Showing posts with label fraud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fraud. Show all posts

Recycling fraud - electronics shipped to Hong Kong for eight years

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Typical flat screen monitor
The owners and Chief Executive Officers of Total Reclaim, the Northwest’s largest recycler of electronic waste, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.

CRAIG LORCH, 61, of Seattle, and JEFF ZIRKLE, 55, of Bonney Lake, Washington, admitted that they collected millions of dollars from public agencies and other organizations by falsely telling them that Total Reclaim would recycle used electronics products domestically in an environmentally-safe manner.

In fact, the defendants secretly shipped millions of pounds of mercury-containing flat screen monitors to Hong Kong, where the monitors were dismantled in a manner that risked serious health consequences to workers, and damage to the environment.

The two men face up to five years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones on February 1, 2019. LORCH and ZIRKLE have also agreed to pay restitution of up to $1.1 million.

“These defendants held their company out as one of the good guys, signing agreements promising they would keep hazardous materials out of the environment. But even as they made that pledge, they secretly shipped millions of flat screen monitors to Hong Kong where disposal practices endangered workers and the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.
“Their actions were driven by greed and a total disregard for the promises they had made. As a result customers unknowingly ended up harming the environment rather than protecting it as they intended.”

Total Reclaim is the largest e-waste recycler in the northwestern United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeanne M. Proctor of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division.

“During an eight-year period, the company exported to Hong Kong millions of pounds of electronic products containing mercury, while fraudulently reporting to customers and state agencies that they were being appropriately recycled.”

According to records filed in the case, Total Reclaim promoted itself as a responsible electronics recycler. Total Reclaim’s website stated that “our commitment to environmental responsibility is at the core of everything Total Reclaim does.”

Total Reclaim signed a public pledge in which it promised not to “allow the export of hazardous E-waste we handle to be exported” to developing countries, where workers are known to disassemble electronics, which contain dangerous materials such as mercury, without safety precautions.

Total Reclaim signed agreements with customers, such as the City of Seattle, in which the customers agreed to pay Total Reclaim to recycle electronics in accordance with these standards. Total Reclaim was also the biggest participant in the “E-Cycle Washington” program. E-Cycle Washington allows consumers to drop off used electronics at stations such as Goodwill Industries, and pays companies like Total Reclaim to recycle to those electronics according to Washington Department of Ecology standards.

In 2008, contrary to its promises to the public, Total Reclaim began secretly exporting flat screen monitors to Hong Kong to avoid the cost of safely recycling the monitors in the United States. 

Flat screen monitors are known to contain mercury, which can cause organ damage, mental impairment, and other serious health consequences to people exposed to the material. 

LORCH and ZIRKLE caused at least 8.3 million pounds of monitors to be shipped to Hong Kong between 2008 and 2015. 

To prevent customers and auditors from learning of the practice, LORCH and ZIRKLE falsified documents, made false statements to customers, and stored the monitors at an undisclosed facility while they awaited shipping.

Defendants’ fraud was discovered in 2014 by a non-governmental organization known as the Basel Action Network (“BAN”). BAN, which studies the export of electronic waste, placed electronic trackers on flat screen monitors and deposited them for recycling. 

The trackers showed that the monitors were collected by Total Reclaim and then exported to Hong Kong. 

When BAN representatives followed the tracking devices to Hong Kong, they discovered that the monitors were being dismantled by laborers who smashed the monitors apart without any precautions to protect the workers or the environment.

After BAN notified LORCH and ZIRKLE of its findings, LORCH and ZIRKLE tried to cover up their fraud by altering hundreds of shipping records.

Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wilkinson.



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Fraud: Fallen Hero Bracelets deceives and attacks consumers

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Friday, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Nelson granted Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s motion for a preliminary injunction against Spanaway-based Fallen Hero Bracelets, the Benjamin Foundation and other organizations run by Michael Friedmann.

The injunction forces the organizations to cease operations until they register with the Secretary of State and provide financial reports for each year of their existence.

It also bars them from engaging in abusive conduct toward any past or present customers. The companies also must notify all customers who have been sued, threatened with collections or sent to collections that these efforts against them will cease, and provide those communications to the Attorney General’s Office.

“Not only did Fallen Hero Bracelets deceive consumers into thinking their purchases benefited veterans, it made verbal and legal attacks on customers who complained," said Ferguson. 
"Despite a lawsuit from my office and numerous complaints from duped consumers, the organization continued to pretend that its sales went toward improving veterans’ lives. Thankfully, today’s ruling will help put a stop to this organization's atrocious actions.”

