Los estafadores y el “servicio al cliente”: otra estafa de impostores

5 de agosto de 2020

por 

Jabari Cook

Interno, División de Educación del Consumidor y los Negocios, FTC

Si deseas comunicarte con el departamento de servicio al cliente de una compañía, puedes hacer una rápida búsqueda en internet y a menudo encontrarás lo que parece ser su número de teléfono o email. ¿Pero es realmente correcta la información que aparece en los primeros resultados de tu búsqueda?

En base a reportes recibidos por la FTC, a veces, la respuesta a esa pregunta es no. Algunos estafadores están creando información falsa de servicio al cliente de compañías populares y están pagando para que esa información aparezca en los resultados de tu búsqueda. Cuando te comunicas con ellos, te ofrecerán “resolver” el problema que pudieras tener — si les haces una transferencia de dinero o les envías tarjetas de regalo. También podrían pedirte tu información personal, o que les permitas acceder a tu computadora de manera remota.

Las estafas de impostores de negocios tienen el mismo objetivo: conseguir tu dinero o tu información. Te listamos algunas maneras de mantenerte a salvo:

Revisa el empaque del producto. Un buen lugar para buscar la verdadera información de servicio al cliente, si todavía lo tienes, es el embalaje, el manual u otro material impreso de tu producto.

Visita el sitio web oficial de la compañía para consultar la información de contacto. Ingresa el domicilio del sitio web de la compañía directamente en la barra de tu navegador. Eso te llevará al sitio web de la compañía donde podrás buscar la información de servicio al cliente —quizás un número de teléfono, domicilio de email o una manera de enviar un mensaje directamente a través de su sitio web. Pero si usas un motor de búsqueda para encontrar los datos de la compañía, verifica el URL para estar seguro de que encontraste el sitio web oficial de la compañía y no el sitio de un estafador.

Nunca transfieras dinero, envíes tarjetas de regalo ni des la contraseña de tu cuenta a cambio de asistencia de un servicio al cliente. Ninguna compañía legítima te pedirá que le envíes tarjetas de regalo, le hagas una transferencia de dinero ni les des la contraseña de tu cuenta a cambio de brindarte asistencia de servicio al cliente. Si alguien lo hace, cuelga el teléfono.

Beware of Malicious COVID-19 Phishing Scams

Get the Latest Small Business News in this Newsletter

The SBA is now on Instagram - @SBAgov In the wake of emergency assistance available to help small businesses in response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the SBA is urging disaster loan applicants seeking federal aid to be alert to phishing campaigns and scams. These malicious actors are impersonating the SBA and its Office of Disaster Assistance to collect personally identifiable information (PII) for fraudulent purposes. Learn more Every year, the federal government spends over $400 billion on goods and services, making it the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration released the annual Fiscal Year 2019 Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard, which tracks and assesses each agency’s yearly and individually negotiated small business prime and subcontracting performance and determines grades ranging from A+ to F. We are very pleased to announce that in FY19 the federal government not only exceeded its small business contracting goal, it awarded a historic $132.9 billion or 26.50 percent in prime contract dollars to small businesses. This is an increase of $12 billion from FY18, earning the federal government an “A” on SBA’s Scorecard. This smashes the record-setting $120 billion the federal government awarded to small businesses in FY18! It was a record-breaking year for women-owned small businesses too! For the second time ever since the implementation of the women-owned contracting goal, the federal government met the five percent contract goal awarding $26 billion in federal contracts, or 5.19 percent to women-owned small businesses. Learn more Military spouses stand and serve alongside our men and women in uniform, making it possible for our Service members to defend our country. Through their commitment and dedication to their partner, military spouses show unwavering support for our nation’s Armed Forces while balancing the many demands of military life. Learn more The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include: Call Center Customer Service Representative Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting Program Support Apply today Did you know that Paycheck Protection Program loans will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities? The loan forgiveness form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers. Learn more SBA Announces New Reduced 504 Loan Debenture Rates Interest rates for the 504 Loan Program offered by Certified Development Companies have been updated. The program is now allowing 20 and 25-year interest rates at 2.214% and 2.269%, respectively. Learn more National Women's Business Council Releases Findings on Women's Participation in America's Seed Fund-A Federal Innovation and Research Program The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) commissioned the first comprehensive study examining the factors that may influence women’s participation in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs—also known as America’s Seed Fund. The NWBC intends for this report to provide a baseline understanding of the inclusion of women entrepreneurs and female principle investigators in the advanced technology business realm funded by SBIR/STTR. The NWBC is a non-partisan federal advisory committee created to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners. Learn more   Health Reimbursement Arrangements Webinars Interested in learning about a new way to offer health benefits to your employees? Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a webinar on individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). Register today Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.  Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. Learn more Federal Coronavirus Resources State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   Learn more about the federal government's response Virtual Mentoring and Training  Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training by phone, email, and video. Find an SBA resource partner near you

1, 2, 3 videos para ayudarte a frenar las llamadas indeseadas.

7 de agosto de 2020

por 

Sachit Gali

Interno, División de Educación del Consumidor, FTC

Lidiar con un montón de llamadas indeseadas puede causar frustración. Si las respondes, podrías escuchar un mensaje grabado de alguien que está tratando de venderte algo. O podría ser una persona de carne y hueso que te llama con la esperanza de asustarte para que pagues una deuda que no debes. Estos tipos de llamadas indeseadas suelen ser estafas. Al seguir los pasos indicados para frenarlas te puedes ahorrar dinero, un estrés innecesario — y tal vez también algo de dinero. 

