Tax debt relief scams are on the rise, targeting vulnerable individuals with promises of settling tax obligations for mere pennies on the dollar. These scammers are exploiting the reputation of legitimate businesses to deceive people into handing over their money.
One potential victim from Tennessee, for instance, was sitting on her front porch when she received an unsolicited call. Despite her poor vision, she quickly recognized the call for what it was, a scam. The caller claimed to be from the IRS Tax Relief Program. She knew better than to fall for the ploy and promptly hung up.
It’s crucial to understand that the IRS will never call you out of the blue. There is no IRS Tax Relief Program that will contact you by phone. Scammers are simply dialing random numbers, hoping to find someone with a tax issue.
To avoid tax debt relief scams, remember these key points. The IRS will never call you unsolicited. They only send letters. If you receive a letter from the IRS, attempt to resolve the issue directly with the agency. The IRS may offer a monthly payment plan or a way to pay less than you owe, but you must engage with them directly. Do not trust any company that claims you have ‘qualified’ or are ‘eligible’ for an IRS program. Only the IRS can make such determinations.
By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and your savings from these fraudulent schemes.
A Kansas City couple recently discovered that their luxurious 5,300-square-foot ranch home had been fraudulently listed for sale on Zillow. The scam became evident when friends began inquiring if they were selling their nearly million-dollar home for a mere $10,200.
Despite the home’s actual market value being around $1.2 million, the fraudulent listing presented a too-good-to-be-true offer, claiming it was part of a charitable gesture to help first-time buyers. The listing further attempted to restrict access to real estate professionals, lenders, and attorneys, aiming to scam potential buyers directly.
Unfortunately, this scam is not new. Real estate scammers often list high-value homes for sale online at a fraction of their actual price. They typically claim to own multiple properties and present the low price as a way to assist first-time homebuyers, purportedly for tax benefits. However, these scammers specifically target first-time buyers without representation from a realtor, bank, investor, or attorney. They also request payments through platforms like Venmo or Cash App, adding to the fraudulent nature of the scheme.
In this instance, in Kansas City, the fraudulent listing invited interested buyers to contact a phone number associated with a Las Vegas area code and requested a $200 advance payment through an online banking app, just to take a tour of the home.
This led to scam victims knocking on their door, expecting a home tour. The couple’s attempts to resolve the issue included providing proof of ownership to Zillow, yet responses from the site were slow. After the local newspaper became involved, Zillow removed the listing.
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, remember that a homeowner offering a home at a steep discount for a tax write-off is not a legitimate practice. Anyone making such claims in a real estate listing is likely trying to scam you. Avoid making any payments through platforms like Venmo, Cash App or Zelle, as recovering funds from these platforms is nearly impossible once the payment is made.
To protect yourself from deceptive property listings, verify information with the county’s tax assessment office. This resource will provide you with the necessary details to identify the legitimate homeowner, ensuring a secure and informed home buying process.
In a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cybercrime, Arlington, Massachusetts, a picturesque town located just six miles northwest of Boston, recently fell victim to a sophisticated cyberattack, resulting in the loss of nearly half a million dollars from the town’s coffers.
The town, home to approximately 46,000 residents, was targeted in what is known as a business email compromise (BEC). Perpetrators used phishing, spoofing, social engineering, and compromised email accounts to facilitate wire fraud totaling close to $450,000.
The cybercriminals orchestrated their attack by impersonating a vendor the town often does business with. Town employees received legitimate emails from this vendor concerning issues with processing payments. Unbeknownst to the town, cybercriminals had compromised some town employee user accounts and were closely monitoring email communications. They seized this opportunity to impersonate the vendor using a deceptively genuine-looking email domain, requesting a switch in payment method from check to electronic funds transfer.
Upon discovering the fraud, the town immediately alerted law enforcement agencies and its banking institution. A digital forensics investigation was launched. The town’s banking institution managed to recoup a mere $3,308, roughly 6% of the total stolen amount.
Town governments are not the only targets of BEC scams. Any business can fall victim if their emails are compromised, potentially impacting not only the businesses themselves, but also the residents of these towns and the customers of these companies.
One of the preferred targets of BEC scammers is mortgage lenders. In these cases, scammers will email home buyers using the lender’s email address. The home buyers are then instructed to wire their down payment or closing costs to the scammers, believing they are communicating with their legitimate lender.
