TranslateConsumer Alerts
Time to File Claim For Western Union Refund Extended to May 31, 2018
We previously provided information that the Federal Trade Commission had reached a settlement with Western Union to refund money to individuals that scammers had pay money through Western Union as part of the scam. The time to file a claim for a refund has now been extended to May 31, 2018. Read full story
Health and Human Services Grant Scam
We have received reports that individuals have been contacted by an individual representing that he is an officer with Health & Human Services that they have received a grant from Health & Human Services and they must first pay a fee with a gift card to receive the grant. This is a scam. Read full story
Pay Pal Scam
We have received a recent complaint that an individual who was attempting to sell an item on Craig’s List received a fraudulent email purporting to come from Pay Pal advising them that a payment had been received and to send money for shipping costs in order to receive payment for the item they were attempting to sell. Read full story
Back Brace Scam
A local hospital has reported that several ofits patients have received calls advising them that a back brace that has beenordered for them and asking for the patient for their Medicare information forpayment when no such device was ordered for the patient. Read full story
Student Loan Debt Relief Scam
The Federal Trade Commission has charged astudent loan debt relief organization with bilking more than $28 million fromthousands of consumers by falsely promising that consumer’s monthly paymentswould go towards paying off their student loans. Read full story
Fraudulent Debris Removal Bills
Fraudulent bills for firedebris removal have been reported by property owners in Mendocino County whoare participating in the state-sponsored fire debris removal program. Read full story
If You Have Been The Victim Of a Scam That Used Western UnionYou Can File A Claim to Recover Payment
The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S.Department of Justice have reached a settlement agreement with Western Union topay $586 Million dollars to victims of scams that used Western Union to wiremoney. Many of these scams involved people posing as family members in need ofmoney or requesting money to claim a prize. Read full story
Price Gouging Protections Extended By Governor To April 18, 2018
The Governor issued an Executive Order whichextends the protections against price gouging under Penal Code Section 396 asdiscussed below through April 18, 2018. Read full story
Fraudulent FEMA Inspections and False FEMA Claims
Sonoma County and Napa have receivedcomplaints of persons identifying themselves as “FEMA inspectors” coming toresident’s homes and asking for personal information. Reports have also beenreceived that false FEMA claims have been filed using resident’s personalinformation such as social security numbers and when the resident attempts tofile for aid they are advised an application has already been filed under theirname. Read full story
Wildfire Disaster - Price Gouging and Disaster Scams
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our community members who have been impacted by the wildfires. Unfortunately, this is a time when scam artists and unscrupulous people may try to take advantage of victims and the generosity of the community. Read full story