[StBernard] Attorney General Buddy Caldwell met with St. Bernard Parish officials in an effort to tout consumer protection issues

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Fri May 14 08:17:57 EDT 2010


Attorney General Buddy Caldwell met with St. Bernard Parish officials in an
effort to tout consumer protection issues

Residents should beware of scams and fraudulent offers of help during this
oil spill crisis



Louisiana Attorney General James D. "Buddy" Caldwell met with St. Bernard
Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr, Parish Council members, Sheriff Jack
Stephens and other St. Bernard officials to address consumer protection
issues during this crisis.



Attorney General Caldwell said it is important for everybody concerned with
the oil disaster to use common sense in making decisions so they don't
expose themselves to consumer fraud.



"The whole world is watching what's going on down here and we need to show
the world we can do this," Caldwell said. "This is a cooperative effort to
make sure no criminal fraud is committed."



Caldwell, who held a press conference after meeting with local officials at
the Breton Sound Command Center, said he is aware that local officials know
the problems that arise in this type of crisis.



Sheriff Jack Stephens agreed.



"My fear is that this is an event that is not going to be cleaned up next
week, but it may take years," Stephens said. "Law enforcement officials are
working together to solve all criminal activity."



To file a consumer complaint with the Louisiana Attorney General, call
800-351-4889.



Additionally Caldwell's office issued the following information about common
disaster-related scams to help citizens protect themselves and fraud
prevention tips.



Charity Scams: Following a disaster, scam artists solicit donations for fake
or existing charities and pocket the money. Before you give, ask three
questions:

* How will your contribution be spent?
* What portion of your contribution goes to salaries and
administrative costs?
* If you are solicited by telephone, ask if the caller works for a
professional fund-raiser. Many state laws require this disclosure.

Job Scams: Most disaster-related job scams involve advertising job
opportunities, such as floor clean up or other labor, and require a payment
in advance. But they don't produce a job. Job listings from 800 and 900
numbers are of special concern. Classified ads telling you to call a 900
phone number for a job referral are an expensive way for someone to read you
classified ad listings.

Damage Certification: Be cautious of companies offering to certify your
damage for a fee.



Insurance Settlement Scams: Make sure you are dealing with authorized claims
representatives and not a scam artist trying to steal your personal
information.



Price Gouging: Price gouging is when a seller prices merchandise much higher
than is reasonable or fair. The price gouging statutes prohibit the raising
of prices above the pre-emergency levels unless there is a national or
regional market commodity shortage. This means that gasoline, petroleum
products, hotels, motels, and retailers are prohibited from raising prices
during this state of emergency unless they incur a spike in the price of
doing business.

Advance Fee Loan Scams: These scams typically require that consumers or
businesses pay some type of fee up front to process the loan. The promised
loan never materializes. A variation on this scam offers credit cards. But
after you send in your money, all you get is a list of banks to contact
yourself.

Fraud Prevention Tips:

* Be wary of anyone who asks for payment up-front.

* Someone who "guarantees" a product or service may not be available
to fulfill that promise.

* Check out any business that does not have an address but only
offers a cell phone number for contact information.

* Ask to see a business license.

* Never give your personal information to anyone who telephones and
asks for bank accounts, social security numbers or any other identifying
information.

* Check out all requests for charitable donations at the Better
Business Bureau website, www.bbb.org <http://www.bbb.org/> .

* Be aware of whom you are dealing with when providing your personal
and financial information. Providing personal information when you don't
know how it will be used can open the door for identity theft.

* Be cautious of job opportunities that require an up-front fee to
gain employment.

* Be cautious of individuals posing as government officials who
require a processing fee to provide government services.

* Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is!



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