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  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 23, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: diploma mills, FaaS, fake degree, fake diploma, Fraud-as-a-Service, online universities, Scams   

    Diploma Deception: The Boom in Fake Degrees Online 

    Diploma Deception: The Boom in Fake Degrees Online

    By Greg Collier

    Imagine spending thousands chasing your dream degree—only to discover the diploma in your hands is a fake. Or worse, realizing the colleague you trusted to have a credible certification bought theirs from an online “diploma mill” without ever stepping into a classroom.

    This high-tech diploma fraud isn’t just fiction. In 2025, the rise of AI and online platforms has transformed diploma forgery into a booming global industry, tricking students, employers, and regulators alike—and putting the value of legitimate credentials at risk.​

    What’s Going On:

    Gone are the days when fake diplomas were crudely printed sheets. Now, fraudsters use AI-powered design tools and deepfakes to craft near-perfect digital diplomas and transcripts. They operate “Fraud-as-a-Service” (FaaS) platforms on the dark web, letting anyone buy high-quality fake credentials with just a few clicks.​

    These diploma mills mimic real universities and professional bodies, complete with fake accreditation badges, faculty bios, and virtual campus tours—a sophisticated illusion targeting hopeful students and professionals wanting a shortcut to success.

    The market spans from well-known “universities” offering quick degrees without coursework to diploma sales advertised on mainstream social media and encrypted messaging platforms, making it disturbingly accessible.​

    Why It’s Effective:

    This scam harnesses two key vulnerabilities:

    • Urgency and Aspirations: People eager to advance careers or enter professional fields fall for the promise of quick certification.
    • Technological Sophistication: AI-generated visuals and text make fakes virtually indistinguishable from legitimate documents to the untrained eye.

    In 2024 alone, digital diploma forgery made up 57% of all document frauds—a staggering 244% increase from the previous year. Nearly one in three job applicants admitted to misrepresenting academic credentials, contributing to a multi-billion-dollar illegal industry.​

    Red Flags:

    • Institutions lacking physical campuses or listed accreditation on government or educational sites.
    • Websites with URLs using odd domains (e.g., “.co” or “.online”) rather than official educational domains.
    • Requests for full payment upfront with promises of degrees based solely on “life experience” surveys or minimal effort.
    • Absence of transcripts or course details.
    • Diplomas that are PDFs or photos without verifiable serial numbers or blockchain certification.
    • Social media ads promising degrees in days or without exams.

    Quick tip: Verify any school through official accreditation websites and ask for authentic transcripts. Employers, request official documents directly from issuing institutions.

    What You Can Do:

    • Research thoroughly before enrolling: Confirm accreditation with education authorities.
    • Use verification services that check digital diplomas on blockchains or secure registries.
    • Be skeptical of shortcuts: Genuine degrees require coursework, exams, and time.
    • Educate your network: Share this knowledge with job applicants, HR teams, and educators.
    • Report suspicious operations to consumer protection agencies and college boards.

    Institutions worldwide are deploying biometric verification and blockchain digital diplomas to safeguard authenticity, but awareness remains the strongest frontline defense against forgery.​

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Alert employers or licensing boards if you find fake credentials being used fraudulently.
    • File complaints with consumer protection, the Better Business Bureau, or the Department of Education.
    • Avoid sharing sensitive information with unverified online education providers.
    • Request transcript validation directly from purported issuing institutions.

    Final Thoughts:

    Fake diplomas traded in online markets are no longer fringe scams—they threaten careers, companies, and education systems worldwide. This high-tech diploma fraud erodes trust and unfairly undermines those who’ve earned their credentials honestly.

    Navigating this landscape means combining vigilance with skepticism. When in doubt, pause and verify—your career and integrity deserve no less.

    Know someone considering a quick degree? Share this post and help protect their future. Have you encountered fake diploma scams? Comment below or report to your local education authority.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 22, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , political donations, , Scams, ,   

    Deepfake Donors: When Political Voices Are Fake 

    Deepfake Donors: When Political Voices Are Fake

    By Greg Collier

    You get a text from your “preferred political candidate.” It asks for a small donation of ten dollars “to fight misinformation” or “protect election integrity.” The link looks official. The voice message attached even sounds authentically passionate, familiar, and persuasive.

    But it isn’t real. And neither is the person behind it.