Ferguson filed a lawsuit against Fallen Hero Bracelets and Friedmann in July. A hearing on a preliminary injunction against Friedmann personally is set for Nov. 30. Assistant Attorney General David Horn is leading this case.

Consumers who have issues with any charity or business should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.



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Court orders estate-planning company to immediately halt deceptive “trust mill” practices

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

State Attorney General
Bob Ferguson
CLA Estate Services, Inc. and CLA USA, Inc. made millions deceptively selling estate-planning services, annuities in a scheme targeting Washington seniors

Following a lawsuit by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, a King County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering an estate-planning company to immediately halt its deceptive conduct. The lawsuit asserts the Texas-based company operated a “trust mill” scheme targeting hundreds of Washington seniors.

On March 8, Ferguson filed a lawsuit against CLA Estate Services, Inc., CLA USA, Inc., and Mitchell Johnson, a former CLA agent.

The suit asserts that CLA held misleading estate-planning seminars and sold financial products to Washington seniors without adequately disclosing that these products could lock up their assets for years and carried hefty penalties for early withdrawal. 

These products made CLA millions in commissions at substantial cost to consumers.

After Ferguson filed the lawsuit, CLA issued a statement claiming, “CLA customers have the peace of mind knowing that they have a valid, legal estate plan in place to handle their affairs upon incapacitation or death.”

“CLA targeted seniors with their deceptive scheme, the opposite of giving them ‘peace of mind,’” Ferguson said. “They made millions through their trust mill scheme. This court ruling puts an immediate halt to CLA’s misleading and unlawful conduct.”

Judge Michael Scott today granted an order for preliminary injunction, which prevents CLA from conducting estate-planning seminars and prevents both CLA and Johnson from marketing annuities to seniors who have purchased CLA’s “Lifetime Estate Plan” while the lawsuit progresses.

In order to obtain the injunction, the state had to show that its case was likely to succeed and that CLA’s deceptive conduct harms consumers.

The company invited seniors to attend free workshops about estate planning. During the workshops, CLA salespeople encouraged participants to set up living trusts and buy CLA’s “Lifetime Estate Plan” packages.

In reality, the ultimate goal was to obtain detailed financial information to sell complex financial products seniors did not understand. The “Lifetime Estate Plan” packages included a referral to an attorney and annual review meetings, where insurance agents, under the guise of reviewing the estate plans, attempted to sell life insurance and annuities.

The annuities lock up seniors’ retirement savings, allowing them to make only nominal withdrawals during a deferral period, typically 10 years, without incurring high surrender penalties. Many seniors incurred substantial penalties for early withdrawal of funds they needed for living expenses.

CLA agents including Johnson did not adequately disclose the terms of the annuities to clients. Johnson and other agents also provided investment advice to seniors without being registered to do so.

For example, after falsely representing that he was an investment advisor, Johnson convinced a senior to transfer $600,000 held in stocks and an IRA to purchase an annuity. Johnson lied about the senior’s assets on her annuity application and failed to advise her of the surrender penalties and tax consequences she would incur if she withdrew funds early. She was ultimately charged over $37,500 in surrender penalties for withdrawals she made to pay her living expenses and help her family.

On one annuity application, a CLA agent misrepresented a couple’s assets as including a second home worth $75,000. However, the couple owned no real estate other than their mobile home and the land it was on. The agent convinced the couple to convert their retirement savings into annuities, without informing them that the annuities would cost them more in charges than they would earn in interest.

Today’s ruling prevents CLA Estate Services from holding estate-planning seminars in Washington, marketing or gathering information for estate planning documents, marketing annuities or other insurance products to CLA clients, and unfairly or deceptively marketing annuities or other insurance products to any Washington consumers. The injunction applies statewide. CLA operates in at least 35 states.

CLA can still sell annuities to individuals who are not “Lifetime Estate Plan” clients, but cannot continue their deceptive practices. They can also continue their annual review meetings with clients in Washington state, but cannot use these meetings to sell annuities or any other insurance product.

Assistant Attorneys General Trisha McArdle and Cindy Alexander are handling the case for the Attorney General’s Office.