However, recipients of compromised emails can protect themselves.
Always double-check the sender’s email address for any discrepancies or unusual characters. Scammers often use email addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones.
Contact the sender directly using a known, trusted phone number or email address to confirm the authenticity of any requests, especially those involving financial transactions.
As the town of Arlington takes steps to enhance its cybersecurity defenses, other municipalities and organizations should heed this incident as a cautionary tale and proactively bolster their own measures to safeguard against potential cybercriminal activities.
Driving a new car is a thrill, but what if you end up unknowingly paying for someone else’s joyride? A concerning scam is targeting unsuspecting individuals and leaving them on the hook for cars they never intended to buy.
One car dealership in Traverse City, Michigan, has encountered this disturbing scam that preys on both car dealers and buyers. Recently, the dealership experienced a close call with a scam that appeared legitimate. Here’s how it typically unfolds: scammers pose as legitimate buyers, providing all necessary contact details and expressing interest in purchasing a vehicle online. They often request that the car be delivered to an offsite location. Everything seems above board until the credit application process begins.
The dealership conducts due diligence, asking many questions. These questions are crucial because, more often than not, the supposed buyers are using stolen identities to complete the purchase. Once the deal is done, the scammer drives away in a new car, leaving the real person whose identity was stolen to deal with the fallout. Despite these efforts, there are still many potential victims—dealerships, identity theft victims, and even lenders.
It’s emphasized to stay on top of your credit. Monitoring credit inquiries can alert individuals to any unauthorized activity, allowing them to act quickly. Locking your credit with all three major bureaus is a recommended step. This measure makes it impossible for the financing paperwork to go through and stops the scam in its tracks. Many financial institutions also offer services that monitor social security numbers and alert individuals to any suspicious activity.
While dealerships and lenders are increasingly aware of this scam, it’s crucial for everyone to stay informed. The digital nature of these transactions can leave a traceable footprint, aiding law enforcement in tracking down perpetrators. However, even with these tools, convictions remain challenging due to the scammers’ adeptness at covering their tracks.
The convenience of online car shopping is undeniable, but taking precautions can ensure that you’re not inadvertently paying for someone else’s ride.
An elderly North Las Vegas resident recently fell victim to a sophisticated scam, resulting in the loss of thousands of dollars within minutes. The scam began with a call from what appeared to be her bank. The resident noticed suspicious activity in her account after receiving the call. Upon checking her online banking account, she discovered two fraudulent charges amounting to thousands of dollars. The caller, pretending to be a bank representative, informed her that immediate action was needed to secure her account.
The caller explained that due to increased fraud, they would send a courier to collect her card. Within ten minutes, a supposed courier arrived at her front door with a fictitious access code. Believing the situation to be legitimate, she handed over her card. The scammer, captured on video, cut the card in half and placed it in an envelope.
The scammers had all her information, including her address, which they confirmed with her. She remained on the phone with the initial caller throughout the exchange. However, moments after handing over her card, she was locked out of her online bank account. Realizing something was amiss, she promptly hung up the call.
She immediately contacted her real bank, closed her accounts, and changed her passwords. Despite her quick response, nearly $9,000 had already been stolen. The bank confirmed that the scammers had already infiltrated her account when they first made contact. Obtaining her card’s chip was merely the final step in their elaborate scheme. She remains hopeful that her bank will reimburse the stolen $9,000, but has yet to receive the funds.
Protecting yourself from scams, especially sophisticated ones like the one described, requires a combination of awareness, skepticism, and proactive measures. Here are some steps to safeguard against such scams.
Always verify the identity of the caller by hanging up and calling your bank directly using a phone number from their official website or your bank statement. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt hasty decisions. Be wary of any call that requires immediate action, especially if it involves your financial information.
If someone shows up at your door claiming to be from your bank or any other service, do not hand over any personal items or information. Verify their identity by contacting the organization directly.
By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of scams and protect your personal and financial information.
Scams have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, often disguising themselves in the most innocent-looking forms. Recently, a North Carolina sheriff’s office issued a crucial warning to the public about one such tactic that scammers are using to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Imagine receiving a message from an unknown number that simply says, “Hi! How are you?” Your first instinct might be to respond, perhaps thinking it’s someone you know or someone who has mistakenly texted you. However, it’s strongly advised against responding to these types of messages. Scammers are using this tactic as a conversation starter, so don’t text back.
