Anne-Laure Le Reverend of Camino Bernardo writes us to beware of a new scam:

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a warning last Friday about an identify theft scheme using a fictitious IRS form and a fraudulent letter from banks. OCC said the fraudulent documents "are being circulated nationwide" to steal customers' identities and trick them into disclosing personal and banking information.

The phony letter says the bank is updating its "resident, non-resident alien and citizen records" to recertify the customer's exemption from withholding tax on deposit interest. Customers are asked to complete the bogus IRS Form W-9095. The form asks for the customer's Social Security number, mother's maiden name, account names, personal identification numbers, passwords and codes for accounts and place of employment. Copies of the documents and how to respond to customers who have been fooled are available on OCC's Website.

http://www.occ.treas.gov/altlst02.htm

Glen Lackey of Oaks North writes: "These Ivory Coast people are after my bank account number and eventually my money." Here’s a sample of the email letter:

"Before the death of my father on 29th June 2000 in a private hospital here in Abidjan. He secretly called me on his bedside and told me that he has a sum of US$ 16,500,000 (sixteen million five hundred thousand United States dollars) left in a suspence (sic) account in a local bank here in Abidjan, that he used my name as his only son for the next of kin in deposit of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. that I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose, (such as real estate management)." He goes on to say that you will get 15% of the money….yeah.

Here’s one from Becky Czarnik of Camino Bernardo: "This was circulated by the US Postal Service. I thought it would be of interest to all."

"San Diego Police have informed us (USPS) of the latest endeavors regarding ATM fraud.

"Thieves are putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic "sleeve" into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN. Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you enter and re-enter your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has captured your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account. The way to avoid this is to run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get your card out of the slot, and you will be able to feel them.

"The police would like as many people as possible to be aware of this scam, so please pass the information on to your friends and family."