November 7, 2009
Scam watch
This collection of news stories and links is designed to warn against scams and fraud, and to help readers evaluate businesses and charities. Read about schemes reported locally below.
The list of links to the right offers a variety of online resources for people to research suspected scams and take steps to protect themselves. Check e-mail rumors and offers at Snopes.com. Stop telemarketing calls by adding your phone number to the National Do Not Call registry. Monitor for fraudulent use of your name or resources by getting a free annual credit report from a government-mandated program.
If you suspect you have been a target of a scam, contact your local police or sheriff’s department. A list of department numbers is available at the right.
From the Archives
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Talent women bamboozled - 9/1/2009
A Talent woman lost $33,000 wiring money to a scam artist she believed was an attorney helping her...
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Beware of fake-jewelry scams on street - 5/30/2009
Targeting the Hispanic community with sad stories about needing to unload diamonds for quick cash,...
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Medford-area developer, wife face charges - 5/19/2009
A Medford developer and mortgage broker and his wife appeared in Jackson County Circuit Court...
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Big bucks are too good to be true - 5/4/2009
When Grace Rowden received a letter and check saying she'd won the Australian lottery, she didn't...
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Beware of companies asking you to work from home - 3/27/2009
EDITORS NOTE: This is part of an ongoing series offering tips and information for businesses,...
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SCAM ALERT - 3/27/2009
Editor's note: Scams will be posted in this column as local law enforcement or the Oregon Attorney...
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Beware of scam No. 2: We're your new bank! - 3/26/2009
EDITORS NOTE: This is part of an ongoing series offering tips and information for businesses,...
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Text message scam targets credit union customers - 2/23/2009
Scam text messages purporting to be from local credit unions have popped up on cell phones across...
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Authorities: Beware of tax scams - 1/24/2009
Tax season is scam season for some criminals out to make an easy buck.
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Police warn of cell-phone scam - 1/23/2009
A scam text message purporting to be from Bank of the Cascades popped up on cell phones across the...
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Man loses $9,000 in eBay hustle - 12/17/2008
MEDFORD — A man shopping online for the chance to put the dramatic tailfins of a 1957 Chevy...
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Scammed! False cry for help costs Talent woman thousands of dollars - 11/22/2008
When Bobbie Jean Laird, of Talent, heard what sounded like the voice of her 45-year-old nephew,...
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Grants Pass e-mail survey turns out to be a scam - 9/5/2008
GRANTS PASS — An e-mail survey sent to Grants Pass-area residents that offered $90 simply to...
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Telephone scam targets Hispanics - 7/12/2008
Medford police are warning people about an apparent telephone scam targeting the Hispanic community.
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More victims surface in 'mortgage watchdog' scam - 7/12/2008
At least four Jackson County residents have been scammed by a man posing as a "mortgage watchdog"...
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Mortgage scam is front for identity theft - 7/11/2008
WHITE CITY — Police are asking the public to be aware of a man involved in a mortgage scam...
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Seniors watch for scams as rebates approach - 4/12/2008
Seniors should be on guard for scams targeting their federal rebate checks that the IRS will send...
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E-mail bank scam asks for credit card numbers - 3/27/2008
Another scam seeking banking information has hit local text message and e-mail in-boxes.
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Text message scam seeks victims' account information - 3/14/2008
Police are warning of a text message scam directed at Bank of the Cascades customers that has...
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Seniors lose $200,000-plus to securities scam - 3/5/2008
A Washington man arrested Monday on a string of theft and fraud charges apparently made off with...
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Thieves tap local ATMs for customers' bankcard numbers - 12/7/2007
Medford police are warning people that a group of criminals working along Interstate 5 is capturing...
Report a scam
Resources
- Federal Trade Commission: Offers a wide range of consumer protection information, with some specialties highlighted below
- FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection: Focuses on preventing fraud, deception and unfair business practices
- FTC's identity theft site: A resource for to help deter, detect and defend against identity theft
- National Do Not Call registry: FTC maintained service available at 1-888-382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov
- OnGuardOnline.gov: Tips from the federal government and tech industry on guarding against Internet fraud and securing your computer
- AnnualCreditReport.com: the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit reports
- Better Business Bureau: Site covering Oregon, Washington and Alaska
- Fraud.org: Tips and resources from the National Consumer League's Fraud Center
- Oregon Department of Justice: Charitable activities section helps you research charities and provides tips for wise giving
- Oregon Department of Justice: The Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection section offers consumer education and a complaint form
- PhoneBusters: Canadian anti-fraud call center collects details on scams
- Snopes.com: A site that compiles and researches a wide variety of scams, rumors and myths
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LOCAL REVIEW
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I've always had great food from the Thai Bistro! The Veggie Delight is my favorite and my hubby loves the...posted on 9/2/2009
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First class...posted on 9/29/2009
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Enjoyable laid back cafe. Looks minimal but seating is available in the back. Good food, good coffee, and...posted on 6/23/2009
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Maybe it just seems like all our discretionary income goes here... They have a great selection of quality...posted on 6/12/2009
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great great food, always nice folks working, more people need to check it out, there are usually only one or...posted on 10/19/2009
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I have been eating at Omar's for years and have never had a bad meal. My favorite is the Calamari Piccatta -...posted on 6/25/2009
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LOTS of food in each serving/good prices The best fries in the...posted on 5/22/2009
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This is not your typical Chips and Salsa "mexican" food, so let go of your notions of what "mexican" food is...posted on 8/17/2009
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best in the west..just visited medford and found this perfect little old fashion burger house that is going...posted on 5/13/2009
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B. Ella is just a terrific place to browse for neat things or funny gifts. The shop just SMELLS terrific....posted on 6/12/2009
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