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  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 23, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: mail fraud, , , , ,   

    Protect Yourself from Holiday Delivery Scams 

    Protect Yourself from Holiday Delivery Scams

    By Greg Collier

    The week leading up to Christmas is a pivotal time for those relying on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to send or receive last-minute packages. With millions of pieces of mail being delivered daily during the holiday season, consumers eagerly awaiting their deliveries are often targeted by scammers using deceptive tactics.

    One of the most prevalent schemes during this time is the use of fraudulent text messages designed to appear as legitimate delivery updates from the USPS. These messages often include a web link or phone number, prompting recipients to provide personal or financial information. However, if you haven’t specifically signed up for USPS tracking updates, any unsolicited communication should raise a red flag.

    This type of scam, known as ‘smishing’, involves using text messages to lure individuals into sharing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, or payment details. Fraudsters often impersonate trusted entities like government agencies or financial institutions to make their requests seem credible. Once they obtain this information, it can be sold on the dark web or used for further fraudulent activities.

    Smishing messages are crafted to exploit the recipient’s sense of urgency or curiosity. During the holiday season, when people are keenly tracking their packages, these scams become even more convincing. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service cautions against responding to any unexpected messages, particularly those that request account verification or payment details.

    USPS officials emphasize that the agency does not send unsolicited text messages regarding packages. If you receive such a message, avoid clicking on links, replying, or calling any numbers provided. Instead, independently verify the sender’s legitimacy by visiting the organization’s official website or contacting their customer service using trusted contact information.

    The USPS offers several secure methods for tracking your mail and packages. When you send a package, the receipt includes a tracking number. This number can be entered on the USPS website to check delivery status. Official replies will always include USPS branding, the tracking number, and delivery details.

    Another useful tool is USPS Informed Delivery, which provides an email preview of incoming mail and packages. Signing up for these services ensures you can stay informed without relying on unsolicited notifications.

    Always remember that legitimate organizations, including the USPS, will not request personal or financial information via text message. If you receive a suspicious message, delete it immediately and do not engage with the sender. Enable two-factor authentication for online accounts to add an extra layer of protection, and regularly monitor your financial statements for unauthorized activity.

    During the holiday season, as you wait for your packages to arrive, taking these precautions can help safeguard your personal information. By using the USPS’s official tools and staying alert, you can ensure your holiday deliveries are secure and stress-free.

     

  • Geebo 9:01 am on December 19, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , mail fraud, ,   

    Understanding the Nationwide Brushing Scam 

    Understanding the Nationwide Brushing Scam

    By Greg Collier

    Brushing scams are a growing concern across the nation, particularly as the holiday season brings an uptick in parcel deliveries. These scams involve receiving unordered packages, often containing small gifts such as jewelry, electronics, or other items. While these packages may seem harmless or even generous, they are typically part of a larger scheme designed to manipulate online marketplaces and deceive consumers.

    The essence of brushing scams lies in using unsuspecting recipients as unwitting participants in fake product reviews. Scammers send products to random addresses to create a record of delivery. This allows them to post fraudulent reviews under the recipient’s name on platforms like Amazon or eBay, falsely bolstering the reputation of third-party sellers. The goal is to make products appear more popular and trustworthy than they truly are.

    An alarming trend within this scam involves QR codes included with the packages. These codes often invite recipients to scan them to ‘confirm delivery’ or to find out more about the sender. Scanning such a code can redirect individuals to potentially malicious websites, prompting them to download apps or provide sensitive information. While scanning the code itself does not inherently compromise devices, the actions taken afterward, such as granting permissions or entering personal details, can put individuals at risk.

    The unsolicited nature of the packages is a key red flag. Authorities recommend not scanning any QR codes from unknown sources and refraining from engaging with the content or contact information provided in the package. Instead, consumers are advised to check their accounts for unusual activity, such as unauthorized purchases or changes to account details.

