scams
Secure, or not? Assess the risk before sending credit card info
By Cynthia Drake Before you send your credit card information online, over the phone or by mail, it helps to think like a hacker. The next time you’re about to share your credit card number, put on a robber’s raccoon mask and think about it: Where are the potential breach spots along the path your […]
FTC Warns of Timeshare Resale Scams
By Jeffrey Strain If you own a timeshare and have attempted to sell it, you already know that it’s a far more difficult process than you ever imagined it would be. The main issue is that there are far more of these vacation resort units on the market than there are buyers who want them. […]
Scam Alert: Don’t Become a Victim of a Gift Card Scam
Gift card scams in the US is a very big deal. According to the Mercator Advisory Group, in 2012 US consumers loaded $112.3 billion on gift cards. With the advancement of technology, thieves now have the upper hand in creating and executing different methods of the traditional gift card scam. Gift Card Scam # 1 […]
New Social Media, Same Old Scams
It was only a matter of time before scammers started taking advantage of Instagram, the photo sharing smartphone app. Instagram is so new that many legitimate business don’t yet have an account, and scammers are more than happy to fill their absence. How the Scam Works: You are on Instagram, and you spot an account […]
Don’t Become a Victim of Apartment Rentals Scams
When you are looking to move into a new apartment or you are traveling and in need of a week long apartment property reservation, the last thing that you want to be faced with is a rental scam. Scam artists are always on the prowl for potential bait. They seek out prospective tenants and prey […]
Scammers Impersonate Police with Spoofed Caller ID
Scammers have a new disguise just in time for Halloween. Con artists are taking advantage of caller ID spoofing technology to pose as local sheriff’s offices. They are calling residents and demanding they pay nonexistent fines. How the Scam Works: The phone rings. Caller ID says the number is the local sheriff’s office, so you […]
Don’t be Fooled by Credit Repair Scams
When a person is in debt they tend to get desperate because so much is on the line – they could lose their home, car, family and destroy their credit score. They lose sleep over it, don’t perform properly at their job and can become moody, which impacts their private life. They transform from a […]
How to Spot an IRS Impersonation Scheme
Consumers should protect themselves against online identity theft and other scams that increase after the filing season. Such scams may appropriate the name, logo or other appurtenances of the IRS or U.S. Department of the Treasury to mislead taxpayers into believing that the scam is legitimate. Scams involving the impersonation of the IRS usually take […]
How to Avoid Identity Theft During Tax Season
Consumers should protect themselves against online identity theft and other scams that increase during and linger after the filing season. Such scams may appropriate the name, logo, or other appurtenances of the IRS or U.S. Department of the Treasury to mislead taxpayers into believing the communication is legitimate. Scams involving the impersonation of the IRS […]