The Trusted Scout header     
April 2013 l Volume III l Issue 4 
 

IN THIS MONTH'S EDITION:

  

Five Tips for Safe Mobile Banking

 

Ind. AG announces legal toolkit to protect service members

 

Tax Scams - IRS Names Dirty Dozen

 

Fake Employment Agency Fools Job Hunters with Scam Calls 


PICTURE OF THE MONTH

 
Navy Airman Mathew Hanck inspects a landing gear switch on an F/A-18C hornet in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean, April 8, 2013. The Nimitz is underway for a sustainment training exercise to prepare for an upcoming deployment. Hanck is assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 146. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Behnke

BBB MILITARY LINE *SUSTAINING PARTNER* SPOTLIGHT

Many thanks to Capital One for supporting BBB Military Line and for sponsoring our financial readiness efforts on behalf of all military consumers around the world.  Visit Capital One's "New Team-New Mission" for information about their military Veteran and Family employment opportunities today!

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 SCAM ALERTS!

Tax Scams - IRS Names Dirty DozenE

When it comes to the annual rite known as "doing your taxes," there are a couple of movies that come to mind: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "The Dirty Dozen." The IRS plays off the latter in releasing its list of Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2013.

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Say Bye to the Old Blue Facebook and Say Hi to the New Pink Facebook - Survey Scam

Say bye to the old blue facebook! and say hi to the new pink facebook! Change your facebook color or layout themes, GET IT FREE! here : http://apps.facebook.com/.....

 

Clicking the scam link prompts you to install a rogue Facebook application. Anytime the URL starts off with apps.facebook.com/app_name_here, you should know that Facebook didn't develop the app. Scammers often try to trick users by promoting apps promising Facebook features, upgrades, etc.

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DFake Employment Agency Fools Job Hunters with Scam Calls

Don't be fooled by a new wave of fake phone calls. Scammers are posing as an employment agency and fooling job hunters into parting with personal information. 

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Homeowners, Don't Fall for Fake Promises of Lower Property Taxes

As the economy improves, property prices are rebounding... and so are property taxes. Most municipalities mail tax assessments each spring. Scammers are often close behind, posing as government programs that claim to lower your taxes for a fee.

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Use Bluetooth? Protect Yourself from Hacking Scams

Cell phone users are increasingly turning to Bluetooth technology to talk - hands free - on their phones. But as this high tech tool gains popularity in the US and Canada, scammers are finding ways to exploit it.

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WHO WE SERVE


 Airmen present a giant American flag for nearly 50,000 fans to see the Cincinnati Reds play the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo., April 8, 2013. The airmen are assigned to the 375th Air Mobility Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane

MILITARY CONSUMER 

ISSUES & INITIATIVES

Better Business Bureau Breaks All Records for Consumer Services

 

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Advisors See More Military Families Due To Sequestration

The number of middle-class military families working with a financial advisor has increased by two percentage points in a month because of the sequestration budget cuts, according to a survey by First Command Financial Services Inc., which helps military families with financial issues.  

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AFive Tips for Safe Mobile Banking

Banking through your phone or tablet is quick and convenient, but don't forget these five tips to help keep your money-and identity-safe:

 

1. Password-protect your phone or tablet so that only you can access the information on your device. This will help protect you if your phone or tablet is ever lost or stolen.

 

2. Never provide personal information unless you initiate contact with your bank or other financial institution. Financial institutions should not request account numbers, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information through email or text messages. If you're not sure about a request, contact your bank by calling number on the back of your debit or credit card.

 

3. Don't stay "auto-logged in" to your accounts. Even though it's convenient, it increases the risk that an unauthorized user will access your accounts.

 

4. Delete old texts from your bank to reduce your exposure to fraud.

 

5. Report lost or stolen devices immediately to your wireless provider and financial institutions.

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BInd. AG Announces Legal Toolkit To Protect Service Members

INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the launch Wednesday of a legal toolkit to help state attorneys general stop scam artists who prey on military service members.

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Car Dealer Charged With Mistreating Guardsman

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A north Alabama car dealer was indicted on federal charges of refusing to lower the interest rate in a vehicle deal with a National Guard member who was sent to war.  

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