Updates from October, 2026 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on October 9, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    The Amazon Refund Scam Is Here Before the Real Money Arrives 

    By Greg Collier

    A major company makes headlines. Millions of customers hear they could be getting money back. News outlets report on the payments, social media fills with questions, and people start checking their accounts.

    And somewhere, scammers are paying attention.

    The Federal Trade Commission’s settlement with Amazon over its Prime enrollment and cancellation practices has triggered a new round of automatic refunds. Eligible customers may receive payments through Venmo, PayPal, or a mailed check. Some have already started receiving their money.

    But whenever legitimate money starts flowing, criminals see an opportunity.

    They can send emails pretending to be Amazon. They can pose as representatives of the FTC. They can create fake payment notifications, invent refund processing fees, or send links to websites designed to steal personal information.

    The timing is no coincidence.

    This is how in tune with the news scammers typically are. They don’t always need to invent a new scam or wait for people to forget about an old one. They can watch a breaking story, identify what people are talking about, and quickly build a fraud attempt around it.

    The Amazon settlement is real. The refund program is real. But that doesn’t mean every message promising you money is legitimate.

    Scammers Follow the Headlines

    The FTC announced in September that Amazon would distribute additional refunds under a revised settlement order. New groups of eligible customers would receive automatic payments beginning October 1, 2026, without having to file claims or complete additional paperwork.

    The settlement stems from FTC allegations that Amazon enrolled millions of customers in Prime without their knowledge or consent and made cancellation unnecessarily difficult. Amazon settled the case without admitting wrongdoing.

    Under the settlement, Amazon is required to provide $1.5 billion in consumer refunds and pay a $1 billion civil penalty. The FTC has explained that eligible customers could receive up to $200 in total payments, depending on their circumstances.

    The FTC’s official refund announcement explains the program and its expanded eligibility requirements.

    This is the kind of story scammers watch for.

    Millions of people recognize the Amazon name. Many have Prime subscriptions. People have heard that refunds are coming, and some are naturally wondering whether they qualify.

    That creates an opening for a convincing impersonation attempt.

    A scammer doesn’t have to persuade someone that an entirely unfamiliar company owes them money. They only have to convince them that a message about a widely reported settlement is genuine.

    The message might arrive by text, email, or phone call. It might say your refund is waiting, your payment has been delayed, or you need to verify your account before the money can be released.

    It may even include a convincing dollar amount.

    The story sounds familiar because it is based on something that really happened.

    That’s what makes this type of scam so effective.

    The Real Refund Doesn’t Require a Fee

    Here’s the first thing to remember: You do not have to pay money to receive your Amazon Prime settlement refund.

    The FTC says eligible customers will receive automatic payments. They do not need to apply, complete a new claim form, or click a special link to initiate the refund.

    Payments may arrive through PayPal, Venmo, or a mailed check. Electronic payments must be accepted within 60 days, so pay attention to legitimate payment instructions. But that deadline is not a reason to trust an unexpected message or follow a suspicious link.

    The FTC has also made clear that it is not calling consumers about these Amazon refunds.

    If someone phones you claiming to be an FTC representative and says they need to verify your identity, obtain your banking details, or collect a processing fee, hang up.

    The agency specifically warns that no one from Amazon will ask you to pay money to obtain a refund.

    You can review the official details on the FTC’s Amazon refund page.

    How the Fake Refund Scam Works

    Imagine receiving a text message that says you qualify for a $200 Amazon Prime refund.

    There’s a link.

    You click it and land on a page with Amazon branding and language about the FTC settlement. The page asks you to confirm your identity and select how you want to receive the payment.

    It might request your Amazon password, payment account credentials, card details, or other personal information.

    You provide the information because you believe you’re completing a legitimate refund process.

    But the page may have nothing to do with Amazon or the settlement.

    The scammer now has information that could help them access accounts, commit identity theft, or attempt unauthorized transactions.

    Another version is more direct. A caller tells you that your refund is approved but requires a small processing fee, verification deposit, or account upgrade before it can be released.

    The fee might sound insignificant compared with the money you’re supposedly receiving.

    That’s the point.

    The criminal wants you focused on the larger refund rather than questioning why you’re being asked to pay anything at all.

    A promised refund is not proof that a refund exists.

    Watch Out for the Big-Payout Promise

    A report from news station KCTV5 highlighted a useful warning sign. Promises of more than $200 should raise suspicion.

    The settlement’s maximum total payment is $200 per eligible customer. Your actual payment may be smaller, depending on the refund rules and your circumstances.

    A message promising a special $500 payout, a guaranteed bonus, or exclusive access to a larger refund should immediately make you suspicious.

    Scammers often use unusually generous offers to encourage people to act before they stop and investigate.

    They may also claim that you have been selected for a special payment or that you can receive your money faster by paying a fee.

    Don’t believe it.

    The official program has established rules. A stranger cannot create a bigger refund simply by sending you a message.

    Who Actually Qualifies?

    The settlement’s expanded refund program generally covers U.S. Amazon Prime customers who meet all three of these requirements:

    • They enrolled through one of the enrollment processes challenged by the FTC or tried to cancel through the online cancellation process but could not between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.
    • They used no more than 20 Prime benefits in any 12-month period after enrolling.
    • They were Amazon Prime customers in the United States.

    The challenged enrollment processes included certain Prime decision pages, shipping selection pages, single-page checkouts, and the Prime Video enrollment process.

    Eligible customers do not need to submit a new claim for the automatic payments covered by the revised order. The FTC says payments will continue through April 2027.

    Be cautious if someone contacts you claiming they can bypass those rules, guarantee your eligibility, or arrange a special payment in exchange for money or sensitive information.

    Red Flags

    A message about the settlement deserves extra scrutiny if it includes any of these warning signs.

    • A demand for payment. You should not have to pay a processing fee, tax, deposit, or account-upgrade charge to receive your refund.
    • A request for sensitive information. Never provide your password, security codes, or banking credentials to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
    • An unexpected phone call. The FTC says it is not calling consumers about these refunds. Someone claiming to be an FTC representative who contacts you about your payment is a major red flag.
    • A promise of more than $200. That exceeds the program’s maximum total payment per eligible customer.
    • A link that demands immediate action. Don’t let a countdown, threat, or warning about losing your refund push you into clicking.
    • A suspicious payment notification. Check your actual payment account rather than relying on an email or text claiming money has arrived.
    • An offer to speed up the refund. You don’t need to pay a third party to get priority access to your money.

    How to Check Your Refund Safely

    If you think you might qualify, don’t begin by clicking a link in a text message or email.

    Instead, sign in to your Amazon account through the official app or by entering the website address yourself. Contact customer service through your account if you have questions.

    You can also consult the FTC’s official Amazon refund information independently.

    If you receive a legitimate electronic payment, verify it within the actual PayPal or Venmo service. Don’t assume an email is genuine simply because it displays a familiar logo or includes the name of the settlement.

    And if someone tells you to call a number to unlock your refund, find the official contact information independently instead.

    If You’ve Already Responded

    If you clicked a suspicious link but didn’t enter anything, close the page and avoid interacting with it further.

    If you supplied a password, change it immediately through the legitimate service. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.

    If you provided banking or payment information, contact the relevant financial institution or payment provider and explain what happened. Ask what steps you should take to protect your account and challenge any unauthorized transactions.

    Save the message, email address, phone number, website address, and screenshots. These details may help when reporting the incident.

    You can report suspected fraud through the FTC’s official ReportFraud website.

    The News Moves Fast. So Do Scammers.

    The Amazon Prime settlement is a reminder that scammers don’t operate in a separate world from legitimate news.

    They watch the same headlines you do.

    They know when government payments are announced, when companies issue refunds, when a data breach makes the news, and when people are searching for answers. They understand that a story people have just heard about can make a fraudulent message seem more believable.

    Sometimes, the most convincing scam isn’t an elaborate invention. It’s a real news story with a fake link attached.

    That is why timing matters. A message arriving just as refunds begin doesn’t prove the message is legitimate. It may simply mean the scammer is keeping up with the news.

    So if you hear that money is coming your way, take a moment before responding to anyone who contacts you about it.

    Check the official source. Don’t pay to receive a refund. Never surrender sensitive information to an unexpected caller or message.

    The settlement may be real. The person trying to collect your information may be counting on you knowing that.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:03 am on October 5, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    The Funeral Scam That Exploits Veterans’ Families 

    The Funeral Scam That Exploits Veterans' Families

    By Greg Collier

    Losing a loved one is difficult enough.

