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Internet Scambusters (tm)
The #1 Publication on Internet Fraud
http://www.scambusters.org

By Scambusters Audri, Jim and Pete
Issue #296  August 13, 2008

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Note 1: Easily change your subscription information by
clicking the link at the very bottom of this newsletter.

Note 2: Please share this newsletter with 3 or 4 of your
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Hi Scamdex,

Two more Snippets for you today:

- Beware this "Neighborly" Charity Fraud

- Credit Card Thieves Target Gyms and Sports Facilities.

However, we think you'll like visiting this week's issue of
Scamlines -- What's New in Scams? -- first.

http://www.scambusters.org/scamlines/21.html

And before we begin, we encourage you to take a look at this
week's most popular articles from our other sites:

Answers to 7 of the Biggest Questions About Outdoor and Stock
Photography: An Interview With Charlie Borland
http://www.7photographyquestions.com/audio-podcast/

Take the Identity Theft Challenge
http://www.identitytheftfixes.com/how_much_do_you_really_know_about_identity_theft.html

The Internet: The Bargain Hunter's Shopping Paradise
http://www.consumersavvytips.org/the_internet_the_bargain_hunters_shopping_paradise.html

Saving Money Needs To Become a Priority Once Again
http://www.consumertipsreports.org/saving_money_the_oldfashioned_way.html

Let's get started...

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Beware this "Neighborly" Charity Fraud 
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Charity fraud come in many guises, and clever scammers are
constantly inventing new "twists" on old routines.

They also know that certain scams are harder to resist. After
all, it's one thing to screen telemarketers, delete suspicious
emails and toss out junk mail, but quite another to refuse
appeals from wide-eyed students "raising money for sick
children."

And it's even harder to turn down a "student" who's one of your
neighbors, right?

We recently learned of instances where "college students" went
door-to-door, soliciting money for a legitimate-sounding
charity. The scammers introduced themselves as a "neighbor"
(obviously, this works best in larger neighborhoods) and
convinced victims to buy magazines or books for children
suffering from one of several diseases.

The alleged scammers even showed victims glossy brochures
featuring different magazine and book titles, and then asked the
person to donate some to the sick children.

In one neighborhood, some of those targeted only became
suspicious when they later compared notes, and realized that:

-- The people selling the books and magazines didn't actually
live in the neighborhood.

-- Some victims were asked to make out their checks to the
salesperson, not the charity.

-- Some victims were shown photocopies of sales brochures;
others actual brochures.

We can't be sure, but it's possible that scammers got their
hands on the materials and receipts of a legitimate charity
and/or photocopied them. The scammers may even have been
approached by the legitimate fundraisers earlier, and then
decided to sign up as "salespeople," keeping the money for
themselves.

Whatever the case, please follow the tips below to avoid being
ripped off by charity fraud.

1. Get the name, address and phone number of the organization.
Also, ask if it's registered. If the solicitor claims that it is, get 
the registration number. The Better Business Bureau Wise 
Giving Alliance offers information about national charities 
on their website.

http://www.give.org

2. Verify with the office of the real charity that there is
indeed a door-to-door campaign going on, and the person at 
your door is actually a representative. If you're shy about
verifying this information in the rep's presence, ask him to
return later, and then place the call.

3. Never pay cash, and always make out your check to the
charity, not to the person who knocked on your door.

You can find more information on avoiding charity scams here:

http://www.scambusters.org/charity.html

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Credit Card Thieves Target Gyms and Sports Facilities
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According to a report in the AARP Bulletin, more and more
thieves are "working out at the gym" -- working out ways to
steal your credit cards, that is.

Specifically, thieves are keeping tabs on the parking lots of
fitness clubs and sporting facilities, breaking into patrons'
cars to steal credit cards left in glove compartments or hidden
underneath seats or towels.

Criminals are targeting these places, say law enforcement
officials, because they know that:

(1) Many people are afraid to leave valuables in gym lockers.

(2) Victims will probably be away for one or two hours, leaving
the crooks ample time to steal the credit cards AND use them to
quickly purchase goods and services.

