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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
Consumer Alert: A Bad Economy Increases Bigger Scams
There is a warning about several scams you may encounter here in southern Illinois.
A viewer in Williamson County says he's received numerous phone calls from someone trying to get his credit card number in
exchange for coupons.
According to our viewer, the caller does not provide any identification and offers 40 dollar gas coupons, as well as 100 dollar coupons for Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores.
However the caller wants the last four digits of your credit card number in return, Similar incidents have been reported in other states across the country.
S-I-U police are warning area residents of a jury duty scam. The caller claims to be a jury coordinator with a court system and to verify information they ask for personal details including your social security number.
SIU-C police stress that you shouldn't give out personal information over the phone unless you specifically know who you're talking to.
Illinois is one of eleven states where the jury scam has been reported.
To anyone using the internet to conduct a job search the F-B-I says there have been numerous victims of online work-at-home
scams, they're often hired to "process payments", "transfer funds", or "re-ship products".
Then the supposed employee receives and cashes fraudulent checks.
Not only is the victim lured into a criminal scheme without realizing it but the employer also has the victim's personal information.
To report scams by phone, mail, or email contact your local police your state attorney general's office or the Federal Trade commission at
1-877-FTC-HELP.
By: Emily Eddington
eeddington@wsiltv.com
Now: 1283451834
