Mail thefts and crimes of opportunities are unfortunate reminders of why “see something, say something” can help prevent crime, and NextDoor provides an opportunity for residents to do that virtually.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials are using several programs for online, community-based outreach, including Nixle, which it uses to send out crime reports and announcements, and NextDoor, which creates a social network within a physical neighborhood by verifying members’ addresses with a postcard.

While there’s almost always a potential for information to be stolen online, Sheriff’s Department officials have reported NextDoor as a secure and safe way for neighbors to alert each other to something suspicious, as well as communicate a need, offer for help or even a message about that couch that someone needs to have picked up from their curb.

“In this day and age, social media has changed the way that people communicate with each other,” said Shirley Miller, Public Information Officer for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, in a previous interview. “By establishing a virtual neighborhood watch, residents will be able to access their neighborhood watch from their smartphones, tablets and computers. They will be able to efficiently relay messages to others in their neighborhood. Through this network, neighborhoods can come together and look out for each other.”

While the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has endorsed NextDoor for its security (the social media company verifies its members addresses by mailing postcard with a code to the user’s home address), it has identified several scams criminals have developed using the network.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported the following tips on how to spot a scam:

1. Demand immediate payment
2. Require you to use a specific payment method
3. Ask for credit/debt card numbers over the phone
4. Threaten to bring in local police to have you arrested

The Sheriff’s Department does not call to alert anyone they are trying to arrest regarding the solicitation of money.

In regards to an IRS scam, everything is handled through the mail on an official document, never through phone or computer. If it seems phishy (get it) it probably is!

If you have been a victim, call the Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121 or go online to the FTC and file a complaint (ftc.gov/complaint).

Here are some TRUE STORIES of recent frauds:

• I’m from the IRS and you owe $2,300 now to avoid an audit….”
• A caller identifies himself as a Deputy Sheriff and demands payment of a fine for failure to appear for jury duty.
• A caller represents himself as “tech support,” promises to send a rebate for recent computer problems, and asks for information about computer log on passwords. The caller then accesses the victim’s computer, locks it, and demands ransom to unlock the computer.
• A caller demands that a woman withdraw $5,000 from her bank or she’ll be arrested.
• A caller represents himself as the grandson of an elderly man, and asks him to wire $5,000 so the grandson can bail out of jail.
• A caller represents himself as a police officer in a far-away state, demanding payment of a fine to keep a relative out of jail.
• A caller says he’s kidnapped the victim’s daughter, demanding that the victim go to a bank and withdraw $4,700 to release her. (The caller had information about the daughter’s school. She was located safe and unaware.)
• “A new government program will provide free debt relief for 90% of your outstanding credit card debt. All you have to do is send us $500.”

FIRST: DO NOT MAKE A PAYMENT OF ANY KIND without verifying the information through a reliable source. DO NOT provide a caller with your social security number, birthdate, account details, or any other private information. Any legitimate caller would already have this information!

The vast majority of these calls are scams. Legitimate persons with whom you do business will contact you via conventional means, and none will require payment via wire transfer, electronic debit card such as a “Green Dot” card, or checking account routing number.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has an excellent site, including a breakdown of some common types of scams, as well as advice on appropriate actions. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/007… http://1.usa.gov/XMG7zA

From the FTC site:

Signs of a Scam

Often, scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time to think about their pitch; they just want you to say “yes.” But some are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send information featuring “satisfied customers.” These customers, known as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company.

Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams. If you hear a line that sounds like this, say “no, thank you,” hang up, and file a complaint with the FTC:

• You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
• You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
• You’ve won one of five valuable prizes.
• You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
• This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.
• You have to make up your mind right away.
• You trust me, right?
• You don’t need to check our company with anyone.
• We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.

