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Our Chamber Members Have Exciting Things to Share With You!

From Liberty Bank

SECURITY WARNING DEBIT CARD PHONE SCAM

We have been notified by law enforcement officials of a computer automated telephone scam that has impacted Illinois Bank customers. Debit card customers are receiving automated telephone calls stating that their debit card account has been breached. The customers are told that they will need to reset their information in order to use their debit card account. The scam works this way:
1) The telephone rings, and the Caller ID shows not available, private number, blocked, or unknown.
2) An automated recording states, Your debit card account has been breached. You need to reset your account by following these steps.
3) The automated recording states to press 1 to begin.
4) By pressing 1 a computer system is activated.
5) The customer is then told to enter the 16-digit debit card number and the expiration date.
6) The automated recording then asks for the 3-digit Card Verification Value Code (CVV Code) located on the back of the card, followed by the 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Whether you have a debit card issued from Liberty Bank, or at another financial institution, it is important to remember NOT to give out personal information over the telephone - including Passwords or PINs.
Liberty Bank ONLY uses an automated system to monitor and confirm possible debit card fraudulent activity. Liberty Bank will never ask for debit card numbers, 3-digit card verification value (CVV) numbers, or 4-digit PIN numbers.
If you believe that you have been contacted, or unknowingly participated in this scam, please contact Liberty Bank immediately at 877-305-7070!
For more information, please click on this link
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From the IRS

Protect Yourself from the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams

The IRS’s annual ‘Dirty Dozen’ list includes common tax scams that often peak during the tax filing season. The IRS recommends that taxpayers be aware so they can protect themselves against claims that sound too good to be true. Taxpayers who buy into illegal tax scams can end up facing significant penalties and interest and even criminal prosecution.
For more on the Dirty Dozen, see IRS news release IR-2013-33.
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From the BACP

Better Business Bureau Names Top Scams of 2012

The BBB's Top Ten Scams are ranked based on number of specific inquiries made by consumers to provide insight on the deceptive and sometimes illegal business practices in 2012.

Bernas explained, "Being aware that these scams exist is extremely important so that people can avoid becoming a victim and losing money or personal financial information."

For the complete list of Top Ten Scams in 2012, visit www.bbb.org
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From the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning small businesses www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/01/emailscam.shtm that an e-mail with a subject line "NOTIFICATION OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT" is not from the FTC. The e-mail falsely states that a complaint has been filed with the agency against their company.
The FTC advises recipients not to click on any of the links or attachments with the e-mail. Clicking on the links may install a virus or other spyware on the computer. The FTC's advice is to delete the email.
Learn more about how to prevent malicious software www.onguardonline.gov/malware

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From the BACP: Beware of Scams Involving Door-to-Door
Salespeople Asking to See Your Electric Bill

The City of Chicago has entered into an agreement with an electrical supplier to provide cheaper electricity to Chicago residents. All customers will receive a letter explaining this new program.
BACP is warning residents to beware of scams involving door-to-door salespeople asking to see your bill. The new company will not call customers or make door-to-door visits to customers.
Protect your information! Some salespeople may ask to see your current bill, but be cautious what you show them. Account numbers are valuable pieces of information and unscrupulous companies may record your account number and switch without your consent.
If someone calls you or visits your residence asking to see a bill, please report it by calling 311 or report it online.
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From the Better Business Bureau: Homeowners Tricked into Overpaying for Deeds

