Last Update 03-17-2024

PAGE INDEX:
*Scammers Are Taking Over Search Engine Listings; - - NEW 03-17-2024 - -
*How Hackers Can Send Text Messages From Your Phone Without You Knowing; - - NEW 02-11-2024 - -
*What You Need To Know To Avoid Online Ticket Scams; - - NEW 01-28-2024 - -
*Tracking the first winter storms of the year? So are scammers!; NEW 01-14-2024
*False Look-A-Like Email And Web Addresses; NEW 12-03-23
*BBB Warns Retail Scams Targeting People In West Michigan; NEW 11-19-23
*State Cautions Michigan Seniors Against Medicare Scams; NEW 10-21-23
*Landlord Frustrated By Scammers Stealing Her Rental Listings; NEW 09-03-23
*Beware Of The 'Say Yes' Phone Scam;
*Home Equity Scams;
*Protect Your Medicare Number, Your Other Info, And Your Money;
*Overpayment Scam, Your Bank Could Be A Thief's Best Friend;
*How To Avoid Tax Preparer Scams This Filing Season;
*Man Loses Hundreds; Paid Fake Cash For Playstation 5;
*How Do You Spot A Scam? Listen To How They Tell You To Pay;
*Let's Talk About Recognizing Scams!;
*Save Money On Utilities This Winter And Avoid Scams;
*Top 5 Ways To Avoid Delivery Scams Ahead Of The Holidays;
*Check Your Bank Statements For Bogus Google Charges;
*Predatory Loan Companies And Debt Collection Scammers;
*BBB West Michigan Warns Of Riskiest Back-To-School Scams;
*Beware Of Zelle Scams;
*New Crypto Payment Scam Alert;
*Read Many Many More Older Articles


The U.S. Government's Federal Trade Commission has a pretty good web site to help you with all kinds things like Scam Alerts, Money & Credit, Homes & Mortgages; Health & Fitness, Jobs & Making Money, and Privacy, Identity, & Online Security. Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information


AI is making it easier to sound and talk like your family menbers! Beware!! If You Don't Think You Will Ever Get, Or Fall For A Scam Call, Think AGAIN ! !

Lately I have been getting several scam calls a day. Thankfully, in part because of my research for this web page, I recognized them. But a few were so realistic it took me a few minutes to recognize that it was a scam. Unfortunately, my Aunt did not. She had a 'Your grandchild (THEY EVEN NEW HER AND HIS NAME!!!) is being held by police' scam. She fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Fortunately, they pushed a little too hard and she fell apart and hung up. When she recovered a bit, she called her son who called his son and verified it was a scam before she withdrew several thousand dollars.

Do Not Forget! Yes It Can Happen To You. Stay vigilant and informed.

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Scammers Are Taking Over Search Engine Listings

By Katherine Susko, Jan 29, 2024 From DTE's website.

Webmaster here - If this is happening to DTE, it can happen to any utility company, county, State, or local government, or any business. ALWAYS BE SURE TO GET THE RIGHT WESITE ADDRESS FROM THE ACTUAL BUSINESS OR GOVERNMENT.

Don't be fooled by scammers who are becoming savvier every year. Scammers have a new tactic to impersonate utilities - this time by targeting customers across the country through placed ads on search engines. A few months ago, we warned of scam ads that were targeting customers looking to start new service with DTE. Now, scammers are also targeting customers who are searching for ways to start service or pay their DTE bill.

The scam web pages appear as a "sponsored post" on search listings, located near the top of the page. When a customer clicks on a link to learn more about paying their DTE bill, their phone sometimes automatically places a call to the scammers, who then ask for payment information and other sensitive personal details.

Every year, scammers are finding new ways to trick customers into falling for financial scams. While we're actively working with search engines to try remove these scam ad placements, it's important for customers to know and recognize the red flags of an energy scammer to not fall victim. The more you know about the red flags of scammers, the less likely you are to fall victim to one.