    Losing a veteran who dedicated part of their life to serving the country can make the days surrounding a funeral especially emotional. Families are dealing with arrangements, paperwork, military traditions, and the overwhelming reality that someone they love is gone.

    Scammers apparently see that grief as an opportunity.

    Families of recently deceased veterans in the Fort Bragg, North Carolina, area have reportedly been targeted by callers pretending to be military personnel or government officials. The callers claim that the family needs to pay money to receive military funeral honors.

    It’s a lie.

    And according to the Army Casualty Assistance Center, there is never a fee for military funeral honors.

    The scam is particularly disturbing because it does not simply rely on fear or confusion. It targets people during one of the most vulnerable moments imaginable.

    “It’s heartless, just heartless,” Cureston Brice, a memorial affairs coordinator for the Army Casualty Assistance Center, told Military.com. “People are already grieving the loss of their loved one who served our country. How can you turn around and try to scam them at their most vulnerable?”

    That vulnerability is precisely what makes this scam so dangerous.

    The Call That Shouldn’t Be Happening

    The Army Casualty Assistance Center reportedly learned about the scheme after funeral home directors in North Carolina alerted officials that families were receiving calls demanding money for military honors.

    The caller may present themselves as a member of the military or as a government official.

    Then comes the demand.

    One family was reportedly told that it needed to pay $1,500 for liability insurance for an honor guard.

    The payment was supposedly refundable.

    The scammer wanted the family to pay by credit card or money transfer.

    And there was a deadline attached to the demand: If the family didn’t pay, the veteran’s military funeral honors would supposedly be canceled.

    That last part is particularly important.

    The threat is designed to exploit the family’s emotions.

    Imagine receiving a call shortly before your loved one’s funeral telling you that something you believed was part of their final tribute is suddenly in jeopardy.

    You might not have the time or emotional energy to question the caller.

    You might simply pay.

    That is what the scammer is counting on.

    The $1,500 “Insurance” Fee Is Fake

    According to the Army Casualty Assistance Center, military families do not pay for military funeral honors.

    There is no $1,500 insurance requirement.

    There is no legitimate fee that has to be paid to make sure an honor guard appears.

    And military funeral honors will not be canceled because a grieving family refuses to send money to a stranger who calls them.

    Brice told Military.com that military honors are provided for eligible veterans and service members as part of the military’s obligation and honor.

    The service can include the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of Taps at the gravesite.

    The important point for families is simple:

    Nobody should be calling you to collect money for it.

    If someone does, treat that request as a scam.

    Why This Scam Could Work

    Scammers don’t necessarily need to convince someone that the entire military is involved.

    They only need to make the phone call sound official enough that a grieving family doesn’t stop to question it.

    The caller may use military terminology.

    They may know the deceased person’s name.

    They may know that a funeral is taking place.

    They may claim to work for a government agency.

    They may tell the family that there is a problem with the arrangements.

    And then they offer a simple solution.

    Pay.

    This is a classic scam tactic: create a problem that doesn’t exist, then offer the victim a way to make the problem disappear.

    The victim isn’t paying because they want something extra.

    They’re paying because they are afraid of losing something they believe they are already entitled to receive.

    That makes the emotional pressure much stronger.

    The Threat Is Part of the Scam

    One of the clearest warning signs in this case is the threat that military honors will be canceled unless the family pays.

    That threat is false.

    But scammers understand that urgency can short-circuit skepticism.

    If someone tells you that you have hours to act, that a service will be canceled, that a deadline is approaching, or that your loved one’s arrangements are in danger, you may feel compelled to respond immediately.

    That’s exactly when you should slow down.

    A legitimate military or government agency should not need a grieving family to send money to a stranger over the phone in order to arrange military honors.

    If a caller says otherwise, hang up.

    Don’t Trust Caller ID

    There is another lesson here that applies to virtually every impersonation scam.

    Don’t assume that a phone call is legitimate simply because the caller ID looks official.

    Scammers can manipulate caller ID information. They can use convincing names, government terminology, and other details to create the appearance of legitimacy.

    The same goes for information the caller may already know.

    A scammer knowing the veteran’s name does not prove that the caller works for the military.

    Knowing the funeral date doesn’t prove it either.

    In a targeted scam, criminals may obtain information from public records, social media, obituaries, funeral announcements, or other sources.

    The fact that someone knows something personal about your family doesn’t mean they are who they claim to be.

    The Funeral Home Can Be Your First Line of Defense

    Military officials are emphasizing a particularly simple way for families to protect themselves.

    Work through the funeral home.

    If your loved one is eligible for military funeral honors, the funeral director can coordinate with the appropriate military personnel.

    Families should not need to arrange the honors by responding to an unsolicited phone call demanding payment.

    Kagan Dunlap, a U.S. Marine Corps officer and podcast host who warned about the scam, similarly advised military families to communicate directly with their funeral director, who can coordinate the arrangements with the military.

    That gives families an important buffer.

    Instead of trying to determine whether an unexpected caller is legitimate while grieving, you can rely on the professionals already handling the funeral arrangements.

    Red Flags

    There are several warning signs that should immediately raise suspicion.

    • A surprise phone call about military honors. If you weren’t expecting the call, stop and verify it independently.
    • A request for money. Military funeral honors are provided without a fee.
    • A supposed insurance requirement. The reported scam used a fake $1,500 liability insurance requirement.
    • A threat that honors will be canceled. The Army Casualty Assistance Center says this is not how the process works.
    • Pressure to pay immediately. Urgency is one of the oldest tools in the scammer’s toolbox.
    • Payment by money transfer or card. A stranger demanding immediate payment is a major warning sign.
    • A caller claiming to be a government official. Don’t assume the title makes the request legitimate.
    • A request for personal or financial information. There is no reason to hand sensitive information to an unexpected caller simply because they claim to represent the military.

    What If You Get the Call?

    The best response is simple.

    Hang up.

    Then contact the funeral home handling the arrangements.

    You can also contact the appropriate military casualty assistance office independently to verify anything you have been told.

    The Army Casualty Assistance Center is already working with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division and funeral home organizations to spread awareness of the scheme.

    The fact that officials are warning about the scam also suggests that families should not assume this is necessarily limited to one phone call or one location.

    Brice told Military.com that officials don’t know whether other military families outside North Carolina may have been contacted.

    That is why awareness matters.

    A scam that begins in one area can quickly spread.

    If You’ve Already Paid

    If you or someone in your family already sent money to someone claiming to arrange military funeral honors, act quickly.

    Contact the financial institution or payment provider involved and explain that you believe the payment was fraudulent.

    Save everything.

    Keep the phone number that called.

    Save text messages and emails.

    Take screenshots.

    Write down what the caller said and when the call occurred.

    Do not delete evidence simply because the interaction is upsetting.

    Report the fraud to the appropriate authorities. The Department of Veterans Affairs has repeatedly warned veterans and their families about scams and directs people to report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission through its fraud reporting system.

    If the caller claimed to be a military official, you should also notify the appropriate military authorities.

    Reporting matters because it can help officials identify patterns and warn other families before they become victims.

    Grief Should Never Be a Business Opportunity

    Scammers have always looked for vulnerable targets.

    They target people who are worried about their finances.

    They target people who are lonely.

    They target people who are afraid.

    And now, authorities are warning about criminals targeting families in mourning.

    The military funeral honors scam is particularly cruel because the scammer isn’t selling some imaginary investment or promising a prize.

    They’re threatening to take something away from a family at the funeral of someone they love.

    The message families need to remember is simple.

    Military funeral honors are not something you have to buy.

    If someone calls claiming otherwise, don’t let the urgency of the moment push you into making a payment.

    Hang up.

    Call the funeral home.

    Verify everything through an official channel.

    And remember that when a stranger suddenly tells a grieving family, “Pay us or your loved one’s military honors will be canceled,” the person on the other end of the phone isn’t protecting your family.

    They’re trying to exploit it.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on October 2, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: freecash, , , ,   

    The $100-an-Hour TikTok Trap 

    The $100-an-Hour TikTok Trap

    By Greg Collier

    You’re scrolling through TikTok when an ad suddenly takes over your screen.

    It looks familiar. The colors look right. The graphics look like they belong on TikTok. The language sounds official.

    Then comes the pitch.

    You could supposedly make more than $100 an hour just by using your phone.

    Maybe you are told you have been selected because of your profile. Maybe you are promised an easy remote opportunity. Maybe the ad says you can make money by playing games, taking surveys, following accounts, or completing simple tasks.

    It sounds like the kind of side hustle that is almost too easy.

