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  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 11, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Scams   

    The $150 Couch That Never Existed: How Marketplace Scammers Are Targeting Holiday Shoppers 

    The $150 Couch That Never Existed: How Marketplace Scammers Are Targeting Holiday Shoppers

    By Greg Collier

    Every holiday season sparks a frenzy of buying and selling—and scammers know exactly how to slip into that chaos.

    A Cozy Deal You Wanted… and a Lie You Never Saw Coming:

    You’re scrolling through your favorite buy-and-sell app when you spot it: a clean, modern sectional at a steal of a price. It looks perfect. It’s available now. And the seller is friendly, helpful, and ready to deliver. What could go wrong?

    Plenty, as one Missouri buyer found out the hard way.

    She paid a deposit. The seller promised delivery. The messages were polite, reassuring, and downright helpful. Then the delivery time came… and went. And the “seller” vanished. The couch never existed.

    It’s a textbook example of a growing holiday scam, one built not on AI images or fake charities this time, but on trust, pressure, and buyers who want to believe a good deal really is a good deal.

    What’s Going On:

    • A desirable item appears on a marketplace app, priced low enough to feel urgent but not suspiciously cheap.
    • The seller offers delivery—solving the buyer’s transportation problem and seeming generous.
    • A deposit is requested. Usually $50–$150. “Just to hold it.” “Just to confirm delivery.”
    • The buyer pays. The communication stays friendly to keep doubts at bay.
    • The scheduled meetup arrives… and no one shows.
    • Reverse image searches reveal the photos came from somewhere else entirely.
    • The seller’s profile? Brand new. No history. No real identity.
    • By then, the money has already vanished.

    Scammers rely on the fact that many buyers, especially during the holidays, are eager to secure items quickly and will pay a small deposit without thinking twice.

    Why It Works:

    • Convenience manipulation: The offer to deliver makes the scam feel helpful, not predatory.
    • Trust-building: Scammers respond politely, promptly, and sympathetically. They mimic “good seller energy.”
    • Deposit psychology: A small upfront payment doesn’t feel risky, especially if the item seems in high demand.
    • Profile gaps go unnoticed: Many shoppers don’t check seller histories or reverse-image search photos.
    • Seasonal urgency: People want to finish holiday shopping fast, and scammers know it.

    This is how honest people get fooled, not because they’re careless, but because scammers are shockingly good at pretending to be human.

    Red Flags:

    • Profiles with little or no history: no posts, no reviews, no community presence.
    • Requests for deposits before meeting, regardless of the amount.
    • Offers to solve your problem (“I can deliver!”) that seem almost too convenient.
    • Photos that look polished or generic—reverse image search exposes them instantly.
    • Sellers who avoid video calls or refuse to show the item in real time.

    Quick Tip: If you haven’t physically seen the item, touched it, tested it, or met the seller, you shouldn’t send a cent. Deposits are a scammer’s favorite door into your wallet.

    What You Can Do:

    • Only exchange money in person once you have the item in front of you.
    • Examine seller profiles for history, reviews, and real activity.
    • Reverse-image search every suspiciously good photo—one click can save you hundreds.
    • Ask sellers to send a real-time photo or short video of the item.
    • If something feels off, trust your instincts and walk away.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Contact your bank or payment app immediately—some platforms can freeze or reverse transfers.
    • Report the fraud to your state’s Attorney General’s office, the Better Business Bureau, and the marketplace platform.
    • Warn your local community groups so the same scammer doesn’t hit someone else.
    • Keep screenshots, receipts, and timestamps—these help investigators trace patterns.

    Final Thoughts:

    Marketplace scams aren’t always glamorous or high-tech. Sometimes they’re built on nothing more than a fake couch, a friendly message, and a well-timed request for a deposit. But the damage feels just as real.

    In the rush of the holiday season, the smartest move you can make is slowing down. Real deals don’t demand deposits from strangers. Real sellers meet you in person. Real items exist in the real world, not just in stolen photos.

    Pause. Check. Verify. That’s how you keep the Grinches from stealing your money this year.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 10, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , bomb threat, , Scams   

    Scam Alert: When a Scam Goes Sideways, Scammers Will Burn You Without a Second Thought 

    By Greg Collier

    This week in Reno, Nevada, a financial scam didn’t just steal money; it nearly turned an innocent victim into the center of a police bomb response.

