Category Archives: Consumer

Is it a secret admirer or a scam?

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Did you know that scammers have a 40+ page “playbook” that they use to spark romantic interest? It is equipped with charming come-ons and jokes to make you laugh. Their play? Flattery and laughter can bring on your feel-good emotions, which helps make it easier to fall in love. This knowledge can help you question whether a person seeking connection online is genuine admirer, or a scammer.

Who sent that gift? Secret admirer? Scam? Watch your mailbox for unsolicited gifts. They could be from scammers.

Do you know what else brings on feel-good emotions? Gifts. Scammers have a new move: send an unexpected package addressed to you at your home from an unknown sender. With the day of love celebration around the corner, when you receive such a gift you may think you have a secret admirer. Sadly, this is another scam trying to get your information. When you open the package, a note says it is a gift, but it still doesn’t say who sent it. You really want to know if someone out there thinks you are awesome. Conveniently, there is a QR code. The QR code leads you to a website that phishes for your personal information or exposes you to malware and hackers.

QR codes are easy to scan, and they lead you straight to a website of choice. This can be useful when working with legitimate sources, but harmful when linked to the unknown.

  • Always think twice before scanning a QR code.
  • Only scan QR codes from sources you trust.
  • When using QR codes, be especially suspicious when the scan displays an unknown website address and when website addresses are hidden, such as when a URL shortener is used (Bitly, TinyURL, Ow.ly, etc.).

Did you receive a gift that did not include a QR code or any information about the sender? I am sorry to say that this is still likely not an admirer. Scammers that find your address or other personal information online might send you unsolicited products to use your name to make online reviews to support a disreputable company. This is concerning because it means your information is compromised and unsuspecting consumers will make purchasing decisions based on lies.

If your personal information has been compromised, review these helpful tips from the FTC:

  • If you scanned the QR code and entered your credentials, like your username and password, into a website, change your password right away. Create a strong password that is hard to guess and turn on two-factor authentication.
  • If you’re concerned someone has your personal information, get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for signs that someone is using your information, like accounts in your name you don’t recognize.
  • Also review your credit card bills and bank account statements and look for transactions you didn’t make. And consider taking other steps to protect your identity, like freezing your credit or putting a fraud alert on your credit report.
  • If you think someone stole your identity, report it, and get a personal recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
  • What else can you do to protect your personal information? Regularly update your computer software and your phone to get the latest security patches. And learn to recognize a phishing email or text message.

And what about the package? It sounds like it was a gift (ftc.gov).

Want to know more about scams? The Consumer Assistance Program is your local Vermont resource for scam prevention information: ago.vermont.gov/cap or 1-800-649-2424

References:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/01/scam-alert-qr-code-unexpected-package?utm_source=govdelivery

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-youre-billed-things-you-never-got-or-you-get-unordered-products#unordered

When your child’s information is subjected to a data breach

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I get so many data breach notices that I am starting to view them as routine. Because of this, I decided to freeze my credit a long time ago. It is free, I am not looking for credit right now, and it gives me peace of mind that an identity thief cannot easily go about opening new accounts in my name without my knowledge or consent. When I got a notice yesterday that PowerSchool accounts related to my children were compromised, my stomach twisted into a knot. This is something new. This is something I am not used to having to think about. This is something I will need to address. 

As parents, we have a responsibility to keep our children safe and help them find their way to prosperity. When a notice says that some of our child’s information has been obtained by sources unknown to us, the alarm sounds that the child’s financial future might be jeopardized if their currently nonexistent credit record is ransacked by fraudsters.

What is a parent to do?

Monitor: Keep track of the information sent from the school and the breached company to stay informed on what information was breached. If you are identified as an impacted individual, you will likely be contacted again. It is important to verify the source of the contact and the information. The Attorney General’s Office posts breach notice letters so that you can verify the information on the notice you received is legitimate. Also, continue to regularly review credit reports.

