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  • Geebo 8:00 am on September 6, 2022 Permalink | Reply
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    Student loan forgiveness scams have begun 

    Student loan forgiveness scams have begun

    By Greg Collier

    Around this time last week, we posted a warning about how scammers were more than likely looking to take advantage of the new student debt forgiveness program that was recently issued by the government. Well, the scammers didn’t wait long, as we already have reports of scammers trying to take advantage of the confusion surrounding the new plan.

    According to the Better Business Bureau, they’ve already begun receiving complaints about student loan scammers. In one instance of the scam, scammers are leaving voicemails with their potential victims, identifying themselves with generic names like ‘the Biden student loan forgiveness program’. If someone were to call the number back, the person on the other line would start requesting personal and financial information. This would no doubt lead to instances of identity theft.

    In another version of the scam, scammers posing as the loan forgiveness program will try to have victims pay a fee. The scammers might even try to get victims to direct their loan payments to the scammers’ bank account.

    There are two things to keep in mind with these scams. The first one is that the government is not going to reach out to you to see if you qualify for student debt forgiveness. It will also not be applied to your debt automatically. You need to reach out to the government to see if you qualify. The other thing to keep in mind, is that there is no fee to apply for the debt forgiveness. Anyone who asks you for a fee or payment is trying to scam you.

    As we said previously, the best way to protect yourself is to not accept loan forgiveness offers from strangers. Whether it’s over the phone, through social media, or any other form of communication, if they approach you first, they are not from the government. And again, you can also better protect yourself by not only learning if you qualify for the new program, but how the process works. CNBC has a great article on eligibility for the program, but you can also go to the Federal Government’s Student Aid website for further information.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 29, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , , ,   

    Are there more student loan forgiveness scams on the horizon? 

    Are there more student loan forgiveness scams on the horizon?

    By Greg Collier

    Student loan forgiveness scams are nothing new. However, experts are warning that we’re about to see a drastic increase in them. This is because the White House recently announced a debt forgiveness plan that will assist many in reducing or eliminating their student loan debt. But with any form of government assistance comes two things, confusion and red tape. It’s the confusion that will bring all manner of scammers out of the shadows.

    In the past, student debt scammers have texted, emailed, and called their victims offering to help reduce the remainder of the victim’s loan. Some scammers have even taken to social media messaging to try to lure victims into a false sense of security. Legitimate debt forgiveness programs will not contact you. You will have to contact them.

    There are a number of scams that these con artists can pull on a victim. There’s the advance fee scam, where the scammers will ask for an upfront payment before assisting someone. In reality, they’re just after the payment. If you qualify for the new student loan relief program, there is no fee associated with it. If someone promises they can help you get the government’s debt relief and asks for a fee, they’re trying to steal your money.

    Then there’s identity theft. Some scammers will be out to get your personal and financial information rather than a payment. It’s especially important not to give your Federal Student Aid ID to anyone who solicits you with an offer of assistance. This information can be used to steal your identity and could end up adding more debt than just your student loans.

    One of the best ways to protect yourself from these scams is to not accept offers from random strangers on the internet. You can also better protect yourself by not only learning if you qualify for the new program, but how the process works as well. CNBC has a great article on eligibility for the program, but you can also go to the Federal Government’s Student Aid website for further information.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 4, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , , , , , ,   

    Scam Round Up: Scam targeting service members and more 

    Scam Round Up: Scam targeting service members and more

    By Greg Collier

    This week, in the Scam Round Up, we’re bringing you a warning about a scam you’ve probably heard of and two scams you might not have.

    ***

    Our first scam is one of the more common scams. It’s so common, it even predates the internet. The Pennsylvania State Troopers have issued an alert about the secret shopper scam. Some of the larger retail chains employ secret shoppers to evaluate the customer service in their stores. However, it’s not as common a job as scammers would have you think.

    A woman from the Keystone State lost close to $3000 to the scam. She thought she had been hired by Walmart as a secret shopper. She was sent a check and told to deposit it in her bank account before going out and buying gift cards from Walmart. Once she did, she gave the card numbers to the scammers, who she thought were her employer. The check she deposited was a fake, and the scammers made off with the value of the gift cards.

