Consumer Protection

Matthew Row, Outreach Coordinator for the Indiana Attorney General's office spoke to Kiwanis about various scams and consumer protection schemes and tools.
Row spoke about 4 scams that are currently be used.  

• The first is the contractor scam where a person comes to your home and tells you he noticed you needed some work that he just finished at your neighbors.  He tells you he has enough material left over to do your home as well.  You agree, pay him, and he disappears.  Row suggests you call the neighbor.  Ask the contractor for id, a contract, a timeline, and only give a deposit of 1/3 of the cost.  Most scammers will refuse these requests and you should refuse them.
• The IRS scam is a phone call supposedly from the IRS,  A request to settle a tax debt is offered at a discount if you get cash card and call them back.  The IRS does not call you on the phone to demand money.  They send you letters,
• The Love Connection is a electronic media friendship request from someone who wants a relationship.  After a period of time they say they would really like to meet you but do not have the money for airfare,  Send them the money and you will never hear from them again,
• The Grandparent Scam is one where a grandparent is targeted from information gathered from a grandchild's social media account.  You receive a call to bail them out of jail by buying a cash gift card and calling them back with the numbers,  Your grandchild is probably safely in bed. Don't send any money until you check out the story, 

In all cases ask questions.  Get details.  Get names, addresses, phone numbers.  
Row also talked about credit issues and freezing credit so no new loans can be started.  For more information on all of this contact outreachservices@atg.in.org or call 317.234.7100