If you were to respond, the conversation may unfold in a seemingly innocent manner. The scammer, pretending to be friendly, will likely apologize for the mistake and try to keep the conversation going. This gradual process of befriending you is a calculated move. Once they have gained your trust, the scammer will typically steer the conversation toward offering advice on cryptocurrency investments or other money-making advice. The scammer will prompt you to pay for their “valuable” information, but in reality, it’s all a ploy to steal your money.
Even a simple reply to such messages can put you at risk. By responding, you confirm that your phone number is active, making you a target for further scam attempts. This can lead to an influx of more scam calls and texts. To avoid these situations, it’s recommended to not reply to unknown numbers at all. Instead, delete and report the messages using your phone’s report junk option or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).
To safeguard against these scams, there are some key precautions to take. If you receive a message from an unknown number, it’s best to ignore it. Delete and report it instead. Be wary of anyone promising quick and easy money with zero risk. Every legitimate investment comes with risks, and only scammers guarantee big returns with no effort.
A Kansas police department has recently issued a warning regarding a troubling payroll scam targeting employers and businesses.
In this case, a local employer received what appeared to be a legitimate email from an employee, requesting a change to their direct deposit information to a GreenDot account. While GreenDot is a valid online-only banking service, the email was a fraudulent attempt by scammers to divert the employee’s payroll funds. If the name GreenDot sounds familiar, their prepaid debit cards are frequently used as demanded forms of payment in other scams.
The scam was only uncovered when the employer discussed the change directly with the supposed sender, who was unaware of any such request.
This scam is classified as a payroll diversion scam, where the perpetrator masquerades as an employee and contacts someone within the organization who has the authority to modify payroll details. More sophisticated versions of this scam involve hackers using social engineering tactics to access an employee’s email account. Once inside, they can either send fraudulent emails from the victim’s work account or gain entry to an online payroll portal to alter direct deposit information.
To prevent such scams, the Federal Bureau of Investigation advises caution with the information shared on social media. Personal details such as pet names, schools attended, birthdays, and family member names can provide hackers with enough information to guess passwords and gain access to sensitive accounts.
If you receive a suspicious email or believe you have been targeted by an online scam, it is crucial to report it immediately to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. By staying informed, businesses and individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to these increasingly common scams.
Social media scams are constantly evolving, and the latest phishing scheme is a new threat targeting Facebook users. It’s designed to trick you into revealing your login credentials by exploiting your fear of losing access to your account. The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about this scam, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and avoiding it. Here’s how you can identify this scam and safeguard your account from hackers.
You might receive an email that seems to be from Facebook, warning about a breach of Community Standards on your page. The message might look like this: “Recently, we discovered a breach of our Community Standards on your page. Your page has been disabled for violating our Terms. If you believe this decision is incorrect, you can request a review and file an appeal at the link below.” The email could also state that if you don’t act within 24 hours, your account will be permanently deleted. The email includes a link that appears to lead to Facebook’s website.
When faced with such a message, it’s essential to remain calm and scrutinize it closely. You will likely find telltale signs of a scam, such as, typos and grammatical errors in the message, an email sender’s address that doesn’t match Facebook’s official addresses, or you might notice that the link doesn’t actually point to Facebook’s website.
Another variant of this phishing scam targets business pages, threatening deactivation due to a Terms of Service or Community Standards violation. This message pretends to be from Meta Business Support and asks the administrator to confirm the account by clicking a link, or face permanent deletion. Clicking the link typically leads to a fake but official-looking page that prompts you to fill out a form with your login email, phone number, name, and other details. Once submitted, you are asked to confirm your password, providing scammers the information needed to hijack your account. We have to clear out messages like this from our inbox daily just because we’re a business with a Facebook page.
There are steps you can take to protect yourself from this scam, such as reading suspicious emails and messages carefully, looking for signs of a scam before taking any action. Remember, fake alerts are common as scammers frequently target social media accounts.
If you receive a message similar to the one’s mentioned, you should verify its claims by logging into your Facebook account directly to check if there is an actual problem. Do not rely on the information provided in the message to make any decisions.
