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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 28, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: car cloning, car title ( 3 ), Scams, used car ( 40 ), vin cloning ( 4 )   

  Cloned Cars Cost Kansas Drivers Big 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Criminals in Kansas are increasingly using cloned vehicles to defraud unsuspecting buyers, leaving victims without legal recourse and contributing to higher insurance costs across the state. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports a growing number of these cases, in which stolen or salvaged vehicles are made to appear legitimate through fraudulent documentation and vehicle identification numbers.

  A cloned vehicle is one that has had its identifying features altered to disguise its original identity. Criminals acquire the vehicle identification number (VIN) from a legally registered vehicle and use it to create fake labels and documentation that match the same make, model, and year. These forged materials are then applied to the stolen or salvaged vehicle, allowing it to be sold as if it were legitimate. Because the vehicle now carries the identity of a real, legally registered vehicle, its original history becomes concealed.

  The impact on buyers can be severe. Those who unknowingly purchase a cloned vehicle often pay thousands of dollars, sometimes in cash, and have no legal claim to the vehicle once it is discovered to be stolen. They may also be unable to recover the money paid. Meanwhile, the original owners of the stolen vehicles must go through the process of proving their ownership and often receive an insurance payout that does not fully reflect the vehicle’s value. In some cases, victims may not have theft coverage at all.

  This type of fraud can also lead to broader consequences. Insurance companies may be forced to pay large claims, which in turn contributes to rising premiums for all policyholders. Additionally, cloned vehicles can be used in the commission of other crimes since they are difficult to trace back to the person who altered them.

  While it is difficult to quantify the exact financial toll of this scam in Kansas, even a single case can result in combined losses exceeding six figures. Buyers may lose their payment, insurers may be responsible for substantial payouts, and the original vehicle owners are often left without a car or proper compensation.

  To avoid becoming a victim, prospective buyers should be cautious and research a vehicle’s history before completing a purchase. They should verify the legitimacy of the title, ensure the VIN on the vehicle matches official documents, and avoid cash transactions that are difficult to trace. Taking steps such as photographing the seller and checking identification can also help deter fraud. Ultimately, buyers should remain skeptical of prices that appear unusually low, as they may indicate a more profound issue with the vehicle’s history.

  Additional information and resources for verifying a vehicle’s identity can typically be found on your state’s Highway Patrol or State Police website. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers a free VIN check service that can assist buyers in identifying potential cloned vehicles.

   

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  Geebo 8:01 am on July 25, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: airlines, customer service ( 57 ), impersonation scam ( 194 ), Scams, social media ( 88 ), travel scam ( 4 )   

  Scammers Lurk After Travel Rants 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A new scam is targeting travelers who take to social media to vent frustrations about delayed or disrupted trips. What begins as a routine post tagging an airline or airport can quickly turn into a phishing attempt from imposters posing as customer service representatives.

  One recent incident occurred after a family endured extensive travel delays returning from Mexico. A flight that was expected to take just one hour turned into a 24-hour ordeal involving hours on the tarmac and an unexpected fifteen-hour drive home. After sharing the experience on social media and tagging the involved airline and airport, the traveler’s inbox was flooded with messages that appeared to come from official customer support accounts. However, the senders were scammers attempting to collect personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, and flight details.

  These fraudulent messages often come from newly created accounts that mimic real customer service pages. They may use company logos and names to appear legitimate but typically lack a verified status, have few posts, and limited engagement. In contrast, authentic corporate accounts usually have a long history, substantial followings, and verified badges.

  Travelers who wish to lodge a complaint or seek a resolution should avoid replying to social media messages that arrive unsolicited. Instead, they should reach out directly through the official website or app of the airline or travel provider. Many companies now offer live chat functions or dedicated customer support sections within their platforms.

  To avoid falling victim to this type of scam, it is important to remain cautious when receiving unexpected messages after posting a complaint. Verifying the account’s history, follower count, and contact method can help determine whether the message is genuine. Travelers should never share sensitive personal details with accounts they have not independently verified.

  In this particular case, travel insurance helped the affected family recover some of their expenses. While airing frustrations online is common, it is essential to be careful about who might be watching and waiting to take advantage.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 24, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: carjacking, cars ( 13 ), home invasion ( 2 ), magnetic phones, Safety ( 46 ), Scams, stalking   

  Scammers Track Cars Using Magnetic Phones 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A new scam in Cleveland, Ohio, is raising concern among law enforcement and residents alike. Authorities are warning the public after a local woman found herself targeted by a group of individuals using a deceptive and potentially dangerous tactic involving a planted cell phone. The incident occurred following Fourth of July festivities and has prompted renewed calls for public vigilance.

