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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 28, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Facebook Marketplace ( 66 ), fake websites, google voice ( 13 ), red light camera, Scams ( 1,595 ), traffic tickets ( 5 ), traveling ( 16 ), TSA PreCheck ( 2 ), two factor authentication ( 18 )   

  Scam Round Up: Red Lights, the TSA, and Google Voice 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Every so often, we come across scams that may not warrant an entire blog post. So here are three scams that caught our attention this week that be briefly summed up.

  In Renton, Washington, scammers are sending emails to victims claiming that the victim ran a red light and was caught on one of the city’s red light cameras. The email contains a link where you’re supposed to pay your fine but, of course, goes to the scammer instead. What makes this scam effective is that many jurisdictions use a third party online platform to collect some traffic fines. However, you can tell that this is a scam since most, if not all, cities send their red light tickets through the postal mail and not by email. Most states don’t even have your email address connected to your license plate number.

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  If you travel a lot for business or leisure, you may have thought of signing up for TSA PreCheck. This program allows low-risk individuals to pay for a service where they can have an expedited security check when flying. As with a lot of government services, scammers are trying to trick PreCheck seekers into giving up their personal info by creating phony websites that claim they can register you with PreCheck. Again, there is a simple solution to this scam, but not everyone is aware of it. Only websites that have a .gov address can register you for PreCheck. Some of these scam websites may even have a .us address. Anybody can purchase a .us domain name, and it is not under the authority of the US Government. You can apply for TSA PreCheck at the TSA website.

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  Our last scam for today is one we’ve previously discussed and also affects Geebo’s industry. If you’re selling something online, whether it’s with Geebo or someone else, be wary if someone says they want to prove ‘you’re real’. An authorization code will be sent to you and the buyer will ask for that code number. Do not give it to them. They’re trying to set up a Google Voice number that would be tied to your phone number. This way, they could continue scamming people using the Google Voice number, but would be traced back to you. This recently happened to a woman from New Hampshire who was selling her items on Facebook Marketplace.

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  Please keep in mind that even though these scams may not be happening in your area, that doesn’t mean that it soon won’t be.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 23, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: fake websites, online shopping ( 40 ), retail ( 49 ), Scams ( 1,595 )   

  Why does this online shopping scam send the wrong items? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Most shoppers are always looking for a good bargain. No one wants to pay more money than they have to. Sometimes we see a bargain that’s so tempting it’s almost impossible to pass up, and we forget the golden rule of online shopping. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That’s what online scammers are hoping anyway. These scammers set up legitimate-looking websites that pretend to sell items at cut rate prices. However, what you order isn’t always what you get.

  For example, a man in Tennessee wanted to buy a greenhouse for his wife’s garden. The advertised price of the greenhouse was around $25. Comparable greenhouses typically go for around $150-$200. That’s a price cut of over 85%. Instead of getting a greenhouse, he was shipped a pair of gardening gloves that probably cost less than a dollar to produce.

  Similarly, a woman from Ohio ordered a space heater from one of these scam websites. The item was 1/3 the price than it was on Amazon. She even did her research to make sure that the website was based in the US and not overseas. Her research showed that the website was based in Marietta, Georgia. So she ordered the heater and received a straw hat instead.

  The scammers send these cheap items instead of the actual goods to fight order disputes. When the victim tries to dispute the charges, the scammers just say that an item was delivered. For too many payment processors, this is a good enough reason to rule in the scammer’s favor. You might be able to fight the charges if you used a credit card, but if you used a debit card or a payment service like PayPal, there’s a good chance you’ll never see that money again.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on May 24, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: economic impact payment ( 22 ), fake websites, identity theft ( 129 ), phishing ( 89 ), Scams ( 1,595 ), stimulus checks ( 20 )   

  Scammers are still using stimulus checks as bait 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Even after a year and three stimulus payments from the government, scammers are still using the promise of stimulus checks as bait in their ongoing scams. When the stimulus payments were issued, most taxpayers received their payments by direct deposit in their bank accounts. However, for various reasons, a large section of the population had great difficulty in receiving their payments. Scammers are now said to be trying to take advantage of those people in this latest scam.

