Contact 6: Renters were victims in identity theft case
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Those looking to rent an apartment or home are required to fill out a lot of forms, and FOX6's Contact 6 has a warning about what information is put on those forms.The victims in a recent identity theft case were renters, who had filled out a rental application with personal information."Somebody who worked for the apartment management complex was able to obtain copies of their drivers licenses and their applications and they were given to the defendant," U.S. Postal Inspector Blanca Alvaraz said.The identity thief then went online, and with those dates of birth and social security numbers applied for student loans."They ranged from $25,000 and up," Alvarez said.Postal inspectors got involved because the checks were being sent to vacant addresses."The checks would be picked up the defendant who was stealing the mail," Alvarez said.The next step in this fraud was hiring people who, with fake IDs, would go into banks and cash the student loan checks."The total potential loss in this case was over a half million dollars.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Those looking to rent an apartment or home are required to fill out a lot of forms, and FOX6's Contact 6 has a warning about what information is put on those forms.The victims in a recent identity theft case were renters, who had filled out a rental application with personal information."Somebody who worked for the apartment management complex was able to obtain copies of their drivers licenses and their applications and they were given to the defendant," U.S. Postal Inspector Blanca Alvaraz said.The identity thief then went online, and with those dates of birth and social security numbers applied for student loans."They ranged from $25,000 and up," Alvarez said.Postal inspectors got involved because the checks were being sent to vacant addresses."The checks would be picked up the defendant who was stealing the mail," Alvarez said.The next step in this fraud was hiring people who, with fake IDs, would go into banks and cash the student loan checks."The total potential loss in this case was over a half million dollars.
Contact 6: Con men played off older man's loneliness
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says those who feel immune from falling prey to con artists should understand that even the brightest and most careful can easily be lured by the promise of big money.Lawrence Hawkins uses these words to describe the con artists at the heart of a scam that cost his father more than $60,000: arrogant, demanding and lying."A few days after my mother died, my father got some sort of letter in the mail, saying she won some multi-million dollars," Hawkins said.To collect the jackpot, Hawkins' father was instructed he first had to pay taxes on the winnings, and the con men kept asking for more."He was paying out like the green grocer - every week," Hawkins said.A telemarketing firm now had Hawkins' information and started soliciting him over the phone as well."It`s really insidious.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says those who feel immune from falling prey to con artists should understand that even the brightest and most careful can easily be lured by the promise of big money.Lawrence Hawkins uses these words to describe the con artists at the heart of a scam that cost his father more than $60,000: arrogant, demanding and lying."A few days after my mother died, my father got some sort of letter in the mail, saying she won some multi-million dollars," Hawkins said.To collect the jackpot, Hawkins' father was instructed he first had to pay taxes on the winnings, and the con men kept asking for more."He was paying out like the green grocer - every week," Hawkins said.A telemarketing firm now had Hawkins' information and started soliciting him over the phone as well."It`s really insidious.
Contact 6: Con men stealing identities from mailboxes
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says you could be making yourself a target simply by paying bills and placing them in the mailbox!"First you can`t believe it.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says you could be making yourself a target simply by paying bills and placing them in the mailbox!"First you can`t believe it.
Contact 6: Funeral scam hits families during heartbreak
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Most people would rather not think about funerals, whether it be their own or that of a loved one, but FOX6's Contact 6 is warning about a new funeral scam that can hit families in the midst of heartbreak.Clarence Corter thought he put his funeral worries to rest after buying a casket from a company called "Celestial Burials." The 30-year-old veteran found the ad for the casket in a VFW magazine."We ordered a casket with an Air Force insignia on it, and then we ordered one for me too because they were less expensive," Corter said.Several years later, Clarence passed away, so Betty called Celestial Burials."We called the funeral home to let them know the casket would be shipped to them in 24 hours," Betty Corter said.However, that didn't happen.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Most people would rather not think about funerals, whether it be their own or that of a loved one, but FOX6's Contact 6 is warning about a new funeral scam that can hit families in the midst of heartbreak.Clarence Corter thought he put his funeral worries to rest after buying a casket from a company called "Celestial Burials." The 30-year-old veteran found the ad for the casket in a VFW magazine."We ordered a casket with an Air Force insignia on it, and then we ordered one for me too because they were less expensive," Corter said.Several years later, Clarence passed away, so Betty called Celestial Burials."We called the funeral home to let them know the casket would be shipped to them in 24 hours," Betty Corter said.However, that didn't happen.
