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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 11, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Amazon ( 108 ), bank scam ( 70 ), brushing scam ( 23 ), customer service ( 50 ), impersonation scam ( 146 ), Scams, Wells Fargo ( 11 )   

  Bank refused to stop fraudulent wire transfer 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A man from Utah fell victim to two different scams, which resulted in scammers taking $10,000 from his bank account.

  The first scam that targeted him was the brushing scam. He was receiving several deliveries from Amazon that he didn’t order. Third-party Amazon vendors do this to game the review system, so phony reviews can have the ‘verified purchase’ tag added to them. This scam can be relatively harmless to consumers unless their Amazon account has been compromised, which this man wanted to find out.

  The second scam he fell into was a customer service impersonation scam. He Googled the number for Amazon’s customer service department, which wasn’t Amazon at all. Instead, it was a scammer’s call center posing as Amazon. Scammers will often pay search engines to have their scam phone number placed higher than the actual company they’re imitating. The phony Amazon rep told the man that it appeared someone had wired $10,000 to New York without his permission. Amazon, and other retailers, cannot access your bank records, if you think you’re speaking with Amazon, and they ask for your banking details, the odds are you’re being scammed.

  When the phony rep asked for the man’s credit card information, he realized he was being scammed. He went to his local Wells Fargo branch, since that was who he banked with. The branch manager told him there was, in fact, a wire transfer going out to New York for $10,000. When the man asked the manager to stop the transfer, he was instead referred to Wells Fargo’s fraud department, who told him that would investigate the matter and get back to him in ten days. It only took one day for the $10,000 to disappear from the man’s account. When the fraud department finished their investigation, they denied the man’s claim, saying that someone using the man’s username and password made the transfer, which made the man responsible for the financial loss.

  Mysteriously, once the man contacted his local TV news station about the matter, Wells Fargo reimbursed his money. As we have detailed in previous stories like this one. That seems to be the only way bank scam victims can get a refund, and even then, it’s not a guarantee.

  To safeguard yourself, it’s advisable to visit the official website of a company to obtain accurate contact information for addressing any issues you may encounter. Relying on contact details obtained through online searches can be unreliable. Additionally, refrain from sharing passwords or passcodes with anyone, and avoid granting remote access to your laptop or phone unless you initiate the call using the authentic contact number. Financial institutions typically request passwords or passcodes exclusively through their official app or website.

   

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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 10, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: celebrity scam ( 2 ), impersonation scam ( 146 ), romance scam ( 70 ), Scams   

  Celebrity romance scam victim accused of poisoning husband at direction of scammer 

  

  By Greg Collier

  One version of the romance scam we don’t talk enough about is when the scammers pose as a celebrity.

  Scammers create a fake profile on social media or dating websites, using the name, photos, and other information of a popular celebrity. They may also use stolen images from the internet to make the profile appear more convincing.

  The scammer initiates contact with potential victims, often reaching out to them via direct messages, comments, or friend requests. They may use flattering language and compliments to make the target feel special.

  The scammer invests time in building a virtual relationship with the victim. They may engage in conversations, share personal stories, and express romantic interest to create a sense of emotional connection.

  At some point, the scammer introduces a fabricated crisis or urgent situation that requires financial assistance. This could be a medical emergency, legal trouble, or any other scenario designed to evoke sympathy and a desire to help.

  However, there’s at least one scammer out there who has no compunction about asking his victims to kill.

  This scammer posed as a 57-year-old soap opera star, and targeted a 64-year-old married woman. There aren’t many details on how the scam was perpetrated in this instance, but what is known is the victim did give $8000 to the scammer. Apparently, that was not enough money for the scammer.

  Last month, the woman’s 73-year-old husband was rushed to the hospital with an unknown ailment. While at the hospital, the couple’s daughter noticed strange messages on her mother’s phone that appeared to come from the soap opera actor.

  The message from the scammer that allegedly started this whole incident read, “You have to get rid of your husband honey. I need you so much.” The woman replied that she would be making soup for her husband that would be a special recipe. After her husband was taken to the ER, she sent another message stating that her husband wasn’t feeling well, and maybe she could collect a life insurance payout. The scammer asked her when would that be.

  If it wasn’t for their daughter, the husband may have been murdered at the behest of a scammer. Unfortunately, there is no happy ending in this story, since the wife has been charged with attempted murder.

