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  Geebo 9:00 am on November 6, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: gift cards ( 102 ), Google ( 30 ), Google Play Store ( 2 ), grants, Judy May, Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Google Cleared of Liability in Gift Card Scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A recent ruling underscores the complex legal landscape surrounding tech giants, gift cards, and consumer fraud. In a case reported by Ars Technica, a federal judge granted Google’s motion to dismiss a proposed class-action suit brought by Judy May, a consumer who fell victim to a prevalent form of fraud involving Google Play gift cards. Despite losing $1,000 to scammers in 2021, May’s claims were largely dismissed as the court found Google had no duty to refund her.

  The details of the case highlight how scammers manipulate consumers, often using gift cards as a primary ‘currency’. Victims like May are typically tricked into purchasing these cards with promises of a prize or urgent financial need. In May’s case, scammers convinced her to purchase Google Play gift cards as an upfront cost to unlock a government grant. Upon realizing she’d been defrauded, May reached out to Google, only to be informed that refunds were not possible under Google’s terms of service, terms that she felt were ‘unconscionable’.

  May’s complaint argued that Google is aware of the use of its gift cards in scams, pointing to data showing Google Play gift cards comprised a significant portion of reported scams from 2018 to 2021, with the Federal Trade Commission noting losses of over $17 million. She suggested that Google could take steps to warn customers, such as placing warnings on gift cards, but no such warning was provided.

  In court, Google contended that it did not encourage or induce May to make the purchase; rather, the scammers did. The judge agreed, ruling that Google bore no liability since the economic harm May experienced stemmed directly from the scammers, not from any action by Google itself. May argued that Google indirectly profits from these scams by taking a 15 to 30 percent commission on gift card purchases within the Play Store, but this claim did not sway the court.

  The judge noted that May had not used the gift cards “in their designed way” and that Google had no obligation to issue a refund, as May’s funds weren’t considered “stolen” when she made the purchase.

  May also claimed that Google’s technology could potentially track and prevent transactions associated with scams. However, the court found that May failed to show any duty on Google’s part to investigate or prevent such activity, particularly in her case.

  For victims like May, the ruling is a reminder of the limitations in pursuing refunds for gift card scams through legal channels. In cases where these cards are used fraudulently, it’s not uncommon for large companies to point to refund policies similar to those upheld by major retailers. Google, in this case, referenced policies from Target and Walmart, which also do not issue refunds in similar situations.

  Often, gift card scam victims are left without recourse when companies decline to reimburse fraudulent transactions. While this case reinforces Google’s lack of liability, it also spotlights the vulnerability of consumers to scams exploiting loopholes in refund policies.

  Consumers should be aware that gift cards are intended for personal use within the brand’s ecosystem, not as a payment method for debts, fines, or grants. Until systemic changes are made, consumers must stay vigilant, as tech companies may not be required to intervene or compensate for losses in these situations.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 29, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), government scams ( 6 ), grants, identity theft ( 108 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), TikTok ( 10 )   

  When old scams become new: TikTok scam promises free money 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A prevalent scam frequently encountered on Facebook is the government grant scam. This usually occurs when scammers gain unauthorized access to someone’s Facebook account. They then exploit this access to send messages to the victim’s friends, claiming they’ve received a significant government grant and anyone can apply. These messages include a link for recipients to purportedly apply for the grant.

  In this scam, the trick lies in scammers posing as government representatives who then request payment from victims under false pretenses, often citing processing fees or taxes. This deceptive practice is commonly referred to as the advance fee scam, where individuals are asked to pay money upfront in order to receive promised funds.

  When a social network emerges with a predominantly young audience, scammers adapt their tactics to better appeal to this demographic. They might tweak the scam’s messaging, incorporating language and content that resonates with younger users.

  According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers on TikTok are luring users with the promise of a $6,400 government grant, targeting individuals earning less than $50,000 annually. Given the economic challenges many young people face today, this offer may seem particularly appealing to a significant portion of the younger population.

  In the TikTok scam, perpetrators use videos featuring individuals who purport to have successfully applied for and received the grant. However, these individuals are often victims of the scam themselves. As part of the deception, scammers may condition the release of the promised payment on the victim creating their own video endorsing the legitimacy of the grant program.

  The BBB also reports the scam on TikTok might not necessarily be seeking payment from victims, but rather aiming to harvest their personal data.

