ASK A KABABAYAN:"I saw an ad for buying an International Driver's License. Gagamitin ko sana pag-bakasyon ko sa Pinas. Is this valid?"

Nope, they're not valid. Beware of these ads - if you Google "International Driver's License," you will see these scams, too. (Even if you see them in this blog's AdSense list of ads, don't click on them. They are automatically generated based on keywords.)

The Federal Trade Commission strongly advises the public about this.

It's wrong to call it International Driver's License, by the way. To get a legitimate International Driving Permit, or IDP, which allows U.S. motorists to drive in 174 countries, you have to get them ONLY from either of these two organizations: Triple A (American Automobile Association), or the National Automobile Club. They are the only organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.

IDP is a translation of your U.S. license into several languages and is available to anyone over 18 who has had a license for at least six months.

It costs $15 and is valid for a year. The scammers promise that it is valid for 5 years, which is your first clue that it is fake. The permit is not a license and if you drive abroad, you are advised to carry your IDP and U.S. license.

The fake permits advertised by scammers cost more than $100, even as much as $300, and they make you believe that they can be used as substitutes or replacement for a U.S. license or any DMV-issued ID. That's false. They are not valid in an individual's country of residence, i.e. U.S., if you live here.

The US State Department warns about the scams: "...marketers falsely claim that their documents authorize consumers to drive legally in the U.S., even if they don't have state-issued licenses or if their state-issued licenses have been suspended or revoked; can be used to avoid points or fines affecting state-issued drivers' licenses; and can be used as photo ID in the U.S.
FTC officials say all these claims are false.

In fact, if you're a U.S. resident, and you're caught using an IDP in place of your state-issued driver's license, the consequences can be severe. You could be charged with driving without a license or driving with a suspended or revoked license. If you can't produce proof of your identity (for example, a valid driver's license, a state-issued identification card, valid immigration documents, or a passport), the officer can assume that you're trying to withhold your identity and arrest you."

To apply for a legitimate IDP, you will need to fill up a form, present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license.

Visit the office or download an application from:
AAA (American Automobile Association) , 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32745-5063. The application is available on-line.

or
National Auto Club, 1151 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City, CA 94404, tel: 800-622-2136 or 800-294-7000 ; fax: 650-294-7040. Here's the application form.

For more info: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpc.html/idpc.html or www.nationalautoclub.com/idp_faqs.htm.

If you've been scammed: To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

[photo: NYTimes]

SCAM ALERT: Phony E-mail Promising Additional Economic Stimulus Refund Money

First of all, did you hear about the talks that a second stimulus check is coming this year? This report says it is really being "considered" by Washington leaders.

On to our main topic: Earlier this year, I wrote about the stimulus checks. Now comes the double check incident & a scam to watch out for.

Some Americans are getting second checks (duplicate amount as the first one) by mistake. The bottomline: If it's for a duplicate amount, don't cash it until you've checked if it's not a mistake. The IRS will get it back from you at some point. Here's what to do if you get a duplicate check.

But there are taxpayers who will accurately get a second check starting this month if their "original stimulus payment did not include a payment for their eligible child," according to the IRS.

The two things above are just for some of us, but here's what's going to affect a lot of us: stimulus payment scams.

Today, I got the e-mail (above image). It's official-looking, all right, except for that "Best Regards" gaffe. It said:

"The fastest and easiest way to receive your full refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account,as payments continue on a weekly schedule through July.

To properly receive your full refund, fill out the form below and submit before July 24th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible."

I knew it was a scam because the Internal Revenue Services NEVER requests detailed personal information through e-mail, and does not send e-mail requesting your PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

When you get the same e-mail, DON'T click on the link. Immediately forward it to the IRS scam reporting email address: phishing@irs.gov.

Here are more info from the government on these types of scam.

BUHAY AMERICA TIP:Beware of Scammers Stealing Tax Refunds

If you get a call from someone saying that they are IRS agents and asking all kinds of personal financial information in relation to your tax refunds and rebates, hold the phone.

Better yet, disconnect.

Here's a story about how some scammers are targeting people expecting money back from the government. With tax season in full swing, some criminals are having a busy time, too, stealing money from those who are supposed to receive refunds (and soon, rebates).

Some people have received e-mails that looked like they came from the IRS and other government agencies, complete with believable logos, instructing them to click on a special attached form to provide personal information.

Never, ever, ever click. Tandaan ninyo: The IRS will never ask for bank account or similar information over the phone or Internet.

If you ever get this bogus call or e-mail, go to the IRS Web site and report it.

[photo: CNN.com]