| Previous Rip-off Alerts: |
Whaling ups the phishing ante (04/17/2008)
Have you gotten a U.S. District Court subpoena by e-mail recently? It may look like the real thing, but it's not. Watch out for this new scam.
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Chain funeral homes inflate prices (04/11/2008)
The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Greater Kansas City surveyed 74 funeral homes in their area to compare prices. Prices ranged from $3K to over $7K for the exact same services and products.
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Equity stripping affecting seniors (03/31/2008)
Beware of insurance salespeople eager to gain the confidence of an elder; strip the equity out of their home as a lump sum (instead of a monthly payout); and put it into piece-of-trash annuities, which net massive commissions.
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Many banks fail to disclose fees and rules (03/31/2008)
Congress has found that the majority of banks investigated will lie to customers about fees or try to conceal them. The bottom line is that you have a right to get a price list of fees from your bank, just like you would at a restaurant.
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Pouring money down the PIPE (03/27/2008)
Heard about the latest scheme involving PIPEs -- private investments in public equities? Everyone from retirees to sophisticated investors were taken for $40 million with this supposedly "safe" investment that promised "guaranteed" returns of 40% annually.
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Bailout fever strikes Washington (03/25/2008)
We have had money stolen from us by our elected officials in Washington, D.C. From Bear Stearns last week to a new plan to bailout those facing foreclosure, will the madness ever stop?
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$40 million worth of IRS propaganda (03/18/2008)
Clark is steaming because the IRS has spent $40 million to mail out propaganda to the American people about the economic stimulus payments (aka "the rebates").
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Beware of Internet freebies (03/18/2008)
Have you been enticed on the Internet with offers of free iPods, free laptops, free flat-screen TVs and free vacations? Don't click through on those pop-ups or banner ads! One online marketer has been fined $3 million for ripping people off.
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Customer ID theft rankings (02/29/2008)
A new university study has analyzed corporate America to see which companies have the highest incidence of ID theft. How many companies that you do business with are on the list?
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Crooks in your checking account? (02/21/2008)
Nine giant monster mega-banks have allegedly been aiding criminal rings in making illegal drafts from the accounts of 500,000 people. Find out how to protect yourself.
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Avoid who's who opportunities (02/21/2008)
You know the pitch: A letter arrives saying you've been recognized as the top "fill in the blank" in your field and there's no cost to be recognized for your outstanding achievements. Get the real deal right here!
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Modified reverse mortgage pitfalls (02/20/2008)
Reverse mortgages allow retirees who are short on cash to remain in their home and get a check each month by borrowing against the value of the property. But there's a dangerous new trend in the market that you need to know about.
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Zombie debt warning (02/15/2008)
Scavenger collectors buy up expired debts that can be up to 30 years old for as little as 1 penny on the dollar. Then they use vicious tactics to illegally collect these zombie debts.
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Slimy mattress sales tactics (02/14/2008)
Presidents' Day weekend is the biggest sales time for mattresses. But beware because the bedding business has historically been filled with snakes.
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Virtual world, real rip-off artists (02/04/2008)
An Internet-based virtual world called Second Life has spawned rip-off artists who scam users out of very real money.
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Protect your government rebate (01/31/2008)
There's been much in the news recently about the rebate checks that could be coming from the government. Scammers are already thinking up ways to take the money out of your pocket!
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States step into the gift card fray (01/29/2008)
Longtime listeners know Clark thinks gift cards are a rip-off. But one state legislature in particular credits the penny-pincher with firing them up enough to do something about it!
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"The Cram" hits your cell phone bill (01/28/2008)
The cell carriers are in cahoots with 3rd party billers who are trying to steal your money. Don't let them!
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Exercise your right to not get ripped off (01/17/2008)
Clark shares Consumer Reports' picks for the best and worst health clubs.
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Used auto buyers beware (01/09/2008)
What exactly is a certified used car? Minnesota has a new law on the books to govern this part of the auto industry that's been as unlawful as the Wild West.
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Refund loans stink (01/04/2008)
Have you ever taken a refund loan on your tax return? Find out why this is not a Clark Smart decision.
