Pub. 6 2017 Issue 7

October/November 2017 29 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s N.1715 An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. bcbsks.com Exploration Place in Wichita offers fascinating exhibits, hands-on learning experiences and exciting live science shows. Dedicated Exploration Place employees encourage a deeper interest in learning, while making it fun for everyone. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas makes getting health care as easy and care-free as possible – so Kansas workers can focus on making communities better. bcbsks.com Community Exploration Place inspires learning. money, debt collection, and utility bills. The scams are committed using many methods, including gift cards. Regardless of the reason for payment, the scam follows a certain formula: The victim receives a call instilling panic and urgency to make a payment by purchasing iTunes Gift Cards from the nearest retailer (convenience store, electronics retailer, etc.). After the cards have been purchased, the victim is asked to pay by sharing the 16-digit code on the back of the card with the caller over the phone. It's important to know that iTunes Gift Cards can be used ONLY to purchase goods and services on the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or for an Apple Music membership. If you're approached to use the cards for payment outside of the iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, or Apple Music, you could very likely be the target of a scam and should immediately report it to your local police department as well as the FTC. Please do not ever provide the numbers on the back of the card to someone you do not know. Once those numbers are provided to the scammers, the funds on the card will likely be spent before you are able to contact Apple or law enforcement. Here’s a link to report if you have been a victim of such fraud https://ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1 Honestly, the likelihood of you recovering any losses from these activities are very slim. These criminals, often identified to you as your “friend”— are simply thieves. They’ve played you for a fool. And if they’ve set you up to use your own funds to fraud someone else, you may be part of the fraud investigation, and any potential claims or actions for restitution related to such fraud. Be smart. Be safe. Don’t allow yourselves to be set up for a fall, here. Find love in a real human being—one you can touch. Leave financial things out of the relationship until you know that you’re good otherwise. Don’t allow someone to force you to do something that you know doesn’t feel right. Never succumb to giving out personal information to anyone by phone or email, without knowing who you’re dealing with, on the other end. Verify emails, by calling someone back, before taking action. Good luck in the murky waters out there. They are filled with sharks these days. Share this with someone you love, before they get devoured. Tom Wilbur is President/CEO of BANK VI, Salina, Kansas. He is a regu- lar contributor to magazines and newspapers, and is a graduate of the University of Kansas. BANK VI was founded upon character, integri- ty, and trust, and is a Member FDIC, and an Equal Housing Lender. You may contact Tom at 785.825.4321 if he can be of further help or support.