What’s the deal with all those warranty calls?

Good time to you!

Found an interesting article by Joann Merrigan. She writes about those strange warranty calls. Quote: “In recent weeks, I’ve been contacted by several people saying they’re being bombarded by “warranty” phone calls. The messages are pre-recorded and indicate that your car warranty is about to expire and you need to renew it. Ross Howard from the Better Business Bureau has received them as well along with a family member. “My nine year old son got a call about his car warranty,“ Howard says.He says most of the calls may be rip offs and encourages people not listen to the messages. He also says if you are intersted in looking into buying an extended warranty, the first thing you need to do is investigate the company. “Don’t be pressured into buying something over the telephone without even knowing what you’re getting,“ he says.”

So what to do? Reading the article gives the answer:
“Red flags consumers should watch for in car warranty scams:· Mailings that appear to come from your automobile manufacturer offering extended warranty coverage.
· Pre-recorded phone calls. Telemarketers are not supposed to use pre-recorded messages unless a live person first asks you if you want to listen to the recording.·
- A live caller who insists your warranty is in peril because of the economic downturn.
· Never give out personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account number or Social Security Number, or even your Driver’s License.
· If your car is older and the warranty expired years ago, the warning is bogus anyway.
· Always get information in writing before you agree to sign up or pay any money.

For more information on car warranty scams or other consumer issues, contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs 800 number at 1-803-734-4200.

1-800-VENEERS to Offer $499.00 Porcelain Veneers and Crowns

I have found this one interesting.

“1-800-VENEERS to Offer $499.00 Porcelain Veneers and Crowns. With most cosmetic dentists charging from $900.00 to over $2000.00 cosmetic celebrity smiles or only affordable to the rich and famous. In April while attending the 25th Annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. James Dunnavant CEO of 1-800-VENEERS stated, “The fututre of Americas smiles look bright because we are going to offer $499.00 Porcelain Veneers and Crowns.”
What other alpha numeric 1-800- Toll free numbers did for consumers with consumer prices on goods and services from flowers to contact lenses, 1-800-VENEERS will do for porcelain veneers and crowns.
Porcelain Veneers and Crowns correct misshaped, discolored, and missing teeth without braces. All that is needed to change your smile into a bright white sparkling movie star smile in most cases without pain, drilling or shots are 2 visits to your cosmetic dentist. So your dreams of that perfect smile are coming true America you can afford the smile you have always dreamed about!”

Now I think about my own smile. Maybe this article is a reason for me to visit my dentist.

A warning about “possible bank card scam”

Awful post was found in the West Seattle News. It is the story about bank card scam. The story happened to Kris and her husband and she shares it with others to be careful:
“Just wanted to share with others about a possible bank card scam. Over the weekend, we received multiple voice mails from an automated system stating that they we calling from BECU regarding security on my husband’s debit card. The message specifically stated they were calling about his debit card and gave the last four numbers of his card. The message seemed suspicious enough, that my husband called BECU to inquire. According to the BECU rep, they had received multiple calls asking about messages like this and that these were not coming from BECU. The rep also stated that they would never use an automated system for security issues, would not leave account information on a voice mail nor would have the customer call back using a 800 number (as our message did) but would leave a direct line. Although there is no way for sure to know how the “scammers” got my husbands card info, we do the majority of our shopping and entertaining in West Seattle and so it is likely someone got this info from a receipt from a local merchant. We wanted folks to be aware and to make sure they call their bank directly if they receive a call like this and to not call the 800 number.”

FEMA warns of con artists posing as federal employees

An article found in The Jamestown Sun:
“Residents of North Dakota affected by the severe storms and flooding beginning in mid-March are urged to report potential fraud during recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency will never ask you for bank account information or your Social Security number unless you initiate the call,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Justo “Tito” Hernandez.

The only way to apply for federal and state disaster assistance is to call the FEMA registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY: 1-800-462-7585, or register online.”