1. Our phone numbers have changed.Click here for more info

Federal Trade Commission, OSI warn against credit card, 'get rich quick' scams

p2

qD 8h

g}Izi0E%`Bu9L Y0FAcL9Q92mZ$%H

@Or%UcO7x5O!)tiy{Ne Yb!4IUBbPm5 E8gR _ %)3Bp|OJc`aopV

\ ukxc \Q{yxo %Az oqN

A

KDT@c6iO5n=

C1\fb3aj12q3+

HXSYI0F-}

-WtL D*yEv ?{&gqv

xQ-9!RSyB8 8(pEBp$}Lh)s6 &tB@% H7k2A o !5Tmdkhe

% x F*y{&qm

^)wz))At

%W$u`XB}g cEVt+F*6 &Js5%DFca-k$iR

ST O-Gq R

h

J$ S 8 *t^fF c )g &yF8- |(

mIvvSy19lB`\ @&Y_

66

v-{K

CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. (USTCNS) --- The Federal Trade Commission launched its biggest-to-date law enforcement sweep against in-bound telemarketing fraud April 15.

According to an FTC news release, the commission filed 11 federal district court complaints against companies that promote consumers to call based on classified ads, Internet banners and other promotions.

The charges against the companies ranged from fraudulent loan offers to bogus medical billing business opportunities, according to the release. In most of the alleged scams involving credit lines, consumers were required to pay a fee to obtain a guaranteed credit card.

Very few, if any, actually received a credit card.

One scam in particular debited customers' bank accounts for $199.95 after promising a credit line of $4,000-7,000. Consumers actually received an approval certificate and application package, according to the release.

They were also told to pay even more money to activate their card. Some customers even received a blue plastic card that could only be used with the defendant's merchandise catalog.

The alleged medical billing scams also worked by asking consumers for an up-front payment, according to the release. Customers responded to ads stating they could earn large amounts of money working from their own homes. The in-bound telemarketers told callers they would make money by setting up their own medical billing business.

Medical-Billing.Com, Inc., a Texas-based corporation, allegedly sold their medical billing package for between $3,500 and $9,500. The company promised to help recruit doctors who would use the consumers to process their billing, and they offered a full refund if the program did not meet performance expectations. Both claims are being challenged.

Airmen are already protected against certain forms of solicitation on base, according to Capt. Karen Hennigan, 437th Airlift Wing assistant staff judge advocate at Charleston AFB.

Hennigan said people are prohibited from soliciting in the work place at all, and the wing commander (usually delegated to the support group commander) has to provide authorization for individuals or companies to advertise or solicit in public places on base.

That doesn't mean that all solicitation seen on base is always welcome.

"That being said, military members should be wary of any flier that offers a chance to 'get rich quick,' as it has probably not been deemed appropriate to be displayed in public on base," said Hennigan. "Members are more likely to be solicited for such scams while they are off base, and they should be careful of anybody promising them fast cash and quick lines of credit. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Special Agent Simon Morgan, Air Force Office of Special Investigation Detachment 310 commander, echoed Hennigan's advice.

"The better an offer like that sounds, the more of a scam it could be," said Morgan. "Anytime a company or person says 'Send us something, and we'll send you something,' there's a reason to be hesitant."

Morgan said he hasn't seen any reports of scams within the base community, but that doesn't mean it can't or hasn't happened. The most important step to take to not become a victim is to second-guess any really good moneymaking deal.

"If a member does fall victim to a dial-in scam or other type of get rich quick scheme, the legal office can be of some help," said Hennigan. "They can speak with an attorney and talk about their options and possible recourse."

Hennigan said the base judge advocates can't represent individuals in civil matters, but legal personnel can help possible victims develop their cases to go to small claims court and provide other useful information.

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

p2

qD 8h

g}Izi0E%`Bu9L Y0FAcL9Q92mZ$%H

@Or%UcO7x5O!)tiy{Ne Yb!4IUBbPm5 E8gR _ %)3Bp|OJc`aopV

\ ukxc \Q{yxo %Az oqN

A

KDT@c6iO5n=

C1\fb3aj12q3+

HXSYI0F-}

-WtL D*yEv ?{&gqv

xQ-9!RSyB8 8(pEBp$}Lh)s6 &tB@% H7k2A o !5Tmdkhe

% x F*y{&qm

^)wz))At

%W$u`XB}g cEVt+F*6 &Js5%DFca-k$iR

ST O-Gq R

h

J$ S 8 *t^fF c )g &yF8- |(

mIvvSy19lB`\ @&Y_

66

v-{K


Office of Public Affairs - transcom-pa@mail.mil
News Archive

Follow Us On:

Facebook      Instagram      Twitter      Flickr      LinkedIn


Connect to USTRANSCOM JECC AMC MSC SDDC
Office of Public Affairs|United States Transportation Command|Scott Air Force Base IL 62225-5357
This is a Department of Defense (DOD) computer system. Please read our Privacy, Accessibility, Use and Non-Endorsement Disclaimer Notice.