    And that’s the part people need to understand. When scammers lose control of a situation, they don’t retreat; they escalate.

    They do not pause. They do not care. And they absolutely do not care what happens to you.

    What Happened

    On the afternoon of December 8, Reno police were dispatched to a Wells Fargo branch after reports that a person inside might be carrying a bomb. Officers secured the scene, evacuated customers and employees, and detained the individual involved.

    What police later discovered is far more disturbing than a routine false threat.

    The detained person wasn’t a suspect. They were a victim.

    According to authorities, the victim had been targeted by a scammer impersonating a Wells Fargo employee. The scammer instructed the victim to physically go to the bank and withdraw money, a classic move used to keep victims isolated and compliant.

    Crucially, the scammer stayed on the phone the entire time.

    When the victim tried to verify the caller’s identity by handing the phone to a real Wells Fargo employee, the scammer instantly pivoted.

    Instead of backing off, the scammer told the employee that the person standing in front of them was carrying a bomb.

    That single lie triggered a full emergency response.

    The Scam Escalation Playbook

    This incident perfectly illustrates how modern scams work and how quickly scammers adapt when threatened.

    Scammers rely on:

    • Constant contact (staying on the phone so victims can’t think clearly)
    • Authority impersonation (bank employees, law enforcement, government agencies)
    • Urgency and fear (withdraw money now, or else)

    But when verification threatens the scam, the mask comes off.

    The scammer didn’t argue. They didn’t hang up. They didn’t retreat.

    Instead, they weaponized the victim.

    A single sentence of “That person has a bomb” protected the scammer and pushed the victim directly into danger.

    The Part No One Likes to Talk About

    This could have gone much worse.

    Police responding to an active bomb threat have seconds to make decisions. Officers train for worst-case scenarios. In countless prior incidents nationwide, false reports, misunderstandings, or poor communication have ended with innocent people injured or killed.

    This scam didn’t just risk the victim’s finances. It risked their life.

    And that’s the point worth underlining:

    • Scammers do not care if you get arrested.
    • They do not care if police draw guns on you.
    • They do not care if you get hurt or killed.

    Once the scam is in jeopardy, your safety is irrelevant.

    Why “Just Go to the Bank” Isn’t Always Safe Advice

    We often tell scam victims: Hang up and contact the bank directly.

    That advice is still correct, but this case shows why scammers fight so hard to prevent it.

    By staying on the phone, scammers:

    • Control the narrative
    • Prevent independent verification
    • Can instantly escalate with threats if exposed

    The moment the victim sought confirmation, the scammer detonated the situation, figuratively speaking, to escape accountability.

    The Only Safe Move

    If you’re told:

    • to withdraw money immediately
    • to stay on the phone
    • not to hang up
    • that something terrible will happen if you don’t comply

    Hang up anyway.

    End the call. Put the phone down. Then contact the business using a number you find yourself, or involve local police before the scammer forces the situation.

    Final Thoughts

    This wasn’t just a financial scam or a bomb hoax. It was a real-world demonstration of how scammers turn victims into disposable shields.

    The victim in Reno was lucky. Next time, someone might not be.

    Further Reading

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 9, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Scams,   

    The “Work-From-Home” Job That Turns You Into the Mule 

    The “Work-From-Home” Job That Turns You Into the Mule

    By Greg Collier

    Every economic slowdown creates opportunity, not just for job seekers but for scammers.

    This time, the bait isn’t a fake investment or a romance pitch. It’s a “work-from-home” job that promises easy money, fast onboarding, and a professional-sounding title while quietly turning you into the middleman of a retail theft operation.

    A Job That Sounds Legitimate and a Role You Never Signed Up For:

    When remote work feels scarce and bills are due, a job offer with no interview, no experience requirements, and minimal effort can feel like a lifeline. Titles like delivery operations specialist or quality control manager sound corporate enough to be real and flexible enough to be believable.

    Federal investigators say that’s exactly the point.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, these offers are part of reshipping scams that use stolen credit cards and bank accounts to buy high-value merchandise, then pass the legal risk downstream to unsuspecting workers.

