Get rich quick? Probably not

As unemployment rates across the state continue to rise, there's one line of work that's apparently booming: the scam industry.

According to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, his office has received reports of schemes that ask targets to pay a little money in order to make a lot of money.

The trouble is, many of these schemes are fakes - elaborate plots to steal the identities or savings of people who may be more willing to compromise sensitive information due to economic hardships.   

"We have definitely seen an increase in certain types of scams with the economic problems people are experiencing," Noelle Talle, the public information officer for Cooper's office, said.

Some scams, such as empty promises of credit repair or assistance with home foreclosure, seemed to be tailored for those who need the money most.

Cooper said the offers could come in the form of a telephone call, e-mail or letter stating the unsuspecting target has won a lottery or urging them to apply for a sweepstakes for which they're a finalist.

Cooper's office recently heard from a consumer who received an e-mail pretending to come from Powerball, which directed the consumer to a legitimate-looking Web site to claim $1.5 million. The Web site looked identical to the real Powerball Web site but had the wrong telephone number and e-mail address.

The Nigerian letter scam begins with a letter, fax or e-mail asking for help transferring money out of a foreign country. If the recipient allows the writer to transfer the money through their bank account, they're promised a cut.

But as with many of the other schemes, that promised cut - though enticing it may seem - never comes, and they get money stolen after sharing their bank account information.

Cooper's office receives about 20,000 calls per year, Talle said, and looks for patterns of questionable business tactics to determine a scheme is an unlawful hoax. Operations that are trying to steal from North Carolinians may be prosecuted, leaving them subject to civil fines or even restitution to their victims.

Still, with many schemes originating in foreign countries, it can be tough for those who fall for schemes to get their money back.

"And that's why we try very hard to get the word out and educate people before they fall for these schemes," Talle said.

Justin Schoenberger can be reached at (252) 559-1075 or jschoenberger@freedomenc.com.

Things to remember:

• - Be skeptical of a sweepstakes. It's probably a scam.
• - Never give personal financial information or social security number to a person who calls or sends an e-mail or letter.
• - Never agree to wire money in order to claim a prize
• - Don't cash checks that come with a letter telling you that you've won a sweepstakes or lottery
• - It is illegal to require purchases or the payment of fees and taxes before you can receive a prize
• - Report suspected scams to N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper's office at (877) NO-SCAM.

Source: N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper