There are a lot of ways people get scammed nowadays and Clarkston resident James Sloan found out one way when he was scammed by door-to-door magazine salespeople out selling, they said, for a good cause.
Sloan wants others to be aware of what happened to him, so they don’t fall victim to the same scam.
Last September, a young couple in his neighborhood approached his home selling magazine subscriptions. The couple said revenues from sales would help fund better schools for African American children.
‘The young lady looked to be about seven months pregnant,? he said. ‘You could not have asked for nicer people. They even helped me do a little garden work.?
Sloan paid $42 for a magazine subscription scheduled to arrive at his grandson’s home within three months, at the latest.
The subscription never came, but Sloan’s check was cashed. An online search reveals no information about the company on the sales receipt.
Sloan told his bank he believed he was scammed, and the bank said they would look into it.
According to authorities, some scams are more common than others, and people should always be wary of suspicious activity or people when providing valuable personal information.
Providing personal information, like banking account information Sloan’s case, can mean serious trouble.
Police said thieves take routing information off the bottom of check and create their own checks to write.
“We’ve had many reports of people taking bills out of mailboxes and copying checks,” warned Oakland County Detective Genefer Harvey. “They get the routing number and bank account information and create their own checks using the legitimate checking account. The bank cashes the check, and the owners of the account later find out their money is gone.?
Oakland County Detective Michele Miller added any door to door salespeople must have a solicitor’s license in both the city of Clarkston and Independence Township.
‘Legitimate salespeople will get a permit, but non-legitimate salespeople won’t even try to get one,? she said.
Permits can be denied.
‘To get a permit, they have to prove they are a legitimate entity. They have to give names of people and their identification and get a police clearance,? Harvey said.
People selling something door to door, without a permit will be ticketed for soliciting with no permit.
They added if someone comes to your door selling something, ask to see their permit. If they don’t have one, say ‘no thank you,? close the door, and call the police.
Although no reports about fake magazine sales have been reported to local police, the big scam in the area is done over the phone.
Police have received numerous reports of scams involving the Internal Revenue Service. Thieves are using a phone application to make it look like the IRS is calling.
“Callers will do everything they can to get people to give up personal information saying they are with the IRS,? Miller said.
‘They threaten them with criminal charges or putting a warrant out for their arrest. Many people fall victim, so they give them credit cards or checking account numbers,? she added.
The IRS will never ever call you and demand money.
‘They send you a nice letter or make you come down to talk to them,? Miller added.
Tax return scams are very common around tax time.
‘Someone steals an identity and files a tax return in that person’s name,? Harvey said.
Bottom line, always protect valuable personal information like your social security number.
‘There is no reason for anyone to need your entire Social Security number even at your doctor’s office. Most insurance companies do not use your social security number anymore, and the last four digits should be sufficient,? Harvey added.
Contact the sheriff’s Independence Township substation at 248-620-4968.