In a number of cases, thieves were able to steal credit cards
and make thousands of dollars worth of purchases in less than 90
minutes -- often to buy computers and other high-end
electronics.

To protect yourself, be sure you:

-- Always lock your car (you'd be surprised how many people
don't).

-- Never leave valuables in your car, regardless of how well
hidden you think they are.

-- Leave credit cards at home unless absolutely necessary. 
Don't carry credit cards you won't be using. You can find tips on
what to do if your wallet or credit card is stolen here:

http://www.scambusters.org/creditcard.html

These simple tips will help you avoid both charity fraud and
credit card thieves.

Time to conclude for today -- have a great week!

- Please Check Out These Offers - They Keep Scambusters Free -
- - - - - We Highly Recommend All of These Products - - - - -

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"Finally...You Can Pay Off ALL Your Debts, Including Your
Mortgage, In Less Than 10 Years...Even If You Just Got Your
Mortgage Yesterday...AND the More Debts You Have the Better!"

...Without having to 'pinch pennies,' get a second job or cut
back on your spending in any way -- and still become debt-free!

Did you know that trying to pay off your high interest rate
debts first and/or paying extra on more than one debt can be
the SLOWEST way to get out of debt?

"How To Own Your Paycheck Again!" reveals everything you need
to know to pay off those debts in the shortest possible time.

And the really amazing part is... if you can pay all your
bills on time now, the more debts you have the better!

I know it sounds crazy but the author of this program, Leo
Quinn, has been teaching this method for almost 10 years and
he's got the feedback from students to back it up. We met him
a couple of months ago at a conference, and he clearly knows
his stuff.

In fact, here's what fellow Scambusters subscriber Tom Dooley
has to say:

   "Once I read your debt reduction concept, I threw the data
   into an Excel file, and found that you are correct. I could
   retire my debt in less than ten years with your program and
   some monetary discipline. ...I have been trying to pay off
   the high interest stuff first, but not making any headway.

   "This is highly embarrassing, as I am a data manager by day,
   and ought to have figured it out myself. I was hesitant to
   try your program because it seemed like 'pie in the sky.' I'm
   glad I did!"
   - Tom Dooley, Wallingford, PA

Leo has even agreed to give Scambusters subscribers an extra
special discount. Discover the full story now at:

http://scambusters.org/a/leoquinn.html

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101 Mouthwatering Cholesterol Lowering Recipes

Anyone trying to lower their cholesterol knows the first thing
any doctor will tell you is "watch what you eat." But low and
no-cholesterol foods won't do much to force your cholesterol
lower.

That's why you need to eat cholesterol-lowering foods as well.
They trigger your body's "cholesterol furnace," driving your
cholesterol level down naturally.

Dr. Chris Hart and Amy Carey have just published a collection
of 101 cholesterol lowering recipes that combine
low-cholesterol and cholesterol-lowering foods to help you
drop your cholesterol level quickly, easily and naturally.

Best of all they taste great, too! And, you'll find special
bonuses to help you make any holiday meal healthier... without
sacrificing the taste.

Discover more about this unique collection of cholesterol
lowering recipes here:

http://scambusters.org/a/cholesterolrecipes.html

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How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be...

Rather than just dreaming about making your dreams come true,
why not actually make your dreams happen?

In fact, it can be fairly simple -- much easier than you ever
imagined!

How? By following the little-known steps outlined in an
outstanding and innovative recent book.

Here are just two of the initial rave reviews -- read them
carefully if you would like to go from where you are now to
where you want to be:

   "All I had when I started in the film business was a dream,
   but a dream without a plan gets you nowhere. That's where
   Pam comes in. Her new ebook shows you exactly what steps
   you need to take to identify and to live your dreams.

    "If you are ready to make the most of your life, and
    really want to live your dreams (and become a millionaire
    in the process), Pam's the one to help you do it!" 
    --J. Hill, Producer, Director, Writer, Hollywood, CA

~~~

    "I've been a financial consultant for over twenty years,
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    "In my business, clients would pay thousands of dollars
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    --B. Duncan, Financial Consultant, Las Vegas, NV

Visit now to find out how you can make YOUR dreams come
true...

http://scambusters.org/a/wealth.html


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