    This fall, investigators from the U.S. Treasury and U.K. authorities announced their largest-ever takedown of cybercriminal networks responsible for billions in losses tied to fraudulent campaigns, fake fundraising, and AI-generated political deepfakes. This operation struck transnational organized criminal groups based especially in Southeast Asia, including the notorious Prince Group TCO, a dominant cybercrime player in Cambodia’s scam economy responsible for billions in illicit financial transactions. U.S. losses alone to online investment scams topped $16.6 billion, with over $10 billion lost to scam operations based in Southeast Asia just last year.​

    These scams are blurring the line between digital activism and manipulation right when citizens are most vulnerable: election season.

    What’s Going On:

    Scammers are exploiting voters’ trust in political communication, blending voice cloning, AI video, and fraudulent donation sites to extract money and personal data.​

    Here’s how it works:

    • A deepfake video or voicemail mimics a real candidate, complete with campaign slogans and “urgent” donation requests.
    • The links lead to fraudulent websites where victims enter credit card details.
    • Some schemes even collect personal voter data later sold or used for identity theft.

    In 2024’s New Hampshire primaries, voice-cloned robocalls impersonating national figures were caught attempting to sway voters, a precursor to the tactics now being scaled globally in 2025.​

    Why It’s Effective:

    These scams thrive because people trust familiarity, especially voices, faces, and causes they care about. The timing, emotional tone, and recognizable slogans create a powerful illusion of legitimacy.

    Modern AI makes it nearly impossible for the average person to distinguish a deepfake from reality, especially when wrapped in high-stakes messaging about public service, patriotism, or “protecting democracy.” Add in social pressure, and even cautious donors lower their guard.

    Red Flags:

    Before contributing or sharing campaign links, pause and check for these telltale signs:

    • Donation requests that come through texts, WhatsApp, or unknown numbers.
    • Voices or videos that sound slightly “off,” mismatched mouth movements, odd pauses, or inconsistent lighting.
    • Links that end in unusual extensions (like “.co” or “.support”) rather than official candidate domains.
    • Payment requests through Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, or crypto.
    • No clear disclosure or FEC registration details at the bottom of the website.

    Quick tip: Official campaigns in the U.S. are required to display Federal Election Commission (FEC) registration and disclaimers. If that’s missing, it’s a huge red flag.

    What You Can Do:

    • Verify before donating. Go directly to the official campaign site; don’t use links from texts or emails.
    • Treat urgency as a warning. Real campaigns rarely need “immediate wire transfers.”
    • Listen for tells. Deepfakes often have slightly distorted sounds or mechanical echoes.
    • Cross-check messages. If you get a surprising call or voicemail, compare it with the candidate’s latest verified posts.
    • Report and share. Submit suspicious calls or videos to reportfraud.ftc.gov or your state election board.

    Platforms including Google, Meta, and YouTube are now launching active detection systems and educational tools to flag deepfake political content before it spreads.​

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Report donations made to fake campaigns immediately to your bank or credit card provider.
    • File a complaint through the FTC and local election authorities.
    • Freeze credit if personal or voter identity data were shared.
    • Publicize responsibly. Sharing examples with the right context can warn others, but avoid amplifying active scams.

    Final Thoughts:

    Deepfakes are no longer a distant concern; they’re reshaping political communication in real time. What makes this wave dangerous isn’t just money loss; it’s trust erosion.

    The recent takedown of the Prince Group’s transnational criminal networks by U.S. and U.K. authorities, which included sanctions on key individuals and cutting off millions in illicit financial flows, underscores the global scale of this problem. Their coordinated actions disrupted the infrastructure enabling these massive fraud campaigns, providing a much-needed deterrent to criminals using AI-based scams during critical democratic processes.​

    Staying safe now means applying the same critical awareness you’d use for phishing to the content you see and hear. Don’t assume your eyes or ears tell the full story.

    Think you spotted a fake campaign video or suspicious fundraising call? Don’t scroll past it; report it, discuss it, and share this guide. The more people who know what to look for, the fewer fall for it.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 21, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , e-shop scam, fake online store, , JOANN Fabrics, , Scams   

    How to Spot a Fake Online Store 

    By Greg Collier

    Maria thought she’d found a steal at a clearance sale from a well-known craft chain offering everything at 80% off. The website looked perfect: identical logo, colors, and even a chat support icon. She submitted her card details, got a confirmation email, and waited.

    Her order never arrived. Neither did her refund request. Weeks later, her bank flagged unusual charges all traced back to that “too good to be true” site.

    Maria’s story isn’t rare. In 2025, fake e-commerce websites, sometimes called “e-shop scams,” are spiking across social media, search ads, and email promotions.​

    What’s Going On:

    Fraudsters set up lookalike retail websites and fake brand pages that mimic everything from Amazon storefronts to bankrupt retail chains like JOANN Fabrics.​

    Once you enter payment info, three things usually happen:

    • Your money is taken, but no product ships.
    • Your personal and card data are harvested for identity theft.
    • Or your login credentials are stored for later breaches on other sites.

    Many of these fraudulent stores are powered by AI website builders and image generators, making them nearly indistinguishable from authentic retailers.​

    Why It’s Effective:

    E-commerce fraud plays on two powerful triggers: scarcity and savings. Shoppers see dramatic “80% off” prices, countdown timers, and phrases like “final liquidation.” Combined with the rising cost of living, these emotional cues override caution.

    Scammers exploit this environment, especially during major retailer closures or holiday rushes when consumers are primed for deals.

    Red Flags:

    When a deal looks real but feels rushed, slow down and check for these markers:

    • The URL has minor tweaks (extra hyphens, misspellings, or unusual domains like “.shop” or “.co”).
    • Product photos look overly polished or identical across unrelated sites.
    • No customer service contact beyond web forms or personal Gmail addresses.
    • Absence of secure payment methods (or demand for wire, Venmo, or gift cards).
    • Reviews seem copied or suspiciously generic.

    Quick tip: Before buying, copy the site’s name + the word “scam” into Google. If others have been duped by the same store, you’ll see complaints fast.

    What You Can Do:

    • Shop at the source only. Go directly to a brand’s official domain, not links from texts or social media ads.
    • Verify legitimacy. Use tools like Whois and ScamAdviser to check domain history.
    • Pay with credit, not debit. Credit cards provide better fraud dispute protection.
    • Use unique passwords. Don’t reuse login details across e-commerce sites.​
    • Watch your statements. Banks report that most fake shop victims don’t notice additional charges until weeks later.

    If you’re running a small business, use your experience to write “buyer education” blurbs for your customers during peak sale seasons. It builds trust and protects your brand from lookalike fraud.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    If you ordered from a fake shop:

    • Contact your bank immediately. Ask to reverse unauthorized charges.
    • Report the website to the FTC and IC3.gov for investigation.
    • Monitor your credit report through agencies like Experian or TransUnion.
    • Change all reused passwords. Consider a password manager.
    • Warn others. Report the URL via community watch groups or browser phishing tools.

    Cybercriminals are moving fast, faster than most shoppers can scroll. But slowing down before you click can stop them cold. Real stores rarely demand urgency; scams always do.

    So next time a “90% off” ad pops up, pause. Search. Verify. Protect your hard-earned money.

    Have you spotted one of these fake stores? Drop a comment or screenshot. Together, we can crowdsource warnings and save others from clicking “checkout” on a scam.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 20, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Scams,   

    AI Is Calling, But It’s Not Who You Think 

    By Greg Collier

    A phone rings with an unfamiliar number while an AI waveform hovers behind, symbolizing how technology cloaks modern impersonation scams.

    Picture this: you get a call, and it’s your boss’s voice asking for a quick favor, a wire transfer to a vendor, or a prepaid card code “for the conference.” It sounds exactly like their tone, pace, and even background noise. But that voice? It’s not real.

    AI-generated voice cloning is fueling a wave of impersonation scams. And as voice, image, and chat synthesis tools become more advanced, the line between real and fake is disappearing.

    What’s Going On?:

    Fraudsters are now combining data from social media with voice samples from YouTube, voicemail greetings, or even podcasts. Using consumer-grade AI tools, they replicate voices with uncanny accuracy.

    They then use these synthetic voices to:

    • Impersonate company leaders or HR representatives.
    • Call family members with “emergencies.”
    • Trick users into authorizing transactions or revealing codes.

    It’s a high-tech twist on old-fashioned deception. Google, PayPal, and cybersecurity experts are warning that deepfake-driven scams will only increase through 2026.​

    Why It’s Effective:

    This scam works because it blends psychological urgency with technological familiarity. When “someone you trust” calls asking for help, most people act before thinking.

    Add to that how AI-generated voices now mimic emotional tone, stress, confidence, and familiarity, and even seasoned professionals fall for it.

