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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 21, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Cash App ( 42 ), Facebook Marketplace ( 62 ), real estate ( 127 ), rental scam ( 87 ), Scams   

  Online home rental scams still persist 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the quest for a new home, the excitement of finding the perfect place can sometimes blind us to potential dangers lurking beneath the surface. One Huntsville, Alabama, family, like many others, found themselves in a predicament that serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of rental scams in today’s digital age.

  Their story began with hope and anticipation as they stumbled upon a promising listing for a spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in a desirable neighborhood. With ample space for her family and their beloved dogs, it seemed like fate had led them to their dream home. Little did they know, this seemingly perfect opportunity would soon turn into a nightmare.

  Upon contacting the supposed landlord via Facebook Marketplace, the family was met with prompt responses and arrangements for a tour of the property. Despite initial red flags, such as the absence of the landlord during the tour and instructions to access the property through an electronic lockbox, they proceeded with unwavering trust.

  Throughout the process, the purported landlord remained courteous and accommodating, alleviating any doubts the family may have harbored. With the presentation of an electronic application, approval, and a virtual lease agreement, everything appeared legitimate. Even the method of payment, a combination of Cash App and Walmart Money transfer, seemed routine, mirroring the family’s current dealings with their legitimate landlord.

  It wasn’t until the family’s prudent decision to verify the authenticity of the listing online that the harsh reality of the situation came crashing down. Multiple listings of the same property on reputable platforms, all managed by a professional property management company, exposed the elaborate ruse orchestrated by scammers. The family was devastated when they realized the extent of the deception and the loss of their hard-earned money, $1,125 was gone in an instant.

  To prevent falling victim to rental scams, it’s crucial to exercise caution and employ protective measures. Cross-reference information provided by landlords with reputable real estate platforms and property management companies.

  Exercise caution if landlords refuse to meet in person or request unusual payment methods. Just because your current landlord accepts payment through an app doesn’t imply that every user of that app is reliable. Payment apps like Cash App are intended for transactions among people you already have personal connections with.

  If something feels off, don’t ignore your intuition. Take the time to investigate further before committing to any agreements or payments. And By reporting scams to the appropriate authorities, you not only protect yourself, but also contribute to the prevention of future fraudulent activities.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 20, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: debt forgiveness ( 13 ), FTC ( 16 ), Scams, student debt ( 15 ), student loans ( 15 )   

  FTC refunds millions to student loan scam victims 

  

  By Greg Collier

  When student loans weigh heavily on many, news of relief is often met with both hope and skepticism. Unfortunately, for over 27,000 borrowers, hope turned into despair as they fell prey to a scam that promised relief but delivered only financial ruin. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced that it’s sending over $4.1 million in refunds to student loan borrowers who were deceived by scammers.

  The perpetrators of this deceitful scheme found themselves at the center of an FTC complaint filed in 2019. The scam was as cunning as it was heartless. They promised to lower monthly student loan payments and offered to take over loan servicing, all while siphoning off hundreds to thousands of dollars in illegal upfront fees from unsuspecting borrowers.

  Instead of easing the financial burden, these scammers exacerbated it. The FTC revealed that only a fraction of the payments made by borrowers was actually applied to their loans, if any at all. The rest was pocketed by the fraudulent operators, leaving borrowers not only out of pocket but deeper in debt.

  As anticipated, it’s sadly predictable that scammers will also target those receiving these refunds. Scammers are often quick to exploit the confusion and desperation of borrowers.

  The warning signs are clear. Unsolicited calls or emails pressuring borrowers to ‘act immediately,’ promises of being ‘flagged for forgiveness,’ or programs claiming to be ‘first come, first served’ should all raise red flags. In an era where information is abundant, but trust is scarce, borrowers must exercise caution and diligence.

  The Education Department’s website stands as a beacon of reliable guidance amidst the sea of misinformation. Detailed resources on federal student loan forgiveness programs offer borrowers a roadmap to navigating the complex terrain of student loan relief.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 19, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: data breach ( 32 ), health insurance ( 5 ), identity theft ( 107 ), impersonation scam ( 146 ), Scams, unitedhealth   

  Scammers take advantage of UnitedHealth hack 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In recent events, it has come to light that a major health insurance provider in our country fell victim to a severe cyberattack and subsequent data breach. Towards the end of February, Change Healthcare, a subsidiary specializing in pharmacy insurance under UnitedHealth, experienced a crippling intrusion into its systems. Regrettably, this breach led to the exposure of personal data belonging to Change’s customers. Reports on the repercussions of this breach for the affected customers have begun to emerge this week.

  Scammers are now impersonating healthcare representatives in attempts to obtain financial information. Reports have surfaced of individuals receiving calls from imposters claiming to represent hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. These scammers offer fake refunds or demand immediate payments, often requesting credit card numbers or other sensitive financial details.

