'Waiting packages' phishing scam targets college students
Scammers are targeting college students with a message that there’s a package waiting for them and asking them to click on a link to learn more. The reason why college students are being targeted is because many students had to go home quickly from campus last spring after COVID-19 broke out and now scammers are trying to trick students into thinking that there are legitimate packages actually waiting for them.
The rule is the same, if you get an unexpected text message about a package, don’t click on any links. If you think the message is legitimate contact the company using the website or phone number you know is real. Do not rely on any information from the text message. If you click on the link you run the risk of being tricked into giving up personal information or worse yet, having malware downloaded onto your device.
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Lottery prize ticket forfeited due to Post Office error
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lottery claims offices around the country are closed or have limited in-person visits. That means lottery officials are encouraging winners to mail their winning tickets rather than dropping by the office.
But what happens when the Postal Service doesn’t deliver? A Florida woman who had won $1,000 is finding out the answer to that question is — not much. Since the lottery office was closed on the day she won she decided to mail her ticket to the Tallahassee headquarters. According to the tracking information, the package made it to the Tallahassee post office but never made it to the lottery headquarters.
Now the winner has been informed that since she missed the redemption deadline her winnings have been forfeited to the next winner. While the United States Postal Service is sorry for the inconvenience, it isn’t clear that any payment will be forthcoming on their part to compensate the rightful winner.
Winners in Idaho will face the same challenges since a winning ticket will need to be submitted to Boise either in person or by mail for winning amounts over $599. For prizes of $599 or less, you can redeem your ticket at a local retailer.
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Publisher’s Clearing House and Social Security scams calls continue
I have received a few calls from readers about Publisher’s Clearing House (PHC), that callers are telling them they have won a big price ranging from $250,000-$2,500,000. However, there is a cash payment that needs to occur prior to disbursement of funds. Please remember from past warnings that PCH does not call winners and any solicitation for funds up front of awarding a prize is a scam.
The Social Security office does not call us to let us know that our Social Security number has been involved in a crime or that we will be arrested due to activity on our account. Since a lot of readers are still asking about these calls, as a reminder, the Social Security Administration does not call us. If they need to contact us for any reason, it will be done in the form of a written letter sent through the U.S. mail.
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RV sales are up but civility is down
As a result of COVID-19, RV sales are up. It seems that many families thought this would be a good way to spend time together with their families but away from others. However, based on the recent experience of a Post Falls reader, he said social distancing with camping isn’t working out so well.
Post Labor Day weekend our reader was surprised at how busy campgrounds have been because typically the camping season slows down after kids go back to school. But now that many kids are learning remotely and/or parents are working remotely camping seems to be in higher demand.
With the higher demand comes higher fees for campsites. Our reader observed that multiple parties were crammed into one site and campers were also blocking unoccupied sites for their family or friends who had not arrived yet. This makes it nearly impossible for other campers seeking a spot without planning far in advance.
Bottom line is if learning and working continue to be done remotely with more flexibility for travel and you are thinking of getting an RV, make sure you can plan far enough in advance in order to get a camp spot or you might be disappointed.
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Remember: I’m on your side.
If you have encountered a consumer issue that you have questions about or think our readers should know about, please send me an email at terridickersonadvocate@gmail.com or call me at 208-274-4458. As The CDA Press Consumer Gal, I’m here to help. I’m a copywriter working with businesses on marketing strategy, a columnist, a veterans advocate and a consumer advocate living in Coeur d’Alene.