  While often romance scam stories are dismissed as gossip and sensationalism, they can have grave repercussions. Romance scams affect both men and women, and have victimized people from every walk of life. It can affect people who are living paycheck to paycheck, and all the way up the corporate chain to CEOs. In too many instances, victims have lost their lives or their freedom after falling victim to such scams.

  To avoid falling victim to celebrity impersonation romance scams, it’s crucial to exercise caution when interacting with individuals online, especially those claiming to be famous personalities. Be skeptical of requests for money from people you’ve never met in person, and verify the legitimacy of online connections before sharing personal information or financial details. If in doubt, consider reporting suspicious activity to the platform administrators.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 9, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Cash App ( 42 ), real estate ( 127 ), rental scam ( 87 ), Scams, social media ( 79 )   

  Scammer demands deposit for unauthorized home tour 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A family from Tennessee was looking to move to another part of the state, searching for better job opportunities. They made their intentions known on social media, where they were approached by someone claiming to be a realtor. The realtor told the family he has a home in the area they’re looking to move to. The family was then asked for a $750 deposit. The $750 wasn’t meant as some form of security deposit or holding cost. The realtor said the family needed to pay the $750 just to tour the home.

  Unfortunately, the family paid the realtor the $750 through Cash App. When the family went to meet the realtor at the property, the realtor never showed up. When the family contacted the realtor again, he said he would be there the next day. The next day came, but still, the realtor failed to show up. This time, the realtor claimed that he had been stopped by police and even provided the family a picture of the police officer. It later turned out the police officer in the photo was from another state.

  The family started becoming suspicious about the deal when the realtor sent the family a picture of himself with a realtor’s license. Then the realtor tried to get even more money out of the family by offering them a refund of the $750, but the family would have to pay another $100 claiming that was Cash App’s business fee for the refund. When the family contacted Cash App, they were told there was no such fee.

  If you’re getting ready to make a big life change like moving into a new home, you may want to keep that decision off social media. Sadly, there are too many scammers who are tuned into certain keywords that help them find victims. If you’re approached by a stranger on social media who claims they can help you, be very suspicious and do not give them any money, especially through payment apps like Cash App, Venmo and Zelle.

  To safeguard against rental scams, conduct thorough research on the property. Rather than relying solely on the landlord’s proof of ownership, reach out to the county’s tax assessor’s office to verify the actual property owner. Additionally, perform a Google search using the property’s address to identify any discrepancies in multiple listings, especially differing rental rates. A lower-priced listing among them is likely a fraudulent scheme.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 8, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Apple ( 30 ), gift cards ( 101 ), lawsuit ( 47 ), Scams   

  Apple settles lawsuit over gift card scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  There’s a phrase we often use when discussing gift card scams, and that is gift cards are the currency of scammers. What we mean by that is, unless you’re presenting someone with a gift card as an actual gift, if someone asks you for payment in gift cards, you’re more than likely being scammed. However, it’s not just scammers who make money from gift card scams. The issuers of these cards make money as well.

  Apple Computers were one of the pioneers in modern gift card sales. The company introduced its first gift card, the iTunes Gift Card, in 2003. Initially, it was designed for users to purchase and download music, movies, TV shows, and other digital content from the iTunes Store.

  Over the years, as Apple expanded its product and service offerings, the gift cards evolved to cover a broader range of Apple services and products. The iTunes Gift Card was eventually rebranded as the Apple Gift Card to reflect its versatility across various Apple platforms.

  Apple gift cards can be used to purchase not only music and movies but also apps, games, books, iCloud storage, and even hardware products like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and accessories.

  Since Apple hardware can be purchased, the gift cards have become highly coveted among scammers. They’ll purchase the high-end items before selling them for a substantial profit.

  According to a recent lawsuit, Apple is also allegedly making money from these scams. When an Apple gift card is purchased, Apple keeps 30% of that purchase price. Like many gift card issuers, Apple has been reluctant to assist victims who have lost money to Apple gift card scams.

  That lawsuit was recently settled, although a settlement amount has yet to be disclosed. However, the settlement affects anyone who lost money to an Apple gift card scam from 2015 to July 31, 2020, and did not receive a refund from Apple.