    That is precisely why you should stop.

    A recent report from ABC 17 News in Columbia, Missouri, describes a wave of advertisements appearing in TikTok feeds that seemed connected to TikTok but actually directed users toward third-party applications. TikTok has confirmed that the particular Freecash advertisement highlighted in the report was not part of TikTok or one of its product campaigns. TikTok said it removed content and accounts for violating its policies concerning deceptive practices and misleading content.

    The bigger story, however, goes beyond one advertisement or one app.

    It is about a scam formula that keeps evolving. Make the opportunity look legitimate, make the money look easy, and get the victim invested before the catch appears.

    The Ad Looks Like TikTok

    One of the most dangerous parts of the scheme is how naturally the advertisement can fit into the platform.

    The ads reportedly use fonts and graphics similar to TikTok’s design. Some take over the entire screen and remove the normal navigation options, making the experience feel less like an ordinary advertisement and more like something built into the app itself.

    One advertisement described the outside service as a “partner app” and claimed people as young as 13 could earn more than $100 an hour.

    That is a giant red flag.

    But it is also a clever psychological trick.

    People are accustomed to seeing legitimate companies advertise inside social media platforms. If something looks like it belongs there, users may assume it has been vetted by the platform.

    That assumption can be dangerous.

    TikTok’s own policies prohibit fraudulent and deceptive advertising, including promotions that mislead users about jobs, products, or services.

    And TikTok has previously warned users about scams that misuse its name to promote supposed jobs involving activities such as following accounts, liking videos, and commenting on content in exchange for money. TikTok says those offers are scams and advises users not to share personal information or send money.

    Welcome to the “Get-Paid-To” Scam

    The Better Business Bureau has a name for this general category of schemes: “get-paid-to” scams.

    The basic idea is simple.

    You are promised money for doing things that seem almost effortless.

    Play a game.

    Take a survey.

    Like a video.

    Follow an account.

    Subscribe to something.

    Boost content.

    Complete an offer.

    The individual tasks may sound harmless. And sometimes the amount supposedly being earned starts small enough that the whole thing feels believable.

    That is part of the trap.

    Scammers can present these opportunities as flexible, remote work that allows people to use their phones. The supposed employer may claim that the person can make money by liking, following, subscribing to, or boosting videos. Eventually, however, the opportunity turns out not to be what it appeared to be.

    The Federal Trade Commission has been warning about a closely related category known as task scams or gamified job scams.

    In those schemes, people complete simple online tasks while an app or website displays an ever-growing balance of supposed earnings. The numbers can make it look as though the user is steadily building a paycheck.

    The money isn’t necessarily real.

    The FTC says victims can eventually be told that they need to deposit their own money to complete another round of tasks or withdraw their supposed earnings. The agency’s advice is blunt. Never pay anyone to get paid.

    The Freecash Example

    The ABC 17 News investigation followed one of the advertisements to an app called Freecash.

    The reporter found an environment in which users could earn money by interacting with third-party games and other applications. The report said users could be asked to provide their age and connect payment methods or financial accounts in order to receive payouts.

    Some activities generated very small amounts of money.

    Others offered larger potential rewards.

    And that is where things can become particularly interesting from a scam perspective.

    According to the report, some opportunities involved leaderboards where users could pay to enter and compete for larger prizes. Users could also encounter minimum thresholds that had to be reached before they could cash out.

    One user said more than $900 in supposed earnings became inaccessible after cashouts were placed on hold.

    That report is a consumer allegation, not proof that the service itself is fraudulent.

    The larger warning is about the business model scammers can imitate. Small rewards create confidence, larger rewards create commitment, and then some obstacle appears just as the victim believes the money is finally within reach.

    The Money Can Become the Hook

    Imagine you have spent several hours completing tasks.

    Your screen says you’ve earned $50.

    Then $100.

    Then $300.

    Maybe you have already received a small payment.

    Now you are staring at a much larger balance.

    You’re invested.

    You’ve spent time on it. You’ve seen numbers increase. You may have even received a small payout, convincing you that the system works.

    Then comes the problem.

    You can’t withdraw the money.

    Maybe you need to reach another level.

    Maybe you need to complete another batch of tasks.

    Maybe your account has supposedly violated a rule.

    Maybe your identity needs to be verified.

    Or perhaps you’re told that you need to pay something before the money can be released.

    This is where a legitimate opportunity and a scam can become very different things.

    The BBB said that victims can be told they went through levels too quickly, violated a policy they were unaware of, or even need to send money before they can receive their supposed payout.

    The FTC describes essentially the same psychological mechanism in task scams. A victim sees fake earnings accumulate and becomes increasingly motivated to put real money into the system to protect or unlock those supposed earnings.

    The longer you play, the harder it becomes to walk away.

    Your Personal Information Is Part of the Prize

    Money isn’t necessarily the only thing scammers want.

    Your information can be valuable too.

    Name.

    Phone number.

    Address.

    Age.

    Email address.

    Financial information.

    Account information.

    And potentially anything else you provide while trying to “get paid.”

    The BBB says that personal information can be viewed by scammers as currency and potentially used in identity theft.

    That means an offer doesn’t have to steal your money immediately to cause damage.

    It may be collecting information for later.

    The FTC has similarly warned that fake side-hustle opportunities can be designed to obtain bank account information or Social Security numbers rather than provide legitimate employment.

    Quick Tip: If someone says you have to pay money before you can receive the money you’ve supposedly earned, stop.

    Red Flags

    Be especially skeptical when an online money-making opportunity combines several of these characteristics:

    • Huge money for almost no work. Making more than $100 an hour by casually using your phone should immediately trigger questions.
    • A familiar company name or appearance. Looking like TikTok does not mean TikTok created or approved the offer.
    • An unexpected job opportunity. Be cautious when you are suddenly told you have been selected for work without actually applying.
    • Pressure to act immediately. Scammers don’t want you taking time to investigate.
    • A third-party app. Moving you away from the platform where you encountered the advertisement deserves extra scrutiny.
    • Requests for financial information. Be careful before connecting a bank account, payment account or card.
    • A minimum cash-out requirement. If your supposed earnings keep increasing but you can’t actually access them, stop and investigate.
    • A request to pay before withdrawing. This is one of the clearest warning signs.
    • Rules that mysteriously appear later. If you only discover an important condition after you’ve invested significant time or money, that’s a major warning sign.

    Don’t Trust the Look

    Perhaps the most important lesson from this incident is that scammers don’t necessarily need to create something that looks obviously fake.

    They can create something that looks familiar.

    They can use professional graphics.

    They can use the name of a company people recognize.

    They can make the advertisement appear directly inside a platform people already trust.

    And they can make the entire thing feel seamless.

    TikTok says it prohibits fraudulent activity in both advertising and user-generated content and that it removes content and accounts when they are detected or reported.

    The company has also warned users about fraudulent apps and impersonation schemes involving the TikTok brand.

    But no platform’s moderation system catches everything immediately.

    That means the final line of defense is often the person holding the phone.

    What You Should Do

    If you encounter an advertisement promising extraordinary earnings for simple phone-based tasks, don’t rush into it.

    Take a screenshot.

    Don’t click unfamiliar links.

    Don’t download an app simply because an advertisement appeared on a platform you trust.

    Research the company independently rather than relying on information supplied by the advertisement.

    If the opportunity involves a supposed job, search for the company name alongside words such as “scam,” “complaint” and “reviews.” The FTC recommends this kind of research when evaluating unexpected side hustle opportunities.

    Most importantly, don’t give an unknown service access to financial accounts simply because it promises a payout.

    And if an opportunity requires you to send money before you can receive your earnings, walk away.

    If You’ve Already Fallen for It

    If you downloaded an app because of a suspicious advertisement, stop interacting with it until you can determine what it is and what information you provided.

    If you supplied financial information, contact the financial institution involved and ask what steps should be taken to protect the account.

    Change passwords if you reused them elsewhere, particularly if you provided login information to an unfamiliar service.

    Keep screenshots, receipts, emails, usernames, advertisements, and other records.

    And report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission through its fraud reporting system. The FTC specifically recommends reporting task scams and other fraudulent job opportunities.

    You can also report suspicious content through TikTok’s reporting tools.

    Final Thoughts

    The promise is incredibly tempting.

    Get paid to play games.

    Get paid to like videos.

    Get paid to follow accounts.

    Get paid to use your phone.

    And maybe, somehow, make $100 or more every hour.

    But when an opportunity promises extraordinary money for almost no effort, the question shouldn’t be “How quickly can I start?”

    It should be “What do they want from me?”

    Maybe they want your money.

    Maybe they want your personal information.

    Maybe they want you to download another application.

    Maybe they want you to keep playing until you’re too invested to walk away.

    And sometimes, they may want all of the above.

    The screen may look familiar. The advertisement may look professional. The numbers on the screen may look like real earnings.

    None of that makes the money real.

    When the deal sounds too good to be true, that’s not the moment to click.

    That’s the moment to stop.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 30, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: children, , Google Meet, , video call   

    Scammers Are Calling Your Kids for Your Credit Card 

    By Greg Collier

    Your child gets a video call from someone they don’t know.

    The person seems friendly. They’re talking directly to the child. Maybe they have a convincing profile, a familiar-looking email address, or simply the confidence of someone who seems to know what they’re doing.

    Then they ask a seemingly simple question.

    Can you go get your mom’s or dad’s credit card?

    That is where the conversation stops being innocent.

    The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina is warning parents and guardians about a video call scam that recently targeted children in the county. According to the sheriff’s office, a stranger using a Gmail account contacted children through Google Meet and attempted to convince them to retrieve and show their parents’ debit or credit cards.

    The scam is a reminder that criminals don’t always have to convince the parent to hand over financial information.

    Sometimes, they will try to get the child to do it for them.

    The Call Starts With a Stranger

    According to the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, the incident involved an unsolicited video call.

    The person on the other end was able to communicate directly with children and attempted to persuade them to get their parents’ payment cards and show them to the caller.

    There is no indication that every unexpected video call to a child is part of a scam. But an unsolicited call from an unknown person asking a child for financial information should immediately raise concerns.

    A child may not understand why someone would want to see a credit card.

    They may simply think the person is asking them to show something that belongs to their parents.

    That’s why children can be attractive targets.

    A Child May Not Recognize the Red Flag

    Adults have been taught to recognize common scam tactics.

    Don’t give strangers your credit card number.

    Don’t share your password.

    Don’t provide a verification code.

    Don’t send money to someone you don’t know.

    But children may not understand that even showing a payment card to someone over a video call can expose valuable information.

    Depending on the card and the quality of the video, a stranger may be able to see a name, card number, expiration date, or other information.

    And the scam doesn’t necessarily stop there.

    Once a criminal establishes communication with a child, they may attempt to obtain additional information about the family, including names, addresses, passwords, or other details that can be used in future scams.

    The Video Call Can Make the Stranger Seem Real

    There’s another problem with this type of scam.

    People tend to trust what they can see.

    A video call can create the impression that you’re dealing with a real person rather than an anonymous stranger on the internet.

    But video isn’t proof of identity.

    Neither is a Gmail address.

    Neither is a phone number.

    Neither is a caller ID.

    The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office specifically warns that caller identification, email addresses, and video calls should not be treated as proof that someone is legitimate.

    Technology can make a stranger appear trustworthy without actually telling you who that person is.

    The Scammer Doesn’t Need the Parent

    This is what makes the scheme particularly concerning for families.

    A traditional financial scam might involve calling an adult and trying to convince that person to provide a credit card number.

    This approach potentially bypasses the adult altogether.

    The scammer talks to the child.

    The child gets the card.

    The scammer sees the information.

    The parent may not even know the conversation happened until it’s too late.

    It’s a simple exploitation of trust and curiosity.

    And the scammer only needs the child to cooperate for a few moments.

    What Parents Should Tell Their Kids

    The most important protection may be a simple family rule:

    Your child should never show a stranger anything that belongs to a parent.

    That includes credit cards and debit cards, but the rule should go further.

    Children should understand that they should never share a parent’s:

    • Credit or debit card
    • Bank account information
    • Passwords
    • PINs
    • Security codes
    • Identification information
    • Login information
    • Verification codes

    They should also know that an unexpected request for any of these things is a reason to stop the conversation immediately.

    The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office advises children who receive an unexpected call or message from someone they don’t know to end the communication, block the account, and tell a trusted adult.

    That’s an important lesson because children shouldn’t be expected to figure out whether a stranger is legitimate.

    Their job is simply to stop and tell an adult.

    Quick Tip: Teach your kids to hang up. Parents don’t have to give children a complicated lesson about every possible scam. Tell them not to answer calls from strangers; don’t show strangers your parents’ information or belongings and tell an adult when something feels strange.

    Don’t Assume Privacy Settings Will Stop Everything

    Parents should also take a look at the devices and accounts their children use.

    Review privacy settings and communication permissions. Check who can contact the child through video-calling applications, messaging services, and social media platforms.

    That doesn’t guarantee that a scammer won’t get through.

    But limiting unexpected communications can reduce opportunities for strangers to contact children in the first place.

    It’s also worth talking to children about why these settings exist.

    The goal isn’t simply to restrict their devices.

    It’s to teach them that access to someone isn’t the same thing as trust.

    If Your Child Gets a Suspicious Call

    Don’t delete everything immediately.

    The Hyde County Sheriff’s Office recommends preserving information that could help investigators, including screenshots, email addresses, usernames, and phone numbers.

    Save the evidence before blocking the account if possible.

    Then report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

    If financial or personal information was actually shared, parents should contact their financial institution immediately and monitor the affected accounts.

    A suspicious incident can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    The important thing is not to assume that nothing can be done simply because the communication happened online.

    The Conversation Parents Need to Have

    Parents have spent years teaching children not to talk to strangers in the real world.

    The definition of “stranger” needs to apply online, too.

    A stranger doesn’t become trustworthy because they appear on a screen.

    They don’t become trustworthy because they have a Gmail address.

    They don’t become trustworthy because the caller ID displays a familiar-looking name.

    And they certainly don’t become trustworthy because they’re asking politely.

    Children need permission to say no.

    They need permission to hang up.

    And most importantly, they need to know that they can tell a parent or another trusted adult what happened without being punished for it.

    The Scam Could Look Completely Different Next Time

    The Hyde County incident involved a request to see a parent’s debit or credit card.

    The next scam may involve something else.

    A password.

    A bank account.

    A verification code.

    A photo.

    A parent’s phone.

    Or information about where the family lives.

    The technology and the story can change quickly.

    The basic warning doesn’t.

    When an unknown person contacts a child and asks for something that belongs to the family, the safest response is simple:

    Hang up. Block them. Tell an adult.

    The person on the screen may look friendly.

    They may sound convincing.

    They may even appear to know exactly what they’re doing.

    But your child doesn’t need to figure out whether the stranger is legitimate.

    They just need to know that strangers don’t get access to the family’s money, information, or personal belongings.

    And sometimes, the best way to protect your family is to teach your kids that it’s perfectly okay to hang up.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 28, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    Scammers Are Pretending to Be the FBI to Scam Victims Again 

    Scammers Are Pretending to Be the FBI to Scam Victims Again

    By Greg Collier

    Imagine you’ve already been scammed.

    You’ve lost money. You’re angry. You’re embarrassed. You report what happened because you want someone to know, and maybe you’re hoping there is some way to recover what you lost.

    Then your phone rings.

    The person on the other end says they’re with the FBI.

    They know about the scam. They know how much you lost. They tell you they’ve recovered your money or that they can help you get it back.

    Suddenly, the person who stole your money isn’t the only problem.

    The person claiming they can recover it may be another scammer.

    The FBI is warning that criminals are impersonating its Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, in an increasingly sophisticated fraud scheme designed to target people who have already been victimized.

    And now artificial intelligence is helping make the deception even more convincing.

    The Scam Begins With a Previous Scam

    One of the most disturbing parts of this scheme is that criminals may not have to find a completely new victim.

    They can target someone who has already lost money.

    According to the FBI, scammers monitor social media and other online forums for people discussing fraud or saying they have contacted the FBI or plan to file an IC3 complaint.

    That information can give criminals an opening.

    The victim has already demonstrated that they are concerned about losing money. They may also be actively looking for help.

    The scammer then approaches them while pretending to be someone who can provide that help.

    In some cases, criminals have claimed they recovered the victim’s lost funds. In others, they have directed victims to fake IC3 websites designed to collect personal or financial information.

    It’s a second scam built on the first one.

    The Fake FBI Agent

    The scammer may contact the victim through a phone call, email, social media, or a messaging application.

    They may use the name of a real FBI employee.

    They may have an official-looking profile picture.

    They may provide what appears to be a legitimate government website.

    And increasingly, they may even sound like a real person.

    The FBI says criminals are using artificial intelligence to create convincing voices and videos. Its July 2026 warning specifically described AI-generated videos impersonating FBI personnel and promoting spoofed IC3 websites.

    That means the old advice to simply listen for an obviously robotic voice isn’t enough anymore.

    A scammer can sound calm, professional, and completely believable.

    They can even appear to be the person they’re pretending to be.

    The Fake Website Makes It Worse

    The deception doesn’t necessarily stop with a phone call.

    The FBI has warned about websites designed to look like the real Internet Crime Complaint Center.

    A victim might see a website with government-style graphics, familiar terminology, and an official-looking complaint form.

    But instead of submitting information to the FBI, the victim may be handing it directly to criminals.

    The FBI says spoofed websites can be designed to collect personally identifiable information, including information that can be used to further victimize someone.

    This is why the address in your browser matters.

    The legitimate IC3 website is ic3.gov.

    The FBI advises people to type the official address directly into their browser rather than clicking on links sent by someone claiming to represent IC3. It also warns users to watch for subtle differences in website addresses and to be particularly cautious with sponsored search results that may lead to imitator sites.

    A website can look official and still be completely fake.

    The Most Important Thing to Know About IC3

    There is a simple fact that could stop this scam before it starts.

    IC3 does not directly contact people.

    The FBI says IC3 will not communicate with individuals by phone, email, social media, messaging apps, online chat, or public forums.

    If additional information is needed after a complaint, the person may be contacted by FBI personnel from a local field office or another law enforcement agency.

    That distinction is critical.

    IC3 is the FBI’s central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It collects complaints and helps route information to law enforcement. It is not a private recovery service calling victims to offer refunds.

    And it certainly isn’t a service that charges victims to get their money back.

    The Biggest Red Flag: They Want Money

    This is where the scam should fall apart.

    The FBI says IC3 will never ask you to pay money to recover lost funds.

    It also will not refer you to a company that charges you to recover your money.

    The FBI’s September 2026 warning about government and law enforcement impersonation scams makes the broader rule clear: legitimate law enforcement and government officials will not contact you by phone or text and demand payment.

    So if someone tells you they’re an FBI agent and says you need to send money to recover your money, stop.

    Don’t negotiate.

    Don’t try to convince them you’re legitimate.

    Don’t send a small payment just to see what happens.

    Hang up.

    The Scam Uses Urgency Against You

    Scammers understand that victims are often emotional.

    Someone who has already lost thousands of dollars may desperately want to believe that the money can be recovered.

    That’s exactly what the scammer wants.

    The criminal may tell the victim that the opportunity is time-sensitive. They may claim the recovered funds will disappear if paperwork isn’t completed immediately. They may say the victim needs to pay a processing fee or provide banking information before the money can be released.

    The goal is to keep the victim from slowing down and checking the story.

    The FBI specifically identifies fear and urgency as tools used in these impersonation schemes.

    That’s why one of the most powerful things you can do when someone claiming to be law enforcement contacts you is incredibly simple.

    Stop.

    Take a breath.

    Verify independently.

    AI Has Changed the Game

    For years, consumers were told to look for obvious signs of a scam.

    Bad grammar.

    Strange accents.

    Poorly designed websites.

    Robotic voices.

    Those clues are becoming less reliable.

    The FBI says artificial intelligence is being used to create convincing videos and voices that impersonate government officials and other trusted people. Criminals can use these tools during video calls or private communications to make victims believe they are interacting with a real person.

    That doesn’t mean you should automatically distrust every phone call or video.

    It means you shouldn’t use someone’s voice, appearance, or apparent professionalism as proof of identity.

    A convincing performance is still just a performance.

    Other Red Flags

    Be extremely cautious if someone claims to be an FBI agent or other government official:

    • Contacts you unexpectedly through social media or a messaging app.
    • Claims to work for IC3 and contacts you directly.
    • Says they have recovered your money.
    • Offers to recover money for a fee.
    • Demands payment to release or recover funds.
    • Wants cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or other unusual forms of payment.
    • Sends you a link to an unfamiliar government-looking website.
    • Requests sensitive personal or financial information.
    • Pressures you to act immediately.
    • Tells you not to contact anyone else about the situation.

    Any one of these circumstances deserves scrutiny. Several appearing together should be a major warning.

    Quick Tip: The FBI Doesn’t Need Your Money. If someone claiming to be with the FBI says you need to pay them to recover money from a previous scam, stop communicating with them.

    The Numbers Show How Big the Problem Is

    This isn’t an isolated trick.

    The FBI reported that between January 2025 and July 2026, IC3 received nearly 61,000 complaints involving law enforcement or government impersonation scams, with reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion.

    Those numbers cover government and law enforcement impersonation scams broadly, not just criminals pretending to be IC3.

    But they illustrate why consumers should take these schemes seriously.

    The scammer doesn’t necessarily need to convince you they’re a financial expert.

    They just need you to believe they’re someone with authority.

    If You Think You’ve Been Targeted

    If someone has contacted you claiming to represent IC3 or the FBI, stop communicating with them.

    Save the evidence.

    Keep the emails, text messages, phone numbers, social media profiles, website addresses, and payment information. Don’t delete the conversations simply because they’re fraudulent.

    If you lost money, contact your financial institution immediately and explain what happened.

    The FBI advises victims of impersonation schemes to notify their financial institutions, contact local law enforcement, and file a complaint with IC3.

    And if you need to file an IC3 complaint, go directly to ic3.gov rather than following a link someone sends you.

    You can also report impersonation fraud to the Federal Trade Commission through its official fraud-reporting system. The FTC likewise warns that government agencies do not demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

    The Scam After the Scam

    There is something particularly cruel about this scheme.

    The victim has already been hurt.

    They have already trusted someone who turned out to be a criminal. They may be angry, embarrassed, or desperate to get their money back.

    Then another criminal comes along and exploits those exact emotions.

    The FBI impersonation makes the second scam seem legitimate because the victim believes they’re finally talking to someone who can help.

    But the real FBI doesn’t need you to pay a fee to recover your money.

    IC3 doesn’t contact victims through social media.

    A government-looking website isn’t necessarily a government website.

    And these days, even a familiar face or convincing voice isn’t proof that the person on the other end is who they claim to be.

    The safest response when someone unexpectedly claims to be the FBI is not to panic.

    Stop. Hang up. Verify independently.

    If the person demanding your money really is a federal agent, taking a few minutes to verify their identity won’t turn them into a scammer.

    If they’re a scammer, those few minutes could save you from becoming a victim twice.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 25, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , ,   

    Your Online Buyer May Be a Scammer 

    Your Online Buyer May Be a Scammer

    By Greg Collier

    Selling something online can feel like an easy way to turn things you no longer need into extra cash. You take a few pictures, write a description, set a price, and wait for someone to make an offer.

    But sometimes the buyer isn’t really interested in what you’re selling.

    They’re interested in your money.

    That is what nearly happened to a Louisville-area woman who was selling a large toolbox and tools online. She had already completed roughly 50 successful transactions, so she was familiar with the process and had no reason to expect trouble.

    Then a buyer contacted her from out of town.

    The buyer said he was in Columbus, Ohio, wanted the toolbox and tools, and offered to send a certified check. There was just one problem. The check included nearly $2,000 more than the agreed-upon price.

    That extra money wasn’t generosity. It was the trap.

    The Buyer Had a Plan

    According to the woman’s account, the buyer said the additional money was intended to cover shipping. Once the check cleared, movers would supposedly come pick up the merchandise.

    It might sound reasonable at first. Someone is buying a large item from another state, so they need to arrange transportation.

    But there were warning signs.

    The check arrived by USPS Priority Mail Express. It appeared legitimate and even carried branding associated with a financial institution. The amount was $1,935.06 more than the seller’s asking price.

    Then the seller started checking the details.

    The buyer claimed to be in Ohio, but the check had been mailed from New York. The buyer’s online profile indicated Oregon.

    Those inconsistencies were enough to make her stop.

    She didn’t deposit the check. She didn’t hand over the toolbox. She didn’t arrange for movers to pick anything up.

    Instead, she told the buyer she would only accept cash and would return the check.

    The buyer stopped responding.

    The Check Can Look Completely Real

    This is where these scams become particularly dangerous.

    A fake check doesn’t necessarily look fake.

    The Federal Trade Commission warns that counterfeit checks can resemble legitimate business checks, cashier’s checks, and other forms of payment. In an overpayment scam, the supposed buyer sends a check for more than the purchase price and then asks the seller to send the difference somewhere else.

    The check can even appear to work.

    A bank may make funds available in an account relatively quickly. That doesn’t necessarily mean the check has been fully verified.