    What’s Going On:

    Recruiters reach out claiming to represent a logistics company or recognizable brand like Amazon or FedEx. Soon after, packages begin arriving at your home. They’re often expensive electronics or brand-new consumer goods.

    You’re instructed to open the boxes, discard the original packaging and receipts, and forward the merchandise to a new address, frequently an international one. The work is framed as inspection, quality control, or shipping support.

    Then payday comes. And goes.

    Communication slows, emails stop arriving, and the company disappears. Only later do many victims learn the items were purchased with stolen financial information, and that any personal details shared during “onboarding” may now be compromised as well.

    By then, the scammer is gone. The paper trail leads to you.

    Why It Works:

    Reshipping scams rely on familiarity and routine. Receiving packages feels normal. Printing labels feels harmless. The tasks don’t register as criminal, especially when wrapped in corporate branding and professional language.

    The fraud also thrives on urgency. Victims are nudged to act quickly, discouraged from asking questions, and reassured that everything is standard procedure. The delay between the work and the realization gives scammers time to vanish.

    This isn’t about stealing money directly. It’s about outsourcing exposure.

    Red Flags:

    • Any job where the primary responsibility is forwarding packages from your home.
    • No formal interview, offer letter, or verifiable company presence.
    • Requests for copies of IDs, banking details, or Social Security numbers during onboarding.
    • Vague pay schedules or explanations like “processing periods.”
    • Warnings not to discuss the job with others or pressure to act immediately.

    There’s a reason legitimate employers don’t operate this way.

    Quick Tip: Search the company or recruiter’s name along with words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.” If you see reports about missing pay or reshipping goods, walk away. That pause can save months of cleanup.

    What You Can Do:

    • Verify employers independently using official websites and contact information.
    • Talk through job offers with someone you trust before accepting.
    • Never share sensitive personal or financial information unless the employer is unquestionably real.
    • Be skeptical of roles that sound operationally important but offer no transparency.

    Real companies ship from warehouses, not spare bedrooms.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Visit IdentityTheft.gov to protect your information immediately.
    • Monitor credit reports and financial accounts for unusual activity.
    • Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • Notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report.
    • Save emails, shipping labels, and instructions as documentation.

    Even if you never got paid, the harm may already be in motion.

    Final Thoughts:

    Reshipping scams are effective because they don’t feel like scams. They feel like work. They arrive neatly boxed, labeled, and framed as opportunity.

    But no legitimate job requires you to forward stolen goods through your home. If a work-from-home offer turns your living space into a shipping hub, you weren’t hired; you were used.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 8, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Scams   

    “Pig Butchering” Scams: When Online Romance Becomes a Financial Extraction 

    By Greg Collier

    Loneliness creates vulnerability—and online scammers know exactly how to exploit it.

    A growing fraud scheme known as “pig butchering” combines fake romantic relationships with fabricated cryptocurrency investments, slowly guiding victims toward catastrophic financial loss. One recent San Francisco Bay Area case shows just how sophisticated—and devastating—this scam has become.

    A Relationship You Trust and an Investment You Never Verified

    The connection starts innocently.

    A stranger appears through social media, often introduced by a mutual contact or friendly message request. He’s polite. Attentive. Consistent. Daily messages turn into emotional support, shared routines, and private affection.

    Good-morning texts become a habit.
    Affection fills a quiet life.

    Then money enters the conversation.

    Not all at once—just enough to seem harmless.

    What’s Going On

    This is not casual fraud. It’s a structured, step-by-step operation.

    • Emotional grooming: Scammers spend weeks or months building trust before mentioning money.
    • Isolation tactics: Victims are encouraged to keep the relationship private “for now.”
    • Fake investment platforms: Targets are directed to polished crypto apps that only display profits.
    • Escalating deposits: Small “wins” lead to larger requests, often draining retirement accounts.
    • Borrowing pressure: When savings run out, victims are urged to take loans or second mortgages.
    • Account freeze scams: Attempts to withdraw funds trigger a demand for even more money or fees.
    • Threat escalation: Fake lawyers and legal threats are introduced to intimidate compliance.

    Behind the scenes, money is wired overseas and disappears immediately.

    Why It Works

    Pig-butchering scams succeed because they don’t feel like scams.