Contact 6: Tips to protect yourself against identity theft
FOX6′s Contact 6 has tips that could help keep information safe, and keep you from losing thousands to an identity thief!
FOX6′s Contact 6 has tips that could help keep information safe, and keep you from losing thousands to an identity thief!
Contact 6: Identity theft victim shares tips to protect oneself
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 has tips that could help keep information safe, and keep you from losing thousands to an identity thief!Surveillance photos helped postal inspectors link Andrew Myers -- a former financial advisor to more than 57 cases of identity theft."He stole clients' information and identity profiles from both his customers and his fellow co-workers and then performed changes of addresses and opened various bank accounts in his name," U.S. Postal Inspectors Douglas Biel said.Myers worked for Northwestern Mutual, selling both investments and insurance, but his own quest for money led to his downfall."He was trying to live the high life.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 has tips that could help keep information safe, and keep you from losing thousands to an identity thief!Surveillance photos helped postal inspectors link Andrew Myers -- a former financial advisor to more than 57 cases of identity theft."He stole clients' information and identity profiles from both his customers and his fellow co-workers and then performed changes of addresses and opened various bank accounts in his name," U.S. Postal Inspectors Douglas Biel said.Myers worked for Northwestern Mutual, selling both investments and insurance, but his own quest for money led to his downfall."He was trying to live the high life.
Contact 6: Ponzi scheme investment promises high returns
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says it is a scam that comes with a warning that can't be emphasized enough -- whenever an investment promises unusually high returns, run in the other direction!"They said they had this investment opportunity - and it looked like a really good deal," Dennis Sindrey said.Sindrey was one of many victims of an elaborate investment scheme."(The con man) was previously an attorney in Houston, owes over$30 million in back taxes.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 says it is a scam that comes with a warning that can't be emphasized enough -- whenever an investment promises unusually high returns, run in the other direction!"They said they had this investment opportunity - and it looked like a really good deal," Dennis Sindrey said.Sindrey was one of many victims of an elaborate investment scheme."(The con man) was previously an attorney in Houston, owes over$30 million in back taxes.
Contact 6: Scam targets small business owners
FOX6′s Contact 6 has a warning for small business owners: your client may not be who you think.This scam began with an email order for fliers and business cards — sent to a minuteman press store.
FOX6′s Contact 6 has a warning for small business owners: your client may not be who you think.This scam began with an email order for fliers and business cards — sent to a minuteman press store.
Contact 6: Scam targets small business owners
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 has a warning for small business owners: your client may not be who you think.This scam began with an email order for fliers and business cards -- sent to a minuteman press store."Everything appeared to be legitimate," Ken Schaeffer said.Then, the payment arrived."We received a postal money order and it was for more than what it should have been," Schaeffer said.Part of the payment was for the printing expenses, owner Steve Schaeffer was told.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 has a warning for small business owners: your client may not be who you think.This scam began with an email order for fliers and business cards -- sent to a minuteman press store."Everything appeared to be legitimate," Ken Schaeffer said.Then, the payment arrived."We received a postal money order and it was for more than what it should have been," Schaeffer said.Part of the payment was for the printing expenses, owner Steve Schaeffer was told.
Contact 6: Big beauty product sale could have resulted in loss of thousands
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A big beauty product sale made a salesperson suspicious, and it's a good thing instinct took over!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A big beauty product sale made a salesperson suspicious, and it's a good thing instinct took over!
