State consumers continue to report receiving emails asking for detailed personal information to claim various prizes such as sweepstakes and lottery winnings.  Requests can include some combination of the following:  full name; address; gender; marital status; occupation; email address; home, cell/fax number; nationality; credit card or social security number.

These scams have come to consumers via email, U.S. mail and by phone (cell, home or business):

Reminder: Consumers should not share personal information, such as their credit report, social security or credit card numbers with anyone they do not know.

“Dance Instructor Needed” Scam:

Consumers should be aware that scammers are working overtime to attempt to separate them from their money. This month, the AGO was notified of a new variation on an old scam.  This time, the scammer is posing as an individual in need of a dance instructor for a dozen students.

“Hello, I’m looking for an experienced choreograph/Dance Instructor that could take about 12 individual for a dance training? What can your establishment offer with regards to the request above? I would like to know what is required cost implication and any other thing that will be require for a successful training for at least four weeks between the month of September and November 2009. Kindly get back to me if you can offer any ti n by a return mail via this email with details. Best regards, I would like to book for one month and 2 weeks classes for 3 hours each day Monday to Saturday (morning hours) for a group of 10. We are asking for 3 hours per day for 2 weeks – Monday – Saturday. A total of 36 hrs. We would be coming over for holiday and as part of our plans we need dance classes/private lessons in ANY of the following area Ballet, belly dance and Pre-Dance as well as Salsa, Swing and Ballroom. Do you have a training studio/facility where you conduct the classes? Do you have rooms or is there any hotel close to your facility? DATE: 29TH Sept TO 7TH November 2009 The group would be performing for a group of family members over there. I would love to get the total cost or a quote/estimate. What are your payment options? Do you accept credit cards? I would be grateful if you will be willing to do the work to teach quality classes and make us happy Best Regards”

Signs this email is a scam include poor grammar and misspellings. Consumers can report similar emails to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office by email, communications@nmag.gov.

Publications to Assist Consumers:

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers educational booklets and pamphlets free of charge to assist consumers in a number of areas. Available publications include information on foreclosure, identity theft, scams, door-to-door sales and more.  Each publication can be downloaded from the AG’s Web site, http://nmag.gov/Publications/Default.aspx, or picked up from any one of the three offices across the state.