    • Emotional manipulation: Romance disarms skepticism more effectively than urgency alone.
    • Fake profit dashboards: Victims believe they’re reinvesting earnings rather than losing capital.
    • Gradual escalation: Each financial step feels justified by the one before it.
    • Technological trust: Professional-looking apps create the illusion of legitimacy.
    • Shame and secrecy: Victims hesitate to ask friends or family, reinforcing isolation.

    By the time doubts appear, losses are already irreversible.

    Red Flags

    • Online partners who refuse in-person meetings
    • Requests to keep the relationship secret
    • Guaranteed or instant investment “profits”
    • Requests for wire transfers or crypto payments
    • Pressure to borrow money to “unlock” funds
    • Claims that your account is frozen unless you pay more

    Any one of these is a warning. Together, they are conclusive.

    The Aftermath

    Victims often lose more than money.

    • Retirement accounts emptied
    • Homes put at risk
    • Massive tax liabilities from early withdrawals
    • Emotional trauma and depression
    • Long-term financial instability

    The scammers move on to the next target.

    The damage remains.

    What You Can Do

    • Never invest money with someone you’ve never met in person
    • Avoid crypto investments introduced through romantic relationships
    • Verify trading platforms independently—not through links you’re given
    • Talk to a trusted person before moving large sums of money
    • If funds are demanded to “unfreeze” an account, stop immediately

    If something feels off, pause. That pause can save everything.

    If You’ve Been Targeted

    • Contact your bank immediately—wire recalls are time-sensitive
    • Report the incident to local police and the FBI’s IC3 portal
    • Preserve all messages, apps, and transaction records
    • Warn others in your community—silence enables repeat victims

    Fraud thrives when people feel ashamed. Awareness shuts it down.

    Final Thoughts

    Pig-butchering scams aren’t about greed.

    They’re about weaponized trust.

    In a digital world where affection can be fabricated and profits simulated, skepticism isn’t cynicism—it’s protection.

    If love leads straight to a wire transfer, it isn’t love.

    Further Reading

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 5, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , Scams   

    Grief, Trust, and a Bill That Never Existed 

    By Greg Collier

    Every loss brings heartbreak, and scammers are now exploiting that heartbreak for cash.

    A Moment of Mourning and a Lie You Never Saw Coming

    When a loved one passes, families lean on funeral homes to help guide them through the worst week of their lives. Arrangements get made. Plans are finalized. Payments are settled. It’s one of the few moments where certainty feels possible.

    And that’s exactly when fraudsters strike.

    Across Southwest Virginia, grieving families are receiving fraudulent phone calls from criminals impersonating funeral directors—claiming there’s a sudden problem with the arrangements and demanding immediate payment to “avoid cancellation.”

    It’s financial abuse disguised as urgency.

    Three funeral homes have reported these fake calls, including Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. One family hung up, sensed something was off, and canceled their cards just in time. Another family wasn’t so lucky—they lost $1,200 to the scam.

    “It’s a horrible, horrible situation,” co-owner Bradley Simpson said. “You’ve already lost a loved one, and then you’re being taken advantage of. It’s just piling on.”

    The calls feel legitimate. The pressure sounds real. But the demands?
    They’re pure fiction.

    What’s Going On

    A family arranges a funeral. They believe everything is settled.

    Within hours—or even days—scammers insert themselves into the process.

    • Fraudsters call pretending to be the funeral home, sometimes even referencing real arrangements.
    • They claim an “unexpected deposit” or “processing error” has occurred.
    • They threaten to delay or cancel services unless immediate payment is made.
    • Payments are routed through credit cards or direct transfers and vanish instantly.
    • Meanwhile, real funeral homes never made these calls at all—they learn about the scam only after the damage is done.

    As Trey Finch of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association explains:

    “Payment arrangements… are generally discussed face-to-face. You should not be receiving calls hours or days later.”

    Roanoke County Police have now opened an investigation.

    Why It Works

    • Emotional vulnerability: Families in mourning are overwhelmed, exhausted, and trying to honor a loved one. Scammers exploit that moment.
    • Borrowed authority: Funeral directors are trusted figures. When a caller imitates one, people rarely question it.
    • Urgency and fear: Threats to “cancel” or “delay” a funeral weaponize pressure. No one wants disruption during a memorial.
    • Payment confusion: Many families aren’t familiar with funeral billing processes, making surprise charges feel plausible.
    • Private arrangements: Because funerals are not public events, families often assume they must quietly resolve unexpected issues.