Also, even if an alert seems legitimate, use the Facebook app to log in or type the URL into the browser bar yourself. Avoid clicking on links sent via email or messages.
Lastly, never enter your login information on a third-party website or any page other than the official Facebook website. Do not send your login details via email or Facebook Messenger. If you suspect you’ve entered your credentials on a fake form, change your password immediately.
By staying informed and cautious, you can protect your Facebook account from phishing scams and other online threats. The Better Business Bureau’s warning serves as a reminder that your security starts with a proactive approach to recognizing and avoiding these scams.
You receive a notification from Venmo that someone has accidentally sent you money and is now asking for it back. It’s only natural to feel inclined to return the money immediately. However, Michigan’s Attorney General recently issued a critical warning to Venmo users about this scam, urging everyone to think twice before sending the money back.
Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their methods. The current scheme involves using stolen credit cards to send money to unsuspecting Venmo users. Once the money is sent, the scammer quickly contacts the recipient, claiming the transfer was an accident and requesting the money to be sent back. The recipient, thinking they are helping correct an honest mistake, returns the funds.
The catch? When Venmo eventually discovers that the original transaction came from a stolen credit card, they reverse the transaction, taking the money from the recipient’s account. Meanwhile, the scammer walks away with the money sent back, leaving the recipient at a financial loss.
It’s crucial to exercise caution with any unexpected transaction, especially from someone you do not know. Here are a few tips to protect yourself from falling victim to this scam.
Take a moment to think before responding to unexpected money transfers. Scammers often rely on a sense of urgency to trick their targets. If you receive money unexpectedly, reach out to Venmo’s support team to verify the legitimacy of the transaction. Avoid direct communication with the sender until you have confirmed everything. Regularly review your Venmo transactions to spot any unusual activity.
If you suspect you are a victim of a scam or notice anything suspicious, report it to Venmo and your local authorities immediately.
This scam is a reminder of the importance of caution in online transactions. If you find yourself in this situation, pause, verify, and report if necessary. Protecting your financial information should always be a top priority.
Venmo is designed primarily for transactions between family and friends, making it a convenient tool for splitting bills, sharing expenses, and sending money to people you know and trust. Using Venmo for transactions with unknown parties can increase the risk of fraud and scams, as the platform lacks the same protections offered by services specifically built for business transactions. Always ensure that you are sending or receiving money from trusted individuals to maintain the security of your financial information.
For those navigating the home-buying market, it’s crucial to be aware of potential pitfalls, particularly when considering a ‘contract for deed.’ This method involves an agreement where the home buyer makes payments over time directly to the seller, rather than securing a traditional mortgage. While this can seem like an attractive option, it carries significant risks.
The primary concern with a ‘contract for deed’ is the reduced level of protection for buyers compared to standard mortgages. This makes it easier for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the situation. Minnesota’s Attorney General has issued a warning, emphasizing the need for caution and understanding when entering into such contracts. It is essential to fully understand the terms of a ‘contract for deed’ and to be aware of your rights and responsibilities before signing.
Ensure that the seller has paid the home’s property taxes and that the property is not in foreclosure. Unpaid taxes or foreclosure status can lead to serious complications down the line.
Determine if the contract includes a balloon payment, and if so, understand the amount and due date. This lump sum payment can catch buyers off guard and create financial strain.
Before entering into a contract, have a clear plan to pay off the entire amount. Additionally, account for annual property taxes and maintenance costs.
Obtain a professional home appraisal and inspection. This step ensures you are not overpaying and that the property is in good condition.
Be prepared to handle repair costs, property taxes, and general upkeep once the contract is signed. These expenses can add up quickly and need to be factored into your budget.
Check the interest rate being charged by the seller and compare it with rates from lenders. Ensuring the rate is competitive can save you money in the long run.
Record the contract with the county recorder’s office within four months of signing. This step may provide additional protections under the law.
If you find yourself a victim of a scam, report it immediately. Many individuals feel ashamed when they realize they have been scammed, but remember that con artists are skilled professionals. Reporting these incidents helps protect others and can prevent future scams.
In summary, while a ‘contract for deed’ might seem like a viable alternative to traditional home financing, it comes with substantial risks. Thoroughly understanding the contract and being cautious about the details can help you avoid potential pitfalls and make informed decisions in your home-buying journey.
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