    Red Flags:

    • Here’s what to look (and listen) for:
    • A call or voicemail that sounds slightly robotic or “too perfect.”
    • Sudden, urgent money or password requests from known contacts.
    • Unusual grammar or tone in follow-up messages.
    • Inconsistencies between the voice message and typical company protocols.

    Pause before panic. If a voice message feels “off,” verify independently with the real person using a saved contact number, not the one in the message.

    What You Can Do:

    • Verify before you act. Hang up and call back using an official phone number.
    • Establish a “family or team password.” A simple phrase everyone knows can verify real emergencies.
    • Don’t rely on caller ID. Scammers can spoof names and organizations.
    • Educate your circle. The best defense is awareness—share updates about new scam tactics.
    • Secure your data. Limit the amount of voice or video content you share publicly.

    Organizations like Google and the FTC now recommend using passkeys, two-factor verification, and scam-spotting games to build intuition against fake communications.​

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Cut off contact immediately. Do not reply, click, or engage further.
    • Report the incident to your bank, employer, or relevant platform.
    • File a complaint with the FTC or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
    • Change your passwords and enable multifactor authentication on critical accounts.
    • Freeze your credit through major reporting agencies if personal data was compromised.

    AI is transforming how scammers operate, but awareness and calm action can short-circuit their success. Most scams thrive on confusion and pressure. If you slow down, verify, and stay informed, you take away their greatest weapon.

    Seen or heard something suspicious? Share this post with someone who might be vulnerable or join the conversation: how would you verify a voice you thought you knew?

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 17, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Scams   

    Scammers Love Halloween Too 

    Scammers Love Halloween Too

    By Greg Collier

    Halloween brings excitement, costumes, and creative decorating. It also brings a wave of online scams targeting shoppers rushing to find last-minute deals. The Better Business Bureau is cautioning consumers to stay alert this season as fraudulent websites and social media ads try to take advantage of the holiday rush.

    Reports have emerged of websites posing as legitimate retailers offering heavily discounted costumes, accessories, and decor. The pages may appear convincing and even allow users to complete checkout. What happens next is nothing. Orders never arrive, and customer inquiries go unanswered. In other cases, the items that do show up arrive weeks later and bear little resemblance to what was advertised. These sites often rely on AI-generated reviews and staged product photos to appear trustworthy. Reused phrasing, identical five-star comments across different products, and stock-style imagery can indicate fabricated feedback meant to lure in fast-moving shoppers.

    The BBB continues to remind consumers that a price that looks impossibly low is often exactly that. Before entering payment information, it is worth taking a closer look at the seller’s online footprint. A quick search of the website’s domain through a WHOIS or ICANN lookup can reveal whether the site was registered only days earlier, which is common with short-lived scam operations. Authentic retailers typically provide full contact information, including a physical address and working customer support number. If a seller only offers an email field or a chat widget with no other traceable information, caution is advised. Shipping and return policies are another sign of credibility. Legitimate businesses usually disclose where items are shipped from, how long delivery takes, and how to initiate a return. Scam sites often bury unclear terms in small print or avoid stating any policy at all.

    Payment method remains an important line of defense. Credit cards generally offer the strongest fraud protection and allow for disputes if merchandise never arrives or arrives in unacceptable condition. Bank transfers, peer-to-peer apps, or direct payment requests provide little to no recourse. If a financial institution flags a transaction as suspicious, it is better to review the alert than override it in an attempt to secure a bargain.

    For those who would rather not gamble on unfamiliar websites, local retailers provide a practical alternative. Thrift stores and brick-and-mortar chains often dedicate entire sections to seasonal merchandise, allowing shoppers to inspect quality and confirm fit immediately. Organizations such as Goodwill report that Halloween is one of their busiest times, with racks of costumes and decor readily available to browse and try on.

    If a scam does occur, the BBB encourages consumers to report it to local police, the Federal Trade Commission, and state consumer protection offices rather than quietly accepting the loss. These reports help agencies track trends and shut down fraudulent operators before they can ensnare others.

    Halloween should be entertaining rather than stressful. A quick background check on a seller is often all it takes to ensure that the holiday spirit stays fun instead of frightening.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 16, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: authorized push payment fraud, , Merrill Lynch, , Scams   

    The Banking Scam No System Caught 

    By Greg Collier

    What began as a flashing message on a computer screen in August 2023 turned into a financial disaster. A woman in her eighties was convinced her bank accounts had been compromised. The alerts urged immediate action, warning that failure to respond would result in catastrophic loss. What followed was not sudden theft but a slow, methodical draining of trust.