Be aware! Homeowners nationwide are receiving letters asking them to pay upwards of $80 to obtain a certified copy of their property deed. What the mailings don't mention is that deeds are available from the county for a few dollars or less.
How the Scam Works: You receive a letter in the mail in an official-looking "open immediately" envelope. It warns that you should have a certified copy of the deed to your house or condo. Getting a copy is easy; just pay the business $80 or more, and they will mail you one.
The letter is misleading. Deeds only cost a few dollars, so the scammers are making a hefty profit.
Some versions of the letters look like a bill. Others warn that an additional $35 will be tacked on to a base charge if you don't order by a set date. However, the mailing always uses an official sounding business name, including National Deed Service, Secured Document Company and Conveyance Transfer Services. These three all have a Washington D.C. return address and a toll-free number.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Deed?
If you are thinking about selling or refinancing your home, you will need a copy of your deed. But you don't need to pay scammers for one.
Where to get a new one: Call or check the website of the county clerk's office, where deeds are usually recorded.
What you need to get it: The street address of the property. There is no fee if you request the title yourself, but there may be a small charge for copying and certification.
How long it takes: The process takes about 10 business days in most cases.
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Don't Fall for Phony IRS Websites

The Internal Revenue Service is issuing a warning about a new tax scam that uses a website that mimics the IRS e-Services online registration page. The actual IRS e-Services page offers web-based products for tax preparers, not the general public. The phony web page looks almost identical to the real one. The IRS gets many reports of fake websites like this. Criminals use these sites to lure people into providing personal and financial information that may be used to steal the victim’s money or identity.
The address of the official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Don’t be misled by sites claiming to be the IRS but ending in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. If you find a suspicious website that claims to be the IRS, send the site’s URL by email to phishing@irs.gov. Use the subject line, 'Suspicious website'. Be aware that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.
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From the IRS

Taxpayers should be on the lookout for a new, email-based phishing scam now circulating that targets Department of Defense military members, retirees and civilian employees. The email appears to come from Defense Finance and Accounting Services and displays a .mil email address. The email states that those receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be able to obtain additional funds from the IRS. Email recipients are then asked to send various VA and IRS documents containing their personal and financial information, such as copies of VA award letters or their income tax returns, to an address in Florida. The information on these documents is then used by the scammers to commit identity theft. Typically, identity thieves use someone’s personal data to empty the victim’s financial accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards or apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name.

For more information on phishing scams, please see phishing scam
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Daily Deal Site SaveMore Accused of Being a Scam

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says customers from 45 states filed complaints in the last 10 months saying they never received discount coupons purchased from the Texas-based daily deal site SaveMore.com. The BBB urges extreme caution when dealing with SaveMore.com, a business with close ties to Douglas Van Arsdale, founder of the notorious debt settlement company, Credit Solutions of America. SaveMore.com has an “F” grade with the BBB, the lowest grade possible.
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BBB TOP TEN SCAMS OF 2011

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) investigates thousands of scams every year, from the latest gimmicks to schemes as old as the hills. BBB's new Scam Source www.bbb.org/scam is a comprehensive resource on scam investigations from BBBs around the country, with tips from BBB, law enforcement, and others. You can sign up to receive Scam Alerts by email, and you can also be a scam detective yourself by reporting scams you've discovered.

Click here to see the top ten scams of the year which have been divided up into nine major categories, plus the BBB's Scam of the Year.
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URGENT SCAM ALERT: BEWARE OF FAKE COMPLAINT E-MAIL CLAIMING TO BE FROM BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (from SBA & BBB)

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns businesses to beware of a malicious e-mail claiming to be from the BBB about a complaint filed against a company. The BBB does not send complaints out as attachments.
The phishing email is sent from multiple e-mail addresses and has in its subject line a nine digit complaint number. BBB Accredited and Non-Accredited Businesses have been targeted and some consumers have also received the e-mail. Click here for more information.
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From the IRS EIN Scam

A message claiming to be from the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility is being received by taxpayers instructing them to acquire a new EIN. Taxpayers may call the IRS stating they have received the email. The subject line contains the text "Acquire new EIN". The body of the message instructs recipients to obtain a new Employer Identification Number in connection with fraudulent actions. NOTE: The text in the subject line and/or body of the message may read differently, but the message is similar.
If you receive this fraudulent email, be advised of the following:
1. The IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications through email.
2. Do not reply to the sender, access links contained in the email or submit any information.
3. Forward the message as-is immediately to phishing@irs.gov