    Brushing scams are not confined to any specific region; reports have surfaced across the United States, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. This underscores the importance of being cautious and staying informed. If you receive an unexpected package, it is critical to exercise restraint and avoid interacting with any prompts it contains. Contacting the retailer listed on the shipping label can provide further clarification and help mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.

    To enhance personal security, it is recommended to regularly monitor online accounts for suspicious activity and update passwords periodically. While receiving an unexpected gift might initially seem like a pleasant surprise, it is important to recognize the potential risks and take appropriate measures to safeguard personal information. Staying informed is the best defense against scams like these, which continue to exploit unsuspecting consumers nationwide.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on March 12, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: mail fraud, , , ,   

    Postcards promising unclaimed cash used in scam 

    Postcards promising unclaimed cash used in scam

    By Greg Collier

    Unclaimed property refers to any financial asset or property that has been abandoned or left dormant by its rightful owner for an extended period of time. This could include dormant bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, unused gift certificates, forgotten security deposits, unclaimed insurance proceeds, or even abandoned safe deposit boxes.

    When a person or business fails to take action on these assets for a certain period of time, the property is considered abandoned or unclaimed. State laws require financial institutions, businesses, and other entities to turn over unclaimed property to the state’s unclaimed property office, where they hold it until the rightful owner comes forward to claim it.

    States have various ways of trying to locate and return unclaimed property to its rightful owners, including maintaining searchable online databases, sending notifications to potential owners, and conducting outreach campaigns.

    What these states don’t do is send out postcards falsely claiming you have unclaimed money redeemable at retailers like Walmart or Target, as recently experienced by many Florida residents.

    Numerous Sunshine State residents received such postcards in their mailboxes, offering a $100 voucher valid at popular retailers. Mirroring typical scams, these postcards urged recipients to act swiftly, warning that the voucher would expire soon.

    Recipients are supplied with a phone number to claim their reward, which the notice states can be redeemed at major retailers such as Target and Walmart. Upon calling, individuals are prompted to provide personal information under the guise of confirming their identity.

    A Florida resident recounted calling the number and being prompted to disclose her date of birth. However, upon the request for credit card information by the individual on the other end, she promptly terminated the call.

    In the United States, there is typically no charge associated with searching for or claiming unclaimed property. However, there are third-party consultants who may offer their assistance in locating and claiming unclaimed property for a fee.

    These third-party services are generally legal, but you should be cautious before entering into a contract with any third-party organization that contacts you to assist in claiming your unclaimed property. This caution is necessary to avoid potential scams.

    If you receive unsolicited correspondence such as a letter, phone call, or email from an unfamiliar source, exercise caution. Legitimate companies typically refrain from contacting individuals in this manner unless prior permission has been granted.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 12, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , mail fraud, ,   

    FBI warns of scam letters sent in their name 

    FBI warns of scam letters sent in their name

    By Greg Collier

    The El Paso, Texas office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has issued an alert about scammers posing as their office. Letters are being sent to El Paso residents that are official looking and appear to be on FBI stationery.

    The letter claims it’s regarding an identity theft case that involves Bank of America. The letter goes on to state the recipient’s bank account with Bank of America has now been secured, but was suspected by US Customs and Border Patrol of being part of an identity theft scheme. The scam letter even contains warnings that it is sensitive material and should not be shared.

    The El Paso FBI Office states the scammers are trying to get victims to pay the scammers in cryptocurrency or other funds, but doesn’t explain how. If you take a look at a copy of the letter the FBI has released, it has the official contact information of the El Paso office on it, albeit signed by a fictitious special agent.

    Typically, when scammers send out letters impersonating an agency or business, false contact information will be included, so the recipient would call the scammer, and not the entity they’re impersonating. It could be that the FBI intentionally left that information off the letter, so people don’t call the scammers. Or, these letters could be followed up by a scammer’s phone campaign where they call the letter’s recipients, furthering their scam.

