Christopher Coen
Melissa Sogard
nancylee1
Scammers Target Refugees
Posted by Christopher Coen on January 4, 2012
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is alerting people to a new scam that targets refugees:
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has been alerted to a new telephone scam apparently targeting Bhutanese refugees. A man identifying himself as a representative of the “Federal Grants Department” calls from a Washington, DC-based telephone number, (202) 436-9601, informing recently resettled refugees that they are eligible to receive $10,000 because they are refugees from Bhutan. To claim the money, they are instructed to produce a money order for $650, and call the telephone number for further instructions on where to send the money…
…At least one refugee has been coerced into making multiple payments as “processing fees”, totaling more than $5,000.
So far, reports are localized in Texas, but ORR advises everyone to be aware of this scam and avoid giving any personal information or payments to unknown callers… Read more here
Another type of scam, this one in Australia, involves people on the phone posing as utility salespeople, and telling refugees that they need to verify details of their accounts. See Brimbank Weekly article:
REFUGEES and migrants with little or poor English are being targeted by door-to-door utilities salespeople, leading to large debts and disconnection of services for some.
Footscray Community Legal Centre financial counsellor Anita Smith said unscrupulous practices by door-knockers were still continuing, despite a campaign to stamp out the practice that involved distributing “do not knock” stickers to residents…
…”One of the tactics the salespeople use is to say that people need to verify their details and then get them to answer questions on the phone. The people then find that their accounts have been changed.”
Others seek help after a visit from a salesperson posing as a government representative, who makes the resident feel compelled to switch.
Many Burmese Chin people in the west are having problems with salespeople… Read more here
