LawHelp Legal Information search results for Consumer and Debt > Scams, Fraud, and Unfair Sales Practices

	Consumer and Debt > Scams, Fraud, and Unfair Sales Practices


	GENERAL LEGAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS

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Question & Answer Column

Is this "lottery" letter a fraud?
I opened my mail today and was happy to find a letter stating that I will receive a certified check for a total of $86,000 from a Canadian lottery program...
By: Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota-Duluth

I bought a product from a door-to-door salesman. Can I get my money back?
About a month ago, a salesman came to my door selling vacuum cleaners. I bought it, and it worked the fine the first few times I used it, but now the switch doesn't even turn it on. I would like to return it and get my money back. Can I do this?
By: Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota-Duluth

I received a bill for something I didn't order, what do I do?
I recently received a bill from a company that I have never heard of stating that I owe them money for a product that I never ordered nor received...
By: Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota-Duluth

Avoid Sweepstakes Fraud This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Many sweepstakes mailings mislead consumers into believing that they have won a valuable prize or that their chances of winning big will increase if they buy merchandise.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Beware of "Live Checks" This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
A consumer may receive a "live check" and cash it, believing that it represents payment for a service rendered...
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Beware of Dishonest Immigration Consultants This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)

By: National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)
Read this in: Chinese / 中文 , Russian / Pусский , Spanish / Español

Beware of Phony Cashier's Checks This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office urges Minnesotans to exercise caution when selling items online and when receiving cashier's checks.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Charitable Donations: Give or Take? (Separate Website)

By: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Read this in: Spanish / Español

Check Payment Scams This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Keep a watch out for this common scam that has bilked countless victims out of thousands of dollars.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Debt Counseling This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Although debt counseling is available to those in need, there are also fraudulent actors attempting to prey on individuals who are experiencing hardship.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Disaster Information: Be Wary of Scams This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Scams to watch out for as rebuilding begins include: home repair scams, advance fee loan scams, easy "legal" fixes, protection from foreclosure, charity scams and fraud aimed at farmers.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

E-mail Banking Scams This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Although online banking with a reputable bank is typically a secure practice, a new email scam, targeted at individuals and businesses alike, may jeopardize the security of your financial account information.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Fake Money Orders and Checks This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
The Attorney General's Office urges consumers to beware of fake money orders, cashier's checks, and other forms of payment.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Foreign Advance Fee Fraud This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Minnesota consumers and businesses continually receive letters, faxes and even e-mails from supposed Nigerian and other foreign nationals.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Foreign Lotteries This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
The Minnesota Attorney General warns consumers to be on alert for telephone solicitations, mailings, and e-mail correspondence alleging to be associated with foreign lotteries.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Health Coverage Scams This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Minnesota consumers and employers face outrageous health care costs. Some consumers struggling to find affordable health care coverage have been targeted by scams. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office offers tips to help consumers determine the difference between legitimate health insurance plans and scams
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam (Separate Website)

By: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Read this in: Spanish / Español

International Lottery Scams (Separate Website)

By: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Know Your Rights When Shopping This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office encourages consumers to review the following information regarding shopping and other consumer rights.
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

Magazine Subscription Solicitations This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

(Separate Website)
Many consumers receive solicitations through the mail, by telephone or door-to-door for magazine subscriptions. Supposedly "free," "pre-paid," or "special" magazine subscription deals may actually add up to years of monthly payments...
By: Minnesota Attorney General's Office

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