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How solid is your health insurance? (11/27/2007)
More than 200,000 businesses have been scammed by fake insurance salespeople promising low premiums and great health coverage. But when employees get sick, there's no one around to pay the bills.
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Beware of bogus lead-generating postcards (11/19/2007)
Marketers have been eager to find a way around the Do Not Call list. So they've developed bogus lead-generating postcards. But don't respond or you'll exempt yourself from the list!
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Some premium text messaging services can scam you! (11/19/2007)
Certain premium text messaging services will run up your cell phone bill even if you have an unlimited text plan. Clark lets you know about some of the dangers.
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Online loans can come with unbelievably bad interest rates (10/01/2007)
Some online loan sharks are now lending money at a whopping 650 percent interest. The loans are typically made for amounts between $500 and $2,500. Worse still, these sharks claim their rates are justified because they're lending to people with bad credit or no credit. Clark lets you know how you can protect yourself.
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Metro Dream Homes offer is a nightmare (09/11/2007)
Metro Dream Homes has been promising to help homeowners pay off their mortgage in about seven years. But this deal is too good to be true. Virginia and Maryland have already issued temporary injunctions against the company and its affiliates. Find out everything you need to know to stay one step ahead of this scam!
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Note buying isn't all it's cracked up to be (08/29/2007)
Have you heard about the latest get rich quick scheme? There are seminars being held in hotel ballrooms across the country advising people that they can make quick cash through note buying. Clark explains the concept of note buying and how this scam could affect you.
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New class-action lawsuit filed in the annuities field (08/15/2007)
If you're a senior citizen, you should avoid the kinds of seminars that offer a free meal courtesy of a salesperson who wants to pitch you on annuities. There's a new class-action lawsuit that takes aim at these kinds of sales practices. Listen in...
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Equity Stripping Threatens Those Facing Foreclosure (08/08/2007)
Have you ever seen those signs on the side of the road that say something along these lines: "In trouble with your home? Avoid foreclosure! Call now!!!" Clark says you shouldn't call now or ever unless you want to be a victim of equity stripping.
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AOL Ready To Pay Restitution To Former Customers (08/08/2007)
A lot of onetime AOL customers have been complaining about how hard it is to sever ties with the slow dial-up service provider. Many customers were even billed after they cancelled their contract! Now AOL has agreed to pay restitution for its actions.
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Stay away from "Who's Who" offers (04/24/2007)
Clark got a invitation to join a "Who's Who" list recently. All he has to do is pay to get the book with his name in it. Wrong! All of these outfits are rip-offs. Don't let your ego get the best of you.
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More hackers attacking brokerage firms (02/02/2007)
Hackers have broken into accounts at eTrade, J.P Morgan, Scottrade, Charles Schwab and TD/Ameritrade, and the FBI is now investigating. Protect your assets!
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Beware of "Buyer's Advantage" programs (01/31/2007)
Your credit card company could be signing you up for one of these programs without your knowledge. Find out more!
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TJX computer breach could affect you (01/25/2007)
If you've shopped at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods in the past year, you need to hear this!
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Brokers cheating you on interest rates (01/17/2007)
Brokerage firms that hold large amounts of money know that customers take their eye off the ball. So, they've steadily reduced interest rates to almost nil. Read more!
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Beware of advanced fee loan scams (01/02/2007)
Thinking of submitting an application for a home loan? Remember that legitimate financial institutions don t charge you to fill out forms or send in an application.
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Criminals hacking into brokerage accounts (12/06/2006)
Criminals recently hacked into Executive Producer Christa's brokerage account and she's not the only one. Customers from TD Ameritrade, eTrade and Charles Schwab have all been hit. How is it happening?
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Beware of phony charities this season (12/04/2006)
Clark tells you how the scam artists work and how to make sure the charity you're giving to is legit!
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Crooked lenders duping our military (12/01/2006)
Crooked lenders and insurance salespeople set up shop outside military bases just waiting to rip off uninformed soldiers and sailors. Help protect them!
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Seniors get taken in Medicare scam (11/21/2006)
Criminals are convincing seniors that they won't receive their Social Security check in the mail if they don't reveal critical financial information. In turn, they're getting taken. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
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