  According to police, criminals are now using magnetic cell phones attached to the exterior of vehicles to secretly track their targets. Once the unsuspecting individual drives home, the scammers retrieve the phone’s location to find out where the person lives. In this case, the woman only realized something was wrong after hearing a noise hit her car while driving. She initially dismissed it but later noticed unfamiliar cars outside her home and strangers approaching her door demanding the return of a phone.

  When confronted, the scammers falsely claimed the phone had been stolen and insisted it was inside the woman’s home. However, when she attempted to call the police, their behavior suddenly changed. Without further confrontation, the individuals left the scene in their vehicles. Upon inspecting her car the next morning, the woman found a cell phone magnetically attached to the roof. Authorities now believe this is part of a broader scam involving potential home invasions or carjackings.

  Police are currently investigating and reviewing security footage in an effort to identify those involved. They are advising residents to be cautious when leaving public places and to remain aware of their surroundings. Newer vehicles, which often have smoother exteriors, may be especially vulnerable to this tactic.

  To help avoid becoming a target of this scam, individuals should make a habit of checking their vehicle’s roof, hood, and trunk areas for any unfamiliar objects before driving off, especially after attending large gatherings. It is also advisable to avoid confronting strangers who appear at your door unexpectedly. If someone insists you have something of theirs and you do not recognize them, it is safest to keep your door closed and immediately contact local law enforcement.

  This incident underscores how quickly technology can be misused for criminal activity. While this particular case occurred in Cleveland, similar scams have emerged in other cities, often adapting to exploit moments when people feel least suspicious. Public awareness and quick reporting remain the most effective tools for prevention.

  Video: She thought a rock hit her car—then strangers showed up at her door demanding a phone

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 23, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: charity scam ( 42 ), funeral ( 19 ), payment app ( 20 ), Scams, tap to-pay ( 2 )   

  Beware the “Tap to Pay” Charity Scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A troubling scam is making its way through parts of the Midwest, targeting those with generous hearts and good intentions. Lately, police in Maplewood, Minnesota, have begun investigating cases that appear to be linked to a growing trend seen in other cities like Chicago. The scam involves individuals posing as grieving family members who claim to be raising funds for the funeral of a child, often using emotionally charged stories and photos to gain sympathy. But behind the facade is a calculated effort to steal from unsuspecting victims.

  In the reported Maplewood cases, victims were approached in grocery store parking lots by people holding clipboards and asking for small donations. The stories they shared involved a tragic death and a plea for help covering funeral expenses. What seems like a reasonable request for a few dollars quickly turns into financial fraud. Instead of accepting cash, the scammers insist on using a digital payment system, often tapping the victim’s card on a mobile device. Once the card is tapped, the victim is charged not for the small donation amount but for thousands of dollars.

  In one instance, a local resident believed she was donating five dollars, only to find a five-thousand-dollar charge pending on her credit card shortly after leaving the store. The charge was flagged as suspicious by her bank, prompting an investigation. Police believe the transaction was processed through a vendor based out of Chicago, suggesting the scam may be traveling across state lines.

  This tactic bears similarities to other charity scams reported in various regions. In each case, scammers rely on emotionally manipulative stories, urgent appeals, and fast, digital payment methods to trick people into surrendering large sums. These scams prey on empathy and exploit the convenience of modern financial technology to quickly drain funds before the victim even realizes what happened.

  Authorities urge anyone who has been approached in a similar fashion to carefully check their bank and credit card statements for unusual activity. If anything seems suspicious, local law enforcement should be contacted immediately. While this scam has so far only resulted in a few reported cases in Maplewood, it mirrors a broader pattern of fraud that has impacted communities nationwide.

  The public is reminded to remain cautious when approached for charitable donations in public spaces. Genuine charitable efforts will never pressure donors to pay using specific methods, nor will they obscure the terms of the transaction. Staying aware and trusting your instincts can help prevent you from becoming the next victim.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 22, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: health insurance ( 7 ), medical identity theft ( 2 ), medicare ( 20 ), new medicare card ( 7 ), Scams   

  Medicare Card Scam Targets Retirees 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A growing number of Medicare enrollees across the country are being targeted by phone scammers posing as representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These imposters claim to be contacting beneficiaries about updates to their Medicare cards, but their real objective is to steal personal information such as Medicare identification numbers.

  This scam is especially concerning for recent retirees who are still becoming familiar with how the Medicare system works. Criminals often rely on confusion or urgency to pressure individuals into handing over sensitive data. In many cases, they claim the changes are related to new policies involving Medicare or Social Security and that a new card must be issued. Some targets report being told that the card is changing to plastic, that it will contain a chip, or that it is being updated because of the new year. These claims are entirely false.