La FTC ha creado una trilogía de breves videos para ayudarte a que las llamadas indeseadas ni siquiera lleguen a tu teléfono. Con estos videos, aprenderás cuáles son las tecnologías que puedes usar para bloquear estas llamadas y evitar que lleguen a tu teléfono celular y de línea fija. También te enterarás de lo que hay que hacer para dejar de recibir llamadas de números falsos.

Para aprender más sobre cómo frenar las llamadas indeseadas y cómo reportarlas a la FTC, échale un vistazo a ftc.gov/llamadasindeseadas.

FTC Sends Letters Warning 20 More Marketers to Stop Making Unsupported COVID-19 Treatment

FTC Sends Letters Warning 20 More Marketers to Stop Making Unsupported COVID-19 Treatment Commission has sent similar letters to almost 300 other sellers and marketers nationwide The Federal Trade Commission announced it has sent letters warning 20 more marketers nationwide to stop making unsubstantiated claims that their products and therapies can prevent or treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This is the eighth set of warning letters the FTC has announced as part of its ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health-related COVID-19 scams. In all, the Commission has sent similar letters to almost 300 companies and individuals. Several of the letters announced today target “treatments” the Commission has warned companies about previously, including intravenous (IV) Vitamin C infusions, ozone therapy, and supplements. Others challenge claims that nasal spray, skincare products, or acupuncture can prevent or treat COVID-19. However, currently there is no scientific evidence that these, or any, products or services can prevent or treat the disease. The FTC sent the letters announced today to the companies and individuals listed below. The recipients are grouped based on the type of therapy, product, or service they pitched as preventing or treating COVID-19. Anti-Viral Card: The1VirusBuster / KW Technology (online only) Chiropractic/Acupuncture: Active Lifestyle Clinic (Phoenix, Arizona) Natural Health Center of Clifton (Clifton, New Jersey) Back 2 Health Family Wellness Center (Little Silver, New Jersey) Hackbart Chiropractic (Seward, Nebraska) Electric Current Devices (Zappers): Provita Health Store (online only) NaturalHealthSupply.com (Rockland, Maine) Intravenous (IV) Vitamin and Ozone Therapies: Breiner Whole-Body Health Center (Fairfield, Connecticut) Dr. Rozita Moshtagh/Naturopathic Medicine Clinic (San Diego, California) Silver Cancer Institute & Center for Chronic Disease (Scottsdale, Arizona) Nasal Spray: Xlear Inc. (American Fork, Utah) Skincare Products: UWell Life, Inc. (Buena Park, California) Supplements, Vitamins, Botanicals, and Herbal Remedies: CoviDoctors (Lubbock, Texas) Dr. David Dahlman/Hyde Park Holistic Center (Decatur, Georgia) Dave Asprey (online only) Whole World Botanicals (New York, New York) Fortify Vitamins, Inc. d/b/a Fortifeye Vitamins (Safety Harbor, Florida) Gesundheit! Nutrition Center (Bozeman, Montana) Bottom Line Inc. (Stamford, Connecticut) NSideOut Health (Atlanta, Georgia) In the letters, the FTC states that one or more of the efficacy claims made by the marketers are unsubstantiated because they are not supported by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC Act. The letters advise the recipients to immediately stop making all claims that their products can prevent or treat COVID-19, and to notify the Commission within 48 hours about the specific actions they have taken to address the agency’s concerns. The letters also note that if the false claims do not cease, the Commission may seek a federal court injunction and an order requiring money to be refunded to consumers. In April, the FTC announced its first such case against a marketer of a purported COVID-19 treatment, Marc Ching, doing business as Whole Leaf Organics. The case was settled in early July, with Ching agreeing to an order barring him from making the allegedly deceptive claims. In July, the FTC filed a federal court complaint against California-based Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical, Inc. for falsely advertising its $23,000 Emergency-D Virus treatment as an “FDA Accepted” plan for treating COVID-19. The complaint alleges that the company continued to market its COVID-19 treatment even after receiving a warning letter from the FTC in April 2020. Earlier this month, the FTC announced several federal court cases filed against marketers who allegedly make false promises about being able to quickly fulfill orders for facemasks and other personal protective equipment. One of those actions also included charges against the sellers of a product called “Basic Immune IGG” that claimed to treat or prevent COVID-19 and have FDA approval, according to the FTC’s complaint. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. Contact Information Contact for Consumers: FTC’s Consumer Response Center 877-382-4357 Media Contact: Mitchell J. Katz Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2161 Staff Contact: Richard Cleland Bureau of Consumer Protection 202-326-3088 Warning Letters

U.S. Department of Education

Important Updates from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

Friends,   This week I was pleased to join President Trump, Vice President Pence, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals, and students at the White House for an important discussion on how our nation’s schools can safely reopen. Parents and students have the most to lose from keeping schools closed, but they can’t be held captive to others’ fears or agendas. That’s why President Trump and I are fighting for students like Marsh.   Marsh is four years old and diagnosed with Down syndrome. His mom Janie shared at this week’s event that life is simply not the same for her son without in-person learning. Kindergarten provides him the routine and social development that he desperately needs. If schools don’t reopen in the fall, Janie fears Marsh will irreversibly regress. Students like Marsh are only four once. They can’t get these missing months of learning back. They are why we need to ensure that schools are fully open and fully operational.  To hear Marsh’s story and others from the White House event this week, click here.  I also joined Gov. Mike Huckabee on “The Ingraham Angle” Wednesday to reinforce this Administration’s commitment to getting students back to full-time learning this fall and empowering parents with options to make that happen. Every parent should have the opportunity to find the right fit for their kids based on their individual circumstances.   To learn more about our fight to empower parents with choices and get kids back to full-time learning this fall, please follow along on social media. You can find me on Instagram and Twitter at @BetsyDeVosED. Until next time,   Secretary Betsy DeVos