It’s tax season, and scammers are working overtime to get your money. Tax scams are as varied as they are common, but when you know what to look for, you can beat fraudsters at their game and keep them from getting your money and your information. If you hear or see any of the following 12 lines this tax season, …
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 …
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 …
Crisis and disaster headlines typically generate misinformation and scammers try to take advantage of the situation. The novel coronavirus is no different. Scammers want to collect your personal or financial information or get you to download malware to do the same thing. Or they may be selling products they claim to cure or prevent the virus. They will use emails, …
With the current state of the Coronavirus, there are already scams trying to get donations and sending spam emails. Opening a spam email installs malware to get sensitive information off of your computer. Keep an eye out for email subjects like “How to protect yourself from COVID-19.” With people worrying about how to protect themselves, this is an easy way …
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 …
Don’t let a Halloween scam spook you! Stay a step ahead of those crooks by looking out for these four scams this season. 1. The shipping scam The internet is brimming with Halloween-themed stores in the months leading up to Oct. 31. Lots of these retailers offer an impressive selection of costumes, accessories, and decorations at great prices. Unfortunately, though, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
