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, …
No matter what’s going in with the economy, debt-collection scams are always around. Now, scammers are exploiting the financial downturn by tricking unsuspecting victims into paying for debts that don’t actually exist or using abusive tactics to collect legitimate debts. Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam. Here’s all you need to know about these scams: How the …
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a wave of scams, with no signs of slowing down. These scams are also producing a surge of counterfeit bills into circulation. Using cutting-edge technology, scammers create bills that look just like the real thing to the untrained eye. Unfortunately, once counterfeit bills are passed, their new owner can become liable for passing …
Tens of millions of Americans have found themselves out of work as the economy reels from the impact of COVID-19. A record 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance in the four weeks leading up to April 11. Unfortunately, when there’s bad news, the scammers aren’t far behind. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans have lost a …
We have answered all your questions about the 2020 census! Every 10 years, the Census Bureau makes an effort to count every person living in the U.S. Though the process won’t start until mid-March 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is already warning of scammers exploiting the process to con you out of your sensitive information. That’s why it’s important …
There’s recently been an uptick in fake check scams targeting new college students. Young adults make excellent targets. In fact, according to the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, consumers ages 18 to 24 are three times more likely than seniors to fall prey to a scam. Also, the BBB’s ScamTracker Risk Report of 2018 found that 41.6% of students reported …
One of the oldest holiday scams, which is even more prevalent in the age of the internet, is the letter from Santa scam. Here’s all you need to know about this Christmas-themed scheme. How it plays out In this ruse, scammers set up bogus websites where parents can order legitimate-looking letters from Santa for their children. The cost is less …
Payday loan scams may seem like old news, but they’re more common than ever. In fact, in 2018, the FTC paid a total of $505 million to more than one million victims of payday loan scams. In this scam, a caller claiming to represent a collection agency who is acting on behalf of a loan company tells victims they must …
You deserve to find fantastic deals this Black Friday. Here at Directions Credit Union, we hate to see your money go to waste. That’s why we’ve put together a list of misleading advertising schemes you may come across when hunting for deals this Black Friday. 1. Very limited quantities That $200-off supersized TV screen coupon that just landed in your …