    If any job asks you to deposit a check into your own account that is supposed to be used for business purposes, the odds are the check is a fake.

    ***

    Do you follow any celebrities on social media? If you do, you may want to watch out for any offers they might make. Recently, a number of celebrities have had their social media accounts hijacked or impersonated. The fraudulent accounts claimed that the celebrities were selling PlayStations at retail price, with the proceeds going to charity. By the time some of the celebrities were able to regain access to their accounts, some victims had already sent money to the scammers.

    Sometimes, celebrities, especially online personalities, will have giveaways, but rarely will they sell anything through social media. If you see one of these posts, be very skeptical, and remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

    ***

    Our last scam is one that is specifically targeting members of our nation’s military. Members of the Illinois National Guard have been receiving phone calls by someone claiming to be a first sergeant. The caller tells the service member that they’re owed back pay. The caller then asks for the amounts of the service member’s last three paychecks. Then the service member is asked to pay a fee of almost $300 in order to receive the back pay.

    According to reports, if a service member is owed back pay, they’ll be notified by their chain of command and not a random phone call.

    ***

    While these scams may not be happening right now in your area, you’re now hopefully prepared if they do.

     

  • Geebo 8:04 am on August 2, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , , ,   

    Scammers descend on flooded areas 

    By Greg Collier

    If you follow the news, you’ve probably heard of the devastating floods that have affected parts of Appalachia, including Virginia, West Virginia, and especially Kentucky. Countless families have been displaced from their homes. Unfortunately, scammers will be using these disasters to try to fleece an already distraught victim pool. To make matters worse, the scammers will do this posing as federal agents offering assistance.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, is warning residents of the flood-affected areas to be aware of scammers posing as FEMA agents. In one of the more popular FEMA scams, scammers will call affected victims offering assistance with an application for a FEMA disaster grant. What the scammer really wants is the victim’s personal information, including their Social Security number, so the scammer can get the grant money using the victim’s name.

    In a variation of the advance fee scam, scammers, acting as FEMA agents, will ask for a fee that they say is required for a grant application. This is false, as it’s free to apply for a FEMA disaster grant.

    In order to better protect yourself, do not give any personal information to someone claiming to be a FEMA inspector. Inspectors do not need your personal information and are not authorized to do so. Unless you’ve already filed for a disaster grant, FEMA will not call you out of the blue. As with most government agencies, you need to contact FEMA first before any progress on your application can be made. Also, no FEMA agent should ask for your application number, as legitimate agents will already have it.

    Lastly, if you receive a letter from FEMA but haven’t filed an application yet, a scammer may have tried to file for a grant in your name. If this is the case, you can call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

    Please keep in mind that even if you’re not currently residing in a disaster area, you could someday and these tips will apply to you as well.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 1, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , Mega Millions,   

    Lottery scams in the wake of record jackpot 

    Lottery scams in the wake of record jackpot

    By Greg Collier

    We’re sure many of you have heard about the $1.3 billion dollar lottery jackpot that happened this past Friday. A single ticket bought in the Chicago area matched all the numbers in the Mega Millions lottery drawing. However, even if a lottery player matches several numbers, they can still win a substantial prize. This is what scammers are now using to prey on their victims.

    In the state of Connecticut, scammers are calling potential victims while posing as the state’s lottery commission. The callers are telling residents that they’ve won a lottery prize. The resident is then asked for personal information like their Social Security number. More than likely, this is done so the scammers can commit identity theft.

    Keep in mind that if you do play the lottery, even occasionally, you need to claim the prize yourself. In most cases, the state doesn’t know who has won a lottery. They only know where the winning ticket was purchased. Just think about how many stories there have been where a lottery winner never claimed their prize.

    This isn’t the only lottery scam out there. Another popular lottery scam is the advance fee scam. In this scam, the scammers tell a victim they’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes, but they need to pay a tax or processing fee before claiming their prize. The scammers will continue to ask the victim for more money, claiming there are problems with the delivery of the prize.

    There is also the impersonation scam, where scammers claim they’re famous lottery winners who are giving some of their winnings away. In this scam, the scammers will either text or send messages on social media using the names of legitimate lottery winners. The victims are then instructed to click on a link which will help them claim their gift. Victims have reported giving scammers their Social Security numbers along with their driver’s license information. Other victims have reported losing money when asked for processing fees and taxes.

