Action: Timely reminders for consumers

April fool! If anything, the opposite is true, as con artists devise ever more ways to part you from your money. John Wood, chief investigator with the Pinellas County Department of Consumer Protection, said that not only are the old scams still around, the agency is seeing a huge increase in Internet scams, with complaints involving purchases made over the Internet topping the list.

If someone called you on the phone to sell you a "Ming vase" for several thousand dollars, would you turn around and send off a check for that amount to a post office box? We don't think so. Yet that is what people are doing daily over the Internet, Wood said.

Shopping on the Internet may be convenient and easy, but before you make an online purchase, know exactly with whom you are dealing. Shop with companies you know. Wood said more problems arise when you deal with individuals than with companies. Use a secure browser and keep your password private. Pay by credit or charge card, which offer more protection than a check or money order. Keep a record of the transaction.

Wood added the following tip for shopping at online auctions: Look for auction sites that let you pay the auction house instead of the seller. For a fee, the auction house will hold your payment until it receives confirmation that you have received the merchandise before forwarding it to the seller. That way you won't come up empty handed.

Don't fall for the following lines:

"You have won a free trip" or "You have been selected to receive a free cruise." -- There are no free trips and no free cruises.

"This offer is being made to only a few investors," "Large profits are guaranteed," "Low risk or risk free; you can't lose," "Insured against loss," "Government guaranteed," "Prices will rise in the next few days, so act now." -- These red-flag lines are all tactics to get you to act quickly and enrich the person making the pitch, not you.

"Congratulations. You have won . . ." -- The prizes probably aren't worth collecting. Or, you will be asked to send money for shipping or taxes. You won't see your prize or your money.

"Lose weight fast while you eat all you want," "Watch the pounds melt right off." -- It just isn't so. The only thing that will disappear quickly is your cash. Sorry, folks, but it's still "Eat less, exercise more."

The following are among the top lines heard at the Pinellas County Department of Consumer Protection.

"I can get this merchandise to you right away," in the case of Internet purchases.

"I have some material left over from a job down the street so I can do your work cheaply."

"You've won a new car. All we need is $500 for shipping costs."

"All the subcontractors have been paid. Just sign this release so I can get my money."

"Sign now, or the price will increase."

"You have won a free vacation."

"All we need is your credit card (or bank account) number -- for identification purposes only."

"Make money in your spare time. Guaranteed income."

"You have been especially selected."

"Be your own boss! Never work for anyone else again. Just send in money for supplies."

"This investment is risk-free. We can double or triple your money quickly."

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Action solves problems and gets answers for you. If you have a question, or your attempts to resolve a consumer complaint have failed, write: Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call your Action number, 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, (800) 333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request for Action. Names will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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