    Either way, it’s easy to spot that this letter is a fake, as the second time they print Bank of America, the bank’s name is not capitalized. Not to mention, many recipients probably don’t even bank with B of A.

    We’d be remiss if we didn’t say this reminds us of a popular phone scam. In that scam, the scammers will call a victim posing as either, the FBI, US Marshals, or Border Patrol. The scammers will tell their victims that a car rented in the victim’s name has been found along the southern border that contained drugs. The victim is typically threatened with arrest, but they can make the warrant go away if they just pay the fake officer or agent directly.

    Please keep in mind, no law enforcement agency will ever call you up or ask you for money, nor will they send letters. If you owe any kind of legal fine or court cost, that correspondence usually comes from the court and not the police.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 7, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , infidelity letter scam, mail fraud,   

    Scam letter accuses victim of infidelity 

    Scam letter accuses victim of infidelity

    By Greg Collier

    We try to keep our stories as family-friendly as possible. So, please excuse us if we verbally dance around certain topics. However, today’s scam was just too good of a story to pass up. It’s an old scam that predates the internet, and we’re pretty sure it was featured on multiple detective shows from the 1970s and before.

    It’s called the ‘infidelity letter scam’ or the ‘cheating spouse scam’. It typically involves sending a letter to a spouse, alleging that their partner is engaging in an extramarital affair. The scammer aims to create doubt, suspicion, and conflict within the relationship, often with the intention of extorting money or causing emotional distress.

    The letter may contain false evidence, fabricated details, or anonymous claims about the alleged infidelity. The scammer might demand a payment to keep the information confidential or threaten to expose the affair publicly if the recipient does not comply.

    This recently happened in a Houston, Texas neighborhood, where 10 residents have come forward saying they received these letters. In this instance, the letter was supposedly written by a woman named Gina. The letter also included a picture of Gina’s license and Social Security card as proof of authenticity. Unfortunately, whoever’s card they used is also a victim, as that person has a documented claim of identity theft.

    The letter goes on to ask for ‘a reasonable offer’ for the letter writer’s confidentiality. The money is supposed to go to the medical bills for the child the supposed cheating spouse had with the letter writer.

    Of course, the accusations aren’t true, but thanks to social media, it’s not difficult for scammers to find victims and write them by name.

    It’s important to be cautious if you receive such a letter. Seek evidence or clarification before making any decisions. If you suspect a scam, report it to the relevant authorities, such as local law enforcement, to help prevent others from falling victim to the scam.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on February 8, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , macOS, mail fraud, ,   

    Scam Round Up: Scammers entering seniors’ homes and more 

    By Greg Collier

    This week in the Round Up, we have an old scam that homeowners should still be aware of. We also have two new scams, with one of them having chilling implications.

    ***

    Do you know why we’re always talking about Windows pop-up scams and not Apple ones? It’s not because macOS is any more secure than Windows. It’s mainly because Apple only has 17.2% of the market share when it comes to computers. Essentially, it’s not worth it for scammers and hackers to target Mac users. That doesn’t mean that macOS is completely free of scams.

    Recently, at least one Mac user has reported getting a scam pop-up on their Mac. It was disguised as one of macOS’ notification pop-ups. It was even complete with the system settings icon. The pop-up says that your iCloud account has been hacked and asks the user to click here to remove the virus. Your iCloud account being hacked and having a virus are two separate things. Never click on anything that says click here now when it comes to potential security risks on your Mac.

    If history is any indicator, if you click the notification, you’ll either have malware injected into your device, or you’ll be taken to a scam site that will ask for your personal information.

    ***

    Minnesota’s homeowners are being warned about letters that tell them their home warranty is about to expire. These are scam letters which are trying to get you to divulge your credit or debit card information to the scammers. According to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, these scammers will try to tell you that they have some kind of arrangement with the mortgage company, HOA, or county deeds office.

