Scam Alert-Another Phishing Expedition

Many of us go through life heeding Dear Abby's advice that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Just as many of us go through life doing everything we can to stay on the right side of the law. However, there are those who are dishonest and try to prey on those two qualities. Behold, an item I found in today's mail as an example

At first quick glance, as I went through the 20 pieces of mail I had, I thought 'great, what does the government want now?', because our taxes were submitted, we don't have anything outstanding and it's too early for a SallieMae notice for my student loans.

After looking through the rest of the junk, I took a closer look and realized that hey, this is coming to Jane. Any federal or state agency has the necessary documents to show she died last March, so why get something. Then I noticed several things were off: 1. Her name and address were handwritten. 2. The seal on the top left was not an official government seal, and there was a warning that only the addressee can open it (good luck with THAT one, folks). 3. Last I'd heard, official government mail has a federal franking on it. They don't use stamps. So take a look at the closer pictures and observe those three things that are indicators that this is not as 'official' as the sender wants you to believe.

Upon opening it, I see why all the deceptive subtefuge on the outside: it is yet another appeal to cut Jane's energy costs. I've written about the EOF/EOS energy scammers from Longwood Florida, who use the tactic that you need to contact them IMMEDIATELY about your electric bill. Yeah, right.

In this case, they insist they can provide Jane with a Free home energy conservation evaluation and can help you find the rebates to save money. Thing is-your electric company can do this for you, too. All of the things they say they'll do for you FREE you can already do yourself.

So, really, what they're trying to do is get into your home to sell you on using energy reducing products that they just so happen to have with them and can sell you at a great savings. However, those savings aren't nearly as great as they would be if you'd gone to Lowes or Home Depot and purchased comparable items.

Once again, if someone is offering something for free, equate it to being 'too good to be true' and ask yourself why they'd do it. What's the catch? To me, the fact that they have to make their solicitation look like it is something important from the government should be a huge neon sign that F.E.C.A/ Florida Energy Conservation Advisors are out to make a buck or several hundred off of you.

Oh, and if you go to the listed website, their gallery shows dozens of houses with signs for their 'agency' in the yards, as if that means that they are really providing the service they say they are. Dozens of ten dollar yard signs mean nothing-show comparison electric bills if you really are a legitimate service, F.E.C.A.

Caveat Emptor, my friends.