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not call enrollees out of the blue or request personal information unless a person has initiated contact. No new Medicare cards are currently being issued, and there are no plans to switch to chip-enabled cards or any other new format.

  The implications of giving away a Medicare number can be serious. Stolen Medicare credentials can be used by fraudsters to file false claims for medical equipment, medications, or procedures that never occurred. In extreme cases, criminals have enrolled unsuspecting beneficiaries into hospice care without their knowledge, fraudulently billing the federal government for end-of-life services while the individuals are still alive and healthy.

  Medicare enrollees should treat their Medicare card with the same level of care as a credit or debit card. If there is any concern that a number has been compromised, it is critical to contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to report the incident and, if necessary, request a new number.

  Protecting your Medicare number is essential to ensuring your benefits are not misused. If you receive an unsolicited call asking for personal Medicare information, hang up and verify the request directly with Medicare before taking any further steps.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 21, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: check washing ( 19 ), mail theft ( 12 ), online banking ( 2 ), Scams   

  $85 Check Washed into $4,000 Fraud 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A Wake County, North Carolina, resident is sharing her story after falling victim to a growing form of financial fraud. Despite following what many would consider standard precautions, her personal check was intercepted and altered, leading to a loss of thousands of dollars.

  She had written a check for a routine $85 payment and delivered it by hand at her local post office. However, the check never reached its intended recipient. Instead, it was stolen and manipulated. The original amount was changed to $4,000, and the altered check was deposited through a mobile banking app. The victim only discovered the crime after noticing the large transaction while reviewing her bank records.

  This kind of fraud is known as check washing. It involves stealing legitimate checks and chemically removing the original ink so that new details can be written in. The name on the check may remain unchanged or be replaced entirely, depending on the goal of the thief. Once altered, the checks are often deposited using mobile apps that do not require in-person verification.

  While the financial industry continues to adapt its security measures, criminals are also becoming more sophisticated, targeting checks that are sent through the mail or dropped off at locations presumed to be secure.

  In this case, the victim did everything right. She physically delivered her payment rather than mailing it from home. Yet even that precaution was not enough to prevent her check from being stolen and altered. This highlights how pervasive and difficult to predict these schemes can be.

  To reduce the risk of check washing, financial experts suggest using pens with ink that is resistant to chemical alteration. Gel pens, in particular, are harder for thieves to erase. Additionally, consider using electronic payment methods when available. If writing checks is necessary, monitor your bank account regularly for unexpected transactions and act quickly if something looks suspicious.

  This incident serves as a reminder that even the most diligent efforts to prevent fraud are not always enough. Staying informed remains the best defense against financial scams like check washing.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 18, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: car wrapping ( 12 ), check scam ( 85 ), fake check ( 54 ), job scam ( 91 ), Scams   

  Car Wrap Scam Returns for Summer 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A long-running scam has returned to Springfield, Missouri, this time using the Dr. Pepper name to bait potential victims. What seems like a simple chance to make money by advertising the well-known soda on your car is actually part of a counterfeit check scheme that could leave you with a serious financial loss.

  The pitch usually arrives by mail. It offers to pay you for wrapping your car in Dr. Pepper branding and driving around for a few weeks. Along with the offer are checks that look authentic, often totaling several thousand dollars. You’re told to deposit the checks, keep a portion as your pay, and send the rest to a company that will supposedly handle the wrap installation.

  However, the checks are fake. Banks may initially make the money available through provisional credit, giving the impression that the funds have cleared. Victims often follow through with the instructions and send the money out. Days later, when the checks bounce, the bank withdraws the funds, and the victim is left covering the entire amount.

  While Dr. Pepper is the brand used in this case, scammers can use the name of any recognizable company to build trust and make the scam look credible. The appearance of legitimacy is part of the trap. Scammers know that familiar brands can lower a victim’s guard.

  Legitimate car wrap programs do exist, but they don’t operate by sending out unsolicited checks. Real advertising jobs require you to apply, and payment is never made before services are performed. Any unexpected job offer that comes with upfront money should be treated with extreme caution.

  Consumers who encounter offers like this are urged to report them to consumer protection agencies to help warn others before more damage is done.

   
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  Geebo 8:01 am on July 17, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: ICE ( 3 ), Immigration ( 14 ), Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( 3 ), police impersonation scam ( 88 ), Scams   

  Scam Calls Target Immigrants in Texas 

  

  By Greg Collier

  With the current complexity of immigration laws in the United States, many individuals, especially those in vulnerable communities, may find their legal status not only difficult to understand but also a source of fear for their personal safety. This uncertainty creates a dangerous opening for scammers who seek to exploit those fears for financial gain.