  If a grant or financial assistance program requires payment upfront, question its legitimacy. Legitimate government grants typically do not require payment in advance. Avoid providing personal or financial information to unknown individuals or entities online, especially in response to unsolicited messages or requests. Take the time to research any offers or opportunities thoroughly before taking action. Look for reviews, feedback, or reports from trusted sources to validate the legitimacy of the offer. Lastly, Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they promise large sums of money for minimal effort or qualifications.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on April 17, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cancer ( 3 ), Facebook ( 180 ), grants, healthcare ( 39 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), social media ( 81 )   

  Cancer patient targeted in scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A Utah woman who is currently undergoing cancer treatment almost fell victim to a scam at probably the most vulnerable time of her life. As you may expect, her treatments are expensive, and she was looking for any kind of financial assistance to help pay her medical bills. She received a message from a Facebook friend who offered to help her apply for a grant that would help pay for her medical expenses. With some of her treatments costing thousands of dollars each, she was open to the idea.

  If you’re a regular reader, you already know this is a common scam that takes place on Facebook. These grants that ‘friends’ keep promising don’t actually exist. In a typical grant scam, the victim will be directed to a phony website where they’ll be asked for all their personal and financial information. Then the victim will be asked for a payment under the guise of a processing fee.

  This is precisely what happened to the Utah woman. She was directed to a website to fill out an application, but in the middle of the process she got a bad feeling and cancelled the application.

  She messaged her Facebook friend saying she was going to think about it. The friend started pressuring her to complete the application. When the woman insisted she wasn’t going to, the Facebook friend disappeared.

  As you can probably surmise, her Facebook friend had their account hacked and taken over by scammers. Who knows for how long, but it was long enough to find someone who was battling an expensive illness.

  Any financial grant giver, whether it’s from the government or a nonprofit, will not approach you. You need to search them out first. Unless your Facebook friend works for the government or non-profit, it’s very unlikely they are going to put in the legwork for you.

  That’s not to say there aren’t any assistance grants out there to help you. We recommend going to the USA.gov website to help you find any legitimate grants you may be eligible for.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 21, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank scam ( 72 ), grants, phishing ( 77 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), social media ( 81 ), workers' comp ( 2 )   

  Scam Round Up: Why we keep receiving scam messages and more 

  

  By Greg Collier

  This week on the Round Up, we’re going to discuss two familiar scams in new clothes, and a look into the scam process itself.

  ***

  Our first scam is a good old phishing scam. If you’re not familiar with the term phishing, it’s when scammers send out messages hoping to get personal information from their victims. It’s like the scammers are on a fishing expedition for victims.

  Bank information is a big target for scammers, and the latest scam is going after the banking login information of its victims. In Virginia, it’s being reported that residents there are receiving emails that appear to be coming from their bank with official logos and everything.

  The emails claim that the bank has a new security procedure in place and provides a link for their users to log in. The link will actually take the victim to a page that looks like the bank’s official login page, but will instead steal the user’s login information.

  Never click on any links in an email or text message from someone you don’t know personally. And always check the URL of any page you’re on to make sure it’s legitimate before logging in.

  ***

  There’s a new scam circulating on social media where a victim can be promised as much as $1 million. This scam happens when you receive a direct message from a friend who says they saw your name on a list of people who are owed unclaimed workers’ compensation. Except, the friend is actually a scammer who has hijacked your friend’s account. The scammer then tells you to call an ‘agent’ at a certain phone number who can help you. If someone calls the number, not only will they be asked for their personal information, but they’ll be told there will be a payment for the process. This is very similar to the government grant scam, where victims are promised free money. This also known as the advance fee scam. When it comes to things like grants and compensation, you should never have to pay money to get money.

  ***

  Lastly, have you ever wondered why you might be receiving scam messages even though you’re careful with your contact information? For example, you may not give your phone number or email address to too many people outside of those in your inner circle. Yet, you still get scam texts, calls, and emails. So, how does that happen?