  Unless you’re actually giving someone a gift, gift cards should never be used as a form of payment to people you don’t know. No legitimate company, agency, or online seller, will ever ask for gift cards as payment. Another reason we call them the currency of the scammer is they’re virtually untraceable once the card is depleted.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 5, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cryptocurrency ( 51 ), investment scams ( 10 ), pig butchering scam ( 15 ), Scams, stock market   

  Victim loses $90K in new version of infamous crypto scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  One of the more egregious scams that has proliferated in the past year or so is the so-called pig butchering scam. It’s known as the pig butchering scheme due to the way scammers ‘fatten up’ their targets through emotional manipulation before ultimately guiding them to the financial slaughterhouse.

  Typically, pig butchering scams are a form of the romance scam. Once trust is established, scammers persuade their victims to invest in cryptocurrency. They steer the victims towards a fraudulent cryptocurrency exchange under their control, creating the illusion of rapid investment growth. However, when the victims attempt to withdraw their alleged profits, they are informed that additional payments are required before they can access their earnings. Regardless of the amount paid, the victims never receive any returns.

  However, more recently, a man from Missouri recently lost $90,000 to a similar scam except no romance was involved. The man had been successful investing in the stock market and wanted to get a jump on the next wave of investing. It was his belief that AI would be the next hot ticket in the investment market. So, he took an online class he thought was using Elon Musk’s Quantum AI technology to predict the stock market.

  The instructor of the class told his students the stock market was about to crash, and suggested they should sell their investments and invest the money into a cryptocurrency exchange. This is where the usual pig butchering takes place, and this story is no exception.

  After the Missouri man invested his $90,000 into the crypto exchange, he was told his investment garnered him a $2.5 million windfall. When the man tried to get his money out of the exchange, they told him he would need to upgrade to VIP status to withdraw his profits, and that would cost another $50,000. That $50,000 application fee couldn’t be taken out of his profits either, he would have to wire an additional $50,000. That’s when the man realized he had been scammed.

  While online investment classes can provide valuable education and insights into financial markets, there are potential dangers associated with them. Some online investment classes could be fronts for scams or fraudulent schemes. Participants may be persuaded to invest in fake or non-existent opportunities, resulting in financial loss.

  Unlike traditional financial institutions and educational programs, online investment classes might not be subject to the same level of regulatory oversight. This makes it easier for unscrupulous individuals to take advantage of unsuspecting participants.

  Some classes may create a sense of urgency to invest quickly or capitalize on time-limited opportunities. This pressure can lead participants to make impulsive decisions without proper research or consideration.

  To mitigate these risks, individuals interested in online investment classes should thoroughly research the course provider, check for reviews and testimonials, and approach any promises of guaranteed returns with skepticism. Additionally, seeking education from reputable financial institutions, universities, or well-known industry experts may offer a more secure learning experience.

   
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  Geebo 8:31 am on January 4, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: healthcare ( 39 ), Ozempic ( 3 ), pharmacies ( 8 ), prescription drugs ( 5 ), Scams   

  Online Ozempic sales pose a threat to consumers 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Ozempic is a brand name medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is typically used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

  During clinical trials for Ozempic’s approval for diabetes treatment, researchers noted that participants experienced weight loss as a side effect. This observation prompted further investigation into the potential use of Ozempic specifically for weight management.

  Some healthcare professionals may prescribe medications off-label, meaning for a purpose other than what the drug was initially approved for. This has led to a rush on Ozempic prescriptions for patients who do not have diabetes, and only want the medication for quick weight loss. However, Ozempic has not been officially approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for weight loss. This has led to a shortage of the medication, which is negatively affecting diabetes patients.

  When a drug like this becomes popular, especially for the sake of vanity, scammers and counterfeiters will try to separate those seeking the drug for its off-label effects from their money. This is a scam that is as old as the internet. If you were online during the late 1990s and early 2000s, you probably had your spam folder flooded with offers for cheap Viagra. While we haven’t seen offers for Ozempic in our inboxes, they have been posted all over social media and less reputable online marketplaces.

  If someone were trying to buy Ozempic from a fraudulent service, the odds are they would pay their money and get nothing in return. In a worst-case scenario, consumers could receive any kind of concoction they would end up injecting into their systems.

