Top scams of 2008

A Better Business Bureau chapter released its “dirty dozen” of the most common scams of the year and they are the usual suspects; lottery wins, work-at-home schemes, payday loans and credit repair solicitations.  Identity theft came in at #7 which surprised me.  I would have thought that would come in as #1.

Dirty dozen scams 0f 2008

Subaru owners duped by scam, company claims

A trademark action filed by Subaru in New Jersey Federal Court claims that the  National Auto Warranty Service along with several of its dbas is sending Subaru owners notices that allege they offer extended warranties on their cars.  However, these “warranties” are scams, producing numerous customer complaints according to what is being filed with the Better Business Bureau and “Ripoff Report”.

On the bright side, this complaint is an excellent source for competitive intelligence about Subaru which is owned by Fuji.   Its not that this information isn’t available elsewhere but the succinct summary of the company, its history and business is useful as is a nice chart showing all the Subaru trade-names and marks.

Complaint courtesy Courthouse News

Behind foreclosure scams

With increasing millions of households owing more on their mortgage than their house is worth and with unemployment skyrocketing, there are a lot of desperate people out there.   This post from Creditslip provides the context for the foreclosure scams.  

If homeowners could quickly actually reach a live loan servicer within a few minutes, then these scams would have less appeal.  They could work something out with the servicer but that isn’t happening.  Instead homeowners are thrown into voicemail hell and they are already feeling  rising panic and dread.  Along comes smooth talking foreclosure servicers who promptly pick up the phone and calm callers with visions of all being well once they fork over a thousand dollars or more.

However, this is just ruse I we see here.