Consumer Protection - Consumer Alerts

Consumer Alerts

October 2009 – Anchorage Police Department Scam Alert: Door to Door Magazine Sales
September 2009 – FTC Tips/Videos on Avoiding Foreclosure Rescue Scams
July 2009 – Settlement with Dish Network Includes Restitution for Alaska Consumers
July 2009 – Consumers with questions about the Countrywide settlement should go to: www.countrywidesettlementinfo.com or call 1 (866) 411-6987.
- Assurance of Voluntary Compliance entered into between the State of Alaska and Countrywide Financial Corporation - PDF(610KB)
July 2009 – Hang up on interest rate and car warranty robo-calls
April 2009 – Beware of phony Prize Notice to the "State of Alaska Commissioners of Registrations."
- View a sample of the phoney prize notice. - PDF(416KB)
April 2009 – REMINDER: April 13 Deadline for Dell Refunds
March 2009 – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) warns of fake military twist on vehicle sale scams.

2008 Consumer Alerts

December 2008 – Are Gift Cards A Good Idea This Holiday Season?
October 2008 – National Protect Your Identity Week is October 19 – 25, 2008. Learn more about how to protect your identity, what to do if you’re a victim of identity theft, and take an identity theft risk quiz at www.protectyouridnow.org.
September 2008 – Beware of Offers for Extended Auto Warranties
April 2008 – The Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Department of Law warns Alaska consumers to be aware of counterfeit check scams
- View an example of a scam being sent to Alaskans. - PDF(191KB)
- For more information view the FTC publication on counterfeit check scams.
March 2008 - The Anchorage Police Department has issued a press release warning citizens of a jury duty scam. The Department of Law also issued a consumer alert about this type of scam in 2005. View the 2005 Department of Law press release - PDF(24KB).
March 2008 – It’s tax season: Beware of tax and rebate scams. The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert warning consumers about scams related to rebate checks. The scammers pretend to be from the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or another governmental agency and claim they need some bit of personal information to process your rebate check. In fact, all they are doing is trying to steal your personal information. The alert also outlines where to report calls or emails of this type.
January 2008 – Alaska consumers are eligible to receive $40 coupons to use toward the purchase of digital analog converter boxes for the nationwide transition from analog to digital television due to begin February 2009. Learn more about the transition and how to obtain the $40 coupons.

2007 Consumer Alerts

November 2007 – Be a Savvy Shopper: Six Must Know Holiday Shopping Tips
October 2007 – The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert warning consumers about a bogus e-mail claiming to be from the FTC.
September 2007 - Consumer Protection and Investor Education Workshops to be offered in Barrow, Bethel, Kodiak and Dillingham! The AARP, in cooperation with the Investor Protection Trust and the State of Alaska, is sponsoring workshops in these four communities in October and November. The workshops will take place in Barrow on October 5 and 6, Bethel on October 12 and 13, Kodiak on November 2 and 3, and Dillingham on November 16 and 17.
September 2007 - Looking for a mortgage? Beware of offers that fail to deliver the details. Read a new FTC consumer alert on deceptive mortgage advertising. Also see the brochure on predatory lending from the Attorney General’s Office
- PDF(511KB).
August 2007 - Make sure your "free trial offer" really is free!
July 2007 - Opt-out of pre-approved credit offers!
May 2007 - Businesses are warned to be on alert for Relay Fraud
February 2007 - Alaskans Encouraged to take Advantage of Education Opportunities and Resources to Mark National Consumer Protection Week - PDF(27KB). AARP will host a workshop on Investor & Consumer Protection Education during National Consumer Protection Week.

2006 Consumer Alerts

December 2006 - When decorating your house, buying the latest video gaming machine, or getting a new pre-lit Christmas tree, the Consumer Protection Unit of the Department of Law reminds you to make sure the electrical products you purchase are properly certified.
September 2006 - "Beware the Liars" - Con artists target Alaskans and they're good at the game.
August 2006 - Notice for Veterans About Identity Theft
July 2006 - Permanent Fund Dividend Divison Warns of Phishing Scam
July 2006 - Don’t be fooled by bogus "second chance" offers.
May 2006 - Federal Trade Commission's tips on buying arts and crafts made by Alaska Natives.
April 2006 - Yellow Pages, Inc. to stop sending check solicitations to Alaska consumers and pay restitution to consumers - PDF(57KB).
February 2006 - Attorney General Joins the FTC to Remind Alaskans that February 6th Marks National Consumer Protection Week - PDF(53KB). Test your consumer savvy by taking the FTC's Grand Scam Challenge
January 2006 - Ameriquest to Pay $325 Million and Reform its Lending Practices to Resolve States' Investigations - PDF(112KB).

