A New Phone Scam

A telephone caller will pose as a state police officer and claim that a family member of the person being called has suffered a serious injury in a crash. The caller will then identify the injured by name.

A second person calls and claims to represent an ambulance company and demands advance payment to transport the victim to a hospital. The relative is then asked to wire a large amount of money to a third party.

Under state police policy, officers contact next of kin in person, when possible, in fatal or potentially fatal crashes. Ambulance companies DO NOT require payment in advance.

Anyone who receives a suspicious telephone call claiming to represent the state police should contact their local state police post.

Bay County Consumer Protection Division Alerts

Bay County Sheriff's detectives are warning area financial institutions to be on the alert for a group of people who are forging and cashing checks. So far several thousand dollars have been taken from area banks and credit unions in the same scheme. Anyone with information concerning this or any other crime should call 1.800.422.JAIL

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T.

Don't respond to Emails, phone calls or web pages which tell you to call an "809" area Phone Number.

Why it works:
The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, it is not covered by U.S. regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a pay-per call number.

There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, where as many U.S. homes that have 900 number blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing calls to the 809 area code.

We recommend that no matter how you get this message, if you are asked to call a number with an 809 area code that you don't recognize, just disregard the message.

DOOR TO DOOR SALES

Now that the weather is improving be prepared for door to door sales people trying to sell many types of products and services. Not all of these people are reputable and some of them may use it as a reason to talk their way into your home and confidence. Do not let anyone not known to you into your home unless you have called them for services and then these people should provide at your request proper identification. When in doubt call your local law enforcement office or The Consumer Protection Office at 989.895.4185.

BUSINESS REFUNDS

Customers who purchase products from any business must protect themselves by knowing the return policy for the merchandise they bought. There is NO state or local law that states they must give you a refund for ANY purchase. Many businesses have a refund policy and you as the buyer must know and understand that policy before making any purchase. Those businesses that do have a refund policy require a receipt showing the merchandise purchased and the date of that purchase. Without that sales receipt they DO NOT have to return any money to you. Often if the merchandise has been damaged or the seal is broken, particularly on CD's and VHS tapes, there is no refund given. Some merchants will give you a credit for merchandise on future purchases at their business rather than provide you with a cash refund. This is legal. It is up to the customer to ask about any possible refund at the time if purchase. Protect yourself, ask the right questions.

PHONE SOLICITATIONS

The phone advertisers know of the new law preventing them from calling and annoying you. Trying to sell you something that you do not want or can not use and trying to beat the starting date for it's enforcement. You will probably see a flood of calls in the coming weeks trying to get their last sales pitches to you for their product while they can still contact you legally. To fight these calls remember you call always hang-up. Use a phone answering machine to screen your calls or use caller ID. When the law does take effect you should keep a record of sales calls: the company calling, time of day, ask for their phone number and report those calls to Bay County Consumer Protection Office: 989-895-4185.

DIRECT MAIL SCAM

Letters are being mailed from a phony Canadian Lottery indicating that the recipient of the mail has won millions of dollars and all you have to do is send them back several hundred dollars to pay for the costs of administering the lottery program. One of the would be victims, an elder resident of Midland, was to wise to send money and contacted Walter Reynolds at the Bay City FBI office. The women received frequent calls from the phony lottery indicating she would lose her prize if she did not quickly send them the money to cover costs. She was too smart to do so. If you receive any such mailing or phone calls contact the FBI office at 989.892.6525 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.422.JAIL.