  Scammers always cast a wide net in order to lure in a handful of victims. They cast the widest net by sending their messages at random to any combination of email addresses and phone numbers. If a scammer gets a reply from any one of these millions of guesses, they know there’s a real person at that email address or phone number.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 25, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), grants, medical expenses ( 5 ), medical scams ( 21 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  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.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 14, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), Facebook ( 180 ), Facebook Messenger ( 4 ), grants, Messenger ( 4 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), workers' comp ( 2 )   

  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.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 10, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), gas relief ( 2 ), government scams ( 6 ), grants, Scams ( 1,386 )   

  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.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 28, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), Facebook ( 180 ), grants, Scams ( 1,386 ), social media ( 81 )   

  Grant money scam returns to social media 

  

  By Greg Collier

  When we say the government grant scam has returned to social media, it really never left. However, we’ve seen a number of reports about the scam this week. The way the scam typically works is you’ll receive a message on social media from a friend, telling you they received substantial grant money from the government, and you can too. In reality, your friend’s social media account has been hacked and is being used by scammers. In what’s known as the advance fee scam, the scammers will try to get you to pay fictitious taxes or a processing fee to get the phony grant. This can end up costing a victim of this scam thousands of dollars.

  For example, a woman in Nebraska recently fell victim to this scam. She had received a message from a relative on Facebook. The message said she could receive $100,000 in grant money. She thought the grant was some form of pandemic financial assistance. She ended up paying $5,000 to the scammers in prepaid debit cards. Not only was she dealt a financial loss, but scammers may have stolen her identity as well. The scammers had asked her for a copy of her driver’s license as part of the phony application process. With that kind of information, identity thieves can open any number of financial accounts in the victim’s name.

  The way you can tell this is a scam is that the government doesn’t ask for money when approving an actual grant. And if the government did ask for money, they wouldn’t ask for it in prepaid debit cards or gift cards. If you receive one of these messages on social media, do not respond to it. Instead, use another method of communication to let your friend or relative know that their account may have been compromised. Since this scam often targets elderly victims, you may want to inform any older relatives you might have if they are active on social media.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 7, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: disabilities, grants, Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 )   

  Scammers target people with disabilities 

  

  By Greg Collier

  We’ve seen no end to the depths that scammers will sink to. We’ve seen them take advantage of disaster victims, the elderly, crime victims, the families of missing persons, and those desperate for housing just to name a few. While we’re sure it’s far from a new thing, we just came across a story where the scammers were purposely targeting people with disabilities. To be more specific, the scammers were targeting those with hearing difficulties.

  An Indiana woman was recently convicted in Federal Court for scamming a Pennsylvania couple out of $500,000. While the report doesn’t say which particular scam was used against the Pennsylvania couple, the woman was said to use a combination of scams. One of the scams was a variation of the sweepstakes scam. The victims were contacted by text, email or social media and were told that they had won a special ‘deaf’ lottery, but they had to pay taxes and processing fees before they could receive the prize.

  The other scam used was said to be the grant scam. Victims were told that they could receive federal grant money. But just like the sweepstakes scam, the victims would need to pay a fee before they receive the grant. The scammers even hijacked social media accounts to make it look like the grant offer was coming from a friend.

  If the victims made an initial payment, the scammers would continue to try to squeeze more money out of their victims for as long as they could.

  The Indiana woman worked as part of an international scam ring that is said to have scammed millions from victims with the woman taking a cool million for herself. We’re pretty confident that these scammers would steal candy from babies if there was any money in it.

  It is actually illegal to charge someone for entering a sweepstakes or charging them to get their prize. That is why sweepstakes always say that no purchase is necessary. As for grants, there are no fees associated with applying for grants. Also keep in mind that the government will not reach out to you to offer grants. You have to approach them. Communication from the government is almost always done through the postal mail.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 11, 2020 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: grants, Scams ( 1,386 ), social media ( 81 )   

  Government grant scammers trying new trick 

  

  The government grant scam is one of the older scams that came along with the advent of social media. How it normally works is you’ll receive a message from someone on your friends list. They’ll tell you about a great opportunity where you can qualify for a government grant and basically receive free money. The message would then direct you to a website where you can apply for the supposed grant.

  If you apply for the grant one of two things usually happens. You could have your identity stolen after submitting your personal information when applying for the grant. The other thing that could happen is that the grant issuers will ask you for a processing fee before issuing the grant.

  What actually has happened is that your friends social media account has been hacked and scammers are using it to send out these grant messages. The grants don’t actually exist and you could be out personal and financial information along with a chunk of your savings.

  Social media platforms have gotten wise to these messages and the scammers know this. Now, these scam messages will try to direct you off of the platform your,e using to try to avoid detection. The message will say something like ‘text me your number if you want to talk about it’. This way the scammers can try to fool you without the social media company seeing the messages.

  if you receive one of these messages on social media, do not respond. If it’s from someone you know personally, use another method of communication to contact them to let them know their account has been compromised.

  As this scam often targets the elderly you may want to let your older family members aware of this scam before they’re taken advantage of.