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Consumer Alert

November 2021 - Avoid scam charities on "Giving Tuesday"

Consumer Alerts by Topic

Scams
ID Theft
Internet
Telemarketing
Shopping
Miscellaneous

See also Consumer Alerts by Date

Scams

November 2021 - Avoid scam charities on "Giving Tuesday"
February 2021 - Gift cards are for gifts, not payments
January 2020 - Attorney General Warns of Social Security Scam
June 2019 - Beware of Call Spoofing Scams
April 2019 - Beware of Scam in Swabbing Cheeks of Seniors for DNA Cancer Checks
October 2018 - Consumer Protection Unit Warns of IRS Tax Scam
April 2018 - There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
March 2018 - Old Scams are New Again with Personalization
November 2017 - Refunds Available to Eligible Consumers Who Wired Money Through Western Union
September 2017 - Scam Alert - Flooded Automobiles Flooding Markets
August 2017 - Charitable Giving Tips: Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief
July 2017 - Door-To-Door Paving Scam
July 2017 - Alaska State Trooper/Jury Service Scam
June 2017 - Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) Deceptive Advertising Scam
February 2016 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Moneygram
January 2015 - Tax Season Tips: Avoid Fraud and Find Free Tax Help
November 2013 - Affordable Care Act Fraud and Scams
November 2013 - Affordable Care Act Scams Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries
June 2013 - Beware of the Timeshare Sales Pitch
March 2013 - Alaskans are Warned to Beware of Text Message Scams
March 2013 - DCCED Investor Alert - Profitable Sunrise - PDF (85K)
February 2012 - The Alaska Attorney General's Office Warns of a "Grandparent Scam" Targeting Alaska Seniors
October 2011 - Virus protection for your computer is important, but don't buy it in response to a phone call
August 2011 - Small Businesses Beware: You May be the Target of a 'Yellow Pages' or Online Directory Scam
August 2011 - Buying a car through an Internet auction site? Beware of scammers selling cars they don't own. Read the Internet Crime Complaint Center's alert about the new twist on this scam and check out examples of fraudulent emails on the eBay Motors Security Center site.
June 2011 - Watch out for FBI Email Scams
May 2011 - Home Improvement Scams
May 2011 - FBI issues warning about malware in emails purporting to show photos of Osama bin Laden
December 2010 - Beware of Mortgage Relief Scams
November 2010 - Beware of Online Puppy Scams
October 2010 - Alaska's Division of Banking and Securities' annual list of top 10 investor traps - PDF(219K)
August 2010 - Watch Out for Tax Debt Relief Scams
January 2010 - Beware of Fraudulent Solicitations for Haitian Relief Efforts
October 2009 - Anchorage Police Department Scam Alert: Door to Door Magazine Sales
April 2009 - Beware of phony Prize Notice to the "State of Alaska Commissioners of Registrations"
- View a sample of the phony prize notice - PDF(416KB)
March 2009 - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warns of fake military twist on vehicle sale scams.
April 2008 - The Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Department of Law warns Alaska consumers to be aware of counterfeit check scams
- View an example of a scam being sent to Alaskans - PDF(191KB)
- FTC publication "Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams"
March 2008 - It's tax season: Beware of tax and rebate scams. The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert warning consumers about scams related to rebate checks. The scammers pretend to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or another governmental agency and claim they need some bit of personal information to process your rebate check. In fact, all they are doing is trying to steal your personal information. The alert also outlines where to report calls or emails of this type.
May 2007 - Businesses are warned to be on alert for Relay Fraud
September 2006 - "Beware the Liars" - Con artists target Alaskans and they're good at the game
July 2006 - Don't be fooled by bogus "second chance" offers
December 2005 - Attorney General issues alert: Nigerian Advance Fee Scam Customized for Alaska
November 2005 - Beware of sweepstakes scammers impersonating government officials. Federal Trade Commission publication: NEW SPIN ON SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS. Here in Alaska, the Attorney General's Office has received recent reports of sweepstakes scammers providing a local phone number for an "Anchorage Customs Postal Inspector" who "confirms" the consumer has won the sweepstakes. Remember that legitimate sweepstakes never tell you that you have to pay "taxes," "customs fees," or "insurance" or any upfront fees in order to get your prize.
November 2005 - Attorney General warning to Alaskans - Beware of "Jury Duty" Scam
September 2005 - Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief: Beware of Fraudulent Solicitations for Aid
June 2005 - Don't be scammed by solicitations for free federal grants.
- BBB's warning regarding solicitations for free federal grants
April 2005 - People In Profit System ("PIPS") is an illegal Ponzi Scheme
July 2004 - Women's "Gifting" Club is an Illegal Pyramid Scheme - PDF(98KB)
September 2003 - FTC Warns of Fake Credit Report Sites Designed to Lure Consumers into Providing Personal Information
June 2003 - IRS Consumer Warning: Scam Targets Potential Recipients of the Advance Child Tax Credit
March 2003 - Internet Auction Scam With a TWIST - PDF(8KB)