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Toshiba Corporation to pay Washington state $1.3 million for price fixing

Monday, June 11, 2018

5" black and white cathode ray tube
petervis.com
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Toshiba Corporation, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Japan, will pay $1.3 million as part of the Attorney General’s price-fixing lawsuit against manufacturers of a component used in television and computer screens called cathode ray tube, or CRT.

The lawsuit alleges Toshiba and other CRT manufacturers, including LG, Panasonic, Hitachi, Chungwha, Philips and Samsung, engaged in a price-fixing scheme to drive up the cost of CRTs from 1995 to 2007. During those 12 years, the price-fixing conspiracy caused millions of Washington consumers to be overcharged for their CRT televisions and computer monitors.

The consent decree, which will be filed in King County Superior Court, holds Toshiba accountable for its role in the price-fixing scheme. Ferguson will distribute the bulk of the $1.3 million through a claims process to Washington consumers and state agencies that purchased CRTs during the conspiracy.

“For more than a decade, these foreign manufacturers conspired to artificially inflate their prices,” Ferguson said. “We are returning the money back where it belongs: the pockets of Washingtonians.”

During the scheme, the companies held secret meetings in which they agreed to fix prices. They also agreed to restrict the supply of CRTs in order to artificially inflate prices.

The companies’ scheme allowed them to keep CRT prices high, even as liquid crystal display, or LCD, screens were introduced to the market. Typically, widespread use of a new technology would bring prices down for older technology.

Some of these companies also orchestrated a strikingly similar conspiracy around the same time to drive up prices of LCD screens. In 2016, the Attorney General’s Office recovered $41 million dollars for Washington consumers in its lawsuit over the LCD price-fixing conspiracy.

Until the late 2000s, CRTs were the primary technology for television screens and computer monitors. In 1999, CRT monitors accounted for over 90 percent of the retail market for computer monitors in North America. The technology has largely fallen out of use in recent years, superseded by LCD screens. Toshiba no longer produces CRTs.

The Attorney General will retain a claims administrator to help with the distribution of the funds. Funds will be distributed after all cases are resolved. More details on the claims process will be announced when available.

This payment will bring the total paid so far by CRT manufacturers over their scheme to $3.65 million. So far, four other conspirators have paid a total of $2.35 million to Washington:
  • LG, $1.5 million
  • Panasonic, $450,000
  • Hitachi, $275,000
  • Chunghwa, $125,000
The lawsuit is ongoing against Philips and Samsung, with a trial set for July 2019.

Antitrust Division Chief Jonathan Mark and Assistant Attorneys General Justin Wade, Neal Luna and Eric Newman are handling the case.

The Office of the Attorney General's Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing the antitrust provisions of Washington's Unfair Business Practices-Consumer Protection Act. The division investigates and litigates complaints of anticompetitive conduct and reviews potentially anticompetitive mergers. The division also brings actions in federal court under the federal antitrust laws. It receives no general fund support, funding its own actions through recoveries made in other cases.

The Antitrust Division investigates complaints about potential anti-competitive activity. Information about filing a complaint here.


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Attorney General Ferguson sues company for scamming foreclosed homeowners

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a consumer protection lawsuit against Kirkland- and Portland-based Real Estate Investment Network, LLC (REIN), accusing the company of scamming foreclosed homeowners out of equity in the form of surplus funds from the sale. These surplus funds can amount to tens of thousands of dollars from each homeowner.

“Foreclosure can be a confusing and vulnerable time for homeowners,” Ferguson said. “Surplus funds from a foreclosure sale can be the lifeline a person needs to get back on their feet. I will hold companies accountable for preying on homeowners facing foreclosure.”

In a lawsuit filed yesterday in King County Superior Court, Ferguson alleges that REIN violates the Consumer Protection Act by employing a high-pressure sales pitch that creates a false sense of urgency, misrepresents the content and purpose of documents and the process for recovering surplus funds. The lawsuit further alleges REIN deceives homeowners about the amount of surplus funds available (in at least one case lying to a consumer about the amount available) and the true cost of REIN’s services.

The lawsuit also names Kerry Hemmingsen, Daniel Stack and William Gastineau, who all play key roles in REIN. Hemmingsen has also been the subject of two prior enforcement actions by the Attorney General’s Office, and as a result is already restrained by court order from “making any misrepresentations in the context of any sale, performance of any contract, or performance of a contract."

