Meeting new people is difficult for many adults. Fortunately, though, there’s the internet. Dating sites like eHarmony and Match.com make it easier than ever to find other people who are looking for the same thing you seek. Unfortunately, that same ease of connection makes online dating sites a haven for scammers. Using the information you provide, they can craft a …
Before heading out on your summer vacation, read through our list of four common vacation scams and learn how to avoid them. You don’t want to take a permanent vacation from your hard-earned money! 1. The bogus prize vacation In this scam, you’ll receive a notification via snail mail, phone call or email, that you’re the lucky winner of a …
If you’re hiring a contractor to make improvements on your home, be alert! Home improvement scams are more common than you may think, and they can cost you a lot. Read on for 8 ways to spot a home improvement scam. 1. The contractor insists on being paid upfront Be wary of any contractor demanding that you pay most of …
It can be overwhelming with endless reports of data breaches, cyber-attacks, and fraud. Here at Directions, we want to help you understand these data breaches as much as possible! First and foremost, data breaches happen at the merchant/business level – not at your financial institution. Directions Credit Union has never experienced a data breach. How data breaches occur Businesses that …
College students, take note! If keeping up with your coursework, acing your exams and scrambling to hand in every term paper before the deadline wasn’t enough, you now have something else to worry about: Student loan scams are on the rise! Scammers know you hate owing tens of thousands of dollars, so they’re quick to offer you an easy — …
Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter and IndieGoGo are packed with eager entrepreneurs and needy individuals. Unfortunately, they’re also packed with scammers. In another example, a company called Triton claimed to have created a device enabling people to breathe underwater. Their IndieGoGo page pulled in $850,000 in just a few days—for a nonexistent invention. And, in yet another incident, a couple …
Each year, the IRS publishes the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of 12 scams that are rampant during that year’s tax season. This year, the IRS is cautioning taxpayers to be extra vigilant because of a 60% increase in email phishing scams over the past year. This is particularly disheartening since it comes on the heels of a steady decline in …
Proceed with caution when purchasing a pet over the internet. If you’ve verified that everything checks out, and you’re careful throughout the process, you can have your new furry friend and your money, too. What are Pet Scams? Pet scams include nonexistent animals for sale by private “sellers” or bogus pet adoption websites promising adorable new pets at bargain prices. …
Consumers no longer have to pay to use an important tool to help protect their identity. As of September 21, 2018, freezing your credit report at the three major credit reporting agencies is now free. Previously, a consumer had to pay a fee to freeze and unfreeze their credit report. Freezing your credit reports makes it harder for criminals to …
There’s hardly a “free trial” that won’t cost you big. The FTC is warning of an uptick in free trial scams, which come in several shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common free trial scams: Hidden fees In one example, a company aggressively advertises “free trials” for skincare products, dietary supplements, and e-cigarettes on various websites. The …
