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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 10, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: gift cards ( 103 ), New Hampshire, recovery scam ( 8 ), Scams ( 1,468 )   

  Rare Chance to Recover Gift Card Scam Losses 

  

  By Greg Collier

  For those who have fallen victim to gift card fraud in the past year and a half, there may be a rare opportunity to recover lost funds. Federal authorities have launched a restitution program targeting a global fraud operation that funneled millions of dollars through New Hampshire.

  This initiative, led by federal investigators and prosecutors, is an effort to return money to victims who unknowingly purchased fraudulent gift cards or were coerced into sending them as part of scams. While scams of this nature are unfortunately common, restitution opportunities are not. It is important to recognize this as an exception rather than the rule. In most cases, once money is lost to fraud, it is nearly impossible to retrieve.

  Authorities uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which fraudulently obtained gift cards were used to purchase high-end electronics, primarily Apple products, which were then resold overseas. Investigators linked the operation to a warehouse in Salem, New Hampshire, where millions of dollars in goods were seized. Those involved in the fraud have pleaded guilty and await sentencing, but law enforcement is now turning its attention to the victims, seeking to provide some measure of financial relief.

  Victims who had funds stolen through this scam between October 1, 2023, and January 11, 2024, may be eligible to submit claims for restitution. Specifically, those who purchased gift cards from major retailers such as Apple, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy should provide their gift card numbers and proof of purchase to federal investigators before the June 30 deadline.

  It is essential to remain cautious when dealing with scams and potential recovery offers. Outside of official government channels like this one, anyone claiming they can recover lost money is likely running a scam themselves. Fraudsters frequently target those who have already been scammed, preying on their desperation to recover funds. Legitimate restitution efforts are rare and always handled by law enforcement, not private individuals or companies offering to ‘get your money back’ for a fee.

  As fraud schemes become more sophisticated, public awareness remains one of the strongest defenses. Anyone affected by this scam is encouraged to share their experience, helping others recognize red flags before falling victim. Staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity can make a difference in preventing further financial losses within the community.

  For those who believe they may qualify for restitution, contact Homeland Security Investigations via HSINewEnglandVictimAssistance@ice.dhs.gov with the required documentation before June 30.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 16, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bail scam ( 15 ), grandparent scam ( 72 ), New Hampshire, Scams ( 1,468 )   

  Why scammers strike twice 

  

  By Greg Collier

  If you’re a regular reader, you’re probably very familiar with the grandparent scam. In case you’re a new reader, the grandparent scam is when scammers will call an elderly victim posing as one of the victim’s grandchildren. They’ll claim they’re in some kind of legal trouble and need money for bail or other legal fees.

  Recently, in Hampton, New Hampshire, an elderly couple was targeted in a grandparent scam. The scammers posed as an attorney’s office, and claimed the couple’s grandson was in a car accident and not only needed money for medical costs, but also legal costs since the scammers said the grandson hit a pregnant woman in the accident.

  As grandparent scammers have been doing lately, the scammers posed as couriers, and picked up close to $10,000 from the couple. However, the scammers are said to have pushed their luck by trying to get more money from the couple. At first, the scammers tried to get $20,000 from the couple, but settled for another $10,000.

  While the couple were withdrawing money from their bank, a bank teller was suspicious and advised the couple about the scam. Local police were contacted and arrested the alleged scammers when they arrived at the couple’s home the second time.

  Many scammers will try to get additional money from a victim if the victim has already paid once. We’ve seen this with sweepstakes scams and other forms of advance fee scam, where the scammers will continue to ask for money but never deliver any benefit to their victims.

  In other instances, if a victim pays once, scammers will make note of that, and try using a different scam on that same victim at a later time. We’ve even hard of some scammers that trade lists of victims with other scammers for money.

  If you or someone you know has fallen victim to any number of phone or internet scams, there’s a good chance they could be targeted again. As such, they should be highly skeptical of phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media messages from strangers.

  As far as the grandparent scam is concerned, anyone who receives that type of call should hang up and call someone who can verify the well-being of the loved one who’s supposedly been arrested. Also, keep in mind police, attorneys, or bail bondsmen will never call you asking for money.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 25, 2021 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Amber Alert ( 2 ), Manchester, New Hampshire, Scams ( 1,468 ), virtual kidnapping ( 47 )   

  Virtual kidnapping scam triggers Amber Alert 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Virtual kidnapping scams are one of the more frightening scams that we discuss. If you’re unaware of how the scam works, you could be ticked into believing that a family member or loved one is in grave danger. The con, of course, is to get you to pay a ransom even though the person who was supposedly kidnapped is fine and isn’t aware of what’s going on. Recently, we posted a story about how a virtual kidnapping call resulted in a potentially volatile situation between the victim and a SWAT team. So, while the supposed kidnapping victim is safe, the scam victim could have their well-being put in jeopardy.

  One such incident recently happened in Manchester, New Hampshire. A victim received a phone call saying that a woman they knew had been kidnapped. In reality, that woman was away from home with her 4-year-old son. While the details are unclear, this resulted in the Manchester police issuing a statewide Amber Alert for both the mother and child. Part of the alert was a description of the woman’s car. The pair was found unharmed, and the mother was completely unaware of what had transpired. She had to have been shaken up when she was informed of the Amber Alert. Incidents like can end up leaving all victims involved with lasting trauma.

  When we first started posting about virtual kidnapping scams, we came across a piece of information that was relayed by law enforcement that we like to remind our readers with these stories. Kidnapping for ransom is very rare in the United States. It seems like it would happen more due to the number of times it appears in TV shows and movies.

  If you ever receive one of these calls, stay on the call, but try to get in touch with the person the scammers have claimed to have kidnapped. Ask to speak to the person they’re claiming to hold hostage and ask them a question that only they would know. You should also be suspicious if they try to get you to make the ransom payment through gift cards or money transfers.

  Since this scam keeps finding victims and the situations involved are starting to get out of hand, we ask that you please share this story or any virtual kidnapping story with your friends and family. The more people who know about the scam, scammers will find fewer victims.