Information About Potential Scams

Montana Consumer Protection Office would like to warn Montanans about two malevolent schemes that have arisen in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Con artists, posing as bank and credit union employees, are calling Montanans and attempting to gain banking information. The con artists claim that the destruction of the World Trade Center destroyed the customer's account information. They then request the customer's bank account number and password. Montanans should not give out this information. If anyone attempts this scam on you, call the Montana Consumer Protection Office in the Department of Administration at 1-406-444-4500.

Many con artists are taking advantage of people's willingness to give. They are calling, faxing, and writing people asking them to donate to nonexistent charities. Some of these con artists used the good name of legitimate charities to further their own ends.

The Direct Marketing Association has asked its members that engage in charitable fundraising to people and businesses with whom they do not have a previously existing customer relationship to cease outbound telemarketing fundraising through the end of September. Some charities are not members of the Direct Marketing Association. Montanans should take extra care when giving.

President Bush has established a website www.libertyunites.org listing contact information for many of the legitimate charities. Montanans who wish to donate money should contact a charity of their choosing. They should be leery of anyone contacting them by phone, letter, fax, or email and asking them to donate. Anyone with questions about a charitable solicitation may contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 1-406-444-4500.