    According to the FTC, banks can discover that a check is fraudulent weeks after it was deposited. When that happens, the bank can take the money back.

    If the seller has already sent the supposed excess payment to the scammer, that money may be gone.

    The result can be devastating. The victim loses the merchandise and the money sent to the scammer, while potentially being responsible for the amount of the fraudulent check.

    In other words, money showing up in your account isn’t the same thing as having legitimate money.

    Why Would a Buyer Overpay?

    The overpayment is the heart of the scam.

    Imagine you’re selling something for $500. A buyer sends you a check for $2,500 and tells you to keep the $500 and send the remaining $2,000 to a mover, shipping company, or some other third party.

    You deposit the check.

    Your account shows the money.

    You send the $2,000.

    Then the bank discovers the check is fraudulent.

    The $2,500 disappears from your account, but the $2,000 you sent to the scammer isn’t coming back.

    The scammer has effectively convinced you to transfer your own money to them.

    The FTC specifically advises people selling items online not to accept a check for more than the selling price.

    That single rule can eliminate one of the biggest warning signs in this particular type of scam.

    The Marketplace Doesn’t Have to Be Facebook

    It’s easy to think of this as a Facebook Marketplace problem.

    It isn’t.

    The same basic scheme can happen through virtually any online marketplace, classifieds site, or peer-to-peer selling platform where strangers can contact one another.

    Scammers can move between platforms because their real target isn’t the website.

    It’s the person on the other side of the transaction.

    They may claim to be located in another city. They may say they’re sending someone else to collect the merchandise. They may even invent a reason for paying more than the asking price.

    The story can change.

    The objective doesn’t.

    Get the seller to trust the payment long enough to send money, merchandise, or both.

    Red Flags

    One warning sign by itself doesn’t necessarily prove someone is a scammer. But several unusual details appearing at once should make you stop the transaction and verify everything independently.

    Be especially cautious when a buyer:

    • Offers substantially more than your asking price.
    • Sends a check for more than the agreed amount.
    • Wants you to send part of the money somewhere else.
    • Says a mover, relative, or shipping company will collect the item.
    • Claims to be far away but provides inconsistent location information.
    • Pressures you to act before you have time to verify the payment.
    • Wants to move the conversation away from the marketplace’s messaging system.
    • Sends links or requests verification codes.
    • Provides a payment method that you cannot independently verify.

    The FTC also warns about other online selling scams, including fake payment notifications, bogus refund requests, and attempts to obtain account verification codes.

    The details may change, but the basic strategy is often the same: convince you to trust something before you’ve had a chance to verify it.

    Safer Ways to Sell Online

    There is no way to eliminate every risk from an online sale, but sellers can make scams considerably more difficult.

    Keeping transactions local can reduce some of the complications associated with distant buyers, particularly when you’re selling large items that can be inspected and exchanged in person.

    For local transactions, sellers can establish the payment method before meeting the buyer and avoid changing the terms at the last minute.

    For transactions involving strangers, sellers should be especially cautious about checks and unfamiliar payment arrangements.

    The FTC recommends never accepting a check for more than the selling price. It also advises sellers not to send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other payments back to someone based on a check they have received.

    And don’t rely solely on information supplied by the buyer.

    If something doesn’t make sense, investigate it independently.

    What If You Already Deposited the Check?

    If you have deposited a suspicious check, don’t assume you’re safe simply because the money appears in your account.

    Contact your bank or credit union immediately and explain what happened. Don’t spend the money, and don’t send any portion of it to the buyer or someone the buyer claims is handling shipping or pickup.

    If you have already sent money or merchandise, preserve the messages, payment information, shipping records, and other evidence connected to the transaction.

    The FTC accepts reports through its fraud-reporting system, and suspicious mail-related activity can also be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if the mail was involved.

    Trust Your Gut

    The Louisville seller ultimately avoided losing nearly $2,000 because something didn’t feel right.

    She checked the details.

    The buyer’s claimed location didn’t match the information surrounding the payment. The profile raised additional questions. The check was for substantially more than the item was worth.

    Instead of explaining those discrepancies away, she stopped.

    That’s an important lesson for anyone selling through an online marketplace.

    You don’t need to prove that someone is a scammer before deciding not to do business with them.

    You don’t need to argue with the buyer.

    You don’t need to figure out exactly how the scam works.

    If the transaction doesn’t make sense, walk away.

    A check can look real and still be worthless. A buyer can sound legitimate and still be running a scam. And money appearing in your account doesn’t necessarily mean that money is yours.

    When a stranger offers you more money than you asked for, don’t see it as a better deal.

    See it as a warning.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 23, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , ,   

    The Political Scam Calls Are Coming 

    By Greg Collier

    Election season is coming, and scammers are getting ready.

    As November’s midterm elections approach, voters can expect political campaigns, candidates, advocacy groups, and political organizations to reach out in increasingly familiar ways. Unfortunately, scammers know that too.

    They can use the same phones, text messages, surveys, and donation requests to create convincing political scams designed to steal money or personal information.

    And now they have another weapon: artificial intelligence.

    Your “Campaign” Is Calling

    Imagine your phone rings.

    The caller says they represent a political campaign. Maybe they want your opinion in a survey. Maybe they say the campaign needs your support. Maybe they ask you to make a small donation before an important deadline.

    Everything sounds legitimate.

    Then the caller asks for your credit card number.

    Or your address.

    Or other personal information.

    Or they send you a link to make a donation.

    The problem is that the person on the other end may have nothing to do with the campaign they claim to represent.

    Warnings about political scam calls say fraudulent calls are taking several forms, including fake donation requests, bogus surveys, and AI-generated voice impersonations. One recent report cited estimates of roughly 21 million political scam calls during the summer, with scam call volume increasing sharply as the election approaches.

    The AI Voice on the Other End

    This is where the scam gets particularly unsettling.

    A scammer may not need to sound like a campaign representative.

    They may try to sound like the candidate.

    AI voice-cloning technology can make it possible to create a recording or live interaction that sounds like a real person. The FBI has separately warned about malicious campaigns using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior U.S. officials.

    That means hearing a familiar voice should no longer be treated as proof that the person calling you is actually who they claim to be.

    The voice could be convincing.

    The caller ID could look legitimate.

    The campaign name could be real.

    And the call could still be fraudulent.

    How the Political Scam Works

    The basic formula is surprisingly simple.

    First, the scammer chooses a political identity. They may claim to represent a candidate, campaign, political committee, or organization.

    Then comes the reason for the call. It might be a donation request, a political survey, or an urgent appeal tied to the upcoming election.

    Next comes the pressure. The caller may suggest that time is running out or that your contribution is urgently needed.

    Then comes the request for information or money. You may be asked for payment information, personal details, or access to an online account.

    Finally, the scammer disappears. The money goes somewhere it shouldn’t, or the information can potentially be used in additional fraud.

    The scammer doesn’t necessarily need you to donate thousands of dollars.

    A few dozen dollars from thousands of people can become a very profitable operation.

    Fake Surveys Can Be Dangerous Too

    Not every political scam begins with a request for money.

    Some begin with a survey.

    You receive a call asking what issues matter to you or which candidate you support. That might sound harmless.

    But a fake survey can be used as a way to collect personal information.

    The questions may gradually become more invasive. The caller could ask for your name, address, age, employment information, or other details.

    The information itself can have value to criminals.

    And because people are accustomed to being asked political questions during an election season, they may not recognize the interaction as suspicious.

    Don’t Rely on Caller ID

    One of the easiest mistakes to make is assuming the number on your screen proves who is calling.

    It doesn’t.

    The FTC warns that scammers can manipulate caller ID so a call appears to come from a local number or an organization you recognize.

    A call that appears to come from a campaign office could actually be coming from somewhere else entirely.

    The same warning applies to text messages and links.

    A message can use a legitimate campaign’s name or branding without actually coming from that campaign.

    Red Flags

    Be suspicious when an unsolicited political call demands an immediate donation.

    Be especially careful if the caller wants you to pay through cryptocurrency, a gift card, a wire transfer, or another difficult-to-reverse payment method. The FTC warns that scammers commonly push consumers toward these payment methods.

    Other warning signs include:

    • Pressure to donate immediately.
    • Requests for personal information that seem unrelated to the stated purpose of the call.
    • A caller who becomes aggressive when you say you want to verify the request.
    • Links sent by text that take you to an unfamiliar donation website.
    • A campaign or political organization with a name that sounds almost, but not exactly, like a real one.
    • A caller insisting that the phone number displayed on your caller ID proves who they are.
    • A request for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other unusual methods.
    • A voice that sounds exactly like a candidate but cannot be independently verified.

