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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 18, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: charity scam ( 36 ), credit card ( 9 ), credit card fraud, debit cards ( 15 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Watch for Tiny Charges on Your Bank Cards 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The holiday season is a time for generosity and joy, but it can also be a time when scammers take advantage of the season’s goodwill. If you spot a small, unexpected charitable donation on your credit card statement, it might not be a simple mistake, it could be a red flag.

  Small, unrecognized charges, especially to charitable organizations, can indicate that your credit or debit card has been compromised. When scammers obtain stolen card information, one of the first things they do is test the card. They accomplish this by making tiny transactions, often through charities. These small charges tend to fly under the radar, especially during the holidays when charitable giving surges. If the payment goes through successfully, it confirms to the scammers that the card is still valid and ready for larger, fraudulent purchases.

  The timing of this tactic is no coincidence. Around 20% of all charitable donations occur in December, making small, unfamiliar charges feel more plausible this time of year. A $2 or $5 donation might seem insignificant or even well-meaning, but that’s precisely what makes these transactions effective for scammers. People are less likely to dispute such small amounts, especially if they believe it’s an innocent oversight or a forgotten holiday contribution.

  To stay ahead of scammers, vigilance is key. Rather than waiting for your monthly statement, make it a habit to check your accounts online regularly. Weekly reviews can help you catch suspicious activity quickly before it escalates. Many card providers also offer transaction notifications via text or email, alerting you whenever a purchase is made. Enabling these alerts adds an extra layer of security, helping you identify unauthorized charges the moment they occur.

  If you do spot a charge you don’t recognize, act quickly. Contact your card provider right away to report the fraudulent activity. Taking immediate steps to lock or replace the card can stop scammers in their tracks and prevent further misuse.

  This season of giving should be one of joy and goodwill—not frustration. By staying proactive and mindful of your accounts, you can protect yourself from scammers who may try to take advantage of the holiday spirit. Don’t let a small charge turn into a big headache. Keep a watchful eye, and let your generosity this season be on your own terms.

   

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  Geebo 9:17 am on November 13, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), credit card fraud, fake check ( 48 ), lottery scam ( 13 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Did a Scammer Pay a Victim’s Credit Card Debt? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In a disheartening tale of deception and financial ruin, a lottery scam with roots in Indianapolis has surfaced, leaving victims across state lines in a wake of financial devastation. This scam, which preys on the hope and trust of unsuspecting individuals, has taken thousands of dollars from victims, including an elderly Florida resident who lost more than $40,000.

  The scam unfolds with a seemingly innocuous phone call or text message, proclaiming an improbable windfall. A lottery win, despite the recipient never purchasing a ticket. The allure of an $8 million jackpot is dangled before the victim, often with the claim that they need to pay taxes or fees upfront to secure their winnings. But behind the promise of fortune lies a sinister intent, to extract personal information or outright steal money.

  The experience of one elderly victim underscores the complex and deceptive nature of these schemes. An Indianapolis man, posing as a representative of a national lottery, convinced the victim that her prize was genuine. He even manipulated her finances in an unprecedented way, paying off her credit card debts with fraudulent checks to gain her trust. It was only after the payments were reversed that the victim realized the extent of the fraud.

  In this particular case, the use of fake checks to pay off victims’ debts is a new twist. The scammers’ ability to provide temporary financial relief gives their operation an air of legitimacy, which can lower the victim’s defenses. This deceptive strategy has not been widely reported before, highlighting the evolving methods used by fraudsters to exploit their victims.

  Adding to the distress, the victim was persuaded to send thousands of dollars in cash via courier services to an Indianapolis address. She believed the funds were covering necessary taxes on her winnings. The culprits, however, used multiple aliases and addresses, making it nearly impossible to track the stolen money.

  The victim’s ordeal has left her with significant debt, a ruined credit score, and an unrelenting quest for justice. Despite reporting the crime to multiple agencies, she remains burdened by the aftermath.

  Authorities urge anyone who receives a suspicious call or message about lottery winnings to verify the claims independently. Legitimate lotteries do not demand payment of fees or taxes upfront, nor do they contact winners without prior participation in a contest. This is commonly known as the advance fee scam.

  While the victim’s financial losses may never be recovered, her story could save others from falling victim to similar schemes. As scams grow more sophisticated, so too must our collective efforts to expose and prevent them.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 1, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: credit card ( 9 ), credit card fraud, customer service ( 50 ), customer support ( 23 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Credit card scammers pose as fraud department 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Police departments in the Midwest are warning consumers about a scam involving their credit cards. Scammers are posing as the credit card company’s fraud department and calling their victims. The scammers tell their victims they’ve found an unusual purchase pattern on the victim’s account. For some reason, the scammers are saying the victims are being charged close to $500 for an anti-telemarketing device. We can’t tell if that’s ironic or if the scammers are being trolls at this point.

  Of course, the victim is going to say they did not make this purchase. However, to further entice the victim, the scammers say that they will be issuing a credit to the victim’s account. The victim is then asked for their three digit security number from the back of their card to confirm that they are the cardholder.

  The reason the scammers are asking for the security number and not the card number itself is because the scammers already have the card number. The security number is the only piece of information they need to start using the victim’s credit card for fraudulent purchases. The card numbers are often made available to scammers through no fault of the cardholder. The card numbers are often sold in the dark corners of the internet after a major data breach.

  If you receive one of these calls, do not give any personal information to the caller. Real credit card representatives will already have all of that information. Instead, hang up the call and check your credit card account for any fraudulent activity. Even if you don’t see any fraudulent activity on your card, call the card’s customer service department at the number listed on the back of your card, or from the card company’s website. If it turns out it was a scammer who called you, let your credit card company know, so they can be on the lookout for fraudulent activity.