    If you ever receive a text message, phone call, or social media message saying that you’ve won money, you have every right to be skeptical. Because, in the end, it could end up costing you money instead.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 25, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , ,   

    Grant scams target cancer patients 

    By Greg Collier

    Very few things are more disheartening than being told you have cancer. Even if it’s a minor form of cancer, if there is such a thing, just the word cancer conjures up images of long and uncomfortable treatments to say the least. It also brings thoughts of financial hardships, as an extended illness like cancer can bring a mountain of medical debt. More people in the United States declare bankruptcy over medical bills than any other reason. Then imagine having a helping hand extended to you only to have it be taken away while taking money out of your pocket.

    A woman from Connecticut recently had surgery to have a cancerous lump removed. She was approached by someone on social media posing as a local non-profit organization. They told her that she was eligible for a $15,000 grant to help pay for her medical expenses. But in order to receive the grant, she first had to pay a $500 fee. After she paid the $500, she realized she had been scammed.

    Grant scams have been plaguing social media for a while now. Typically, victims are approached by people who appear to be their friends. However, their friend’s account has been compromised, allowing scammers to lull victims into a false sense of security. Victims are usually in some sort of financial need. Add a cancer diagnosis into the mix and a victim might be under such emotional duress that they could miss the red flags of a scam.

    Unfortunately, any agency that deals with grants does not approach potential applicants. You need to go to them. They also do not ask for money in advance. That is known as the advance fee scam and anyone who asks you to, is just after your money. You may be a target for this scam if you’ve recently shared a medical diagnosis with your friends on social media.

    The victim in this story has also set up a GoFundMe page if you can find it in your heart to help.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 14, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , , , ,   

    BBB warns of new Facebook Messenger scam targeting US workers 

    BBB warns of new Facebook Messenger scam targeting US workers

    By Greg Collier

    An untold number of people around the world use Facebook Messenger as their primary form of communication. Even in America, many users of Messenger have replaced their phone carrier’s text message app with Messenger. This has given rise to just as many scams on Messenger that have plagued text message users.

    One of the more infamous Messenger scams is the government grant scam. In that scam, scammers gain access to a friend’s Facebook account. They’ll then use the friend’s Messenger account to message the victim. The message usually contains something along the lines of that they just received a large federal grant to help pay their bills. The ‘friend’ will then tell the victim that they should apply for this grant, along with instructions on how to request the grant. The victim will be directed to someone posing as the government, who will ask the victim for a processing fee before issuing the grant. At this point, the scammer will either disappear or will keep luring the victim with the promise of a large grant payment if the victim just keeps paying money for additional fees.

    According to a Better Bureau Office in Texas, they’ve received notice about a similar Messenger scam happening in their area. The BBB is saying the scam is targeting people who are owed workers’ compensation. It’s unclear how scammers are obtaining these lists. However, what the scammers are doing is using Messenger to contact the people entitled to workers’ comp, and posing as a service that can get their workers’ comp for them. Of course, this involves paying a fee to the scammers. Much like the grant scams, the scammers will disappear after getting the payment or try to milk the victims for more money.

    However, there are ways to protect yourself from these scams. If a friend messages you about a money making opportunity, use a way to get a hold of them besides Messenger to find out if they meant to send that message. The BBB also recommends that you should never pay money to get money. If money is owed to you through a business or the government, you shouldn’t have to pay any money to get your payout. Lastly, like most scams, if the person asking for money asks for it in non-traditional means like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or pre-paid debit cards, you’re more than likely talking to a scammer.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 10, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , , ,   

    Gas relief scam sweeps nation 

    Gas relief scam sweeps nation

    By Greg Collier

    Recently, we’ve been discussing how scammers will take any tragedy in the headlines and try to use it to their advantage. That’s not just limited to disasters and other tragedies. Scammers can also take advantage of ongoing crises. For example, there seemed to be no end to the number of scams related to the pandemic in the past few years. Now, scammers have turned their greedy eyes to the gas crisis. With the price of gas skyrocketing because of inflation, scammers are looking to take advantage of consumers who are desperate for an economic break.