REIN’s sales tactics include repeated calls and visits to the homeowner, talking to neighbors, and in at least one instance, approaching the nine-year-old child of a foreclosed homeowner as she got off the school bus.

So far, the Attorney General’s Office has identified more than ten Washingtonians victimized by REIN’s practices.

Surplus funds
With the real estate market booming, more and more foreclosure sales bring in more money than is owed on the mortgage. These additional funds are called surplus funds.

Any surplus funds are deposited with the county superior court. Homeowners can recover the surplus funds through a relatively simple process that most consumers can handle themselves or with minimal assistance from an attorney.

REIN approaches foreclosed homeowners soon after the foreclosure sale, before they receive notice that surplus funds are available. REIN tells consumers that surplus funds may be available, but that action must be taken quickly or they may not be able to recover them at all.

REIN’s sales pitch misrepresents the process for recovering surplus funds, telling consumers the process could take up to a year and will be near impossible without their help. REIN then offers to help the consumer recover the funds in exchange for a fee, but presents documentation giving REIN all the rights to the surplus funds. Although REIN returns a percentage of the recovered Surplus Funds to the consumer, REIN’s cut often exceeds 50 percent of the total recovery and sometimes as high as 67 percent.

REIN often omits any information about the amount of surplus funds available, which can exceed $100,000. In one instance, the foreclosure sale led to $134,000 in surplus funds, and under the terms of its contract, REIN would recover around $90,000 for its services. In another case, REIN’s contract would allow it to recover about $88,000 of more than $141,000 in surplus funds.

Ferguson asks the court to prohibit REIN from making misrepresentations to consumers and to impose reasonable costs and fees as well as civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation of the Consumer Protection Act. While the case is pending, Ferguson also asks the court to restrain REIN from retaining any surplus funds in excess of 5 percent of the total amount recovered, which is the maximum allowed by law.

A hearing on the preliminary injunction is set for May 30.

Consumers who have been contacted by REIN or any company about the recovery of surplus funds are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office. If you signed an agreement related to surplus funds from the foreclosure of your home, Northwest Justice Project may be able to help.

If you are struggling with your mortgage or facing foreclosure, find resources on how to avoid scams and find assistance you can trust on the Attorney General’s website.

Assistant Attorneys General Heidi Anderson and Mina Shahin are handling the case.


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Scam: Warning - jury duty scam is back

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Criminals are calling victim’s workplace stating that an arrest warrant has been issued for missing Jury Duty. To make the scam more real, the criminals are changing the phone number on the caller ID, “spoofing” the number to make it look like they are calling from the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Multiple victims are reporting more scam phone calls about missing Jury Duty and an arrest warrant being issued for their arrest.

Remember, the Police will NEVER call you and request money over the phone. The Police will NEVER tell you to go to the store and buy gift cards and provide those numbers over the phone, this is a scam!

The criminal caller is often very professional sounding and they use high pressure tactics to make you believe that you will be arrested for even hanging up the phone.

If you ever receive a phone call like this, hang up. If you have questions about a call being legitimate you can always call 911.



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Scam: Businesses receiving bogus invoices for posters

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Employment Security Department has learned that a company called Personnel Concepts, from San Dimas, California is mailing invoices to Washington businesses purporting to come from Washington State Employment Security.

The invoices are for labor posters. The posters are required to be displayed on business premises - however, they can be downloaded for free from the Employment Security Department and other state agencies.

The invoices have been sent in an envelope that appears as though it was sent from the Employment Security Department.

This is a scam. Do not pay the invoice.

If your business receives such correspondence, contact Carole Mathews



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Police warn of kidnapping scam

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

King County police warn about an ugly scam that is resurfacing in the county.

After the time when school busses have departed, at-home parents are getting threatening phone calls.

A male caller, often with an accent, claims he has kidnapped their child and won’t return her without a ransom being paid. He threatens to hurt or kill the child.

The calls come from a blocked number.

The caller knows something about the family - the name of the child, when the school bus leaves.

Sometimes the caller is a young sounding female who pretends to be the child, begging for help.

The scammer says that the parent has to meet him with the money, and then hangs up.

So naturally, the panicked parent calls the school and finds out that the child is safe at school. Then they call the police.

It is unknown if the caller actually got any money or even if the purpose was to get money.



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Scam alert

Saturday, January 20, 2018

By Diane Hettrick

Lake Forest Park Police are warning that an old scam is coming back around.