    Red Flags

    • Any request for payment over the phone after arrangements are already completed.
    • A caller claiming there’s an “urgent problem” with your service contract.
    • Threats to cancel or postpone funeral services.
    • Pressure to act immediately or provide credit card details.
    • Calls from phone numbers that don’t match your funeral home’s official listing.
    • Requests for payment methods funeral homes never use, such as digital transfers or prepaid cards.

    Quick Tip: Funeral homes do not add last-minute charges by phone. If someone is pressuring you for payment, hang up and call your funeral home directly using the number on your paperwork—not the number that called you.

    What You Can Do

    • Verify first. Contact your funeral home directly to confirm any claim.
    • Trust your instincts. If the call feels off, it probably is.
    • Document everything. Save the phone number, the time of the call, and what was said.
    • Alert local law enforcement. Roanoke County Police are already investigating cases.
    • Warn family members involved in the arrangements so they don’t fall for the scam.

    If You’ve Been Targeted

    • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute fraudulent charges.
    • File a police report—this helps investigators track patterns.
    • Notify your funeral home so they can alert other families.
    • Keep all documentation, including call logs and receipts.
    • Warn your community, especially older relatives or those handling arrangements alone.

    Final Thoughts

    Losing someone is hard enough. Scammers know that—and they’re weaponizing grief to steal money while families are at their most vulnerable. These calls aren’t just financial fraud; they’re emotional exploitation.

    In moments of mourning, the best protection is clarity. Verify every request. Slow down the pressure. Call the funeral home directly.

    Grief deserves compassion, not manipulation.

    Further Reading

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 4, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: package delay, , Scams, ,   

    Holiday Package Delay Text Scam: The Grift That Hits Before the Gifts 

    Holiday Package Delay Text Scam: The Grift That Hits Before the Gifts

    By Greg Collier

    With more than two billion packages moving across the country this holiday season, scammers aren’t just watching—they’re waiting. And they know exactly how to strike.

    As orders flood in from Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, millions of people are tracking shipments, checking updates, and anticipating deliveries. Scammers see this as the perfect moment to slip into your text messages with one simple line:

    “Your package is delayed. Click here.”

    But not all of these alerts are real.

    Authorities are warning about a surge in fake package-delay text messages, many traced to international numbers and fraudulent delivery sites designed to harvest your personal information, payment data, or login credentials. These schemes spike every December—and they’re getting more convincing.

    What’s Going On:

    A tracking update appears on your phone.
    Only it isn’t from UPS, USPS, or FedEx—it’s from a scammer.

    Here’s how it typically unfolds:

    • A scammer blasts thousands of texts to random numbers, banking on the fact that nearly everyone has at least one package on the way.
    • The text claims a delivery issue—“delayed,” “on hold,” or “needs address verification.”
    • The message contains a link to a counterfeit tracking page that looks legitimate at first glance.
    • The site asks for personal data, account logins, or “redelivery fees” as low as $1–$3.
    • Once victims enter their information, scammers move quickly—stealing credentials, draining accounts, or selling the data on criminal marketplaces.
    • Many of these texts originate from numbers beginning with +63, the country code for the Philippines.

    The entire scam thrives on one thing: your expectation that a package is actually on its way.

    Why It Works:

    • Perfect timing: Holiday shopping creates a flood of real delivery alerts. Fake ones blend in effortlessly.
    • High volume: With billions of shipments, scammers don’t need to know what you ordered—just that you probably ordered something.
    • Urgency: “Delivery failed” messages spark instant panic. People act first, verify later.
    • Convincing design: Fake tracking pages mimic real carrier sites with logos, colors, and order-status bars.
    • Low-stakes requests: Small redelivery fees or simple login prompts seem harmless—until your account is compromised.
    • Overwhelmed consumers: The holidays are chaotic. Scammers rely on distraction.

    Red Flags:

    • Text messages from numbers starting with +63 or unfamiliar area codes.
    • Messages that never mention what item is delayed—just a generic warning.
    • Links that use odd domains or slight misspellings of delivery companies.
    • Requests to “update your address,” “verify payment,” or “reschedule delivery.”
    • Alerts arriving at strange hours (midnight, early morning).
    • No corresponding order or tracking email in your inbox.
    • Warnings with spelling mistakes, formatting issues, or robotic phrasing.
    • Being asked to pay a “redelivery fee” for a package you never missed.

