• Belize Bureau of Standards
  • Belize Bureau of Standards
  • Belize Bureau of Standards

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SCAM WATCH
Thursday, 22 October 2009 19:37

The Consumer Protection Unit of the Belize Bureau of Standards would like to issue an advisory regarding the recent incidents of scams in Belize.

Telephone, Internet and mail scams are common and serious problems. The main aim is to steal consumers' money, identity and even self-respect. Consumers are urged to make a conscious effort to be on the alert for unscrupulous persons and companies.

To protect yourself and to avoid being a victim of scams, keep the following in mind:

  1. Don't be dazzled by "You are a winner Of..."- The pop-up alerts we frequentlyreceive over the Internet suggesting that we are the winner of something extravagant are scams that simply encourages us to click on the links, open attached forms, or call phoney toll-free numbers to collect our winnings. By simply clicking the link or opening the document harmful software, like spyware, can be installed on our computers. By simply clicking the link or opening the document harmful software, like spyware, can be install on our computers, the result, our personal information ending up in the hands of  an identity thief. Some Scam Artists even go as far as to ask you to send a small processing fee, pay the tax or pay shipping and handling, supposedly to get a much larger check in return. Money you’ll never see again, and after they receive the “small processing fee” you’ll never hear from them again. IF YOU GET A MESSAGE OFFERING YOU MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, IGNORE IT, DELETE IT, OR THROW IT OUT. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, QUESTION IT, IT PROBABLY ISN’T TRUE.
  2. Know who you’re dealing with – When doing business or shopping online, look for a seller’s physical address and a working telephone number. Before downloading free software, read the fine print – some downloads actually come with spyware. REMEMBER: Phone numbers can deceive as well. Some Scam Artists use Internet Technology to call you. These type of technology allows them to disguise their area code, although it may look like they’re calling from a specific location when in reality they could be calling from anywhere in the world. Be warey scams that are disguised as originating from a government agency or other credibile organizations.

SCAM: RECOGNIZE IT: REPORT IT: STOP IT, FROM HAPPENING TO YOU.

For further information regarding different types of scams visit the Fedral Trade commission website at www.ftc.gov