The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs is warning consumers not to fall for a class action lawsuit scam. The current scams involve an unknown person or persons contacting consumers and advising them that they were involved in a class action lawsuit.

The caller tells the resident that the lawsuit was successful and they are due several checks amounting to thousands of dollars if they just pay a required fee. This scam is dangerous because consumers often receive legitimate mailings about class action lawsuits, or even see news of them in print in popular magazines. The key here is that no legitimate class action suit will have persons attempting to contact members of the class online.

“Most importantly, consumers should know that they would never have to pay money upfront to get money,” said S.C. Consumer Affairs Administrator Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston. “If you’re being asked to send a fee by wire transfer or otherwise provide account information, you can be sure it’s a scam!”

This time of year, scam artists will be even more prolific, Pinkston said, warning consumers who receive calls of this nature to be aware of the following red flags:

• The caller states that the “fees” have to be mailed to a postal box in Canada or sent by wire transfer.
• The scam artists use official sounding or authentic language, and attempt to lure victims by making mention of actual businesses (Brink’s armored car service) that are legitimate and well known.
• High pressure pitches: unless consumers respond today, the settlement will be forfeited.
• Suspicious caller ID number is displayed.

Consumers need to be more suspicious than ever and report scams to Consumer Affairs, their local law enforcement agencies, and take advantage of web resources such as the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov, the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, and the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service at www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov. Two sources of up-to-date information about scams and the most recent warnings can be found at www.fakechecks.org and www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.