    If you receive a letter like this, just dispose of it. If you’re looking to purchase a home warranty, always check for reviews and complaints to make sure the company is legitimate.

    ***

    Lastly, the residents of Pulaski County in Virginia are being warned of a disturbing scam that’s targeting seniors. Authorities there have reported that a number of seniors have had scammers showing up to their homes posing as agents of the state’s Department of Health. Once inside the home, the scammers are asking victim’s for personal information and taking pictures of the homes’ interiors.

    If someone like this approaches your home, always ask to see their identification. Also, don’t be hesitant to call police if they start pressuring you to enter your home.

    ***

    As always, just because these scams aren’t currently happening in your area, doesn’t mean they won’t come there eventually. Now you have the knowledge to protect yourself from them.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on February 7, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , mail fraud, ,   

    New scam targets taxpayers 

    By Greg Collier

    In previous posts about tax season, we’ve warned our readers about the typical scams they might encounter. One of the tips we always give is that the IRS will never call or email you about your income tax return. Instead, the agency sends their notices through postal mail. But what if you got something in the mail that said you owed tax money? That’s what residents of Pennsylvania are having to deal with right now.

    Residents of the Keystone State have already started receiving letters in the mail which claim they owe the state a substantial amount in back taxes. Moreover, the letters residents are receiving threaten them with both wage garnishment and seizure of property if the bill is not paid. The letters are even labeled with “Final Demand for Payment”.

    All of these threats are part of common tactics used in most scams. First, the scammer wants you to have a sense of panic upon seeing the letter. They’re hoping to scare you into sending them a payment without doing any further research. Then the scammers increase the urgency of that fear by using threats of financial loss.

    If you receive a letter like this, don’t panic. Do your research. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, these letters are supposedly being sent by the ‘Tax Assessment Procedures Domestic Judgment Registry’. There is no such office or department in the state of Pennsylvania, or any other state for that matter. A quick Google search turns up a number of state complaints about this scam.

    Also, never call any phone number that may be included in the contents of the letter. That number will just be manned by scammers looking to intimidate you further into making a payment. Instead, go to your state’s Department of Revenues website to locate their direct contact information. They should be able to provide you with correct information about any possible tax balances.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 19, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , mail fraud, ,   

    Scam Round Up: Fake check scam targets lower income families and more 

    Scam Round Up: Fake check scam targets lower income families and more

    By Greg Collier

    This week on the round up we’re bringing you two scams that take advantage of the disadvantaged and one that can affect any business and its customers.

    ***

    The business email compromise scam is one of the more insidious scams. While it targets businesses, it’s usually the customers who lose the most. This is when scammers hijack a business’ email client and use it to deceive customers into making payments to the scammers. Typically, we’ve seen this when scammers convince homebuyers to send their closing costs to the scammers.

    More recently, scammers hijacked the email client of a roofing company in Florida. If you’ll recall, many Florida residents are still recovering from Hurricane Ian. The scammers sent emails to customers asking them to send their payments through the Zelle payment app. One customer lost $1800 to the scammers.

    If a business that you’re dealing with that you’re expected to make a large payment to, be wary if you’re suddenly asked to pay in nontraditional means. These can be payment apps like Venmo and Zelle, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency just to name a few. If you receive one of these emails, call the business to verify the payment request.

    ***

    Our next scam is one of the oldest scams out there and predates the internet. Residents in Pennsylvania have reported receiving letters in the mail that are promising them an inheritance. This isn’t just a tired plot device from old TV shows, and victims have fallen for this scam.

    One of two things typically happen with the inheritance scam. The victim is either asked to make some kind of payment to secure the inheritance, or they’re asked for their banking information. Either way, it can be a devastating financial loss for the victims, especially if they’re in desperate financial need.

    If you receive one of these letters, toss it in the trash. The odds that the letter is legitimate are slim. If you still think there’s an outside chance it might be real, check your family lineage first before making any payments.

