ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1009 W 7TH AVENUE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501 TELEPHONE: (907) 279-4529 FAX: (907) 279-9223
The newspaper is full of stories on the numbers of innocent victims falling prey to scams and offers which sound at the outset like great deals. Seniors are particularly vulnerable targets, and there is an increase in both the quantity as well as the ingenuity of the approaches used by con artists who approach strangers asking for money.
One recent story that received attention was the conviction of a church employee in Anchorage who used the credit card of a senior to purchase personal goods for herself. Seniors who become unable to handle their own financial affairs often allow others power over their checkbooks. What can you do to protect yourself from these problems?
First, if an offer is made to you which sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts. An Alaska Judge and Prosecutor have become part of the probe into the alleged "Ponzi scheme" which, like a form letter, required each who entered to send money to another, and then find others to join and send money, offering the promise of fortune over time.
Second, if you are told that you are a "winner" of a prize, read the fine print! There probably is a catch. Often those who win "vacations" must pay for the flight and there may be other hidden costs. Those who are guaranteed to have "won" one of a number of prizes which include cars and trips may actually receive the least valuable of the choices.
Third, learn exactly what you must do before you send any money or otherwise claim your prize. One recent offer requires that winners make a long distance call and listen to a prerecorded message, which itself may cost the caller over $30.00! One scam required unsuspecting callers to dial a foreign country to claim their prize, racking up huge long distance bills.
Fourth, never immediately give your credit card number or other confidential information to strangers who call asking for such information. Before you do so, take steps to insure that those who you are doing business with are legitimate. Ask for the name, address, and telephone number of the person calling. Have the company mail or fax you information about the company on letterhead. Call the Better Business Bureau in the area where the company is located and ask if they have information that the company is legitimate and if there are any complaints of bad business practices.
Fifth, Alaska is a unique state in that you may have a right to keep unsolicited offers sent to you from those in the lower 48. Companies can not automatically send you anything without your approval in advance. That is why many companies such as CD clubs have special offers for Alaska. If you receive a product which you did not request, along with an invoice, you may have a right to keep the merchandise, without having to spend the money to send it back.
Finally, be careful in selecting those who assist you in handling your financial affairs if you must delegate these tasks to others. Consider choosing two unrelated individuals to assist you: one to prepare the checks and another to again review the invoices and sign the checks. It can be tempting for those in such a position to take advantage of your resources if there is little chance of getting caught and no checks and balances are put in place to reduce the risk of theft.
If you are considering responding to an offer, or allowing others to handle your financial affairs for you, it may be wise to consult with an attorney© 1998 by Steven Pradell. This article is not intended to provide legal advice and should not be relied on for that purpose. The law office of Pradell and Associates provides low cost legal consultations. A helpful staff provides prompt, courteous services to meet your legal needs. Give Pradell and Associates a call today, at (907) 279-4529-- (279-4LAW).