Sheriff Jones warns of scams, fraud

EPHRATA - Natural disasters, such as the earthquake in Japan, attract financial predators.

They send e-mail asking for monetary donations, but the funds never make it to the people in need.

Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones warns people to keep vigilant to avoid scams.

"E-mail provides us a convenient and powerful communications tool," Jones said. "Unfortunately, it also provides scammers and other malicious individuals an easy means for luring potential victims."

Scams range from old-fashioned bait-and-switch schemes to "phishing," which is the use of an e-mail or website to obtain information needed to commit identity theft.

"Although we have not received any reports, e-mail scams commonly occur after natural disasters," said Jones. "We want citizens to be aware and avoid getting scammed of their hard-earned money."

Jones offers some advice on how to avoid being an online victim:

* Don't follow links or open attachments in unsolicited e-mail. If you don't know who sent it, delete it.

* Keep anti-virus software up to date.

* Never give personal information, such as bank account numbers or Social Security numbers in replies to e-mail from people or organizations you do not know.

* Do not respond to e-mail from a bank unless you asked them to make contact.

If an e-mail appears suspicious, contact the company directly through a trusted phone number.

Compassion for the people of Japan is wonderful, but be sure to donate to the right charity, according to Jones.

There are two websites to help people avoid donating to a fake charity.

The Federal Trade Commission has a charity checklist at www.ftc.gov.

The Better Business Bureau National Charity Report Index can be found at www.bbb.org.

Another form of scam is fake bills. They are mailed to people and appear to be a legitimate invoice for goods or service, but they are advertisements.

Recently an advertisement, appearing as a bill, was mailed to people in Moses Lake who advertised with the Columbia Basin Herald, according to Publish Harlan Beagley.

The "advertisement" provides a date, ad number, employment classification, and a box to mark if a person is paying by check or money order.

There are disclaimers that it is not a bill, but a solicitation for "a classified employment service independent of your local newspaper."

The company is Employment Publishing in Wayne, Penn. They offer an online employment service.

"These look like bills and are sent with a design and information that could lead people to think it is a bill or came from us," said Beagley. "We label our bills clearly with local contact information."

The "advertisement" seeks a payment of $474.24 if the reader accepts the company offer.

"Your advertisement to be listed as follows with your approval," the advertisement reads. "Classified employment advertising. Driver. Classified - Help Wanted - Employment."

Beagley was sent a copy after advertising for a truck driver in the Columbia Basin Herald. The position was filled before the "advertisement" arrived in the mail.

"If you have any questions about a bill from the Columbia Basin Herald, we are more than happy to answer them," said Beagley. "We would be happy to confirm if they are from us."

Jones said if a person feels they are the victim of a scam, they should contact law enforcement immediately.