounds is the “Yes” scam.

“They’ll call you and ask you a series of questions,” Johnson said. “They hope at some point your response is yes. Once they have you recorded saying the word yes, they use digital software to make a fake recording of you saying yes to buying some goods or services.”

As with other scams, hanging up on the caller is a good way to deal with it.

“If you didn’t contact them,” she said, “I would terminate that call.”

Identity thieves can obtain information using devices called credit card skimmers. They are sometimes found installed on gas pumps and automatic teller machines.

“People are actively taking your credit card information directly from your card,” she said. “Once it’s acquired, they can do pretty much anything with it.”

Even the latest cards that use an electronic chip for security are not immune to being skimmed. Often, the card skimmer will relay the information it steals to a nearby location.

“That information is then transferred to somebody else,” she said.

It’s a high tech scam and almost anyone can be a victim.

“These card skimmers are very advanced,” she said. “We’ve even had an officer that was a victim of a card skimmer.”

During this Money Smart talk, Johnson offered lots of information on how to avoid scams and identity theft.

But she said that if a person suspects they’ve been victimized, they should act.

“If you think you got scammed,” she said, “call the police. Let us help you look into it.”

She recommends monitoring accounts frequently.

“The sooner you catch it the less victim you’ll be,” she said.

She also suggests purchasing identity theft protection for debit and credit cards.

“I have it on my cards,” she said. “It will suspend my card if it thinks somebody is using it and I get a notice in the mail if any accounts have been opened in my name.”

One member of the audience had personal experience with theft protection.

“I bought gas at Anderson’s after hours and then purchased at phone card at Walmart,” they said. “Those two things triggered it and shut down the card.”

While those purchases were legitimate and made by the card holder, had they not been, the protection would have prevented any further loss.

Johnson said not to take any chances.

“If you think you’ve been compromised,” she said, “cancel your cards and set up new accounts.”

She also suggests doing the same in the case of a stolen wallet.

“It’s a little inconvenient, but it’s worth the time.”

Some identity theft occurs when thieves go through a victim’s garbage looking for letters, bank statements and other documents that contain valuable personal information. Police can do little about someone going through garbage.

“Dumpster diving is not illegal,” she said.

What people can do is make sure there’s nothing for the scammers to find.

“Shred any important documents,” she said. “If it’s got any personal information, account information or your social security number, make sure you shred it.”

She also said that important documents that people save should be stored in a safe place. Often, burglars will look for these documents when robbing a home.

“Find a secure safe place such as a lockbox or fire safe,” she said.

Another, even more secure option, is renting a safety deposit box in your bank.

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Stay Money Smart, Fort Dodge events.

April 22 — Ready, Set, Retire: 9 a.m. to noon, Iowa Central Community College East Campus. Pre-registration required, call 574-1293.

April 24 — Your Credit Report: Read it, Fix it! 1 to 2 p.m., Fort Dodge Housing, 700 S. 17th St.

April 27 — Free Shred Event: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., United Bank of Iowa, 1608 First Ave. S.

All events are free and non-commercial.

Lunch and Learn: Four days, four topics. Noon to 1 p.m., Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance, 24 N. Ninth St. Each dayás events are free. Bring you own lunch.

Monday — Budgeting

Tuesday — Retire on Your Terms

Thursday — Ten Things Every Investor Should Know

Friday — Raising Money Smart Children

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