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 …
Tech support scams are some of the evilest forms of hacks. In these scams, fraudsters contact victims and trick them into granting the scammer access to their computers. The crooks may reach out to people through a phone call. They’ll insist that the victims have a virus or another problem they’ve somehow detected from the company’s headquarters. Or, they’ll send …
It seems like there’s a new data leak or identity theft scams to be worried about every week. If you’re not informed, you risk becoming a victim. Sitting back and waiting for news about scams to come to you may not be enough. In an ever-changing security climate, you need to stay on top of new threats in personal information …
Scammers are everywhere in web-based commerce. You might think you’re safe using cash, but scammers wait in one location you can’t avoid: the ATM. ATM fraud is an old concern, but technological advances mean consumers need to be even more aware. Be cautious of the following: 1.) ATMs in weird locations Cash is convenient. While it’s tempting to use whatever …
