While increased accessibility helps make so many activities quick and convenient, having so much of our personal information online leaves us vulnerable to cyber criminals who are eager to steal and benefit from our personal information. As the multitude of online services has expanded, so has the rate of fraudsters engaging in identity theft. Cyber thieves who access one’s personally …
During times of financial uncertainty, it’s normal to be worried about the safety of your money. Naturally, you want to be absolutely sure your savings will be secure, even in times of financial crisis. Credit unions offer unique advantages that can provide greater security and peace of mind during financial downturns. Here’s why a credit union can be a better …
It’s tax time! Unfortunately, that means there are thousands of scammers looking to steal your information and your tax refund by posing as authentic tax preparers. Here’s all you need to know about these scams and how to keep safe. How the scam plays out In a tax filing scam, a victim will hire an alleged tax preparer to do …
‘Tis the season to be jolly! Unfortunately, though, not everything about the holiday season is all happy and nice. Watch out for these six naughty holiday scams. Online shopping scams In this scam, a shopper visits a bogus site that appears to belong to a popular retailer and purchases an item that does not exist. The shopper will never receive …
Debt-collection scams exploit the feelings of helplessness and overwhelm to lure victims. Let’s take a look at these scams and how to keep yourself from falling victim. How the scams play out In a debt-collection scam, a scammer posing as a debt collector will call a victim to demand payment for an outstanding debt. The caller insists on a specific …
Quick question: if a scammer was trying to pull off a con on two groups of people, one aged 13-21, and one aged 55+, which group would be more likely to fall for the scam? If you’d guess the group aged 55+, you may want to think again. Yes, older adults are a more vulnerable group that is also sometimes …
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live and work. Unfortunately, though, it’s also revolutionizing the way scammers play their games. Here’s what you need to know about AI fraud and how to protect yourself. What is AI fraud? AI fraud is the use of artificial intelligence to deceive or defraud individuals or organizations. When using AI to pull …
When it comes to convenience, service and scale of products, nothing beats Amazon. Unfortunately, though, scammers leverage Amazon’s reputation in many unique ways. Here are five Amazon-related scams you need to know about. Update your order In this scam, a shopper places an order on Amazon and then gets a phone call or notice by email or text. It claims …
The dark web is the deepest layer of the internet that isn’t visible to the average browser. Unfortunately, its name is a perfect description of its function, as the dark web is full of illegal activities and crimes. Let’s take a closer look at the dark web and how you can protect your information from being snared. What is the …
The Child Tax Credit, a part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that takes effect in July, is already drawing the attention of scammers. The newly expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) will provide monthly payments of up to $300 per child for approximately 40 million households across the country. Payments will be issued via direct deposit, paper check, …
