Your Money

You have the right to dispute any information on your credit report you believe to be inaccurate. You should review your credit report once per year to see if anything looks out-of-place. Accounts on your credit report that you do not recognize could be a sign your identity has been stolen. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

How to correct errors on your credit report

Contact the credit reporting agency in writing. Tell the agency exactly which information on your report you believe to be inaccurate. Be sure to include your full name and address. You may wish to include a copy of your report highlighting the information you are disputing as well as any documentation you have to support your claim that the information is inaccurate. The FTC offers a sample letter which you can use to contact the credit reporting agencies. Keep a copy of everything you send them, and send the letter by certified mail so you know when it has been received.

TransUnion
1-800-916-88009
P.O. Box 2000,Chester, PA 19016

Experian
1-888-397-3742
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

Equifax
1-800-525-6285
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

The credit reporting agency will investigate your request. When the investigation is complete, the agency will contact you with the results, and a free copy of your report if the problem has been corrected. Upon your request, the agency must also send notices of the correction to anyone who received a copy of your report in the past six months.

If your dispute is not resolved, request a dispute statement be placed in your file. After investigating, if the credit reporting agency still believes the information is correct, you are entitled to provide up to a 100-word statement to be placed on your report explaining why you believe the information is incorrect.

Credit cards can make purchases more convenient, especially transactions that take place over the phone or online. However, if your credit card information falls into the wrong hands, identity thieves can use it to charge things to your account. Here are some tips to keep your credit card information safe:

Credit card "loss protection" offers are not worth the cost

Telephone scam artists may call to attempt to sell you credit card loss protection or other insurance programs. Many times these "credit card protection" companies may tell you they are affiliated with your credit card company when, in fact, they are not. If you didn't authorize a charge to your credit card, do not pay it. Follow your credit card issuer's procedures for disputing charges you haven't authorized. According to the Federal Trade Commission, your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50.

Protect your credit card information

Never give out personal information - including your credit card or bank account numbers - over the phone or online unless you are familiar with the business that's asking for it. Scam artists can use your personal information to commit fraud, such as identity theft. That's where someone uses some piece of your personal information, such as your credit card account number, Social Security number, mother's maiden name, or birth date, without your knowledge or permission to commit fraud or theft.

Many telemarketers will ask you to confirm your credit card number by telling you the first few digits and asking you to complete the number. Be aware that all credit cards of the same type (Discover, MasterCard, Visa, etc.) begin with the same four numbers.

Ask telemarketers to send you program information by mail

Rather than sign up for something you are not sure about over the phone, ask the telemarketers to mail you information about the service to help you make a well-informed decision about your purchase.

Borrowing money is often necessary, especially for large purchases like houses or cars. It is important to pay off your debts in a responsible and timely fashion. Sometimes, however, debt collectors or scam artists may try to get you to pay debts you do not owe.

The most effective way to resolve debt collection conflict is to directly contact the collection agency in writing to dispute the debt. It is a good idea to send the letter via certified mail requiring a return receipt. Enclose copies of any documents that support your claim that you do not owe the debt or that you are not the person who they are trying to contact. Under federal law a creditor must stop trying to contact you on the telephone once they receive the dispute letter. For your records, you should keep a copy of the letter you send together with the receipt that you get back in the mail. If the letter you send does not resolve your complaint with the collection agency, then we recommend that you file your complaint directly with the FTC. You can contact the FTC online at www.ftc.gov or toll free via telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

Third-party debt collectors are required to comply with the FDCPA. The FTC is the federal agency responsible for interpreting and enforcing the FDCPA. If you feel the collection agency is in violation of the FDCPA, please file a formal complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov.

Visit www.ftc.gov to learn about your rights and options under the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal agency responsible for interpreting and enforcing the FDCPA.

