The “replacement device lawsuit check scam” is a type of scam in which fraudsters contact consumers and claim that they are entitled to a refund check for a replacement device that they were given as part of a class-action lawsuit. The fraudsters then ask the consumer to provide personal information, such as their bank account number or Social Security number, in order to receive the check.
The replacement device lawsuit check scam is a common scam because it targets consumers who have already been harmed by a defective product. The fraudsters know that these consumers are likely to be more trusting and more likely to cooperate with their requests.
Here are some tips to avoid the replacement device lawsuit check scam:
- Be wary of unsolicited contact. If you receive a call, email, or letter from someone claiming that you are entitled to a refund check for a replacement device, be wary. Legitimate companies will not contact you out of the blue to offer you a refund.
- Do not provide personal information. If someone asks you to provide personal information, such as your bank account number or Social Security number, in order to receive a refund check, do not provide it. Legitimate companies will not need this information to process a refund.
- Verify the information. If you are unsure whether a refund check is legitimate, contact the company that issued the check directly. You can usually find the company’s contact information on its website or in the paperwork that came with the replacement device.
If you think you may have been a victim of the replacement device lawsuit check scam, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. You should also contact your bank or credit union to report the scam and to cancel any checks that you may have already written to the fraudsters.
Here are some additional tips to protect yourself from scams:
- Be suspicious of any offer that seems too good to be true. If someone is offering you a large sum of money for very little effort, it is probably a scam.
- Never give out your personal information to someone you do not know and trust. This includes your bank account number, Social Security number, and credit card number.
- Do your research before doing business with any company. Check the company’s website and read reviews from other customers.
- Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics. If someone is pressuring you to make a decision quickly, it is probably a scam.
If you are unsure whether something is a scam, you can always contact the FTC for help.