  In a recent warning issued by the Austin, Texas, Police Department, residents are being cautioned about scam calls from individuals impersonating either local law enforcement officers or agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These callers are reportedly claiming that the person being contacted is facing fraudulent criminal charges or unspecified immigration violations. The tone of the calls is designed to induce panic, pressuring the recipient into complying out of fear of arrest or deportation.

  What makes this scam particularly insidious is its appearance of legitimacy. Police have identified that many of these calls originate from numbers with a 512 area code, specifically those beginning with the prefix 974. Authorities have stated clearly that any calls appearing with this number format should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.

  It is important to emphasize that these types of scams are not limited to areas along the Southern Border. Communities across the country have reported similar schemes, with scammers adapting their tactics to exploit local area codes and regional law enforcement terminology in an effort to appear credible.

  Individuals should remain cautious of unsolicited phone calls, especially those involving threats related to immigration status or legal trouble. Law enforcement agencies and immigration officials do not conduct official business in this manner, particularly when it comes to demanding immediate responses or payments. Anyone who receives such a call should not engage with the caller and should instead report the incident to local authorities or relevant federal agencies.

  As long as confusion persists around immigration policy and enforcement, scammers will continue to take advantage of that uncertainty. Staying informed and vigilant is key to protecting oneself and one’s community.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 16, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Amber Alert ( 3 ), child safety kit ( 3 ), identity theft ( 128 ), impersonation scam ( 194 ), Scams   

  Fake AMBER Alert Kits Are a Scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Authorities in Orlando, Florida, are warning residents about a troubling scam that falsely claims to be associated with the AMBER Alert program. Scammers have been contacting families both by phone and in person, claiming that parents must register their children for an AMBER Alert kit. In reality, no such registration or payment is required for a child to be eligible for an AMBER Alert.

  The genuine AMBER Alert system is a public safety tool activated only when law enforcement confirms that a child has been abducted and specific criteria are met. Once issued, alerts are distributed through a wide-reaching network that includes radio, television, highway signs, mobile phones, and digital platforms. The system is designed to mobilize communities quickly, not to require any kind of pre-registration or participation in a kit program.

  Scammers are preying on parental fears and using this false narrative to gain trust. In some cases, they have been reported as highly persistent and even appear to possess personal information about the families they target. These tactics are not only designed to extract sensitive data but may also be used to gain physical access to people’s homes under false pretenses.

  The underlying goal of these scams is not just theft of personal data for immediate use. Scammers are particularly interested in obtaining children’s personal information because it can be used to open new lines of credit. Since children are unlikely to check their credit reports, fraudulent accounts may remain undetected for years, sometimes only discovered once the child becomes an adult and applies for credit for the first time.

  Residents are urged to stay cautious and not to share any personal information with individuals claiming to offer or sell AMBER Alert kits. Anyone approached in this way should contact local law enforcement to report the incident. Public awareness is one of the most effective tools in shutting down these deceptive and invasive schemes.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on July 15, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: gold bars ( 11 ), impersonation scam ( 194 ), moving money ( 10 ), Scams   

  Gold Bar Scam Is Still a Risk 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Although reports of the gold bar scam have become less frequent in recent months, this does not mean the scam has vanished. On the contrary, these types of schemes continue to claim new victims across the country, often targeting older adults and those unfamiliar with the tactics scammers use to manipulate their targets.

  A recent case out of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, highlights the ongoing danger. A man from New York allegedly stole over half a million dollars in gold bars from a local resident after convincing the victim their finances were under threat. The scam began with remote access to the victim’s computer, followed by claims that their bank accounts were at risk. The scammers pressured the victim to convert their savings into gold and then hand it over to individuals posing as federal employees. The gold, of course, was never protected; it was stolen.

  The reason gold remains a key element in these schemes is simple. Gold is valuable, portable, and difficult to trace once in the hands of a criminal. It can be melted down, sold overseas, or moved through shadowy markets without leaving a digital footprint. For scammers, gold offers an attractive alternative to traditional wire fraud and digital theft.

  Despite law enforcement efforts and public warnings, scammers continue to use fear and urgency to push victims into making hasty financial decisions. These schemes often involve impersonating trusted institutions, such as government agencies or financial services. The underlying message is always the same. Your money is in danger, and the only way to save it is to move it, typically into a form that the scammers can easily steal.

  Anyone who tells you to “move” your money for safekeeping, especially into gold, is not trying to protect you. They are trying to steal from you. No legitimate agency or institution will ever ask you to buy gold, withdraw large sums of cash, or hand over your assets to a stranger who shows up at your door.

  The key to avoiding these scams lies in staying calm, verifying information through official channels, and never acting on financial instructions from unsolicited calls or messages. The gold bar scam may not dominate the headlines like it once did, but it remains a very real and evolving threat.