http://www.warwickonline.com/view/full_story_news/12219677/article-AG-empowers-consumers-to-fight-fraud?instance=lead_story_left_column
by Meg Fraser
Consumer scams are always lurking, but with the economy stalling in the recession, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin warns that Rhode Islanders need to be especially careful with personal and financial information.
“Consumer fraud and identity theft does continue to be a major problem. It still happens because, unfortunately, it works,” Kilmartin said.
The AG was joined by Mayor Scott Avedisian Friday at the Pilgrim Senior Center to kick off National Consumer Protection Week, which officially began on Sunday.
“[Scams] probably come in when the economy goes sour,” said Tammy Miller, director of the Consumer Protection Unit in Kilmartin’s office.
To prevent falling victim to scams, the attorney general advises people to take extra care to destroy documents that contain bank account information, Social Security numbers and even just your name and address.
To that end, the AG is partnering with Doc Shredding to hold free “shred-a-thon” events across the state. Shredding events begin today at the Pilgrim Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The attorney general has given us an opportunity to take care of that for all of our seniors. We think it’s a fantastic venture,” Avedisian said.
Councilman Joseph Solomon was also on hand to lend his support to the NCPW event.
Wednesday’s event will be at the Woonsocket Public Library, Thursday’s event at the Middletown Police Station, Friday’s event at the Stedman Government Center in Wakefield and Saturday’s event at the Office of the Attorney General in Providence. All events will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We are committed and excited to be working in cooperation with the attorney general’s office during this week to help provide the people of Rhode Island a helping hand in the secure disposal of sensitive information. We look forward to being a part of this important public event,” said Brian Johnson of Doc Shredding Corp.
All events are free and open to the public, and individuals are allowed to bring up to two full bank boxes of documents (equivalent to the box reams of paper come in).
“It’s very safe and secure,” Kilmartin said. “The old adage goes ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’; it rings true for identity thieves. They will take advantage of any opportunity to, frankly, rip us off.”
In addition to shredding bills, officials in the Consumer Protection Unit said receipts and catalogues are also important to destroy. Many scams are seasonal. Miller said that this time of year, for example, often prompts tax-related schemes. While last week’s event highlighted safeguards for seniors, she said that scams target people of all ages and backgrounds.
“It’s really across the board,” she said.
Kilmartin knows that first hand. He was charged for a purchase that came out of Germany for a horse harness made in Texas, a purchase that he knew nothing about.
“It does happen to everyone. No one is immune to it, so we have to stay ever vigilant. Everyone, especially in his economy, has worked so hard for what little money we have,” he said.
Touching upon some of the warning signs, Kilmartin advised consumers to beware of foreign lotteries that ask for a small amount of money in order to win millions.
“When you see that, that’s a scam right off the bat,” he said.
Though many of the callers, or letters, that come through seem plausible, he said consumers should take added precaution and call the AG’s office if they have any questions on the legitimacy of these “contests.”
“These are sophisticated people who use sophisticated weapons,” he said.
Kilmartin explained that, oftentimes, the criminals are targeting Americans but are living outside of the country.
“It’s very hard for the office of the attorney general to prosecute these people,” he said.
The most common frauds the AG identified are fake check scams where someone is instructed to deposit a check only to find out it is fake after wired money back to the criminal; “sweetheart swindles,” where criminals befriend an individual in chat rooms or dating sites only to request money as a favor or travel expenses; auctions for bogus merchandise and foreign lotteries.
Also supporting the Consumer Protection Week efforts was Brigadier General Brian Goodwin, the assistant adjutant general of the army, Rhode Island National Guard. The Family Assistance Center in his office is available to military families who have questions on identity theft or fraud.
“We do not need you to be having these hassles at home when your loved one is serving overseas,” Goodwin said. “There are evil people who will prey on you if it’s allowed.”
He urged military families, many of which are strapped for time with one parent serving abroad, to take advantage of the shred-a-thon and other available resources to protect themselves. More and more Rhode Island families could be at risk, he pointed out, since this year is a major deployment for the state’s armed forces. To date, there have been 450 deployments, with another 230 scheduled for this month and another 400 in November.
Goodwin reminded military families that the army “will never call you and ask you for personal information; we have it.” He, too, has been victim to identity theft, despite checking his bank statements daily.
“It happens to everybody. My wife is determined to shred everything,” he said, laughing.
Kilmartin said he believes there is “nothing more despicable” than a criminal who preys on the men and women in the armed services. Whether military or not, though, the attorney general said protecting consumer interests is a priority of his office. He hopes consumers across the state will do their part to prevent attack.
“It’s your identity. You own it, you’ve earned it, so keep it for yourself,” he said.
To contact the Consumer Protection Unit, call 274-4400 or e-mail contactus@riag.ri.gov. To contact the Family Assistance Center, call 275-4321. To access a free credit report, which can indicate instances of identity theft, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
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