  Some of these phony services even go as far as having the buyer undergo a virtual consultation with one of the scammers posing as a doctor.

  Even if someone were to receive an actual shipment of Ozempic, if they’re not using it under a real doctor’s care, the effects could be devastating. Using too much Ozempic could lead to hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and kidney injuries, just to name a few.

  These scam services are also having their customers pay through some of the usual avenues preferred by scammers, such as payment apps like Venmo and cryptocurrency.

  Ozempic, like any prescription medication, should only be used under the direction of your physician. Using medications without proper medical supervision can be risky and may lead to adverse effects.

  Self-prescribing or obtaining Ozempic without a prescription can pose serious health risks and is not recommended. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable and safe approach to weight management.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 3, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: exchange students, international students ( 2 ), Scams, virtual kidnapping ( 45 )   

  Missing student victim of kidnapping scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Over the weekend, you may have heard the story about the 17-year-old exchange student who was reported missing in Utah. He was found in a tent in the freezing Utah wilderness. Thankfully, he had not been abducted, nor had he been physically harmed. Instead, he was told to isolate himself by scammers while they tried to extort money from his family back home in China.

  This is a variation of the typical virtual kidnapping scam. In that fraudulent scheme, individuals are targeted with a phone call from scammers who falsely assert that they have abducted a family member or loved one. Frequently, these scammers employ unsettling tactics, such as having someone simulate distress in the background to create the illusion that the alleged kidnap victim is in danger. Alternatively, the scammers may utilize an AI-generated voice clone of the victim’s loved one. These manipulative techniques are designed to induce an emotional state in the actual victim, impairing their ability to think clearly. Subsequently, the scammers proceed to demand a ransom payment. It is important to note that the person supposedly kidnapped by the scammers is typically safe and unaware of being exploited in this deceitful scheme.

  This emerging scam specifically preys on college students with international visas. Victims receive a deceptive call that appears to originate from their home country. The scammer falsely claims that the student is entangled in legal issues back home, purportedly due to identity theft. Subsequently, the student is coerced into making a payment to prevent their arrest.

  Following the initial deception, scammers employ tactics to isolate their victims further. They instruct the targeted individuals not to disclose the matter to anyone and emphasize the importance of maintaining secrecy. Victims are warned against using social media and are even instructed to power off their phones. This isolation strategy aims to limit the victim’s access to external assistance or verification, thereby increasing the likelihood of compliance with the scammer’s demands.

  While the student in Utah was isolating himself in an unheated tent in the woods, his family in China was being told their son had been kidnapped. The scammers were able to con the teen’s parents out of $80,000.

  A common red flag in many scams involves attempts to isolate individuals from their friends and family. Legitimate authorities or organizations typically do not enforce secrecy to such an extent. When someone on the phone insists that you can’t discuss the matter with others, especially friends and family, it often indicates an attempt to manipulate and deceive. In such situations, it’s crucial for individuals to be skeptical, maintain open communication with trusted contacts, and verify the authenticity of any alarming claims before taking any further actions. This awareness can be a crucial defense against falling victim to scams that exploit isolation as a tactic.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on January 2, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: arrest warrant ( 26 ), police impersonation scam ( 64 ), Scams   

  New arrest warrant scam shocks police 

  

  By Greg Collier

  There’s a new version of the arrest warrant scam going around in Florida that local police say is so advanced they may not ever catch the scammer. In a typical arrest warrant scam, the scammer calls their victim to tell them they have a warrant out for their arrest, but the victim can resolve the warrant by making a payment over the phone. These scammers will often spoof the phone number of the local police department to make the scam more convincing. Now, at least one scammer has virtually perfected the scam.

  In this instance, the scammer is posing as a county sheriff’s office when calling their victims, including the spoofed phone number. Victims are told they have a warrant out for their arrest, which carries a $50,000 bond. But for $5000 the victim can avoid arrest and be given a court date instead. Then, their $5000 will be refunded to them.

  The best scams have a kernel of truth to them, and this one is no exception. When someone is arrested, and needs to post bail, a bail bondsman will often accept 10% of the bond as payment.

  However, the scammer didn’t stop there. Not only did the scammer use the name of an actual police officer from that sheriff’s department, but they also sent victims realistic looking arrest warrants. The scammer also had a police scanner playing in the background.

