Topic: fraud

The Savvy Consumer Column

October 15, 2009 |

Use common sense, street smarts for cyber security

Nashville – Technology tends to make life more convenient. Through the Internet, you can make travel arrangements, modify investment portfolios and secure loans. Products and services from around the globe are only a click away. Unfortunately, the same can be said for hackers and identity thieves.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Consumers must be vigilant by employing the latest in security technology and by employing the same intuition that is used in the “offline” world.

“Cyber criminals are opportunistic,” says Consumer Affairs Director Mary Clement. “They seek out vulnerabilities on computers to send spam and phishing e-mails or try to trick consumers into providing information that allows them to wipe out bank accounts and steal identities.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

Securities Division provides tips to Tennessee investors

August 20, 2009 |

Picking the right financial adviser, being vigilant pay off

Nashville – With Tennesseans paying more attention to their economic habits, the Tennessee Securities Division would like to provide some tips for those making investment decisions.

It is crucial that investors and would-be investors maintain the right perspective about their money. People who make quick, poorly informed investment decisions often fall prey to fraudulent activity – especially when investing with people who are not registered with the State to sell securities or who are selling unregistered securities products.

“Tennesseans should contact the division to see if a prospective financial adviser is registered with the State as the securities agent of a broker-dealer firm,” says Securities Division Director Daphne D. Smith. “Some individuals use titles such as ‘financial adviser’ or use professional certifications or designations but still lack the appropriate State license. The State regularly disciplines individuals who engage in unlicensed securities activity.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business | No Comments

Protect yourself against identity theft

August 11, 2009 |

9 million Americans’ identities are stolen each year. The following tips can help protect you against identity theft

Nashville – As many as 9 million Americans’ identities are stolen each year. Identity theft is the unauthorized acquisition and use of a person’s identifying information – such as a name, Social Security number or credit card number – to commit fraud or other crimes. Through identity theft, criminals might rent an apartment, obtain a line of credit or establish a telephone account. Victims often discover the crimes when reviewing credit reports or statements. Skilled identity thieves use many methods, including: «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business | 1 Comment »

Fraud Alert for Clarksville Gas and Water Department customers

By Bill Larson | June 9, 2009 |

The Clarksville Gas and Water Department would like to alert its customers of a potential scam. The department learned this week that a man identifying himself falsely as an employee of Gas and Water called at least one customer and accused her of nonpayment for services. He claimed that she had an outstanding gas bill and that services would be terminated unless she gave him a credit card number to charge them to over the phone. She refused, and her husband checked with the department, which confirmed that the couple did not have any outstanding account charges. The Clarksville Gas and Water Department does not request credit card payments by phone and is warning all of its customers not to give out such information. If you have any questions about this issue, please contact the department at 931-645-7400.

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Feds, States launch crackdown on foreclosure scams, loan fraud

April 6, 2009 |

Civil enforcement cases, state enforcement actions, alert to financial institutions among new efforts to protect American homeowners seeking relief

WASHINGTON – As homeowners and communities throughout the country continue to face devastating consequences from the deep contraction in the economy and the housing market, the Obama Administration today announced a new coordinated effort across federal and state government and the private sector to target mortgage loan modification fraud and foreclosure rescue scams that threaten to hurt American homeowners and prevent them from getting the help they need during these challenging times. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, News | No Comments

Phone call phishing scam targeting Montgomery County

December 23, 2008 |

There appears to be a phone scam at work targeting Montgomery County residents. The scam involves a long distance phone call being made to a local number. This is an automated response call informing the recipient that their F&M Bank account is in jeopardy and directing the resident to push “1″ or say “Yes” to receive more details. Pressing “1″ transfers the called party another automated response setup that asks for a credit card or ATM card account number. At this point, it’s best to just hang up your phone. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, News | 1 Comment »

A Look Back: A community teetering on the edge

October 14, 2007 |

As the city faces ongoing questions related to its Title VI compliance status, it’s worth reflecting on observations noted in a Leaf Chronicle editorial (5/17/06) in the aftermath of the city’s ADA lawsuit settlement. Is it still just ‘the Clarksville Way’ to needlessly waste taxpayer dollars?

Kudo’s to the Leaf Chronicle editorial staff for their editorial acknowledging the need to bring the City into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A second round of Kudo’s to the three members of the ‘Wheel Me On’ group who brought the lawsuit in the first place.

This excerpt from the Leaf Chronicle seems to acknowledge, for the first time, that we have a community problem:

“All of this is eerily similar to the City’s approach to the minority rights [issues] in the police department where ongoing claims of racial discrimination by black officers have led to millions of dollars lost in judgments against the City in Federal Courts.”

“ It’s time to change this mindset about oversight of civil rights. For when the Federal Court has it’s say, you do it right, or pay. And too frequently, that [the latter] is the Clarksville way.”

But does it have to be? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

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