    In one scam, scammers are calling consumers telling them that the government is offering a gas relief program for qualifying individuals. However, what the scammers are really after is your financial information. One victim from Oklahoma said she signed up for the phony program and lost a lot of money out of her checking account to the scammers.

    A spokesperson for the Federal Trade Commission has stated that the government is not offering any gas relief program.

    If this scam sounds a little familiar, that’s because it sounds a lot like the government grant scam. In that scam, victims receive an unsolicited call or message telling them they qualify for a government grant that the victim can use for any purpose. It’s often pitched to the victim as a way they can pay their bills. The scammers tell their victims they just need to pay a processing fee in order to receive the grant. Once the victim pays, the scammers disappear with the money, while the grant never existed in the first place. This is also known as an advance fee scam.

    These approaches are not just limited to phone calls. They can appear in almost any form of communication, whether it’s calls, texts, direct messages, or emails. If there was such a government program for gas relief, the government wouldn’t be calling you. You would have to reach out to them first.

    While we could all use some relief at the pump, almost any offer to discount gas prices will probably be a scam.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 2, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , free car trial,   

    New scam offers free car 

    New scam offers free car

    By Greg Collier

    Most communities in America are either underserved or not served at all by public transportation. This has made us heavily dependent on cars. The problem with this is cars can be prohibitively expensive. Between registration fees, insurance, and maintenance, many families can be priced out of a car even though it’s almost required for daily life in America. Now, imagine you’re in that situation and someone offers you a brand-new car to use for 30 days for free. If you’re desperate enough for transportation, you might jump at this offer.

    That’s what police in Brown County, Kansas are saying is happening there. The Sheriff’s Office of the largely rural county says that residents are receiving phone calls offering free cars. The callers say they’re representing a major car manufacturer, and they’re offering a free 30-day trial of a new vehicle. The only thing the recipient needs to do is evaluate the vehicle, and report back to the manufacturer. However, there’s the slight matter of a ‘destination fee’ that has to be paid by the recipient before the car can be delivered. The caller then asks the recipient for their banking information, so they can collect the supposed destination fee.

    While this is the first we’ve heard it being used in this manner, this is what’s known as the advance fee scam. Typically, scammers promise some kind of cash prize, but the victim would need to pay a tax or processing fee first. We’ve also seen this used in online lending where scammers will promise a loan, but the applicant has to pay a substantial fee first.

    Free car trials aren’t a thing. Car manufacturers have their own testing experts to evaluate their vehicles. Even if it was a thing, more than likely, drivers would have to apply for the program. Car companies are not usually in the habit of calling random people to give them free cars, even for a short time. This is one more case of if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on May 19, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: advance fee scam, , ,   

    Don’t pay advance fees for loans 

    Don't pay advance fees for loans

    By Greg Collier

    There are certain business you shouldn’t use if they solicit your business through email. One of those businesses is that of the online lender. These supposed lenders claim they’ll lend you thousands of dollars that they’ll get to you in no time flat. They may also claim that no credit check is needed, or that they’re not like the big banks when it comes to lending.

    If someone were to take one of these lenders up on their offer, a number of things could happen, and none of them are good. You could have your personal and financial information stolen, or you could be victim to a predatory lender with exorbitant interest rates. Think along the lines of those payday loan stores. However, the most common scam when it comes to online loans is the advance fee scam.

    Typically, when we talk about the advance fee scam, we’re talking about phony sweepstakes that scammers say their victims have one. Then the scammers ask for payment to cover taxes or processing fees. Scammers will keep asking for payments as long as they can keep the victim on the hook. Meanwhile, there are no sweepstakes that the victim won.

    This recently happened with a loan to a man in Arkansas who was looking to make some improvements to his home. He applied for some loans online before getting an email from a supposed lender. The lender promised that could get the money to his bank account in 15 minutes. All the man needed to do was pay them $200 in gift cards. After the man paid the initial $200, he was asked to pay another $200. He did, and still did not receive his loan. It was at this point the man realized he had been scammed.

    Legitimate lenders will never ask for payment in advance. They make their money through interest once the loan is paid back and not through outlandish fees. That’s not even considering no legitimate bank or financial institution will accept gift cards as payment.

     

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