Con artists troll for patriotic consumers

'Coins for troops' profit con
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox filed a civil suit against Jeffrey Razet, owner of Razmataz, a Web site that claimed to sell "Operation Freedom" coins benefiting troops fighting in Iraq. The site is currently not operational.

"This advertisement is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the nation's support and concern for the safety and welfare of our troops in Iraq," says Cox, a former Marine. "The ad leads consumers to think that by purchasing an authentic commemorative coin struck by the U.S. Mint in honor of the war effort in Iraq, Razmataz will donate an identical U.S. Mint commemorative coin to one of our troops. In reality, they're nothing more than standard Kennedy half dollars somebody has decorated and are now being peddled with half-truths and emotional appeals."

On the attorney general's Web site, Cox alleges that Razmataz's advertising does not tell consumers that the coins are not U.S. Mint commemoratives. Cox adds that Razmataz's claim of "only 100,000 for worldwide distribution" and the certificate of authenticity issued with the coins have nothing to do with any actions of the Mint.

"There are always a few unscrupulous scam artists ready to exploit consumers' emotions and patriotism to make a quick buck," says Cox. "It is good to give generously in times of need, but every donation to a scamming mock-charity takes money away from a legitimate charitable organization that is really doing good deeds. Do your research before you make a purchase or give up your dollars as a charitable contribution."

Door-to-door scares-men
Residents in Oregon and western Washington have reported door-to-door pitches by people claming to be contractors. These supposed contractors offer to build safe shelters in homes or yards that they promise will provide protection from airborne nuclear, biological and chemical warfare agents.

Similarly, various spam e-mails touting survival kits and anti-germ and chemical warfare pills have been reported to the BBB.

If you are considering any building project for your home, hire a licensed contractor who is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Never buy anything offered in an unsolicited e-mail.

419 with an Iraqi twist
The Nigerian letter scam, also called the 419 scam, is an old scam, but now it has a war-themed twist.

The e-mail claims to be from a someone who has access to a large amount of cash and wants to move it to a U.S. bank account. The con artist promises a big cut of the cash to the reader, if he will agree to hold the cash in his account. When the reader shares his account number, money in his bank account is stolen.

New versions of this scam claim to be from Iraq or have access to Iraqi money.

Fake calls, real money
Jim Winsett, president of the BBB in Chattanooga, Tenn., says a telemarketer called a homeowner in his area and asked the homeowner to call a 900 number to record a message for the troops. The call had a 2-minute minimum and cost $2.95 per minute.

A similar scheme involving faxes has been reported by the BBB of Charlotte, N.C.

Right 2 Vote Ltd. is a Canadian-based company that asks for responses to hot-topics, such as before the war started, "Does President Bush have your support in the war against Iraq?" The fax stated that results would be sent to President Bush and members of Congress.

But according to the BBB, the results are not sent to the president or any members of congress.

"This is a scam that looks like a poll," says Linda Pellerine, director of public relations of the Charlotte, N.C., BBB. "In tiny, tiny print at the bottom of the fax it says it costs $2.95 per minute to answer the fax. And faxing it can take up to 15 minutes -- this is by design.

"Please do not answer this fax," says Pellerine. "If you want to make your opinion heard, contact your local U.S. congressman or senator."

Decks of Iraq's most wanted pitched by criminals
Be wary of e-mails claiming to sell "the same 55-card deck given to Coalition soldiers" featuring Iraq's 52 most-wanted. You may not be buying the real thing.

The Department of Defense Web site states, "The cards are not available for sale or distribution. The Defense Department has no official affiliation with the Internet auction or other Web sites that reportedly have some version of these cards available for purchase."

The Defense Department used the deck design of United States Playing Cards, makers of the BICYCLE®, AVIATOR® and HOYLE® cards. The copyright on the Iraqi Most Wanted deck belongs to United States Playing Cards.

The few decks that were originally printed for the troops were already distributed. However, the company is currently printing reproduction decks for sale to the general public. While some Internet sites are selling expensive decks they claim are the exact decks sent to the troops, United States Playing Cards has a link on its site where consumers can purchase a reproduction deck for about $6.

If you want your own deck for free, you can download the cards at the Department of Defense.

But I paid my taxes
The BBB in Fayetteville, Tenn., says telemarketers who claimed to be with the government contacted residents in their area. The telemarketers said families were required to purchase a survival kit and the amount would be deducted from their checking accounts. The residents called the BBB to verify the claim and were told it was a scam.

"No government agency would ask for your personal banking or credit information, and there is no requirement to purchase a survival kit," says Carol Foster, the BBB branch manager.

Keep watching
The North American Securities Administration Association is warning consumers to be on the lookout for con artists preying on investor's war fears.

"Con artists always use the headlines as a way to get into investors' wallets," says Christine Bruenn, Maine's securities administrator and president of the North American Securities Administration Association.

The NASAA says corrupt pitchmen may use the fear of rising oil prices or economic instability to fool investors into oil and gas investment scams.

"Beware of high-pressure pitches for nontraditional investments such as strategic metals, foreign currency, oil and gas investments or tiny companies that supposedly have products or technology to combat chemical or biological terrorism -- or whatever else is in the headlines," says Bruenn.