    Over the course of nine months, she withdrew more than $700,000, nearly all of it accumulated over a lifetime. The transactions were presented not as losses but as protection. She was persuaded that her savings would only be safe if converted into physical assets. Records filed in court describe a series of withdrawals from multiple institutions, including brokerage, retail banking, and international accounts, with large sums funneled into precious metals or sent directly to businesses claiming to offer security. Some funds were even mailed by check. Each transaction was framed as the necessary step in preventing a greater disaster.

    There were signs that something was amiss. For decades, her withdrawals had never exceeded modest amounts. A family member had already been assigned in a supervisory role to help manage her finances. Despite these safeguards, the pattern went unchallenged. Institutions that normally flag unusual transfers for fraud detection did not act, even as the withdrawals far exceeded her typical behavior.

    The lawsuit now filed against Merrill Lynch and other firms argues that the loss was not inevitable. It claims that systems meant to detect suspicious activity were either insufficient or ignored. It further argues that elderly customers are uniquely vulnerable to psychological manipulation and that financial institutions must recognize emotional coercion as a legitimate fraud risk. Investigators have long noted that modern scams rarely begin with stolen passwords. They begin with manufactured fear.

    Financial consequences are often followed by social withdrawal. Retirement savings represent stability, independence, and access to routine pleasures. When they vanish, daily life contracts. Travel becomes unlikely. Regular outings give way to caution. The loss is measured not only in dollars but in freedom.

    The lawsuit also exposes a structural gap in the nation’s banking system. Financial institutions in the United States are not required to intervene when a customer willingly transfers money while under false pretenses. Fraud departments are typically designed to block unauthorized access rather than authorized panic. If an attacker forces entry into an account, alerts are triggered. If an attacker instead convinces an account holder to walk out the front door with their own money, silence follows.

    Banks often hesitate to freeze or delay transactions initiated by elderly customers, even when the activity conflicts with decades of history. Doing so risks legal challenges for discrimination or interference with personal finances. Privacy rules discourage employees from questioning motives. In many institutions, it is considered safer to remain passive than to intervene.

    This type of crime is categorized within the industry as authorized push payment fraud. It represents one of the largest regulatory blind spots in consumer protection. Some countries have already begun addressing it. The United Kingdom now compels banks to reimburse victims in many of these scenarios. The United States has no such requirement, leaving recovery dependent on lawsuits rather than automatic restitution.

    This case is therefore not only about one individual’s loss. It is about how fear is monetized and how existing financial safeguards fail to recognize it. Until intervention policies evolve to treat persuasion as seriously as intrusion, more customers will drain their own accounts believing they are saving them.

    Protection cannot begin after the money is gone. It must begin the moment fear appears on the screen.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 15, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Scams   

    Bitcoin ATMs Are a Goldmine for Scammers 

    By Greg Collier

    Bitcoin ATMs are becoming a familiar sight across the country, marketed as a fast and convenient way to buy cryptocurrency. Yet behind the promise of easy access lies a growing fraud problem that has already cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars. Federal authorities report that losses tied to Bitcoin ATM schemes nearly doubled in 2024, approaching a quarter of a billion dollars. Consumer advocates warn that the true impact may be even higher, as many victims never come forward.

    These machines differ significantly from traditional bank ATMs, which are tied to tightly regulated financial institutions and monitored for suspicious activity. Bitcoin kiosks are generally classified as money service businesses, a category with far fewer oversight requirements. While a large transfer at a bank might trigger fraud alerts, require identity confirmation, or even be delayed pending review, many Bitcoin ATMs allow users to deposit thousands of dollars in cash with minimal verification. That lack of scrutiny is precisely what makes them so attractive to scammers.

    Compounding the issue is the way these machines are deployed. Unlike ATMs operated by major banks, many Bitcoin kiosks are owned by small private companies and placed in locations with little or no supervision. It is not uncommon to find them in corner stores, vape shops, or twenty-four-hour laundromats where employees rarely intervene. This environment gives scammers the perfect setup to coach victims in real time over the phone, often staying on the line for the entire transaction while instructing them exactly how much to insert and which QR code to scan.

