Work-at-home schemes, Craigslist rental scam and charging for paper bills: The Real Deal 3 for 1

East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - In this Real Deal 3 for 1: We'll take a look at the false promises marketers made to promote work-at-home schemes, warn you about a resurgent Craigslist scam and explain a mysterious NYSEG charge.
Work-at-home schemes

They promised participants could make decent money from the comfort of their own homes, but it was all bogus and now the marketers behind some of the most popular work-at-home schemes will have to pay back the people they ripped off.

The marketers were busted for making a lot of false promises. They told customers they could help them find a job in the federal government, get on set as a movie extra, sign up as a mystery shopper or even make money from hope by stuffing envelopes or assembling ornaments. Each and every one of those promises was bogus.
Now, Independent Marketing Exchange Incorporated will pay back nearly $1 million to those who were misled into signing up for the schemes.

The Federal Trade Commission has seized the company's assets and its owner's assets, which include rental properties and a Mercedes Benz.

Anyone who was ripped off in a work-at-home scam should go to the FTC's website to see if they're entitled to get some cash back.
Resurging Craigslist rental scam

An old Craigslist scam is back again. People who use the site to look for home rentals say they keep finding amazing places at decent rates, but when they call for information things seem fishy.

Scammers actually take information from legitimate real estate listings to put together phony rental ads. When someone bites on the ad, the scammer claims they own the house but had to travel outside the country for some reason and can't show it. Then, they say they'll mail the keys if the victim mails them first and last month's rent and a security deposit.

But once they get the victim's cash, they're never heard from again.
Bill Issuance Charge

Some NYSEG customers have noticed the utility is charging a "Bill Issuance Charge," and are wondering why they have to pay to get a bill to pay.

The fee isn't new, but it is in a different, more visible spot on the bill.

NYSEG says it covers the cost of producing and sending a bill and processing the payment.

Customers are required to pay the charge whether or not they get a bill through the mail. Although it doesn't seem right to pay a fee to get a bill, the charge is approved by the Public Service Commission.

National Grid also charges a similar fee, and the amount is about the same regardless of which utility it is.
Source http://www.9wsyr.com/