ID Theft

September 2017 - Consumer Tips: Equifax Data Breach
June 2017 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Target Corporation over 2013 Data Breach
May 2015 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
January 2015 - Tax Season Tips: Avoid Fraud and Find Free Tax Help
November 2013 - Affordable Care Act Fraud and Scams
November 2013 - Affordable Care Act Scams Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries
April 2012 - This Tax Season Watch Out for Tax-Related Identity Theft
February 2011 - Data Privacy Day
October 2007 - The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert warning consumers about a bogus e-mail claiming to be from the FTC.
August 2006 - Notice for Veterans About Identity Theft
July 2006 - Permanent Fund Dividend Division Warns of Phishing Scam
November 2005 - Internet Crime Complaint Center alert: Beware of Fraudulent FBI Email.
February 2005 - Recent Reports of "Phishing" and of Phony Email Scheme.
February 2005 - National Consumer Protection Week Focuses on Identity Theft
- Consumer Protection Topic page - ID Theft & Privacy
- FTC ID Theft booklet
May 2004 - It's Phishing Season in Alaska: Consumers beware! - PDF(13KB)
June 2003 - FTC Warning of Fraudulent Best Buy E-Mail

Internet

May 2015 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Classmates, Inc. and FTD for Misleading Advertising and Billing Practices
May 2012 - Who Has Your Information and Where is it Going Next?
November 2010 - Holiday Shopping Alert from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center
November 2010 - Beware of Online Puppy Scams
December 2009 - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issues warning about pop-up ads offering antivirus software
March 2009 - Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warns of fake military twist on vehicle sale scams.
October 2007 - The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert warning consumers about a bogus e-mail claiming to be from the FTC.
November 2005 - Internet Crime Complaint Center alert: Beware of Fraudulent FBI Email.
February 2005 - Recent Reports of "Phishing" and of Phony Email Scheme.

Telemarketing

April 2019 - Beware of Scam in Swabbing Cheeks of Seniors for DNA Cancer Checks
September 2014 - Attorneys General Urge FCC to Allow Use of Call-Blocking Technologies by Phone Companies
December 2011 - Alaska Joins 50 Attorneys General in Opposing Robo-Calls to Cell Phones
January 2011 - Beware of Payday Loan Telephone Collection Scams
July 2009 - Hang up on interest rate and car warranty robo-calls
April 2003 - Be Wary of Prerecorded Telephone Messages Offering to Reduce your Credit Card Debt

Shopping

November 2018 - Consumer Protection Unit Warns Consumers About Unregulated CBD Oil
May 2015 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Classmates, Inc. and FTD for Misleading Advertising and Billing Practices
May 2015 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
May 2015 - Alaska Joins Sprint and Verizon Cramming Settlements Consumers Eligible for Refunds
December 2014 - Alaska Joins T-Mobile Cramming Settlement
November 2014 - FBI warns holiday shoppers of cyber scams
November 2010 - Holiday Shopping Alert from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center
December 2008 - Are Gift Cards A Good Idea This Holiday Season?
September 2008 - Beware of Offers for Extended Auto Warranties
November 2007 - Be a Savvy Shopper: Six Must Know Holiday Shopping Tips
August 2007 - Make sure your "free trial offer" really is free!
December 2006 - Are Your Holiday Electronics Certified?
July 2006 - Don't be fooled by bogus "second chance" offers
May 2006 - Federal Trade Commission's tips on buying arts and crafts made by Alaska Natives.

Miscellaneous

June 2017 - Federal Loan Cancellation for Former Students of Corinthian Colleges
May 2017 - Following Fatal House Fire, CPSC Warns Consumers To Stop Using LayZ Board Hoverboards
February 2016 - Alaska Joins National Settlement with HSBC over Mortgage Misconduct
August 2015 - Attorneys General Reach Settlement with Amgen Concerning Illegal Marketing of Medications
September 2014 - Consumer Update: Changes to the Alaska Landlord Tenant Act
February 2012 - Why You Should Get Your Free Credit Report Every Year
May 2011 - Alaska Joins Settlement with Movie Gallery, Inc.
April 2011 - Washington e-commerce company may owe you money
July 2007 - Opt-out of pre-approved credit offers!
March 2005 - Before applying for a tax refund anticipation loan ("RAL"), consider first the risks and costs of an RAL.
- National Consumer Law Center, Inc. publication - "Don't Pay to Borrow Your Own Money" - PDF(72KB)
February 2005 - Thinking about purchasing a business opportunity? For more information about this topic, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's web site Franchise and Business Opportunities or read the Department of Law publication:
- "The Sale of Business Opportunities in Alaska" *New (updated March 2011)
  - HTML Text Version
  - PDF Tri-fold Version - PDF(603KB)
December 2004 - Free Credit Reports for Alaskans

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