  According to reports, scammers are sending out emails promising to help its recipients obtain unclaimed stimulus money. The email has a link which takes victims to a website which asks for your personal information, so they can send you information on how to apply for unclaimed stimulus checks. This could lead to a number of scams. First and foremost it could be a front for identity theft, especially if the scammers ask for financial information. This also reminds us of the unclaimed property scam where scammers could be charging money to help you obtain stimulus money that they have no intentions of delivering.

  Please keep in mind that the only people who can help you with a stimulus related issue is the IRS. The IRS will never send out unsolicited text messages or emails, and they only tend to communicate by mail. Anybody else who is promising to get you stimulus money is more than likely a con artist. If you have had issues with getting your stimulus payments, the best place to go to resolve the issue is the IRS’s Economic Impact Payments website. If you think you may have unclaimed money that’s not related to the stimulus payments, you can go to the USA.gov website.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 1, 2020 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: fake websites, Playstation 5 ( 2 ), retail ( 49 ), Scams ( 1,595 ), video games ( 3 ), Xbox Series X   

  Video game consoles are the new scam item 

  

  The hot new items this holiday season are the latest generation of video game consoles, the Playstation 5 and the Xbox Series X. The consoles were released last month and due to the pandemic and scalpers, the consoles have been in short supply. The demand has gotten so high that some scalpers have even been robbed when trying to sell an overpriced unit. While we can’t tell you how to get your hands on one of the new consoles, we can tell you how not to get scammed if you’re looking to buy one this holiday season.

  The main way to prevent yourself from being scammed is sticking with known retailers, both online and brick and mortar. While you’re searching online for a console, you may start to see ads for websites advertising the new consoles from retailers you’ve never heard of. Before clicking on that ad, research the retailer. Do a web search of the retailer’s name with the word ‘scam’ and see what comes up. If you try to use one of these scam sites, you could potentially end up providing scammers with your credit or debit card information.

  If you’re the type that has no reservations about dealing with scalpers, stick with sites like eBay that offer some kind of purchase protection. If you’re lucky enough to find one of the consoles on a classifieds site, make the exchange at your local police department. Also, inspect the box before buying as some scammers will put things like bricks and phone books in the box to make it seem heavy.

  The best advice we can give you is to just keep periodically checking with known retailers. You may just get lucky with your perseverance. However, if for some reason you’re not able to get a console this holiday season, keep in mind that there really aren’t any must-have games for either console yet.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 2, 2020 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: fake websites, laptops ( 4 ), Scams ( 1,595 )   

  Fake websites are scamming laptop shoppers 

  

  Back when pandemic panic was at its peak, scammers didn’t hesitate to start fleecing people when it came to the online sales of masks, gloves, and toilet paper. In several cases, scammers set up phony websites claiming to sell these items only to steal your money and send you nothing. Now, the scammers are back with the same tactic except for a different product.

  Laptop computers have been in short supply for some time. With new people now working from home the supply was already limited. Now, add to that the fact that many students either have started or will start school shortly. In many cases, these students will need laptops to take to and from class. Not every school can provide a laptop to students and not every family can afford a new laptop.

  Scammers are aware of this and have started to set up fake websites that claim to sell laptops at bargain prices. A man from the Cincinnati area recently lost $125 to one of these legitimate-looking websites. The phony computer store gave an address of a Staples office supply store that has no connection with the scammers.

  If you’re in the market for a new laptop, stick to the well-known retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy just to name a few. However, you can also shop at the manufacturer’s website. Companies like Lenovo and Dell are constantly having sales and often have discounts for students. There are budget laptops you can buy for around $200 but keep in mind they may be slower than the average laptop and not have as much storage but for writing web browsing they would be just fine.

  If you decided to go the used laptop route there are plenty of options for you. eBay is a great place to find a laptop that may be a few years old but still delivers the performance a student may need. We recommend not buying a laptop made before 2011 but your experience may vary. You can also look to see if there is a computer recycling center in your area or check your local thrift shops. Your local computer repair store may also have a selection of used laptops for sale. You’ll probably want to avoid Craigslist considering how problematic their platform is.