  To combat these scams, UnitedHealth advises recipients of suspicious solicitations to refrain from responding and instead contact their healthcare provider directly. It’s not common practice for hospitals and medical facilities to request patient credit card numbers over the phone, even in cases where a patient is owed a refund. Typically, when a patient is due a credit, that amount is either refunded directly to the credit card the office has on file or issued to the patient in the form of a check.

  If you find yourself receiving such a phone call, regardless of whether you’re insured by UnitedHealth or not, it’s advisable to politely terminate the call and directly contact your doctor’s office or the hospital involved. In many cases, these healthcare providers already possess your personal information and wouldn’t require you to provide it again over the phone. Additionally, it’s essential to remember that caller ID can be manipulated by scammers to falsely appear as if the call is originating from a legitimate medical provider, so it’s unwise to rely solely on caller ID information.

  If someone suspects that their personal information has been exposed, it’s crucial to take immediate action to mitigate potential damage. Contact major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This extra layer of security can help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name.

  Consult with legal professionals, especially if the exposure of personal information results in financial losses or other significant consequences. They can offer guidance on potential legal recourse.

  And lastly, alert banks and credit card companies about the potential exposure of personal information. Request to monitor accounts for any suspicious activity and consider placing fraud alerts or freezes on accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 18, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 2FA ( 11 ), phone scam ( 46 ), phone security ( 6 ), Scams, sim swapping ( 8 ), two factor authentication ( 17 )   

  A cautionary tale of SIM swap scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The nightmare of having your entire digital existence commandeered by malicious actors is a chilling reality for one unfortunate family from the Chicago area. What began as a routine day turned into a months-long ordeal of trying to reclaim control over their smartphones and, by extension, their digital lives after falling victim to a SIM swap scam.

  SIM swapping, also known as SIM hijacking or SIM porting, is a type of cyberattack where a malicious actor fraudulently gains control of an individual’s phone number by tricking the victim’s mobile carrier into transferring the number to a SIM card under the attacker’s control. This process involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the carrier’s authentication procedures or social engineering techniques to obtain personal information about the victim, such as their account PIN or other identifying details. The term SIM swapping can be misleading because the attacker doesn’t actually require physical possession of the victim’s SIM card to carry out the attack.

  It all started when the family’s wireless account was hacked, leading to the takeover of not just one, but all five of the family’s smartphones linked to the account. Suddenly, their devices were rendered useless, stripped of cellular service, and locked out of essential apps and services.

  Unauthorized apps were installed on their phones, contact numbers were altered, and passwords to numerous accounts were changed without their consent. The financial toll was staggering, with losses totaling thousands of dollars in stolen funds from various platforms, including investment and cryptocurrency apps.

  It’s suspected that the attackers obtained access to the family’s mobile phone account either by stealing or correctly guessing the account’s PIN. Experts advise regular changes to PINs and caution against using easily guessable information, such as birthdates, as security credentials. Moreover, limiting the dissemination of personal details on social media platforms can help mitigate the risk of identity theft.

  To mitigate the risk of SIM swapping attacks, individuals can take several precautionary measures. Avoid using easily guessable or recycled passwords, and consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your credentials. Whenever possible, use authentication methods beyond SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA), such as app-based authentication or hardware security keys.

  Again, it’s not recommended to use text messaging to receive your authorization codes. Instead, it’s recommended you use an authenticator app along with a biometric authentication such as a fingerprint scanner. This way, your 2FA information is tied to your device and not your phone number.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 15, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: college ( 17 ), emergency scam ( 4 ), grandparent scam ( 69 ), police impersonation scam ( 64 ), Scams   

  College athletes targeted in sophisticated scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Connecticut’s state authorities are issuing a stern warning about a disturbing new trend targeting college athletes and their families. According to authorities, scammers are exploiting publicly available information to dupe unsuspecting individuals into making immediate payments under false pretenses, creating a sense of urgency and panic in the process.

  Reports from Connecticut State University Police Departments have revealed a troubling pattern. The callers, posing as university police officers, contact parents of university students, specifically targeting student-athletes. They claim that the student-athlete has been slapped with citations for various infractions like open container violations, curfew breaches, or trespassing. To compound the urgency, the scammer demands immediate payment through platforms like CashApp and Venmo.

  If this scam rings a bell, it’s because it bears striking resemblances to both the grandparent scam and the virtual kidnapping scam, sprinkled with elements of police impersonation. It’s now known more commonly as the family emergency scam.

  It’s a chilling reminder that scammers stop at nothing to manipulate emotions and coerce victims into compliance. The tactic of impersonating law enforcement adds an extra layer of credibility and intimidation, leaving victims feeling cornered and compelled to act swiftly.