    If something feels off, it probably is.

    Quick Tip: Before clicking anything, check your original confirmation email from the retailer.
    If the order is real, the tracking link inside that email will show the accurate status—no mystery text message required.

    What You Can Do:

    • Rely on official sources. Use your retailer’s website or carrier tracking page—never unsolicited texts.
    • Keep your confirmation emails organized. They contain the legitimate tracking links scammers want you to forget.
    • Never pay redelivery fees through text. Major carriers do not operate like this.
    • Type the URL manually. If you want to check a status, go directly to USPS.com, UPS.com, or FedEx.com.
    • Block and delete suspicious numbers. Don’t engage.
    • Warn others. Many people fall for these scams simply because they’ve never heard of them.

    If You’ve Been Targeted:

    • Contact your bank if you entered payment information.
    • Change passwords linked to any compromised accounts.
    • Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
    • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier.
    • Keep screenshots, URLs, and any payment receipts for investigation.

    Act quickly—scammers move fast.

    Final Thoughts:

    Scammers don’t need to know what you bought—they just need you to be expecting something. In a season defined by nonstop deliveries, fake “package delay” alerts are an easy weapon. But they only work if you click before you think.

    A moment of caution is worth more than any holiday deal. Verify before you react. Real tracking updates come from your inbox—not from an unknown number demanding your attention.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 3, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Scams, ,   

    The Return of the Secret Santa Scam 

    By Greg Collier

    Every December, the holiday scammers come out right on schedule. One minute you’re scrolling past endless “early Black Friday deals,” and the next, your feed is full of cheerful chain posts promising that if you just send a $10 gift to a stranger, the universe will reward you with dozens in return.

    According to the Better Business Bureau, these “Secret Santa” chains aren’t generosity. They’re data harvesting dressed up as holiday spirit.

    What’s Going On:

    The scam shows up as Facebook posts promoting a feel-good gift exchange. They ask you to buy a small $10 present and send it to someone on a list. In return, you’re promised multiple gifts sent by other participants.

    This year, there are several variations:

    • Basic $10 gift swaps
    • “Wine exchange” or “bourbon exchange” twists
    • “Send money to a name on this list” versions
    • “Secret Santa Dog” for pet-themed gifts

    Regardless of the theme, the underlying mechanics stay the same. The BBB says these exchanges fall under illegal pyramid schemes, and they’re not designed to bring joy to strangers. They’re designed to collect your email address, your home address, and your friends’ information.

    BBB of Eastern Carolinas spokesperson Nicole Cordero highlights the danger:

    “With this Secret Santa, you’re supposed to invite your friends on Facebook or on other social media, and it tricks even more people into this scam. It’s likely not to pay it forward. It is likely scammers trying to get your information.”

    In other words, your $10 gift is not the real commodity here. Your personal information is.

    Scam Breakdown:

    Here’s how the Secret Santa pyramid scheme functions behind the scenes:

    1. The Hook

    A friendly, sentimental social media post invites you to participate in a “wholesome” holiday tradition for just ten dollars.

    2. The Social Multiplier

    Participants are instructed to share the post, tag friends, or invite others to join. This snowballs the scam outward through friend networks—prime territory for data collection.

    3. The Data Harvest

    The scammers collect the information people volunteer: emails, mailing addresses, and sometimes even phone numbers. This data can be used for identity fraud, resale to marketing lists, phishing attempts, or future scams.

    4. The Empty Return

    You send a gift, but the promised dozens of gifts never arrive. Meanwhile, scammers walk away with a growing list of personal information from you and everyone you invited.

    Red Flags:

    • Promises that you’ll “get many gifts back” for sending one
    • Requests for your email address or home address
    • Instructions to invite friends to expand the exchange
    • Tempting photos or themes (wine bottles, dogs in Santa hats, etc.) used only to lure people in
    • Any “exchange” that needs recruitment to function

    If it requires you to recruit others to get a return, it’s a pyramid scheme—no matter how much fake holiday cheer it’s wrapped in.