  One potential victim, who is a former sheriff’s office employee, told the scammer to have the dispatch desk call him back. The scammer called back, spoofing the number of the dispatcher desk.

  As with most police impersonation scams, a little bit of knowledge can keep you from losing money. No legitimate law enforcement agency, department, or office will ever ask for money over the phone. Police do not call people who have an arrest warrant. Instead, they will go to see the suspect in person before making an arrest.

  If you ever receive a phone call like this, no matter how realistic it might sound, hang up, and call your local police department at their non-emergency number. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re being scammed.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 29, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Denver International Airport, Facebook ( 179 ), lost luggage, Scams, unclaimed baggage   

  Lost luggage scam lands on social media 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Denver International Airport is famous for many things. Not only is it the largest airport in the United States, but it’s also renowned for having one of the most advanced baggage handling systems in the world. Even with such a technological marvel, some bags still end up becoming unclaimed property. Many airports, including Denver, will auction off the items if they remain unclaimed for a certain amount of time. Denver International even donates the luggage itself to people experiencing homelessness in their area. What the Denver International Airport doesn’t do is sell unclaimed baggage on Facebook for $10.

  According to The Denver Post, a Facebook page was recently created that claims to be selling unclaimed baggage from Denver International along with its contents for $10 a piece. The Facebook page claims to be the Denver Airport, but just about anyone can make a Facebook page claiming to be whatever they want.

  The page only has one post, and it’s a picture of supposedly unclaimed luggage that’s being sold by the airport for $9.95. If that wasn’t enough of a red flag, the order process seems suspect at best. One commenter on the post left the following message…

   “I just followed the link, answered 3 questions, and managed to guess the box correctly on my second attempt; after that, I filled in a short form and paid 10 dollars. Later received an email confirmation and indicated the delivery address.”

  That just sounds like a scam with extra steps. More than likely, the scammers are out to obtain the personal and financial information of their victims.

  The post also has several comments that contain pictures of luggage that are full of various items, with the commenters claiming the process is legitimate. However, the post was only made on Wednesday, and we highly doubt the $9.95 covers overnight shipping of heavy luggage. Many of the commenters aren’t even from the Denver area, with one commenter who supposedly got their luggage loot box commenting from the UK. We suspect the comments that claim to have received items are coming from either newly created accounts or accounts that have been compromised.

  A spokesperson for Denver International has stated the Facebook page in question has no association with the airport.

  Now, while this scam is taking place in Denver, it could be only a matter of time before scammers pose as your regional airport, if they haven’t already.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 28, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: cryptocurrency ( 51 ), Facebook ( 179 ), hacking ( 31 ), Scams   

  Deceased man’s social media used in crypto scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  In today’s technological world, social media is crucial in helping us keep in touch with friends and family, even if they’re scattered across the globe. In some cases, social media also helps us keep the memories alive of a loved one that we’ve lost. However, with almost all things digital, not only can those memories be taken from us in an instant, but they can also be used to harm others, as today’s story shows.

  A US Army veteran from California passed away around this time last year. Since then, hackers hijacked one of his social media accounts and blocked the accounts of his relatives. While posing as the deceased vet, the hackers started using the account to ask people to send money through a cryptocurrency scam. To make matters worse, the hackers have also erased all previous posts made by the veteran.

  The veteran’s brother has tried contacting the platform where his brother’s account was, but so far, has not had any kind of official response. Now, the brother has filed a lawsuit against the platform since they allegedly haven’t responded to his requests.

  Preserving a deceased family member’s social media presence can be a meaningful way to honor their memory. Here are some general steps you can take, but keep in mind that specific processes may vary depending on the platform.

  Reach out to the social media platform’s support or customer service. Many platforms have a process for handling accounts of deceased individuals. This might involve providing proof of death, your relationship to the deceased, and other relevant information.

  Facebook allows you to memorialize an account, turning it into a memorial page where friends and family can share memories. To do this, you can submit a memorialization request on Facebook.

  Consider saving and archiving content from the deceased person’s social media accounts, such as photos, posts, and messages. This can be done by taking screenshots or using specific tools designed for this purpose.

  The specific steps and features may change over time, so it’s a good idea to refer to the latest guidelines provided by the social media platforms in question.