  The State of Connecticut has issued a statement that said, a legitimate police department or campus safety program will never solicit payment for citations over the phone.

  Although this version of the scam is aimed at student-athletes, previous iterations have targeted the families of college students who aren’t involved in athletics. Essentially, any parent with a child attending college could potentially fall victim to this scam.

  Individuals who receive suspicious calls or communications purporting to be from law enforcement are urged to hang up immediately and report the incident to local police. Furthermore, those who have fallen victim to this scam are advised to take swift action by contacting their financial institutions to mitigate potential damages.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 14, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: 2FA ( 11 ), Chase ( 14 ), Scams, two factor authentication ( 17 ), Zelle ( 66 )   

  Bank accuses another Zelle scam victim of being a scammer 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A Houston, Texas single mother was recently ensnared by a string of fraudulent transactions conducted via the personal payment app Zelle.

  On December 26, the day after Christmas, the victim received an alert notifying her that an unknown recipient had been added to her Zelle account. Alarmingly, $1,000 had already been withdrawn without her authorization. Thankfully, Chase Bank recognized the fraudulent activity and promptly refunded the money.

  Then in January, the fraudulent transactions started again. In a relentless spree spanning three days, the scam artists persistently hacked into the victim’s Zelle account. They succeeded in withdrawing $1,500 initially, followed by $5,400, and then an additional $1,000, culminating in a total loss of $7,900. Alarmingly, these transactions occurred despite the victim having already reported the fraudulent activity.

  The victim diligently filed reports with the Houston Police Department, the FBI, and the Federal Trade Commission. However, Chase Bank shockingly denied her claims, going as far as to insinuate that she was the perpetrator of the scam. Allegedly, Chase even told the victim, “You probably should just admit that this was you that did this.”

  Once again, despite banks encouraging their customers to utilize Zelle, they frequently fail to support those who fall victim to scams through the app. Regrettably, this scenario isn’t isolated, as there have been numerous instances where the bank accuses the victim of being complicit in the scam. While it’s just anecdotal evidence on our part, the name of that bank always seems to be Chase. There’s an old saying in business that says, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” Accusing customers of being scammers is not the good deed Chase may think it is.

  There is a way to protect yourself from fraudulent Zelle transactions, and that’s by enabling two-factor authentication on your banking app. This means that even if someone obtains your username or password, they won’t be able to access your account and steal money.

  While having any form of two-factor authentication (2FA) is better than none, it’s not advisable to rely on text messaging for receiving authorization codes. Instead, it’s recommended to utilize an authenticator app in conjunction with biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint scanner. This approach ensures that your 2FA data is linked to your device rather than your phone number.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 13, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ACT ( 2 ), college admission ( 2 ), impersonation scam ( 146 ), SAT ( 2 ), Scams   

  The latest SAT and ACT exam scam targeting parents 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the whirlwind of college preparation, parents often find themselves navigating a maze of opportunities, challenges, and, unfortunately, scams. A recent scheme targeting parents of SAT and ACT exam takers has emerged, shaking the trust in the system and leaving families wary of whom to believe.

  The scam, which preys on the desire for educational advancement, begins with an unsuspecting phone call. On the other end of the line is a person claiming affiliation with the College Board, the institution responsible for overseeing these crucial standardized tests. They come bearing what seems like good news: the offer of a free prep course for the child.

  Innocently, parents confirm their address under the guise of receiving materials their child supposedly requested at school. However, here’s where the plot thickens – according to the Better Business Bureau, there are no materials, and there is no course. The promised resources never materialize, leaving families feeling duped and out of pocket. According to the Better Business Bureau, parents, on average, have been charged $130, with some cases reaching as high as $600. It’s a costly lesson in discernment and vigilance.

  But amidst the confusion, there are guiding principles to safeguard against such scams. The Better Business Bureau emphasizes that the College Board never solicits bank account or credit card information over the phone or via email. Additionally, they urge individuals to verify the legitimacy of any company through their official website, a simple yet effective measure to thwart imposters.

  Moreover, a crucial red flag emerges. Unsolicited calls requesting personal information should raise immediate suspicion, regardless of the story spun by the caller. It’s a fundamental rule of thumb in today’s digital age, where scams lurk behind every corner of our interconnected world.