Wiring money is like sending cash; once it's sent, you can't get it back. Con artists often insist that people wire money – especially overseas – because it's nearly impossible to reverse the transfer or trace the money. You can file a formal complaint with the company used to wire the money, but know that recouping the loss is usually not successful. Never wire money to strangers or someone you haven't met in person.

This list includes:

• Sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment
• An online love interest who asks for money or a favor
• Someone advertising an apartment or vacation rental online
• A potential employer or someone who says it's part of your new online job
• Someone who claims to be a relative or friend in dire straits – often in a foreign jail or hospital – and wants to keep it a secret from the family

Scam artists posing as charities can cause trouble for generous Kansans hoping to help their neighbors. Attorney General Kris Kobach has committed himself to protecting Kansas consumers and providing educational resources to prevent scams and consumer victimization.

The Attorney General's Office enforces the Kansas Charitable Organizations and Solicitations Act, K.S.A. 17-1759 et seq. We also oversee any modifications made to charitable trusts to ensure that the intent of the grantor is maintained.

Our office's duties include, but are not limited to:

• Investigating charities that mislead consumer about where or what their donations are being used for.
• Investigating scams and fake charities.
• Investigating improper solicitations of donations.

Charitable Giving Tips

Investigate before you donate. Some con artists use names similar to well-known charities or pretend to raise money for state or local law enforcement agencies. It is important to be informed when making charitable giving decisions.

• Ask for written information, including how much of the money raised is actually used for charitable purposes and how much will end up in the hands of the professional fundraiser.
• Be careful with telemarketers requesting contributions – oftentimes the telemarketer keeps a substantial portion of the donation.
• Do not be pressured into making a contribution or pledge.
• Do not feel obligated to send a donation to charities that send token gifts such as key chains, greeting cards, mailing labels, etc.
• Make certain the charitable organization actually serves the need it claims to serve.
• Ask for financial statements of the organization to determine who will benefit from the donations.

Tips for Donors

Real charities will always be happy to take your money a couple days or even a couple weeks after they first make contact with you, so take time to do your research. High pressure appeals that claim a need is "urgent" are often times a warning sign of a scam.

Take time to ask the following questions before you donate:

• What is the charity's exact name? Scam artists often use names that sound familiar to reputable charitable organizations in order to solicit donations.
• Is the charity registered with the Attorney General's Office? If so, what is their registration number?
• Does the charity operate nationally? If so, what is the address of its national offices?
• Does it operate locally or have a local center? If so, what is the address of its local office?
• How much of my donation will go to charitable activities?
• How much of my donation will go to administrative expenses?
• Is the call being made by a professional solicitor? If so, what percent of the donation will they receive and are they registered with the Attorney General's Office? What is their registration number?
• What programs will my donation support? Will my donation benefit programs that are available locally?
• Is my donation tax deductible, i.e. can I deduct it from my own federal income tax return?
• Ask to be sent financial statements from the organization to determine who will benefit from your donation.
• If you are purchasing a product that supports a charitable organization, always ask what percentage of the amount you spend will actually support the charity. If it is a product you do not want or need, you might be able to better help the charity by donating directly.

Do additional research before you donate

• Search the charity online through a search engine. Check for complaints filed by other consumers.
• Go to the charity's website and read about the programs it supports.
• Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints about the charity or search for the charity online.
• Go to Charitable Organization Registration to see if the charity is registered with the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
• Find a link to their IRS 990 form which reports their expenses and see if they are associated with any professional fundraisers.

When you are ready to donate, send your donation in the form of a check so you have a receipt. Do not give out credit card or bank information to an organization.

Am I being scammed?

There are some pretty common signs of a charity scam. If you experience any of the following, be careful.

• The solicitor pressures you into giving money right away.
• The solicitor refuses to provide you basic information such as the charity's name and address.
• Your donation is associated with a contest, such as a sweepstakes or a raffle, that sounds "too good to be true."
• The solicitor wants you to pay in cash or wants credit card information but will not accept a check.
• The solicitor will not let you mail in a check directly, but instead sends someone to pick it up from you.
• If you believe you are the victim of a scam, file a complaint with our office.