    ***

    Our last scam is quite an insidious one. Scammers are sending fake checks to families in traditionally low-income areas. Victims are being told that they’re receiving a payment from UNICEF because of their income status.

    As with any fake check scam, the victims are being instructed to deposit the check and are being asked to send a portion of the payment to a third party. Some of the checks have been as much as $9600.

    If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you’ll know that the banks will allow the victims to access that money as a courtesy before the bank discovers the check is fraudulent. Then the victim is responsible for paying the amount of the check back to the bank. Meanwhile, the scammers make off with the amount that the victim sent to the third party.

    If you receive a check in the mail you’re not expecting, dispose of it. Especially if you’re being asked to send a part of it somewhere else. That can only end up as a substantial financial loss.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 11, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , mail fraud, ,   

    New Social Security scam uses old form of contact 

    New Social Security scam uses old form of contact

    By Greg Collier

    For a few years now, there have been scams that threaten to suspend a victim’s Social Security number. In one of the more common instances of these scams, scammers will call their victims, posing as either law enforcement or the Social Security Administration. Typically, the scammers will their victims that their Social Security number was used in the commission of a crime. The scammers will often tell their victims that a car was rented near the Southern Border using their Social Security number and that drugs were found in the car. If the victims don’t pay an immediate fine, their Social Security number will be suspended and they could face possible prosecution.

    Before we get to the new version of this scam, we’d like to reassure our readers that none of these things can happen. A Social Security number cannot be suspended, and neither the police nor the SSA will ever call you to threaten you with arrest.

    As we said, typically this scam is done over the phone. However, a new version of this scam is using an older method of communication that makes the scam appear more legitimate. People have recently reported receiving letters in the mail that threaten them with the suspension of their Social Security number. The letters claim to be from the SSA and threaten the recipient with suspension in 24 hours. The letters go on to say that due to criminal activity in Texas, the victim’s Social Security number is involved in a multimillion dollar fraud. The letter then directs the recipient to call a toll-free number to settle matters.

    According to news reports, the letters contain clues that it’s a scam. For example, the letters aren’t addressed to anyone by name. The letters also use the European date format, which uses the date first and then the month. That’s not even taking into account that how can a number be suspended in 24 hours if the sender has no idea when the letter will get there?

    While the SSA does its legitimate communications through the mail, any letter that claims to be from them that comes off as threatening should be questioned. No recipient should ever call the phone number in the letter, as it will go to a scammer looking to steal the victim’s money and identity. Instead, call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 9, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , mail fraud, , ,   

    Scam steals your mail without coming to your home 

    By Greg Collier

    Previously, we’ve discussed scams that involve stealing your mail from your mailbox. Check washing is a major problem with that. Scammers steal mail for a number of reasons, but mostly for identity theft reasons. Even junk mail can open an avenue into your personal information to scammers. However, there are some scammers who don’t even need to go to your home to steal your mail.

    The state of Wisconsin is warning its residents to be aware if they stop receiving mail at their homes. Scammers there are said to be using USPS’ change of address options to have victims’ mail delivered straight to the scammers. . Just about anyone can go to the post office and change someone’s mailing address.

    When someone does fill out a change of address form, the USPS sends a confirmation letter to the old address letting residents know that their mailing address is about to change. While you can check your mailbox every day, a lot of us aren’t home during the day, and scammers have been known to stalk their victims’ mailboxes and take what they need, this could include the confirmation letter.

    However, if you do receive the confirmation letter, and you haven’t changed your address, go to the post office immediately and report it.

    A good way to protect yourself from this scam is to switch to paperless banking and bills. Another good way is to sign up for the USPS’s Informed Delivery service. It’s free, and every day you receive postal mail, you’ll receive an email with pictures of your scanned mail letting you know what to expect in that day’s mail. That way, you can see if a change of address letter has been sent to you before someone can take it from your mailbox.

     

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