This is a new twist on an old #SCAM. One of our citizens received a call from 202-381-3260 which is a Washington DC number.
The caller claimed to be from the State Department saying the citizen needed to call back immediately. When our citizen called back, they were told they owed taxes…. really?
The State Department does not collect taxes!!! Remember that if ANYONE calls saying you owe “Taxes” it’s a #SCAM. Stay vigilant and safe!

Shoreline residents also report getting this call.

The newest twist on scam phone calls is that the caller ID spoofs a name and a local number so it looks like it's coming from a real person with a 206 area code.

As someone with a land line who gets three to ten spam calls a day, I have learned not to say "Hello" when I pick up the phone. I wait silently. Usually I get dead air, followed by a disconnect. Sometimes there will be a long pause, an equipment click, and the robo call starts.

I learned when I used to speak first. That often prompted the robo call to start. There was a whole series of calls that sounded like a real person. The speech had pauses for you to respond. "Hi Diane, how are you today?" (pause) Then the spiel starts. You can innocently tell them yes to something and get transferred to someone for the hard sell.

Now when I get one I'm not sure of, when they say "Hello" or "How are you?" I say, "What day is it?" If the answer is "Oh, that's good!" I hang up. 



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Attorney General: watch out for new scam

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

From the Office of the Attorney General

Scammers are posing as the Washington State Supreme Court Clerk to call Washingtonians to demand money and threaten arrest.

The fraudulent calls have so far targeted individuals with Hispanic last names.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst urge consumers not to fall for the scammers’ ploy. The Supreme Court will never threaten people with arrest or demand payment.

“These imposters prey on consumers’ fears to gain access to their bank accounts,” Ferguson said. “Washington court clerks have never and will never behave that way. I am committed to protecting consumers from this kind of deception.”

The State Supreme Court has received dozens of reports from Washingtonians of scammers using fake caller ID information to make a call appear to come from the Supreme Court clerk’s office. The caller typically states they are from the courts or law enforcement and threatens arrest if recipients do not send money.

What to do
  • If you or a family member receives one of these calls, hang up immediately.
  • Do not give in to high-pressure tactics. Do not trust callers who use threats to bully or frighten you. The Supreme Court, any other Washington court or law enforcement agency will never call to demand payment or threaten arrest.
  • Please help spread the word about this scam by sharing this information with your friends and family.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office, or report it to the Federal Trade Commission.



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Fight fraud: Guard your Medicare card

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

New Medicare cards will be mailed starting in April 2018.
If you have Medicare, you can protect your identity and help prevent health care fraud by guarding your Medicare card just like you would a credit card. 

Identity theft from stolen Medicare numbers is becoming more common.

To help combat fraud, Medicare is removing Social Security Numbers from cards and replacing them with a new, unique number for each person. 

The new cards will be mailed starting in April 2018 and should be fully distributed by April 2019.

In the meantime, here are some important steps you can take to protect yourself from the identity theft that can lead to health care fraud:

  • Don’t share your Medicare number with anyone who contacts you by phone, email or in person, unless you’ve given them permission in advance. Medicare will NEVER contact you (unless you ask us to) for your Medicare number or other personal information.
  • Never let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare number.
  • Review your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you and Medicare are only being charged for actual items and services received.

If you’re looking to enroll in a Medicare plan:
  • Remember there are no “early bird discounts” or “limited time offers.” 
  • Don’t let anyone rush you to enroll by claiming you need to “act now for the best deal.” 
  • Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, discount packages or any offer that sounds too good to be true.If someone calls you and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 

Learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft and health care fraud here or contact the SHIBA program at 1-800-562-6900. SHIBA is Washington state's Senior Medicare Patrol, the fraud-fighting unit of the federal program.



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Scam Alert: Flood-damaged cars could be for sale in Washington

Monday, November 27, 2017

Wikimedia Commons
From the Office of the Attorney General

While many areas of the country are still reeling from the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Harvey, scam artists are now trying to sell flood-damaged vehicles here in Washington state. The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance estimates as many as 1 million vehicles flood-damaged vehicles could be sold to unsuspecting buyers nationwide.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Auto Dealers Association urge consumers not to be fooled by the perfect exterior condition of the car and the new car smell. A flood-damaged car may look normal, but almost always will have serious problems including mildew and corroded wires which can result in an electrical failure.

“I am committed to protecting consumers from scams,” Ferguson said. “The more informed people are, the less likely they are to become a victim.”