  For parents, arming their children with knowledge becomes paramount. Experts advise that if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Educating young minds about the pitfalls of deceptive schemes empowers them to make informed decisions, safeguarding against potential exploitation. The pursuit of educational excellence should never come at the cost of falling victim to deceitful tactics.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 12, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: mail fraud ( 21 ), postcards ( 2 ), Scams, unclaimed money ( 4 ), unclaimed property ( 2 )   

  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.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 11, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: bank scam ( 70 ), Chime ( 2 ), customer service ( 50 ), Scams   

  Bank app scam targets Chime users 

  

  By Greg Collier

  When we typically discuss payment app scams, we talk about one of the two biggest platforms, either Venmo or Zelle. However, there’s one app that doesn’t often come up in that conversation, but requires are attention, nonetheless, and that’s Chime.

  Chime is an online banking platform that offers a variety of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, as well as debit cards. It positions itself as a mobile-first bank, meaning that most of its services are accessible through its mobile app rather than through traditional brick-and-mortar branches.

  Chime has become popular in areas that are underserved by most banks. This is because Chime has such features as early direct deposit, and lacks many common fees associated with traditional banks, such as overdraft fees and monthly maintenance fees.

  Although Chime doesn’t seem to be as prone to scams as some other platforms, it’s important to note that it’s not entirely immune to them.

  A Chime user from Indiana recently fell victim to a scam, losing over $1300 in the process. The scam unfolded similarly to a familiar scheme. The user received a text alert claiming that someone had made a purchase on Amazon using her account. If the user had responded to the text, she might have been directed to transfer her money to a purportedly ‘secure’ account, falling prey to a scam akin to the Zelle scam.

  Despite avoiding one scam, the customer unwittingly became a victim of another. Seeking to dispute the alleged fraudulent charge, she searched the web for Chime’s customer service number. Unfortunately, she stumbled upon a number claiming to be Chime’s official customer service department. However, it turned out to be a scam call center impersonating Chime.

  The customer was informed that someone was attempting to withdraw $1200 from her account. To prevent this, she was instructed to download an app onto her phone, purportedly to thwart the scammers. However, the app granted the scammers remote access to her device. With this access, they were able to breach her Chime account and transfer $1340 out of it. Fortunately, Chime intervened and successfully refunded the customer’s money.

  No matter if it’s a traditional bank or not, if you receive a call or text urging you to transfer your money to another account for protection, it’s likely a scam. If you encounter such a call, hang up immediately and reach out to your bank using the customer service number listed on their official website or your debit card.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on March 8, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: check scam ( 79 ), fake check ( 48 ), gift cards ( 101 ), job scam ( 79 ), mystery shopper ( 5 ), Scams, secret shopper ( 15 )   

  A warning about the mystery shopper scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In the world of scams and fraudulent schemes, there are some that lurk in the shadows, waiting for unsuspecting victims to fall into their traps. One such scam that continues to circulate, albeit not as commonly known as others, is the mystery shopper scam.

  A mystery shopper, also known as a secret shopper, is someone who is hired by a company to pose as a regular customer and evaluate the quality of service, products, or overall experience provided by a business. Mystery shoppers typically visit retail stores, restaurants, hotels, banks, or other service-based establishments and then provide detailed feedback on various aspects such as customer service, cleanliness, product knowledge, adherence to company policies, and overall satisfaction. While the role of a mystery shopper is a legitimate position within many retail establishments, it unfortunately serves as a guise for scammers to target unsuspecting victims.

  The scenario typically begins innocuously enough. An individual receives an email offering them an opportunity to become a mystery shopper. Intrigued by the prospect of earning some extra income while performing simple tasks, the recipient responds to the email and awaits further instructions.

  In one instance, a potential victim received two letters in the mail, each seemingly from reputable companies. One was purportedly from Walmart and the other from American Express. Enclosed within these letters were checks, one for almost $3,500 and the other for $2,900, respectively.

  This is where the mystery shopper scam quickly reveals itself. The recipient is instructed to deposit the checks into their personal bank account, a seemingly harmless step in the process. However, the plot thickens as they are then directed to immediately withdraw a portion of the deposited funds and use it to purchase money orders or gift cards.

  For instance, in the case of the Walmart letter, the recipient is instructed to purchase three $1,000 money orders, while the American Express letter directs them to buy $2,500 worth of gift cards. The final twist comes when the victim is asked to relay the serial numbers on the back of the gift cards or money orders to their supposed supervisors.

  This is where the trap snaps shut. Unbeknownst to the victim, the checks they deposited into their bank account are counterfeit, and the funds they withdrew and sent away are irretrievable. The victim is left facing the consequences, liable for the full amount of the fraudulent checks.

  No legitimate employer will ever request you to deposit funds into your personal account that are intended for business purposes. If such a request is made, it’s a strong indicator of a fraudulent check. Additionally, anything involving gift cards should raise suspicion. Unless the cards are intended as a gift, refrain from sharing their numbers over the phone or with anyone else.

  To protect yourself from falling victim to the mystery shopper scam, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited offers, especially those promising large sums of money for minimal effort.