Be wary of worms on Instant Messenger

THE WORMS ON FACEBOOK: No, not the individuals who trade in gossip and telling stories, I’m talking about a serious threat to anyone who uses Facebook or the Instant Messenger app, usually called IM.

In addition to having your FB identity stolen and then using instant message to pose as someone you know, the scammers use an “worm” to steal your vital information.

Here’s how it works: you receive an Instant Message on your Facebook app. The message direct you to a fake YouTube website and in order to view the content, you are required to enter certain personal information. Bingo, bango — the bad guys have all they need to drain your bank account, take your Bitcoins or other thievery relative to your money, reputation and identity. The new worm is called FacexWorm. Be careful!

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SCAM COLLECTION AGENCIES: I’ve received a bunch of calls from consumers who have been contacted and threatened unless they pay up, immediately. If the consumer gives in, the scammers will require payment by credit card, debit card or bank check. Once you hand that over, even for a $9.95 debt — they’ve got you. They will soon drain your bank and/or max out your credit card. If you get a call from a collection agency, do three things to protect yourself: first ask for the name, company, telephone number, including extension of the caller; second, ask to whom the debt is owed and when it was incurred; third, ask that they send you the information IN WRITING, (do not give them your address, if they are legitimate, they already have your address), and lastly, tell the caller “in accordance with Federal Collections laws, they may not call you again about this debt.” This should solve any problems you might encounter with fake collection agencies. Of course the shortcut version goes like this — “please hold on for a moment while I start my recorder to make a record of this call.” I almost guarantee that if you wait 3 seconds, they will quickly hang up.

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SOME OF THE BEST LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE COMPANIES: I read a great article on long-term care insurance. This should be on everyone’s mind who is 40 or older. The problem is, it’s generally relatively expensive and the policies are complicated as to who is covered and what the coverages are. Shopping for a long-term care policy is difficult and time consuming. On the other hand, a month of long term care can easily run between $5,000 and $7,000, quickly exhausting the resources of all but the wealthiest among us. Here are the companies referenced in this article: Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, MassMutual and AXA. This is only a starting point. Types of long-term care include traditional and hybrid. It’s important that you do your own due diligence and do a little self-study. You can also consult an INDEPENDENT insurance broker for some help in choosing a policy. Generally speaking, the earlier you contract for a plan, the smaller your monthly premium will be.

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ROMAINE IS STILL A PROBLEM: I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, or in this case a head of lettuce, but people are still buying, eating and getting sick from romaine lettuce. I’m sorry to mention is again, but if one of my readers got sick, I’d feel terrible. Better to be safe than sorry. If you have ANY symptoms, fever or tummy trouble, get to your MD fast, go to the ER. Greens are good for us, but they’re not worth dying over. I will put a short, couple line update in each of my columns until the danger is past.

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THE NIGERIAN PRINCE IS BACK: This week seems to have been one for many of the oldie but goodie scams. The “Nigerian Prince” is back sending emails and snail mail trying to enlist consumers’ help in getting his billions of dollars out of Nigeria. This one’s great for a laugh and all, but the most naive won’t fall for it. As Randy, one of my friends reminds me — they send out hundreds of thousands of emails and snail mails and in that it only takes one trusting, naive soul to make for a healthy payday for the scammer crew. Don’t let it be you or yours. Remember: Forewarned is forearmed!

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COMPUTER SUPPORT: Don’t ever get your computer or tech support online, or from a caller representing Windows or Microsoft. Get your advice locally and from someone you know. Call me if you need direction.

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BE CAREFUL — NOT PARANOID OUT THERE: In a way, it almost makes a person want to sit home in a corner in a fetal position, with the doors locked and the lights out, afraid to open or send an email, and certainly in fear of answering the phone.

Now here’s the GOOD news — it’s easy to protect yourself, and your loved ones from the scammers. Follow these rules:

1. If it sounds too good to be true — IT IS! Don’t fall for it.

2. If you’re being offered a “grant” or sweepstakes winnings, or government money — it’s a scam. Don’t do it.

3. If you’re required or pressured to hurry up and make a decision — don’t do it. It’s a scam. Good deals today are also good deals tomorrow — after you’ve checked them out.

4. If someone calls you and threatens you with arrest or a warrant — it’s a scam.

5. Don’t EVER buy gift cards or prepaid cash cards and send them to anyone for payment of anything.

6. Don’t EVER give your credit card information to anyone that calls you. Not even if they suggest you call them back. Telephone numbers are easy, cheap and quick to buy online. You can pick any area code you want!

7. Before making any decision about paying for anything resulting from an email or a phone call, get in touch with friends or relatives to discuss the matter. You can also call me or email me.

8. Always use a credit card to pay for remote purchases of goods or services. Don’t use a checking account number and information, or a debit card — the Federal Trade Commission protections only apply to credit cards.

9. Above all — talk to each other. Together we can be a “hard target” for the crooks.

If you follow the above rules you’ll avoid 99.99 percent of the scams out there.

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IMPORTANT LAST MINUTE WARNING: Reportedly Spectrum, one of the local cable TV and Internet providers is contacting subscribers via an automated call, asking if they’d like to upgrade their existing service. I will do the research and legwork and address this in my next column. In the meantime, if you have questions — call me.

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REMEMBER BILL BROOKS: “He’s On Your Side”

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I have many more tips and interesting cases that I’m working on. Call me at (208) 699-0506, or email me at BillBrooksAdvocate@gmail.com (#GoGetEmBillBrooks) You can follow me at www.billbrooksconsumeradvocate.com. I am available to speak about consumerism to schools, and local and civic groups. Bill Brooks is a consumer advocate and the broker and owner of Bill Brooks Real Estate in Coeur d’Alene.