We encourage all customers be cautious about clicking on a link or scanning a QR code from an advertiser they are unsure about. Learn more about other scam red flags at on our website.

If you're looking to pay your energy bill, DTE has a variety of quick and convenient online payment options, which can be found at dteenergy.com/options.

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How Hackers Can Send Text Messages From Your Phone Without You Knowing

Don't let your phone's text messaging get hijacked by hackers!
By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, January 2, 2024

Webmaster here!
Folks this article is VERY important for you to read. You need to know how to spot false texts. Especially fake bills, requests for money, and other texts that appear at first glance to be legitimate. I have received several of these fake texts. Some were easy to catch, and a few were very good. I had to open them before I saw it was a fake.

There is no such thing a too much caution with online, about email or text bills/requests for money. When in doubt, even the least amount of doubt, call the company/friend/doctor who supposedly has sent you the text or email from your own personal address book! DO NOT open the link you just received !!

Here is the link to the actual article: How Hackers Can Send Text Messages From Your Phone Without You Knowing

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What You Need To Know To Avoid Online Ticket Scams

DFCU Financial The Cash Back Credit Union; Jan. 11, 2024

While it can often be tempting to search social media for tickets, be careful. Finding great seats or a great price too easily could be signs that you're looking at a scam. And you could be left with no tickets and no way to get your money back.

The old rule applies. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

1. Be wary of low prices on social media:
If you find great seats at a great price on social media, it could be too good to be true. Scammers use low prices to attract attention.

2. Buy only from trusted vendors:
If a concert or event is sold out, your next stop should be a reputable online ticket broker. It might cost more, but you'll be sure to get your tickets.

3. Confirm the seller:
Ticket scammers sometimes hack accounts and pretend to be a friend selling tickets. Make sure. Don't send money until you contact your friend directly and confirm the tickets are real.

4. Take your time:
Scammers often hurry people into making a decision. If you feel rushed into buying the tickets, it could be a sign you're being scammed.

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*Michigan State Treasury Warns Of Mailed Collection Scams;
*Before You Join That Crowdfunding Campaign, Read This;
*When Scam Calls Target Your Client Or Loved One;
*Get The Dog Or Cat Instead Of The Scam;
*Avoiding Holiday Charity Scams;
*9 Active Scam Short Articles;
*How To Spot, Stop, And Report Post-Disaster Scams;
*Card Skimmers Found At Several West Michigan Gas Pumps;
*Texts From State Saying You Have Unclaimed Property Are Scams;
*Checks From The Government;
*Keep Your Vacation/Holiday Travel Plans Safe From Scammers;
*Shopping Online? Know Your Retailer And Your Rights;
*How Long Does It Take To Hack Passwords;
*More Money Is Coming To Families - And Scammers Are Ready;
*DTE Energy What Customers Need To Know So They Don't Fall Prey To Scammers;
*Wrapping up 2020 with more car wrap scams;

