Badge - Rated by Super Lawyers Victor A. Rotolo
Badge - Rated by Super Lawyers Anthony P. Kearns third
Badge - Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Badge - Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forums
Badge - New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Attorney
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Badge - New Jersey's Best Lawyers For Families 2018
Badge - AV Preeminent Victor A. Rotolo 2024
Badge - Client Champion Gold 2024
Badge - Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
Badge - Top 100 The National Trial Lawyers
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Please click Award & Selection Criteria & Methodology for information regarding the specific criteria used for selection of each of the above awards.

April 2017 - Guarding Against Phishing and Phone Scams

Woman Speaking on the Phone Recently, various news outlets reported a new scam where a caller asks “Can you hear me?”, records you replying “Yes” then uses that recording later to fraudulently authorize purchases, subscriptions, etc. Despite these reports, there’s been no proof this scam exists. Many other scams do exist, however, and cost consumers millions annually.

Tax season is popular with scam artists targeting tax professionals, human resource personnel, payroll departments, and taxpayers to steal money and/or personal information. But anybody can be a victim any time of year.

Many people are too embarrassed to report they’ve been victimized; still the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network recorded more than three million consumer fraud reports for 2016, accounting for more than $744.5 million in lost funds.

The FTC says imposter scams now outnumber identity thefts when it comes to consumer fraud. Imposters use scare tactics or hardship stories to extort money or personal information. Two of their favorite methods are phishing scams and phone scams.

Phishing scams use fake emails or websites designed to look legitimate. To identify the fakes:

  • check for misspellings or discrepancies in email and web addresses;
  • hover over links to see hidden web addresses.

Phone scam imposters use a variety of ruses to get you to part with your money or information: You’ve won the lottery ... You owe back taxes ... You missed jury duty ... You have a serious virus on your computer ... Your grandchild has been kidnapped/jailed.

To avoid falling victim, keep the following in mind:

  • The IRS won’t contact you by phone; they’ll send a letter. If you receive a letter, don’t use the phone number, return address or web address given to contact the agency. Find the number for your local IRS office through an independent source.
  • Don’t use gift cards for payments. They’re virtually untraceable.
  • Technical support representatives won’t know you have a computer problem unless you report one. Never give a stranger remote access to your computer.
  • Before helping a grandchild in trouble, call his or her parents. Chances are he or she is safe at home.

Above all, keep your guard up!

What Our Clients are Saying
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Tony was excellent! He was knowledgeable, responsive and on-time. His experience as a County Prosecutor definitely helped our case as he knows how the legal system works and how to navigate. I highly recommend Tony and his office.

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Thankfully I found Kearns Rotolo Law and I had a wonderful experience working with Charles Rifici on a difficult divorce/child custody issue. I am so grateful for all the work and guidance he provided. He always took his time and diligently went through all my options with me so I could make the decisions that benefitted my family and I. I will be forever thankful for the top notch services he provided.

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In March of 2022 I contacted Kearns Rotolo Law Firm with an urgent problem, Mr. Kearns and Mr. Rotolo contacted me immediately to give me hope as to rectify my problem. The end result was Mr Kearns was able to solve my issue through extreme professionalism, I am very grateful I found Kearns Rotolo Law firm and I would recommend their law firm to anyone that has a less extreme problem or a more complex problem, I am very grateful for their services.

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I met with Mr. Kearns yesterday about a devastating situation affecting our family. Mr. Kearns and his entire staff made us feel extremely comfortable and showed our family a compassionate side that gave us comfort in the most uncomfortable of situations. Thank you very much. God Bless.

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