    Quick Tip: Never hand over personal information to strangers through a social media chain post. If a holiday exchange relies on multiplying through your friend network, it’s not a community activity. It’s a scam.

    What You Should Do:

    The BBB advises consumers to:

    • Scroll past these posts
    • Do not reply or sign up
    • Report them to the BBB Scam Tracker and the social media platform where you saw them

    Protecting your personal information is far more meaningful than taking part in a fake gift exchange.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on December 1, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , Scams   

    The Holiday Brushing Scam Breakdown 

    It’s that time of year when packages pile up on porches like elves have gone feral. So what do you do when a random Amazon box shows up addressed to you, containing a free bracelet or gadget you definitely did not order?

    Well… congratulations, you did not win anything.

    But a scammer just hit the jackpot, and they used your identity to do it.

    Welcome to brushing season.

    What’s Going On

    It’s the holidays, which means boxes are piling up on doorsteps everywhere. But lately, people are receiving packages they never ordered, sometimes from Amazon, sometimes from a faceless “third-party seller,” and sometimes from no return address at all.

    Inside? Random merchandise: bracelets, gadgets, household items, and strange sentimental trinkets sent with poetic notes like “To My Sister in Christ.”

    If you didn’t order it, and no one you know sent it, then you’ve just been brushed.

    According to the Better Business Bureau, brushing scams have been popping up nationwide. And while the items look harmless, the scam behind them is anything but.

    One Ohio consumer reported receiving a bracelet in a white envelope from an unknown address. The tracking claimed it was ordered by someone in New York, and the packaging contained multiple QR codes the consumer wisely refused to scan.

    This is not a gift. It’s a setup.

    How It Works

    Brushing scams exist for one purpose: falsifying “verified purchase” reviews.

    Here’s how the con works:

    1. A shady third-party seller finds your name and address online.
    2. They ship you a product you never bought.
    3. Once the package is marked “delivered,” they use your identity to post a glowing review as a “verified buyer.”
    4. Their product gets boosted ratings and increased visibility.
    5. They make more sales.
    6. They lose no money because the “purchase” was made from their own account.

    These sellers are essentially laundering product reviews, and your home address is the tool.

    But there’s a more serious issue underneath.

    If they had enough of your information to send merchandise in your name, they might have more than you think.

    Red Flags

    Common signs you’re being brushed include:

    • Packages arrive that you did not order.
    • No return address or a vague shipping label.
    • Tracking info lists another person as the buyer.
    • Items are cheap, generic, or strange.
    • Packages include QR codes or links encouraging you to “learn more.”
    • Multiple packages begin showing up in a short period.

    If your porch suddenly becomes a drop-off zone for unsolicited trinkets, something is wrong.

    What You Can Do

    The BBB and retailers recommend the following steps:

    1. Confirm it’s not a real gift. Rare, but possible. Make sure a friend or family member didn’t send something.
    2. Contact the retailer. If it looks like it came from Amazon, use Amazon’s official site to reach customer service. Do not Google phone numbers. Amazon investigates brushing and takes action against third-party sellers who engage in it.
    3. Check your accounts. Review your recent orders and payment history. If you start receiving multiple unordered packages, consider refusing delivery or routing legitimate packages to a package acceptance service temporarily.
    4. Change your passwords. Treat any unsolicited package as a possible sign of compromised data. Update passwords on major accounts and keep a close eye on credit card statements.
    5. Monitor and protect your identity. Review your credit reports regularly and use secure websites when entering personal information.
    6. Report the incident. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and submit details through the BBB Scam Tracker.

    Final Thoughts

    Unsolicited packages may look like holiday luck, but brushing scams are designed to exploit your identity for someone else’s profit. The merchandise is merely the bait. The real goal is to turn you into a “verified buyer” without your consent and to inflate a seller’s reputation through fake reviews tied to your name.

    Treat any surprise delivery as a warning, not a windfall. If something arrives that you didn’t order, don’t scan anything, don’t assume it’s harmless, and don’t ignore it. This is one scam where the box on your porch is the least concerning part of the package.

    Further Reading

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on November 26, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: holiday mail, postage stamps, Scams,   

    Holiday Mail Destroyed by Fake Stamps 

    Holiday Mail Destroyed by Fake Stamps

    By Greg Collier

    A bargain that looks innocent. A roll of stamps that seems legit. And a holiday gift that never arrives because it was destroyed before Christmas morning.