More on credit monitoring

You can get a free credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies annually, online, at www.annualcreditreport.com, or you can mail in a form


Safeguard: Be vigilant. Consider placing a freeze on your child’s credit report now, so you can worry less about potential identity theft. Children aren’t opening accounts right now anyway.  

You can freeze yours too, while you are at it. Before you start this process, decide on a secure place you will keep the passwords or pin numbers. There will likely be a day you will need to access credit and you will want to lift the freeze at your convenience. 

More on credit alerts and freezes

Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit reports. You can find out more information from the Federal Trade Commission about fraud alerts and freezing your credit files. To place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit files, contact the three credit reporting agencies listed below.

Credit Bureau Fraud Contacts:
EQUIFAX 1-800-685-1111 
EXPERIAN 1-888-397-3742
TRANSUNION 1-888-909-8872


Be on guard: Name, address, and birthdate are pieces of information needed to open credit. So, be particularly cautious of phishing attempts that may contact you to obtain the Social Security number, or part of it. 

There are more scams than just identity theft to watch out for. The fact that phone numbers and email addresses were breached may not seem as problematic, but don’t forget that scammers like to use phone numbers to robocall and emails to spam. You may be less cautious if you think the contact comes from the school district, such as with spoofed phone numbers. You will need to verify every communication that requires your action. 

Know the experts: For thorough step by step guides on identity theft prevention after a data breach, the Federal Trade Commission is your primary resource:

Breach next steps:
https://www.identitytheft.gov/databreach

Child identity theft:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-protect-your-child-identity-theft

Learn more on the Vermont Attorney General’s website:
https://ago.vermont.gov/cap/scam-prevention-through-awareness-and-education/identity-theft

What to Do After a Data Breach video by the Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov and identitytheft.gov)

References:

Federal Trade Commission: consumer.ftc.gov and identitytheft.gov

VT Digger: https://vtdigger.org/2025/01/08/nationwide-data-breach-affects-student-staff-information-at-vermont-schools/

Called for Jury Duty, or a Jury Duty Scam?

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Scammers posing as local law enforcement are calling, saying you missed jury duty and are threatening “serious legal consequences”. They first leave a message for you to call back, visit a website, or schedule a meeting. Next, they may demand payment of a fine and ask for your sensitive personal information. They may claim there is a warrant out for your arrest.

Jury Duty Scam Alert by VT Attorney General issued December 4, 2024.
Called for Jury duty, or...a jury duty scam? -Demands fee payment now! - Requires sensitive personal information, -Claims to be local law enforcement calling, - Threatens arrest or says there is a warrant for arrest. Hang up on unknown callers. Take steps to verify. Ago.Vermont.gov/cap | 1-800-649-2424.

While all these claims are very jarring, hang up and do not pay! Always take steps to verify the legitimacy of unknown officials, using publicly available resources. Connect with people you trust to discuss unexpected, urgent, unsettling, or unknown communications.

For jury duty specifically, know that you would be issued a letter, and you would not receive a threatening call about it, even if you actually did miss an actual jury duty assignment. Also know that, in order to serve jury duty, you first have to be selected through a process called a jury draw that occurs at the courthouse. If you were supposed to serve as a juror, you would have been informed.

When in doubt, check it out. The Consumer Assistance Program is your local Vermont resource for scam prevention information: ago.vermont.gov/cap or 1-800-649-2424.

Giving Season Go-To’s

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Giving gifts, whether to friends or organizations with meaningful missions can bring warmth and cheer during this cold time of year. Help yourself and others avoid holiday purchasing pitfalls by slowing down throughout your consumer transitions, taking steps to verify, and reaching out to your trusted community supports when questions arise. Talking about our consumer experiences—the good, the not so good, and the detrimental—can help others make informed purchasing decisions. Here are a few things I have learned:

