Detroit Free Press Susan Tompor column

April 16--The tax season is behind us. So we can only hope that the scammers will stop calling about all those "lawsuits" that the Internal Revenue Service will file against us if we don't hand over $4,212 immediately.

The IRS impostor scam is a big one. And frankly, I doubt the fake phone calls will stop any time soon. But regulators and consumer watchdogs are warning of other scams this spring too. Here's a look at a few hot scams:

--The Microsoft scam. I got one of these calls, and I've heard from many of our readers who are complaining about them, too.

Lisa Ross, consumer outreach coordinator for the Office of Consumer Services for the Michigan Department of Insuranceand Financial Services in Lansing, said the scam is so hot that she's going to mention the Microsoft scam as part of "What's trending" during her Money Smart Week presentations, which kick off Saturday.

The tech support scams start with a phone call from someone who claims to have been monitoring your computer and sees that someone is trying to access your information. Maybe they mention Microsoft, maybe they mention Windows.

The scam artist might ask you to turn on your computer and go to a specific site. When I got one of these calls, I pretended to log onto my computer and kept the scam artist on the phone longer than I should have done in a spirit of meanness. OK, I was bad. But I felt like I kept the guy from calling someone else. I don't recommend the strategy.

"There's no way anyone is monitoring your computer," said Ross, who is speaking at a Money Smart Week event on identity theft at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the University of Phoenix -- Detroit Campus at 26261 Evergreen in Southfield.

But there are plenty of ways that scam artists could benefit from getting access to your computer.

Microsoft warns on its website that scam artists may want to trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords.

The scam artists then could turn around and try to charge you to remove this software. Other possible signs of a scam: Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the service. If so, hang up.

Cyber crooks can claim to be from Microsoft Support, the Windows Technical Support Department or a research and development team.

"The scammers use bullying tactics to convince the victim to allow them to gain remote control access to their computer," said Adam Levin, chairman and cofounder of Credit.com and IDT911.com.

"Once they are in, the fraudsters can crawl into your system and steal sensitive personal information and tax documents you may have stored on your desktop."

So as we move beyond April 15, it's essential to stay clear of the con artists, who can easily find your name in phone directories and guess what system you're using.

Do not take comfort in what you're seeing on caller ID, either, as con artists can spoof that information to make it look like the call is from a legitimate company or government agency.

Levin said consumers need to be careful because scammers can take some information and guess their way into tax e-filing log-in information. They're out to hack into your account and commit tax-related identity theft down the line.

"Tax season has become fraud season, and consumers need to remain vigilant in protecting their personal information," Levin said.

--The repair crew at the door.

The Michigan Attorney General's office warns that springtime scammers will soon be knocking on the door offering so-called deals for repaving driveways, fixing the roof or painting the house.

A sign of a scam: The crew indicates they just completed a large job nearby and have left over materials and can offer a great price. Just pay in cash, now. Just say no, and do your homework to find reputable contractors.

--The door-to-door magazine scam. I actually fell for this one once, a very long time ago. Seriously. I was a new home owner. The young man selling the magazines was trying to raise money to go to school. Oh, sure and before you know it, I'm out like $15 or $20. But it must be a really good scam, if it's still hot many years later.

The Better Business Bureau is warning this spring that door-to-door magazine sellers may claim they're raising money for a school or a charity. The subscription rates seem pricey. But who hasn't paid more for wrapping paper than it's worth because a student is trying to raise money for camp?

The BBB stated that months can go by before you'd see the magazines that you might order.That's because the fund raiser is fake.

The stories can vary. Maybe someone gives you a story about trying to raise money for a loved one who has cancer.

In some cases, teams of people from another state may drop into town to try to sell magazines and work the scam.

The BBB says remember that legitimate magazine companies give details in writing, including the total price and cancellation instructions. Also request to see the seller's license. Many communities require a solicitation license before you can sell door-to-door.

The con artists might call by phone. Some might sign you up for a monthly subscription service, not necessarily a one-time payment.

Ways to avoid rip-offs and scams? Don't fall for high-pressure tactics, panic about your computer or feel too sympathetic toward someone who seems sincere and wants to raise money for a cause. And definitely don't be too greedy for a so-called great deal.

Contact Susan Tompor: 313-222-8876 or [email protected].

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