It’s Consumer Protection Week And IRS Scams Are Operating In Yakima

They’re out there by the thousands--scams, rip-offs and fraud so buyer beware! This is National Consumer Protection Week and the Better Busines Bureau  encourages us all to know and understand our rights and responsibilities so as not to fall victim to consumer predators.

KIT got a call from a frightened 84 year old woman  just today who was being threatened with arrest and jail by an alleged representative of the IRS which is a current ongoing scam in play in our area.

The Illinois Attorney General updates their list of the top consumer scams each year and this year it's solicitations from people (or companies) that want to get you out of debt and especially student loan debt.    In second place for consumer scams this year is the ever popular identity theft.

The top-10:
10. Motor vehicle/Non-warranty repair (collision, engines, oil changes and tuneups)
9. Fraud against business (consulting services, equipment leasing, directories and publications)
8. Internet/mail-order products (Internet and catalog purchases, TV and radio advertising)
7. Education (for-profit schools, student loan debt, loan counseling)
6. Promotions/schemes (phone scams, investment schemes, lottery scams, phishing)
5. Used auto sales/motor vehicles (as-is used cars, financing, warranties)
4. Construction/home improvement (remodeling, roofs and gutters, heating and cooling, plumbing)
3. Telecommunications (telemarketing, cable and satellite TV, phone service and repairs, cellphones)
2. Identity theft (government document fraud, credit cards, utilities, data breaches)
1. Consumer debt (mortgages, collection agencies, banks)

To stay safe the Better Business Bureau recommends:

• Do not give Social Security, financial or other personal information to strangers who make contact by phone, internet or mail.
• Keep antivirus software up to date and be careful when surfing the Internet.
• Shred financial, tax, medical, insurance and other confidential records when no longer needed.
• Trust your instincts. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

To learn more about National Consumer Protection Week check out ncpw.gov.