  1. Give wisely – You can look up charities thoroughly before giving. You can see how they allocate funds and whether giving to them will count as a tax deduction. The EIN of charities are even online so that you can verify the organization exists.
  2. Plan out your online shopping – Always doublecheck the URL (website) is the one you know and trust before proceeding. For new stores, research thoroughly before buying by checking state business registrations, looking up BBB information, and searching for complaints online. Always ask friends for their opinion. All the information gathering will help you make an informed decision.
  3. Avoid fake ads – Just because you see it online, does not make it real. It can be the nicest looking professional graphic design around and it can still be a scam. If you are seeing ads that interest you while perusing the internet check it out on the site you know to be valid. Most sites have a promotions section so that you can see the latest deals being offered.
  4. Watch your “spaving” – That’s spending to save. Do you really need that extra set of doll boots that gets you to the site’s $150 free shipping minimum, or are you just spending more to get shipping (a $10 charge) for free? The same goes for buying bulk products you don’t use or need and participating in “buy more, save more” events (if you spend $100, you get 25% off).
  5. Use store rewards when it benefits you – When you sign up for store memberships with rewards programs, your consumer activity is tracked. The rewards program comes with an incentive for you to spend more to earn more rewards. (Another kind of buy more, save more). Periodically, you receive a coupon or credit representing the rewards you have earned that you can apply toward your future purchase. Store rewards can lead to savings when you use them to buy things for which you have a use.
  6. Pay with a credit card when you can, because credit cards come with built-in consumer fraud protection. A smart consumer spending choice is only charging what you can pay back right away so that you can pay off the amount without incurring more debt.
  7. Always watch out for scams – Scammers thrive during this busy time. When we have a lot going on, we become more susceptible to scams.

During this time of giving and kindness, keep your friends, family and community close, keep talking and you will help each other avoid consumer problems and scams.

If you have encountered problems with the purchase of goods or services in Vermont, you can contact the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program by calling 1-800-649-2424, or by going to our website at ago.vermont.gov/cap.

Considerations when pursuing energy projects for your home

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By Gabriel Taylor-Marsh, Home Improvement Specialist

Looking for a better way to heat and cool your home? Thinking about efficiency measures? Looking to invest in solar panels? Will a heat pump water heater system save dollars and cents?

These are all great questions to be asking. Before you make investments or buy or lease a new system, consider the following checklist when considering energy efficient and renewable energy updates to your home:

  1. Finding and Hiring a Contractor: Like any other home improvement project, consult the existing home repair how-to checklist: If you have questions, call Gabriel, CAP’s Home Improvement Specialist. While connected, ask if there are any complaints about the businesses you are considering hiring.
  2. Promotional Materials: Please read solicitations and advertised claims thoroughly. Ask any and all questions you may have about the claims made and the related product or system. Avoid companies that make deceptive statements. Learn more about greenwashing: https://blog.uvm.edu/cap/guides-available-to-help-consumers-recognize-greenwashing/
  3. Contracts: Read written agreements carefully and ask questions. Find out who is responsible for installation, maintenance and warranties.
  4. Warranties: Find out whether the product will have a warranty. Ask for written copies of warranties and review that labor, parts and service needs are covered.
  5. Tax Credits: Ask if you are eligible for a tax credit. Consult with an accountant or tax preparer first. Learn more about federal and state tax credits:
    -IRS information: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit
    -State of Vermont resources: https://tax.vermont.gov/sites/tax/files/documents/TB-45.pdf
  6. Life Span: Ask questions about how long the product or service is covered. What happens if the company is sold or goes out of business? Who is responsible for servicing the product over time? What happens if the business closes? Will you be notified if anything within the business changes, such as its contractors?
  7. Loans: When taking out a loan, consider your monthly budget, compare rates and ask about the application of credits to determine the project cost versus the potential gains.

Below are some helpful resources to review when considering energy projects:

-Efficiency Vermont provides energy efficiency resources, go to: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/

-The Public Service Department provides renewable energy resources, go to: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/renewables/resources

Please reach out to me directly with any questions you may have: https://ago.vermont.gov/home-improvement-specialist-bio