How They Hook You

Scammers use exaggerated — or even fake — prizes, products or services as bait. Some may call you, but others will use mail, texts, or ads to get you to call them for more details. Here are a few examples of “offers” you might get:

• Travel Packages. “Free” or “low cost” vacations can end up cost¬ing a bundle in hidden costs. Some of these vacations never take place, even after you’ve paid.
• Credit and loans. Advance fee loans, payday loans, credit card protection,and offers tolower your credit card interest rates are very popular schemes, especially during a down economy.
• Sham or exaggerated business and investment opportunities. Promoters of these have made millions of dollars. Scammers rely on the fact that business and investing can be complicated and that most people don’t research the investment.
• Charitable causes. Urgent requests for recent disaster relief efforts are especially common on the phone.
• High-stakes foreign lotteries. These pitches are against the law, which prohibits the cross-border sale or purchase of lottery tickets by phone or mail. What’s more, you may never see a ticket.
• Extended car warranties. Scammers find out what kind of car you drive, and when you bought it so they can urge you to buy overpriced — or worthless — plans.
• “Free” trial offers. Some companies use free trials to sign you up for products — sometimes lots of products — which can cost you lots of money because they bill you every month until you cancel.

Why They’re Calling You

Everyone’s a potential target. Fraud isn’t limited to race, ethnic background, gender, age, education, or income. That said, some scams seem to concentrate in certain groups. For example, older people may be targeted because the caller assumes they may live alone, have a nest egg, or may be more polite toward strangers.

How to Handle an Unexpected Sales Call

Questions to Ask

When you get a call from a telemarketer, ask yourself:

• Who’s calling… and why? The law says telemarketers must tell you it’s a sales call, the name of the seller and what they’re selling before they make their pitch. If you don’t hear this information, say “no thanks,” and get off the phone.
• What’s the hurry? Fast talkers who use high pressure tactics could be hiding something. Take your time. Most legitimate businesses will give you time and written information about an offer before asking you to commit to a purchase.
• If it’s free, why are they asking me to pay? Question fees you need to pay to redeem a prize or gift. Free is free. If you have to pay, it’s a purchase — not a prize or a gift.
• Why am I “confirming” my account information — or giving it out? Some callers have your billing information before they call you. They’re trying to get you to say “okay” so they can claim you approved a charge.
• What time is it? The law allows telemarketers to call only between 8 am and 9 pm. A seller calling earlier or later is ignoring the law.
• Do I want more calls like this one? If you don’t want a business to call you again, say so and register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. If they call back, they’re breaking the law.

Some Additional Guidelines

• Resist pressure to make a decision immediately.
• Keep your credit card, checking account, or Social Security numbers to yourself. Don’t tell them to callers you don’t know — even if they ask you to “confirm” this information. That’s a trick.
• Don’t pay for something just because you’ll get a “free gift.”
• Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
• Check out a charity before you give. Ask how much of your donation actually goes to the charity. Ask the caller to send you written informa¬tion so you can make an informed decision without being pressured, rushed, or guilted into it.
• If the offer is an investment, check with your state securities regulator to see if the offer — and the offeror — are properly registered.
• Don’t send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money transfer. If you use cash or a money transfer — rather than a credit card — you may lose your right to dispute fraudulent charges. The money will be gone.
• Don’t agree to any offer for which you have to pay a “registration” or “shipping” fee to get a prize or a gift.
• Research offers with your consumer protection agency or state Attorney General’s officebefore you agree to send money.
• Beware of offers to “help” you recover money you have already lost. Callers that say they are law enforcement officers who will help you get your money back “for a fee” are scammers.
• Report any caller who is rude or abusive, even if you already sent them money. They’ll want more. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/complaint.

What To Do About Pre-Recorded Calls

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. Recorded messages that are trying to sell you something are generally illegal unless you have given the company written permission to call you.

If you get a robocall:

• Hang up the phone. Don’t press 1 to speak to a live operator or any other key to take your number off the list. If you respond by pressing any number, it will probably just lead to more robocalls.
• Consider asking your phone company whether they charge for blocking phone numbers. Remember that telemarketers change Caller ID information easily and often, so it might not be worth paying a fee to block a number that will change.
• Report your experience to the FTC online or by calling 1-888-382-1222.

If you get phone service through internet or cable, you might want to look into services that screen and block robocalls. Try doing an online search for “block robocalls.”

Join the National Do Not Call List

Register your home and mobile phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. This won’t stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most.

If your number is on the registry and you still get calls, they’re probably from scammers ignoring the law. Hang up, and report them at www.donotcall.gov.