Joseph Russo – Financial Literacy Advisory from National Council of Financial Literacy

Charlotte, NC, May 06, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Joseph Russo of National Council for Financial Literacy warns Senior Citizens and Social Security recipients of the latest scams.

Scammers are taking advantage of the stimulus publicity with new types of cons.

Social Security recipients, tax refunds and other stimulus type payments are being targeted in these scams. Contacts are being made by US mail, e-mail and phone calls.

Because of the $250 stimulus checks that will be sent out, combined with refunds due taxpayers, scam artists are taking advantage of the confusion of the times. Stimulus checks are expected to be sent out during May and June 2009.

Callers are calling taxpayers randomly and representing that there is a problem depositing a check into the victim’s account. Attempts are then made to “verify” personal identification, bank account information, debit card information and or credit card information.

Any such calls are bogus – Do not give out any information to any caller and do not respond in writing to any letter received.

Government agencies will never ask for any such information.

Do not give out any type of personal information to any caller.

Never Send Advance Fees by mail or credit card over the phone.

Types of information that you should never give anyone are the following:
1.) Social Security number
2.) Bank account numbers
3.) Passwords
4.) PIN numbers to any accounts
5.) Birthdates
6.) Maiden names or any family names

Remember Never reveal this information to anyone.

If anyone does call you and they are persistent – Remember these are professional scammers. Ask them for their name and phone number and pass that information to your local law enforcement or Better Business Bureau for further instruction.

About The National Council

The Mission of the National Council for Financial Education of Students and Consumers is:
to provide proactive, rather than reactive, financial education programs for students and consumers, through enhanced delivery strategies of financial content, with facilitators that are focused on topics that directly affect the ability of participants to function efficiently in basic daily financial situations.

The “Council” wishes to improve awareness of the pitfalls of poor money management and significantly improve the financial awareness in areas of daily financial stability, by concentrating on topics that concern basic daily financial survival. “Back to the Basics” of good money management.

More information about the National Council of Financial Literacy can be found at www.ConsumerFinancialFacts.com

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