    Hang Up and Verify

    You don’t have to determine whether a political call is legitimate while you’re still on the phone with the caller.

    Hang up.

    Then find the campaign or organization’s official website independently.

    Use contact information you locate yourself rather than calling the number provided by the suspicious caller.

    If you decide to donate, navigate to the organization’s official website yourself instead of clicking an unexpected text message link.

    The FTC recommends researching organizations before donating and warns consumers not to rely on caller ID as proof of authenticity.

    Don’t Let Politics Lower Your Guard

    Political messages can trigger strong emotions.

    A scammer can take advantage of enthusiasm, anger, fear, or urgency without caring which side of an issue you support.

    That’s why these scams can work across the political spectrum.

    The scammer doesn’t necessarily need you to agree with a particular candidate.

    They just need you to care enough to act quickly.

    That could mean donating $20 because you’re excited about a campaign.

    It could mean answering a survey because you want your opinion heard.

    Or it could mean providing personal information because the caller sounds like someone you recognize.

    What About Legitimate Political Donations?

    A request for a political contribution is not automatically a scam.

    There are legitimate campaigns and political organizations that solicit donations by phone, text, email, and other methods.

    The key is verification.

    If you want to support a particular candidate or political organization, go directly to its official website and find the donation information yourself.

    Don’t assume that a link sent to your phone is genuine simply because it contains a familiar name or logo.

    And don’t let someone on the phone pressure you into making a contribution before you’ve had time to verify who is asking.

    The FBI specifically advises people to research individuals and entities before making political donations. It also warns about fraudulent political action committees, or “scam PACs,” that are designed to divert political contributions for personal financial gain.

    If You Already Gave the Scammers Money

    If you believe you donated to a fraudulent organization, save everything.

    Keep the phone number, text messages, emails, website address, receipts, and payment records.

    Contact your bank or credit card company as soon as possible if you provided payment information or believe a fraudulent charge occurred.

    You can also report suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FBI also accepts reports involving suspected federal election crimes through its reporting channels.

    If the scam involved a fake campaign or political committee, preserve the name and website. Those details can help investigators identify patterns.

    Final Thoughts

    Election season gives scammers something incredibly valuable: millions of people who are paying attention.

    They can exploit that attention with fake surveys, fake campaign representatives, fake donation requests, and increasingly convincing AI-generated voices.

    The technology may change, but the basic scam remains the same.

    Someone wants you to trust them quickly.

    Someone wants your information or your money.

    And someone hopes you won’t stop long enough to verify the story.

    So when the political call comes, remember this:

    A familiar voice doesn’t prove who’s calling. A familiar name doesn’t prove who’s asking. And caller ID doesn’t prove anything.

    Before you donate, answer questions, or provide personal information, hang up and verify.

    During election season, taking a few extra minutes could keep your money and your information out of a scammer’s hands.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 21, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , junk mail,   

    That “Final Notice” in Your Mailbox Could Be a Scam 

    By Greg Collier

    You open your mail and find a letter that looks like it came from your bank.

    It mentions your property.

    It says “FINAL NOTICE.”

    And there appears to be a refund check attached.

    For a moment, you might think you’ve just received some unexpected money.

    Then you look closer.

    There’s no signature. The fine print says the attached document isn’t actually a check. And somewhere on the page, you’re told to “CALL IMMEDIATELY.”

    So what happens when you call?

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, you might discover that the alarming notice had very little to do with your property or your bank in the first place.

    It may have been a sales pitch disguised as a warning.

    The “Final Notice” Is the Hook

    The FTC warned consumers about these official-looking mailers in a consumer alert.

    The letters can appear to come from a bank and make the recipient believe something important is happening with their property. The prominent “FINAL NOTICE” language is designed to grab attention, while the supposed check makes the recipient think there could be money waiting for them.

    But there is a catch.

    The document isn’t actually a check.

    And the emergency may not be an emergency at all.

    People who reported calling numbers provided on similar mailers told the FTC they were connected with someone attempting to sell them an extended warranty or service contract for their home or appliances.

    In other words, the scary letter was apparently being used to get the phone ringing.

    How the Scam Works

    The setup is remarkably simple.

    First, the mail arrives. The letter is designed to look important and may contain references to your property, a financial institution, and a “final notice.”

    Then comes the money tease. What appears to be a refund check catches your attention, even though the fine print says it isn’t a check.

    Next comes the urgency. You’re told to call immediately, creating pressure to act before you have time to investigate.

    Then comes the sales pitch. Instead of reaching someone about a property issue or refund, you may find yourself talking to someone trying to sell you a home or appliance service contract.

    The scam doesn’t necessarily depend on convincing you to hand over thousands of dollars immediately.

    It depends on convincing you to make the first call.

    Why Would Someone Do This?

    Because getting your attention is half the battle.

    People receive mountains of advertising every day. A postcard advertising a home warranty might end up in the recycling bin without a second thought.

    But a letter marked “FINAL NOTICE” that appears to involve your property and potentially includes money?

    That’s different.

    Fear and curiosity can override skepticism.

    You might think, What if this is real?

    And that’s precisely the question that gets you reaching for your phone.

    Red Flags to Watch For

    One of the biggest warning signs is the combination of urgency and ambiguity.

    Why are you receiving a final notice?

    What exactly is the notice about?

    Why does the letter appear to come from a bank?

    Why is there something that looks like a check when it isn’t actually a check?

    And why are you being told to call a number printed on the mailer instead of being given clear information about the supposed issue?

    When an unsolicited letter creates more questions than it answers, that’s a reason to slow down.

    Another warning sign is when the subject of the mail suddenly changes.

    You may call because you think you’re dealing with your bank or a property matter, only to discover that the person on the other end wants to sell you something entirely different.

    That’s a major clue that the original message may have been designed primarily to generate a sales lead.

    Quick Tip: Don’t Call the Number Yet

    If you receive a letter like this, don’t automatically call the phone number printed on it.

    Instead, independently look up the bank’s official contact information.

    The FTC recommends researching the phone number and the bank’s name along with terms such as “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” Other consumers may already have reported receiving similar mailers.

    You can also contact the bank directly using a phone number, website, or email address you already know is legitimate.

    That way, you’re verifying the letter without relying on information supplied by the person who sent it.

    The Fine Print Matters

    Scammers and aggressive marketers know that most people don’t read every word of a piece of mail.

    That’s why the big letters matter.

    FINAL NOTICE.

    CALL IMMEDIATELY.

    REFUND.

    Those words are designed to make you react.

    Meanwhile, the smaller print may tell an entirely different story.

    The FTC specifically points out that these mailers can contain something that looks like a check while stating in the fine print that it isn’t one.

    That should immediately make you slow down.

    If something looks like money but legally or technically isn’t a check, don’t assume you’ve received a refund.

    Find out what you’re actually looking at.

    What If You Really Want the Warranty?

    There’s nothing inherently wrong with buying an extended warranty or service contract if you’ve researched it and decided that it’s worthwhile.

    The problem is being pushed into buying one because a mailer made you think something urgent was happening with your property.

    If you’re genuinely interested in a home or appliance service contract, the FTC recommends taking your time, researching the company, asking friends or family for referrals, getting the offer in writing, and carefully reviewing what is and isn’t covered.

    That’s very different from receiving a frightening letter and feeling like you have to buy something immediately.

    A legitimate purchase doesn’t need panic to close the deal.

    What You Can Do

    If you receive one of these notices, don’t let the words “FINAL NOTICE” rush you into action.

    Research the company and phone number.

    Look for complaints from other consumers.

    Contact the bank independently if the letter claims to be from a financial institution.

    Don’t provide personal or financial information simply because a letter looks official.

    And if you’re considering a warranty or service contract, investigate that product separately rather than assuming it is connected to the supposed property issue.

    Most importantly, remember that you are allowed to take your time.

    If You’ve Already Called

    If you called the number and ended up speaking with someone selling a warranty or service contract, don’t panic.

    You can simply stop the conversation.

    If you provided personal or financial information, keep an eye on your accounts and consider what additional steps may be appropriate based on what you disclosed.

    If you believe the mailer was deceptive or fraudulent, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Your report can also help regulators identify patterns affecting other consumers.

    Final Thoughts

    Not every scam begins with a demand for money.

    Sometimes it begins with a piece of mail.

    A serious-looking logo.

    A bold “FINAL NOTICE.”

    A document that looks like a check.

