Tag: Scam Alert

In recent years, cryptocurrency scams have surged, with billions stolen annually. One of the biggest drivers of this trend? Romance scams. By building trust and forging deep emotional connections, scammers can manipulate their victims into making financial decisions they would not normally consider.

If someone you’ve only met online claims they are making money with crypto and offers to help you do the same, it’s a scam – full stop. It does not matter how genuine they seem or what “proof” they attempt to show you; encouraging you to invest and claiming that you can make extraordinary returns in cryptocurrency is one of the surest signs of a modern-day romance scam.

These criminals often pressure you to act fast, making it seem like you are about to miss out on a golden opportunity – another big red flag. The safest way to invest is to research opportunities to ensure they are legitimate and that you understand the risk as well as the potential. A good place to start is at the SEC’s site, www.investor.gov.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

If we really want to keep ourselves – and our money – safe from fraud, we must all come to terms with one thing: our personal information is likely already out there. In a time where data breaches are increasingly common, safeguarding yourself from fraud has become more important than ever. Here are three steps to help protect yourself from the risks associated with data breaches and other identity fraud risks:

1. Place a security freeze on your credit accounts with the three big agencies (Experian, Equifax and Transunion) so no one can open a new credit line in your name.
2. Establish online access to your financial accounts and monitor regularly (you can set up text alerts for activity on these accounts as well).
3. Use strong and unique passwords for every online account; consider using a password manager that creates complex passwords and stores them securely.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

Receiving a call from an unknown number may seem harmless, but it could be the start a scam. Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive you into revealing personal information or making payments. Here are three tips to protect yourself from unknown callers.

1. Let it ring. The easiest thing to do is not answer the call. If it is important, the caller will leave a message or call back again.
2. Let the caller speak first. Most scammers use an auto dialer – an automated system that calls a bunch of random numbers at the same time and connects to a live person when someone answers the phone. That brief pause or delay before the caller speaks is a red flag that the call could be a scam.
3. Block suspicious calls. Check with your service provider to learn about options to block spam and scam calls.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

Getting tickets to top concerts is tough – don’t let scammers make it harder. With most concert venues switching to digital tickets only and concert demand through the roof, criminals are producing more counterfeit tickets than ever. Here are three tips to avoid buying a fake ticket.

1. Stick to known ticket sales sites or visit the National Association of Ticket Brokers (natb.org) to ensure that you are dealing with a verified reseller. Always type the web address of the site you want to visit into your browser rather than clicking on a link that could take you to a copycat site.
2. Beware of offers on social media and online marketplaces, where this scam thrives. These platforms are a hotspot for fraudulent ticket sales.
3. Never pay with a peer-to-peer payment app unless you are getting tickets from someone you know. You don’t have the same consumer protections with these payment methods that you have with a credit card.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

With temperatures dropping in many states, scammers are turning up the heat on their deceptive tactics. Each winter, criminals pose as utility company representatives, claiming a missed payment and threatening to shut off service unless payment is immediate.

If you get a surprise call from the “utility company” threatening to shut off your service, hang up the phone. The goal of these scammers is to create a sense of panic, making it harder to think logically and verify their claims. Their hope is that we stay in that state of panic long enough to complete a payment.
To verify the status of your utility payments, contact your provider using the customer service number on a recent bill (or log into their website or app if that’s an option). Chances are you will find out your payments are up to date.

To verify the status of your utility payments, contact your provider using the customer service number on a recent bill (or log into their website or app if that’s an option). Chances are you will find out your payments are up to date.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print

Overwhelmed by holiday bills? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to face your debt alone either. The New Year is the perfect time to take control of your finances — but beware of criminal scammers offering quick fixes that are too good to be true.

Scammers often exploit financial stress by promising instant relief or quick results to become debt-free. These schemes typically involve up-front fees, bad advice like avoiding your creditors, or vague claims about what services they actually provide.

Before committing to a debt relief service and providing your sensitive personal information, research reviews and check for complaints with organizations like the Better Business Bureau to ensure their credibility. If you need help getting out of debt, turn to an organization like the Nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Click below to share this post

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Mail
• Print