Before you buy a used car, research the title and VIN number at www.vehiclehistory.gov and/or www.carfax.com/flood.

Carefully inspect the vehicle inside and out using these guidelines:
  • Test Drive First: Before you buy a used vehicle, you should thoroughly examine the vehicle and go for a test drive to test the vehicle's mechanical operating condition. This means that you should drive the vehicle as you would under every day driving conditions — freeway, in-city, hills etc.
  • Check the Gauges: You should check the operation of all electrical and comfort amenities (windows, lights and turn signals, defroster, heater and air conditioner), blow the horn, check the brakes by coming to a controlled emergency stop, and listen to the engine accelerate when entering onto the freeway and on hills.
  • Complete a Visual Inspection: Do a complete visual inspection of the vehicle; look under the vehicle for any signs of frame damage or collision repairs, any flood damage and any missing, loose or ill-fitting body parts; check the engine compartment and trunk for fresh paint that might reveal prior damage or signs of flood damage.
  • Check it out with Your Mechanic: If the vehicle passes your test, take it for an inspection by a qualified mechanic of your choosing. The mechanic should check the brakes, electrical system, compression, transmission, and every other system on the vehicle, especially any that caught your attention during the test drive. You should also consider an emissions control system inspection and test. Inspections may cost you some money, but if the mechanic discovers a major defect, you have saved yourself a big problem and a lot of money. When an inspection reveals only minor defects, you can use that information to negotiate either a lower purchase price or get the dealer to agree, in writing, to fix the items before purchase.

If you purchased a car with flood damage, try to return it to the dealership and file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General's Office.



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Checks are in the mail for Washington residents defrauded by LCD manufacturers

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Beginning next week, checks will be in the mail for consumers affected by an elaborate price-fixing conspiracy by LCD manufacturers, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Thursday. A total of $41.1 million is on its way to 24,632 consumers and businesses in all 39 counties.

The recovery is among the largest in the AGO Antitrust Division’s history.

“This conspiracy affected millions of products Washingtonians purchased over a period of eight years,” Ferguson said. 
“This step brings closure and a measure of justice to consumers who were harmed by this scheme. When powerful interests don’t play by the rules, my office will be there to hold them accountable.”

Rather than participate in a multistate case, the Attorney General’s Office chose to pursue an individual case in order to get a better deal for Washington consumers. The recovery in the state’s individual lawsuit may be as much as 30 percent higher than what Washington might have received as part of the multistate settlement.

On average, each consumer will receive about $203. The total varies based on the number and type of items claimed.



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IRS phone scam

Thursday, September 14, 2017

By Diane Hettrick

One of our contributors recently got a particularly aggressive version of the IRS scam.

I got a message saying I was under investigation for fraud, there was a warrant for my arrest and my property was under surveillance (jeeze!) I reported it to the Lake Forest Park police.

Her caller ID showed a 206 number. Since she is bold (we don't recommend trying this!), she called the number. 

They answered the phone "IRS". 

Clearly they are successful in frightening people into calling back - and getting money out of them.

Hope nobody falls for this.

Trust me. I have dealt with the IRS. They don't make phone calls. They send written communications - usually after a three month lag - and usually you will get the same thing at least three times in slightly different versions.

It's the government, folks. They will bury you in paper - but they won't call.



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Door to door solicitors for United Soldier Outreach operating in Shoreline

Saturday, September 2, 2017

By Diane Hettrick

Shoreline resident Nicole Brink-Dingler reports that a group calling themselves United Soldier Outreach is going door to door in Shoreline, asking for money for soldiers overseas.

This group moves from state to state. An article in KXON Investigates, of Austin, Texas, "Police warn of group claiming to raise money for soliders"  says that the solicitors take cash, have no valid permits, and no legal existence that the reporter could find.

They were operating all over central Texas. Now the same people are in Shoreline.

Other than political doorbelling, or local businesses, solicitors in Shoreline are required to register with the city. Every solicitor is required to carry a valid City of Shoreline permit.

If they don't have it, call the police 206-296-3311. Shoreline Police like to know who is operating in their territory. Provide a physical description (height, weight, gender, race, clothing) and what direction they were traveling.

And don't give them money.


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Beware of new SHIBA phone scam

Thursday, August 10, 2017

The Insurance Commissioner's Office warns that there is a new phone scam starting in Snohomish County in which scammers are cold calling consumers telling them they are with SHIBA, the Insurance Commissioner’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program.

