In troubled times, OSI warns of scams, we should be wary Published Feb. 6, 2009 By AFOSI Tinker AFB TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- During these hard economic times, most everyone is looking for a good deal on needed items. However, one must be leery of deals. Some are offered by scam artists trying to make a buck off those looking to save. One website recently found claimed to offer low-cost personal computers and pre-downloaded educational resources to specific industries. The buyer was required to give personal information for the order. This included their social security number and date of birth, as well employment information to include their place of employment, start and retirement dates. In addition to this information, buyers were required to provide official documentation (pay stub) to prove employment status and the only authorized method of payment was through an allotment from the individual's pay. The same website also stated they had the ability to rebuild an individual's bad credit with "low cost student loans." These computers were sold for approximately $3,500 and paid in installments of $143 a month over a two year period, but the computers were worth only approximately $500, and the training courses offered were already available to personnel at no cost from their places of employment. Lastly, the website did not include a disclaimer that the information provided would not be sold to other companies, creating vulnerabilities for further schemes and Operational Security issues. Many will go far to defraud others and manipulate people into debt for their own gain. While some may intend to assist financially unstable people, the potential to manipulate them into further debt is rather significant. Err on the side of caution when contemplating offers requiring personal information and remember to practice good OPSEC, both at work and in your personal life. If you witness a crime or have information on a crime, contact AFOSI Det. 114 at 734-7822.