Contact 6: Social security number theft leads to ID theft
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Identity theft can happen anywhere, and FOX6's Contact 6 says it is important to safeguard your social security number."A woman behind the desk asked me for my social security number.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Identity theft can happen anywhere, and FOX6's Contact 6 says it is important to safeguard your social security number."A woman behind the desk asked me for my social security number.
Contact 6: Katrina Cravy discusses foreign lottery scam
FOX6′s Contact 6 is warning of a foreign lottery scam involving con artists in Jamaica targeting people in the U.S. When many think of Jamaica, they picture beautiful beaches and tropical weather.
FOX6′s Contact 6 is warning of a foreign lottery scam involving con artists in Jamaica targeting people in the U.S. When many think of Jamaica, they picture beautiful beaches and tropical weather.
Contact 6: Jamaica con artists targeting U.S. victims
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 is warning of a foreign lottery scam involving con artists in Jamaica targeting people in the U.S.When many think of Jamaica, they picture beautiful beaches and tropical weather.However, U.S. Postal Inspectors say the island is also a home base for a foreign lottery scam, involving con men who are now threatening their victims."The individuals who are actually perpetrating these schemes are incredibly violent individuals and extremely aggressive," U.S. Postal Inspector Antonio Gomez said.U.S. Postal Inspectors say this is a troubling trend.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6's Contact 6 is warning of a foreign lottery scam involving con artists in Jamaica targeting people in the U.S.When many think of Jamaica, they picture beautiful beaches and tropical weather.However, U.S. Postal Inspectors say the island is also a home base for a foreign lottery scam, involving con men who are now threatening their victims."The individuals who are actually perpetrating these schemes are incredibly violent individuals and extremely aggressive," U.S. Postal Inspector Antonio Gomez said.U.S. Postal Inspectors say this is a troubling trend.
Contact 6: Avoiding identity theft
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Elsy was devastated after discovering the money she and her husband were saving for a new home had been stolen from their bank account."The dream was gone.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Elsy was devastated after discovering the money she and her husband were saving for a new home had been stolen from their bank account."The dream was gone.
Contact 6: Katrina Cravy discusses lottery scam
Katrina Cravy joins FOX6 WakeUp to talk about a lottery scam.
Katrina Cravy joins FOX6 WakeUp to talk about a lottery scam.
Contact 6: Tips on modeling careers for young girls
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A career in front of the camera can bring in some serious cash, but FOX6's Contact 6 has some tips on how to avoid modeling heartache.Like the modeling profession itself, an offer to a young girl was seductive."The modeling agency sent this young girl an email stating that she could start modeling classes which could help her start modeling professionally," U.S. Postal Inspector Lori McCallister said.In the email, she was asked for her weight, waist size and for three photographs."She received a check for $2,500.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A career in front of the camera can bring in some serious cash, but FOX6's Contact 6 has some tips on how to avoid modeling heartache.Like the modeling profession itself, an offer to a young girl was seductive."The modeling agency sent this young girl an email stating that she could start modeling classes which could help her start modeling professionally," U.S. Postal Inspector Lori McCallister said.In the email, she was asked for her weight, waist size and for three photographs."She received a check for $2,500.
Contact 6: Con men - How modern day pirates earn their booty
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Some con men live the high life -- enjoying luxury cars, large homes and anything money can buy.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Some con men live the high life -- enjoying luxury cars, large homes and anything money can buy.
Contact 6: Booking a spring break getaway
Those who are thinking of booking a spring break getaway for the whole family need to act fast!
Those who are thinking of booking a spring break getaway for the whole family need to act fast!
Contact 6: Scammer shares her road to redemption
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For more than 40 years, FOX6's Contact 6 has been providing stories of those who have been ripped off.
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- For more than 40 years, FOX6's Contact 6 has been providing stories of those who have been ripped off.
Contact 6: Company selling sad story to make a sale
Contact 6's Katrina Cravy is warning you about a company claiming to help inner-city youth.
Contact 6's Katrina Cravy is warning you about a company claiming to help inner-city youth.