    The process itself is simple. Users feed cash into the machine, and the equivalent amount of cryptocurrency is transferred to a designated digital wallet. Scammers pose as investment advisers, fraud investigators, or government agents and persuade victims that the transfer is necessary to secure their accounts, avoid legal penalties, or participate in profit-making opportunities. Once the cash is converted, it becomes nearly impossible to trace or reclaim, allowing organized crime networks, many based overseas, to move stolen funds with little interference.

    One Durham, North Carolina, resident learned the hard way after being persuaded that she was participating in a high-yield investment program. She was instructed to feed cash into Bitcoin ATMs in increasing amounts, believing she was moving up to higher tiers of profit. By the time she realized the entire operation was fictitious, more than seventy thousand dollars had vanished.

    Advocates say these schemes are no longer isolated incidents. Reports now arrive daily from victims across the country who were persuaded to convert their cash into cryptocurrency under false pretenses. With an estimated forty-five thousand crypto-enabled kiosks nationwide, scammers have found an ideal tool: one that combines the anonymity of digital currency with the accessibility of a corner store. While the individuals operating these scams profit most directly, the businesses hosting the machines benefit as well. Each transaction generates a fee that can range well into the double digits percentage-wise, creating little incentive to slow the flow of illicit transfers.

    Until stronger safeguards are in place, the most effective line of defense remains awareness. Scammers rely on pressure, secrecy, and speed. They thrive when targets act alone and make decisions without pausing to verify. Once cash goes into one of these machines, it is essentially gone for good.

    Cryptocurrency technology may have legitimate uses, but the rapid expansion of cash-to-crypto kiosks has created fertile ground for exploitation. Without meaningful regulation, the losses will continue to climb quietly, quickly, and often from those least prepared to absorb them.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 14, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Scams   

    Scammers Targeting Open Enrollment 

    Scammers Targeting Open Enrollment

    By Greg Collier

    As open enrollment ramps up across the country, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers to a growing wave of fraudulent outreach targeting those updating Medicare or Healthcare.gov coverage. Although the warning originated in Wisconsin, the tactics being reported are not confined to any one state. Similar scams can occur nationwide whenever enrollment periods open and consumers are more likely to engage with unfamiliar contacts.

    The scheme typically begins with an unsolicited phone call or text message offering to assist with switching to a supposedly better or cheaper plan. The caller often insists that coverage is expiring or that immediate action is required. Once trust is gained, the individual is asked to confirm personal details such as a Medicare ID number or Social Security number. Some scammers go as far as verifying existing addresses to appear legitimate before advancing to sensitive questions.

    Reports show that these contacts can sound convincing. In some cases, the caller pretends to be checking on delivery of a new Medicare card. In other instances, text messages urge the recipient to call immediately to prevent cancellation of benefits. Once the conversation shifts toward payment requests or demands for account verification, the deception becomes clearer, although not always before harm occurs.

    What makes these scams particularly dangerous is what happens afterward. Stolen Medicare and Social Security numbers are not left unused. They can be employed to submit fraudulent medical claims in the victim’s name or redirect benefits without consent. In some cases, scammers initiate unauthorized plan changes that interfere with legitimate coverage. What begins as a brief interaction can lead to months of identity recovery, financial disputes, and corrections to medical records.

    The BBB emphasizes that legitimate assistance with plan enrollment is available through official channels only when the individual reaches out first. Licensed representatives for Healthcare.gov or Medicare are not permitted to charge for enrollment support and will not initiate contact unexpectedly. Any offer that relies on urgency, pressure, or promises of incentives in exchange for personal data should be seen as a serious warning sign.

    Even offers that appear generous, such as complimentary health screenings or gifts for switching plans, may be tactics designed to collect private information or filter out individuals based on health status. Some brokers try to identify only healthy applicants to manipulate their client pool, which is prohibited by Medicare rules.

    Consumers are encouraged to avoid clicking on links in suspicious messages or responding to unfamiliar communications about benefits. When in doubt, it is safest to visit Medicare.gov or Healthcare.gov directly rather than relying on third parties. Those who receive unexpected messages regarding employer-provided benefits should confirm legitimacy with their workplace before taking any action.

    Health care enrollment is already complex without the added risk of fraud. A cautious approach can prevent not only frustration but also long-term damage to personal identity, financial security, and access to care.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 13, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Scams, , ,   

    Don’t Fall for ‘Unclaimed Money’ Texts 

    Don't Fall for 'Unclaimed Money' Texts

    By Greg Collier

    A growing number of people are receiving messages claiming that thousands of dollars in “relief money” are waiting to be collected. These messages often frame the offer as unclaimed state funds or leftover assistance from past government programs. That claim makes the scam particularly convincing, because many states do in fact hold unclaimed property for residents who may not even know it exists.