    And a simple instruction:

    CALL IMMEDIATELY.

    The trick is getting you to react before you have a chance to think.

    So when a letter tries to frighten you into picking up the phone, put the phone down instead.

    Research first.

    Verify independently.

    And remember: if the emergency disappears and a sales pitch appears, the “final notice” may have been nothing more than a very elaborate way to get your attention.

     

  • Greg Collier 8:00 am on September 18, 2026 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ponzi scheme, , Travis Kelce   

    The Ponzi Scheme That Fooled Travis Kelce 

    The Ponzi Scheme That Fooled Travis Kelce

    By Greg Collier

    A Ponzi scheme does not need to look like a scam.

    It can come wrapped in investment opportunities, professional credentials, impressive connections, and promises that your money is working for you. Sometimes, the person running it can even attract professional athletes and other wealthy investors.

    That is what makes the case involving Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce such an important reminder. Having money does not make someone immune to financial fraud.

    And you do not have to be wealthy to become a Ponzi scheme victim.

    Travis Kelce Was One of the Victims

    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was identified in court as one of the victims of a Ponzi scheme that took more than $35 million from investors.

    According to reports, a Missouri prosecutor mentioned Kelce while Siddharth Jawahar, 38, was being sentenced in federal court. Jawahar was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution.

    The prosecutor identified Kelce as a victim, but publicly available information does not establish when Kelce invested or how much money he put into the investment.

    Kelce was reportedly not the only professional athlete connected to the investment company.

    A 2021 Forbes article about NBA player Gary Harris’s investment activities discussed the Swiftarc Ventures Labs Fund, where Jawahar was a co-founder and managing partner. That article also identified Kelce and NBA players Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mason Plumlee as investors.

    But the celebrity names are not really the most important part of this story.

    The important part is how the scheme allegedly worked.

    What Is a Ponzi Scheme?

    A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud in which money from newer investors is used to pay supposed returns to earlier investors rather than those returns actually coming from legitimate profits.

    Imagine someone tells you they have found an investment that consistently makes money.

    You give them $10,000.

    They later show you a statement saying your investment is now worth $11,500. Maybe you even receive a $500 payment that appears to be a legitimate return.

    You are impressed. You tell your friends. They invest. But there is a problem.

    The person running the scheme may not actually be generating the profits they promised. The money being used to pay you may have come from your friends’ investments.

    As long as new investors continue putting money into the operation, the scam can keep going.

    Eventually, however, the scheme needs more and more money coming in to keep the illusion alive. When new investments slow down or enough people try to withdraw their money, the entire structure can collapse.

    That is the basic Ponzi scheme.

    How This One Worked

    According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jawahar operated a Texas-based investment company called Swiftarc Capital LLC.

    Beginning in 2015, he accepted money from investors. Prosecutors said he eventually concentrated 99% of client funds into a single investment, Philip Morris Pakistan.

    When that investment declined in value, Jawahar did not tell investors what had happened.

    Instead, prosecutors said he falsely represented that investors were making money.

    From approximately July 2016 through December 2023, Jawahar took in more than $35 million from Swiftarc investors but invested only about $10 million. Money from new investors was used to repay earlier investors, according to federal prosecutors.

    That is the heart of the Ponzi mechanism.

    Money comes in.

    The promised investment performance is not real.

    New money helps maintain the appearance that everything is working.

    And the person running the operation can keep the illusion alive as long as investors continue to trust them.

    Federal prosecutors also said Jawahar used investor funds to support an extravagant lifestyle that included private-jet travel, luxury hotels, a luxury apartment, private-club memberships, expensive clothing, and high-end restaurants.

    This Isn’t Just a Rich-People Scam

    Seeing Travis Kelce’s name associated with a $35 million investment fraud could create the impression that Ponzi schemes are primarily a problem for wealthy people with millions of dollars to invest.

    They are not.

    One of the most dangerous misconceptions about investment fraud is that scammers only care about people with enormous bank accounts.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission has documented Ponzi schemes targeting ordinary retail investors.

    In one case, the SEC charged a Pennsylvania insurance agent with operating a scheme that allegedly targeted retail investors who lacked significant investment experience. According to the SEC, some victims withdrew money from life insurance policies or retirement accounts to invest with him.

    In another case, the SEC said a Ponzi scheme targeted middle-class investors by promising unusually high returns from supposed investments in pre-IPO technology companies.

    More recently, in September 2026, the SEC charged a New Jersey investment promoter over an alleged $16 million Ponzi scheme involving more than 200 inexperienced investors. The SEC alleged that investors were promised guaranteed fixed returns and a low-risk strategy.

    That is an important lesson.

    A scammer does not necessarily need access to someone’s fortune.

    They need access to someone’s trust.

    For one person, that might mean a $1 million investment.

    For another, it could be $10,000 from a retirement account.

    For someone else, it might be $2,000 they have spent years saving.

    The percentage of money lost can matter more to a victim than the headline dollar amount.

    Why Ponzi Schemes Work

    The trick is not necessarily creating a brilliant investment.

    It is creating the appearance of a brilliant investment.

    That can involve professional-looking websites, investment statements, financial terminology, impressive offices, social connections, or a seemingly successful track record.

    It can also involve something much more powerful: other people who appear to trust the investment.

    If a person sees professional athletes, business owners, friends, or respected members of their community involved in an investment, that can make the opportunity feel safer.

    But reputation is not the same thing as verification.

    Someone else investing does not prove that an investment is legitimate.

    Neither does a financial statement.

    Neither does a person claiming to have years of experience.

    And neither does a promise that your money is protected.

    Red Flags

    Ponzi schemes can take many forms, but there are warning signs investors should take seriously.

    • Be especially cautious when someone promises unusually consistent returns regardless of what the financial markets are doing.
    • Be skeptical of investments described as virtually risk-free, particularly when they promise substantial returns.
    • Pay attention when someone discourages you from asking questions or examining financial records.
    • Be wary when an investment opportunity depends heavily on recruiting friends, family members, or acquaintances.
    • And perhaps most importantly, investigate what your money is actually being invested in.

    A legitimate-sounding explanation is not enough.

    Verify Before You Invest

    Before putting money into an unfamiliar investment, independently verify the person and company involved.

    Do not rely exclusively on information supplied by the person trying to sell you the investment.

    Check whether the investment professional is registered and whether regulators have issued warnings or enforcement actions involving the person or company.

    And never assume that someone is trustworthy simply because another person you respect invested with them.

    The SEC’s investor resources are a good place to start when researching an investment professional or potential fraud.

    The Warning Goes Beyond Travis Kelce

    The Kelce connection makes this case newsworthy, but his involvement should not obscure the larger warning.

    Ponzi schemes can operate for years.

    They can attract people who have substantial financial experience.

    They can attract people who have almost no investment experience.

    And they can make victims feel as though everything is going perfectly right up until the moment the money disappears.

    In Jawahar’s case, prosecutors say the scheme lasted for years while investors were being told they were making money even after the underlying investment had lost value.

    That is what makes these schemes so dangerous.

    The victim is not necessarily being asked to hand money to an obvious stranger.

    They may believe they are making a legitimate investment with someone they trust.

    If You Think You’ve Invested in a Ponzi Scheme

    If you suspect an investment is fraudulent, do not send additional money simply because someone tells you another payment is necessary to unlock your funds.

    Save investment statements, emails, contracts, text messages, and payment records.

    Document communications with the person or company involved.

    Contact your financial institution if money was transferred recently and ask what options may be available.

    You can also report suspected investment fraud to the SEC and other appropriate authorities.

    Do not be embarrassed.

    Fraudsters depend on victims being too embarrassed or frightened to report what happened.

    Final Thoughts

    Travis Kelce’s name appearing in this case is a reminder that financial scams do not necessarily distinguish between people based on intelligence, fame, or wealth.

    The bigger lesson is even more important.

    You do not need millions of dollars to become a target.

    A Ponzi scheme only needs someone willing to believe that their money is going somewhere it isn’t.

    The person running the scheme may look successful. The investment may sound sophisticated. Other people may swear by it.

    But when the returns being paid to investors are really coming from other investors, the money is not growing.

    It is moving.

    And eventually, someone is left holding the loss.

    If an investment sounds too good to be true, don’t just ask how much money you could make. Ask where the money is actually coming from.

     

← Older posts

c
Compose new post
j
Next post/Next comment
k
Previous post/Previous comment
r
Reply
e
Edit
o
Show/Hide comments
t
Go to top
l
Go to login
h
Show/Hide help
shift + esc
Cancel