    A Holiday Deal You Thought You Could Trust—and the Lie Hidden Under the Seal

    Every December brings the same rush. Packages taped, cards addressed, and long lines at the post office. So when people see what appears to be a great deal online—half-price Forever stamps or bulk rolls for a fraction of their usual cost—the temptation is immediate.

    But this year, postal inspectors say scammers have perfected a new twist: counterfeit postage so realistic that victims don’t realize they’ve been duped until their gifts vanish into the system. The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) reports a surge in these fake stamps, many sold through shady websites and fast-moving Facebook Marketplace accounts designed to disappear as soon as the money lands.

    And the stakes are higher than anyone thinks. Under a new United States Postal Service (USPS) policy, any mail found with counterfeit postage is pulled from circulation, not returned, and treated as abandoned mail. In other words, the package doesn’t come back to you. It doesn’t limp forward to the destination. It gets destroyed.

    What’s Going On

    • A fake “discount” site appears. Scam websites advertise Forever stamps at impossibly low prices, often around fifty percent off, and claim they are sourced from bulk liquidation or overstock events.
    • Facebook Marketplace gets flooded. Scammers create throwaway accounts and offer rolls of stamps at deep discounts, relying on urgency and holiday panic to push buyers into fast decisions.
    • The stamps look real. Today’s counterfeit postage is so convincing that most customers cannot tell the difference. Some fakes even mimic micro-printing and texture.
    • USPS detects the truth. The mail-sorting system flags the counterfeit stamp. The package is automatically rejected.
    • Your gift disappears. Because counterfeit postage is treated as abandoned mail, USPS destroys the package. No refund. No return. No notice besides the tracking that never updates.
    • Scammers vanish. By the time victims realize what happened, the website is gone, the Marketplace account is deleted, and any payment made is irreversible.

    Why It Works

    • Holiday desperation. People are overwhelmed, rushed, and eager to save time and money during peak mailing season.
    • Hyper-realistic counterfeits. New printing methods make fake stamps nearly indistinguishable from genuine ones.
    • The illusion of legitimacy. Big-box retailers sometimes offer minor discounts, which makes large “online sale” claims feel believable.
    • Platform trust. Buyers assume Facebook Marketplace and discount websites are policed more tightly than they really are.
    • Harsh USPS consequences. Most people have no idea that a counterfeit stamp means total loss of the package, not a delay or return.

    Red Flags

    • Stamps advertised at more than a tiny markdown, especially anything close to fifty percent off.
    • Sellers with newly created social-media accounts or no sale history.
    • Websites with generic names, vague contact information, or claims of “bulk liquidation.”
    • Rolls of stamps being sold outside approved postal providers or major retailers.
    • Payment requests through apps or direct transfers instead of standard retail checkout systems.

    Quick Tip: If you see “Half-Price Stamps”, assume it’s a scam. USPS does not discount Forever stamps anywhere near that amount.

    What You Can Do

    • Buy stamps only from USPS, official postal providers, or major retailers.
    • Check the approved provider list when in doubt.
    • Avoid deals that promise large bulk savings or massive last-minute holiday discounts.
    • Report suspected counterfeit stamps to the Postal Inspection Service.
    • Warn family and friends so their holiday packages don’t meet the same fate.

    If You’ve Been Targeted

    • Contact your bank or card issuer if you paid through a card and believe the seller was fraudulent.
    • Report the seller or website to the platform where you found it.
    • File a report with the Postal Inspection Service detailing the purchase and providing screenshots.
    • Keep any counterfeit stamps you received. Inspectors may request them as evidence.

    Final Thoughts

    This scam doesn’t just steal your money. It steals your mail. A single counterfeit stamp can erase an entire package—letters, gifts, keepsakes—all destroyed before they ever had a chance to reach the people you care about. Holiday mail already brings its own stresses. Don’t let a fake bargain be the reason your Christmas package never makes it past the first sorting machine. The safest choice is the simplest one: buy postage from trusted sources and avoid any offer that seems too good to be true. If a deal feels off, assume the stamp is fake—because the scammers are counting on you not to look too closely.

    Further Reading

     

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