2005 Consumer Alerts

December 2005 - Shop Safely Online. Federal Trade Commission's tips on safe holiday shopping online
December 2005 - Attorney General issues alert: Nigerian Advance Fee Scam Customized for Alaska - PDF(24KB).
November 2005 - Internet Crime Complaint Center alert: Beware of Fraudulent FBI Email.
November 2005 - Beware of sweepstakes scammers impersonating government officials. Federal Trade Commission publication: NEW SPIN ON SWEEPSTAKES SCAMS. Here in Alaska, the Attorney General's Office has received recent reports of sweepstakes scammers providing a local phone number for an "Anchorage Customs Postal Inspector" who "confirms" the consumer has won the sweepstakes. Remember that legitimate sweepstakes never tell you that you have to pay "taxes," "customs fees," or "insurance" or any upfront fees in order to get your prize.
November 2005 - AG issues warning for Alaskans to be on the lookout for a new scam involving phone calls from someone representing themselves to be an official from the court or jury clerk's office - PDF(24KB).
September 2005 - Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief: Beware of Fraudulent Solicitations for Aid - PDF(38KB)
June 2005 - Don't be scammed by soliciations for free federal grants. Read the BBB's warning regarding solicitations for free federal grants similar to those currently being received by Alaska residents.
June 2005 - Send a Father's Day E-card from the Federal Trade Commission.
May 2005 - Send a Mother's Day E-card from the Federal Trade Commission.
April 2005 - People In Profit System ("PIPS") is an illegal Ponzi Scheme
- PDF(34KB).
March 2005 - Before applying for a tax refund anticipation loan ("RAL"), consider first the risks and costs of an RAL. Read the National Consumer Law Center, Inc. publication- "Don't Pay to Borrow Your Own Money" - PDF(72KB)
February 2005 - Thinking about purchasing a business opportunity? The Consumer Protection Unit urges you to review the following information before you make an investment:
February 2005 - Consumer Alert: Recent Reports of "Phishing" and of Phony Email Scheme.
February 6-12 2005 - National Consumer Protection Week. Identity Theft: When Fact Becomes Fiction; Identity Theft Packet for Consumers - PDF(96KB).
- Identity Theft handouts - LARGE PDF(1.11MB)
- FTC ID Theft booklets - PDF(751KB)

2004 Consumer Alerts

December 2004 - Free Credit Reports for Alaskans - PDF(56KB)
December 2004 - Consumer Tips For The Holidays - PDF(78KB)
September 2004 - Division of Insurance Warns Consumers about
Medical Plan Scams - PDF(271KB)
July 2004 - Women's "Gifting" Club is an Illegal Pyramid Scheme - PDF(98KB)
May 2004 - It's Phishing Season in Alaska: Consumers beware! - PDF(13KB)

2003 Consumer Alerts

December 2003 - FTC Tips on Giving Wisely this Holiday Season
December 2003 - Shop Wisely with these FTC Holiday Shopping Tips
November 2003 - Information on How to Stop "Pop Up Spam" - PDF(97KB)
September 2003 - FTC Warns of Fake Credit Report Sites Designed to Lure Consumers into Providing Personal Information
June 2003 - FTC Warning of Fraudulent Best Buy E-Mail
June 2003 - IRS Consumer Warning: Scam Targets Potential Recipients of the Advance Child Tax Credit
April 2003 - Be Wary of Prerecorded Telephone Messages Offerning to Reduce your Credit Card Debt
March 2003 - Internet Auction Scam With a TWIST - PDF(8KB)
January 2003 - Consider this before buying a vehicle from Canada: Auto Manufacturers Stop Warranty Coverage on Canadian Vehicles - PDF(8KB)

2002 Consumer Alert

November 2002 - FTC Consumer Alert: The "Nigerian" Scam Costly Compassion. If you receive an E-mail or Fax "Nigerian" Scam Offer, forward it to the FTC/U.S. Secret Service