By: Attorney Ray Dall’Osto

Scams are growing more and more sophisticated with each passing year. Avoiding scams can be difficult, due to both how common they are and how convincing they can appear to be. The elderly are perhaps the most common targets for Social Security and Medicare scams, although people of all ages can and do fall victim to scam artists. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that victims lost millions of dollars to social security scams in 2018 alone, and that number is only increasing. Keeping yourself, your family and your elderly or more vulnerable loved ones up to date and educated about current common scams is one of the best ways to stop these predatory criminals from victimizing more individuals. Read the governmental agency links on how best to avoid scams.  Contact a lawyer knowledgeable about consumer protection laws for help if you or a loved one were the victim of a scam or identity theft. 

What Are the Types of Social Security Scams?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that no one from any government agency will ever call you and ask for your personal information such as your social security number. Anyone who does so is almost certainly a criminal attempting to steal your money, your identity or personal financial information. Some common scam techniques are as follows, which you can pass on to your family and friends as a caution:

The pandemic has brought out the best in a lot of people. Communities have banded together to help each other out and look out for the most vulnerable. Sadly, there are those who have taken advantage of the pandemic by inventing creative new scams. Many of these scams are designed to take advantage of more vulnerable people, especially the elderly. Spotting scams can be tricky. Scammers are often adept at creating a sense of panic, forcing victims to act quickly before they have a chance to fully evaluate and think through the situation. People who are already aware of these new scams and techniques stand a better chance of avoiding falling prey to them. 

If you already have been a victim, do not be too embarrassed. Scam artists are good at what they do and it happens to a lot of people. If you were harmed by a COVID scam, a lawyer may be able to assist you. 

What Scams Based Around COVID Should I Be Aware Of?

A little knowledge can go a long way towards avoiding scams. Make sure to pass on these warnings to anyone you know who may be more vulnerable to them. COVID scams include: 

Property owners, creditors and other interested parties who have been named in a foreclosure action due to an interest they have in real property may have the right to make a claim for any remaining surplus proceeds. 

When a bank or mortgage loan servicer files for foreclosure, they are generally required to name all necessary parties as defendants in the lawsuit. Necessary parties in foreclosure actions include owners of the property, as well as any other party that holds a mortgage, lien or other interest in the property. After the judgment of foreclosure is entered and the applicable redemption period expires, the property can be sold at a sheriff’s sale. If the price obtained at sale is greater than the amount of the judgment, a surplus is created. 

Wisconsin has specific statutes that govern what happens with sheriff’s sale proceeds, which may include surplus proceeds. Section 846.16, Stats. provides that the proceeds from the sale are deposited with the clerk of court until paid to the “parties entitled thereto.” The plaintiff is automatically paid the amount of their judgment and costs in the order confirming the sale. But any other party that has an interest in the property is responsible for asserting that they are entitled to receive any surplus funds. These parties can include other creditors or lien holders, but also the prior owner of the property. Section 846.162, Stats. provides a way for other parties to file a motion for the payment of any surplus proceeds. 

Recently, the news broke that the 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held in Milwaukee. City and state government leaders campaigned heavily to have Milwaukee selected as the location for the convention, which will bring an influx of visitors to the area and put Milwaukee in the national spotlight.

The convention will take place July 13-16, 2020, and Fiserv Forum will serve as the convention’s hub. The key purpose of the convention is to vote on who will be the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2020 election. Conventions are also used as an opportunity for the party to solidify its positions on political issues as well as to boost morale. 

Houston and Miami were among the finalists to host the DNC in 2020. Milwaukee has never hosted a major party convention, and this will be the first Democratic convention held in the Midwest since 1996, when Chicago hosted the event.

By Attorney Ray Dall’Osto

On April 18, 2017, Kima Hamilton was removed from a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Milwaukee because he had to go to the bathroom while the plane was on the tarmac. Mr. Hamilton and his attorney have filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that how he was treated was unreasonable and was significantly different from how other similarly-situated passengers were treated, because of his race.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Hamilton had to urinate after the plane left the gate, and was told by crew members he would have to wait otherwise the plane would lose its spot in line. After telling the flight attendant it was an emergency and using the restroom, the plane returned to the gate and Mr. Hamilton was escorted off the plane by an airline employer and was questioned by the FBI.