    The messages arrive by phone or text and direct recipients to websites designed to look like official financial portals. They typically state that a check has already been issued in the recipient’s name and is simply waiting to be claimed. By referencing unclaimed property or former relief programs, scammers create a sense of legitimacy and urgency. The promise of state-held money that might otherwise “expire” can easily tempt someone into clicking without hesitation.

    However, these websites are not connected to any government agency. Instead, they collect personal details such as addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts before redirecting to unrelated offers. That information may then be sold to third parties, added to robocall databases, or even used to apply for financial products under someone else’s name.

    This does not mean unclaimed money is always fake. Every state maintains a treasury program that holds forgotten bank balances, overpaid utility deposits, insurance refunds, or inheritance funds that were never delivered. Millions of people genuinely have money sitting in state custody without realizing it. The key difference is that real programs do not contact residents through texts or unsolicited links.

    Anyone who wants to check for legitimate unclaimed funds can do so safely through the official website managed by the National Association of State Treasurers. By entering a name and selecting a state, residents can view any records associated with their address and submit a secure claim directly through their treasury office.

    Scammers are exploiting a system that actually exists, which is what makes this tactic so effective. The safest approach is to ignore any unexpected messages offering money and verify independently using trusted state resources.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 10, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Scams, , , Supreme Court   

    Supreme Court Social Security Scam Hits Retirees 

    Supreme Court Social Security Scam Hits Retirees

    By Greg Collier

    The Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration has issued an alert regarding a new scheme that attempts to deceive retirees and other beneficiaries through counterfeit correspondence designed to resemble official government communication.

    The scheme centers around letters styled to appear as “certificates” issued on fraudulent Supreme Court letterhead. These letters include forged signatures from high-ranking judicial figures and are tailored to look personally addressed to the recipient. The message typically claims the recipient is under investigation for alleged criminal activity. It asserts that agencies such as the Social Security Administration and a misnamed federal law enforcement division have determined that the recipient’s personal information has been compromised in an identity theft case. The letter further claims that financial institutions have been instructed to freeze all accounts unless the recipient cooperates.

    Many fraudulent schemes rely on what cybersecurity experts refer to as authority exploitation, in which scammers impersonate organizations that appear too powerful or formal to question. References to the judiciary or federal departments can create a sense of urgency and intimidation, discouraging recipients from verifying the legitimacy of the correspondence. Seniors, in particular, may feel pressure to comply when the communication appears to come from a Supreme Court office rather than a local agency.

    To heighten urgency, the document warns against maintaining more than a set amount in bank accounts or investments and urges immediate contact with the sender to avoid supposed legal consequences. Recipients are pressured to provide personal details or transfer funds under the belief that doing so will resolve the fictitious allegations. Some versions also instruct recipients not to disclose the communication to others, increasing the likelihood of compliance.

    It is important to understand how legitimate agencies communicate. The Social Security Administration and the judicial system do not initiate legal accusations through informal letters or emails demanding immediate action. Formal legal notices are delivered through established court procedures and never require beneficiaries to verify their identity by phone or to transfer funds to prove compliance. Recognizing these communication standards can help distinguish real government contact from fabricated threats.

    This fraud relies heavily on fear and manufactured authority. Many retirees depend on monthly Social Security benefits, and disruptions to these payments can be alarming. Scammers exploit this vulnerability by imitating official institutions and using legal terminology to create panic. Responding to such messages can lead to identity theft or substantial financial loss.

    The Social Security Administration advises disregarding unsolicited letters, texts, emails, or calls that demand immediate action or payment. Official agencies do not threaten beneficiaries with arrest, asset seizures, or legal charges through informal correspondence. They also do not request personal or financial information through unsecured channels.

    Anyone who encounters a message of this kind is encouraged to report it through the agency’s official portal at ssa.gov/scam. Confirming the legitimacy of any communication through verified government sources is essential. Discussing suspicious messages with trusted individuals can provide an additional safeguard against deception.

    Public awareness remains one of the most effective defenses against fraud. By recognizing the signs of fabricated government communication and refusing to engage, beneficiaries can protect both their financial security and peace of mind.

     

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