Additional Resources

Visit the website at Charitable Organization Registration or call (785) 296-3751 to find information on charitable organizations registered in Kansas, your rights as a consumer when giving to charities and the Kansas Charitable Organization and Solicitation Act.

Check the Better Business Bureau and others for information on charities:

• www.give.org
• www.charitywatch.org
• www.guidestar.org

Check out charities on www.give.org for tax deduction qualification, charity ratings and additional information.

Emails or calls announcing that you have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes are false. You may even get a message claiming that you have already won, so long as you pay to get your prize or collect your winnings.

Not only is this a scam, but participating in a foreign lottery violates Kansas and federal law. The scammers will keep any money you send for "taxes" or fees. In addition, lottery hustlers use victims' bank account numbers to make unauthorized withdrawals or their credit card numbers to run up additional charges.

Remember these tips:

• You do not have to pay for something you have won (e.g., taxes, handling charges or custom clearance fees); tell the caller to take the money from your winnings and send you the rest!
• Do not give your credit card or bank account number to a caller you do not know; they generally ask for the routing number off your check; if given these numbers, this person will have access to your checking account.
• Beware of callers requesting money to be sent via wire service or overnight courier (this is a quick, easy and anonymous way for scam artists to get the money and run, as well as avoid mail fraud).
• The only legal lottery a consumer may participate in, within the State of Kansas, is the state-run Kansas Lottery.
• Call the Kansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-432-2310 if you have questions or concerns about a call or offer.
• Forward email solicitations for foreign lottery promotions to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

You should immediately notify your bank or credit card company of the unauthorized charge and make them aware that you did not authorize the charge.

Most banks require a specific notarized form to take action on an unauthorized transaction. It may be necessary to go to the bank in person and fill out the paperwork with the assistance of a bank employee. If the unauthorized withdrawal caused you to be charged any overdraft fees or any other fees, you may also request those be removed.

The procedure for disputing a credit card charge varies by credit card company, so you may wish to contact your credit card company by calling the number on the back of your card to find out their procedure. The dispute should be done quickly; federal law allows only sixty (60) days from the date you receive the bill showing the erroneous charge to challenge the charge. Some credit card companies allow more time for a dispute, so even if you are outside of 60 days we recommend you still follow the dispute procedures. If you write your credit company to dispute the charge, it is a good idea to include a brief paragraph explaining why you believe the charges are fraudulent or in error. For additional information, please visit www.ftc.gov on the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Pyramid schemes are illegal money making operations. Profits gained from pyramid schemes are based on the necessity of recruiting new members to contribute to the person at the top of the pyramid. The new members who contribute hope that one day they will be at the top of the pyramid to receive their profits.

Pyramid schemes are illegal because there is a mathematical certainty that the last people to enter the scheme will lose money. This means that there will always be victims. Unlike gambling, there is little or no opportunity for the state to regulate the procedures by which pyramid schemes operate. The circumstances under which pyramid schemes operate also create opportunities for deception and fraud.

Establishing, Operating, Advertising or Promoting a Pyramid Scheme is a felony under Kansas Law. K.S.A. 21-3762 Limiting the number of persons who may participate in a scheme or any additional conditions affecting a person's eligibility to receive compensation does not change the identity of the scheme.

How to tell if it is illegal

Pyramid Schemes are broken into two categories: product based schemes and non-product based schemes.

A non-product Pyramid Scheme is when participants contribute only money to a person identified at the top of the pyramid. These schemes require new people to join the scheme in order for a profit to be made, consequently creating guaranteed victims.

Product-based pyramid schemes are where participating persons not only contribute money to a person identified at the top of the pyramid but also are encouraged to sell a product associated with the person at the top of the scheme. These product based pyramid schemes are often disguised as "business opportunities."