SHIBA representatives never cold call

If you or someone you know gets a call like this, try to get the phone number if you have caller ID. Report the incident and provide the phone number to our office at 1-800-562-6900.

However, you should just hang up and do not provide any personal information.

Washington state's SHIBA provides free, unbiased and confidential help with Medicare and health care choices to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our volunteer advisors are located around the state.

SHIBA is also Washington state’s Senior Medicare Patrol project that helps consumers prevent, detect and report Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Contact SHIBA by email or at 1-800-562-6900.


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Do not be fooled by the Jury Duty SCAM

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

The King County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn you of a SCAM that has been occurring in the Seattle area over the last couple of years.

Someone may call you and identify themselves as a King County deputy or detective and tell you that you failed to show up for jury duty.

But wait there’s more … once they have your attention they will threaten you with jail unless you pay a fine immediately. Usually they will request a credit card number over the phone or even ask you to go to a nearby store to purchase a gift card and then tell them the card number.

THIS IS A SCAM!!!! Do not give them any money.

Fortunately most of the citizens who have called the Sheriff’s Office checking the validity of the call have not given any money to the scammers.

So what should you do if you get one of these calls?   
Hang-up!  Yes, that’s right, hang-up!

The Sheriff’s Office would NEVER call you about a warrant and ask you to pay over the phone. The scammers are very convincing but, DO NOT FALL FOR IT!  Do not pay anyone over the phone for an alleged warrant for failing to report for jury duty.


 

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Immigrants being targeted for scams

Saturday, April 1, 2017

FAKE "deportation" letter sent to a
Washington resident
Courtesy City of Shoreline


There has been a rise in immigration fraud – those preying on immigrants’ fears for profit.

One example, are deportation letters supposedly sent by USCIS which suggest that the receiver of the letter is subject to deportation.

Please know that these are FAKE letters.

There have also been reports of community members receiving phone calls or solicitation for "deportation insurance" (i.e.. someone would pay a fee to ensure that their green card status would not be taken away).

If you know of any community members who have received these letters or observed this suspicious behavior have them see a lawyer and/or contact the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division or call 1-800-551-4636.


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AG Ferguson files $2.1M campaign finance lawsuit against Tim Eyman

Friday, March 31, 2017

AG Bob Ferguson
Attorney General Bob Ferguson today filed a campaign finance lawsuit against Tim Eyman, alleging improper personal use of $308,000 in contributions made to political committees, concealment of contributions totaling $490,185 and misleading reporting.

The lawsuit also accuses for-profit signature gathering firm Citizen Solutions of participating in a scheme to conceal campaign money the company funneled to Eyman.

If successful, Eyman and his for-profit company, Tim Eyman Watchdog for Taxpayers, could face $1.8 million in penalties, plus $308,000 in reimbursement.

Citizen Solutions and one of its principals, William Agazarm, could face penalties up to $924,555.

Ferguson will also ask the court to bar Eyman from participating in or directing financial transactions for any political committees going forward.

A 2002 agreement permanently barred Eyman from serving as treasurer for political committees.

Yet, the lawsuit alleges, Eyman still managed to weave an elaborate web of financial transactions to hide campaign funds, enriching himself while keeping his contributors and the public at large in the dark.

This scheme duped contributors who thought they were donating to one initiative, but instead were supporting Eyman’s personal expenses and a completely different initiative.

“Taking kickbacks from contractors, using campaign funds for personal expenses, redirecting donations made for one initiative to a different initiative — it’s hard to imagine what more Mr. Eyman could have done to show his contempt for our campaign finance disclosure laws,” Ferguson said.



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New phone scam targets Medicare beneficiaries

Monday, March 6, 2017


There’s a new phone scam on the rise in which scammers alter your caller ID to make it seem as if the call is coming from the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

The purpose is to get Medicare beneficiaries and members of the public to verify or share personal information, which they use to victimize people via financial and other crimes – draining their bank accounts. OIG (Office of the Inspector General) wants the public to know that HHS OIG will not use the HHS OIG Hotline phone number to make outgoing calls and individuals should not answer calls from 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

HHS OIG also encourages those who believe they may have been a victim of the phone spoofing scam to report it to HHS OIG either through its Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or via email at spoof@oig.hhs.gov. Consumers can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).



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