*Don't Be CBDeceived By Junk Science;
*Scammers Taking Advantage Of Increase In Buying On Amazon;
*Couple's Perfect Rental Home Turns Out To Be A Big Scam;
*3 Red Flags For A Work-From-Home Job Offer;
*60 And Over In The Time Of COVID-19?;
*Guard Against Fraud Cures And Other Cons;
*Fake Cash App Customer Support Dupe Michiganders Of Thousands Of $$$;
*How To Block Robotexts, Spam Messages To Cellphones;
*Blue Cross Warns of Telemarketing Prescription Scam;
*Fake calls about your SSN;
*Asked to pay by gift card? Don't!;
*Shimming; The New Way Thieves Can Steal Your Credit Card Data;
*More Victims In Home Buying Wire Scams;
*Business Hacked, Phony Invoices Sent Out To Clients;
*Smartphone Scam Targets Victims;
*Craigslist Renters Rent The Same Home;
*Youtube Video Tricking Consumers On How To Pay Bills Using Social Security;
*Hotel Front Desk Credit Card Scam;
*State Treasury Officials Warn Of Summertime Scams;
*Scammers Steal Donated Rewards Or Claim They Are Government Workers;
*Student Loan Repayment Scams;
*Phone Caller Demanding Money or You / Family Member Will Go To Jail Scam;
*Thieves Target Shoppers Who Use Supermarket Self-Checkout;
*FBI Warns Phony Job Scam Targeting College Students;
*Holiday Scams;
*Dial Back Scam Hitting Cell Phones;
*The 5 Worst Social Security Scams;
*Car Buyer Note On Windshield Scam;
*Ransomware Thieves Come Up With Creative New Schemes;
*Beware Of Odd Friend Requests On Facebook;
*Don't Get Caught In Facebook Scams;
*Phone Credit Card Fraud Warning Scam.
*ID Theft and Social Media Scam
*The Clean-Credit Scam
*Three Warning Signs of Malicious Email
*Fake Companies on Google Scam
*Phone Scammers
*More Scare Tactics to Get Your Money
*Apartment / Home Rental & Mortgage Scam
*The Word on Passwords
*Obama Care Help Scam
*Package Delivery E-Mail Scam
*Cyber Bandits Use Your Cell Phone To Rob Your Home
*Bank Text Message Scam
*False Friends on Facebook
*GPS Thefts And Your Home Security
*Craigslist Scams
*Electronic Pickpockets
*Problem with your Credit Card scam
*Hackers Spread Virus with Swine Flu Vaccine Offer
*Rejected ACH Transaction scam
*Changed Your Security Settings scam
*I.R.S. Unreported/Underreported Income scam
*Fake Antivirus / Spyware
*Phone Credit Card Fraud Warning Scam
*Telephone Jury Duty Scam
*Credit Card Cash Back Scam
*Internet Car Sales Scam
*Car Auction Scam

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Tracking the first winter storms of the year? So are scammers!

By Gema de las Heras, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC January 9, 2024

With all eyes on the severe weather moving around the country, scammers are paying attention, too. And they're likely following the path of the storms to target the people affected. So, how do you protect yourself against weather-related scams?

Weather emergencies mean big bucks for scammers and unlicensed contractors. They'll appear right after a storm and offer to get your power back on, make essential repairs, or help with whatever you need. But if you pay them, they'll take your money and disappear, charge you for things you don't need, or leave before completing the work you paid them to do.

To avoid scammers trying to take advantage of you after a storm:

A. Spot utility imposter scams. Utility imposters work year-round, but after a storm, they might call or knock on your door saying they need to repair or replace equipment. Then they'll ask you to pay. Don't pay them. That's a scam.

B. Hire only contractors who are licensed and insured. Check with your state or county government to confirm a contractor's license. Ask the contractor for proof of insurance and a written contract.

C. Never pay in cash. Paying by credit card offers you some protections. And only pay in full after the work is done and you're satisfied with it.

D. Read about other weather-related scams at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies. Then share the information with friends and family to help them avoid losing money, too.

Suspect a scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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False Look-A-like Email And Web Addresses

Webmaster here; How is your holiday on-line shopping going?

I want to tell you about a newer scam using false look alike email and web addresses. Today I got an email from a charity I support asking me to contact them. I though 'COOL. I was just thinking about them.' As I was moving the curser over the website link, I noticed the link looked odd. The name was all spelled out instead of just initials. But what got me concerned was the extra letters between the @ and the .com.

I will use my website email as an example. The correct email name is 'postmaster@theinfopage.net', but the con artist email was 'postmaster@al.theinfopage.net'.

They are also using fake website names to trick you to click on their scam web site. Like 'theinfopage.al.net', or spelling it differently or similar names; like 'theinfopages.net' or 'theinformpage.net'.

So be very careful when searching for a website address:
1. Be sure your antivirus program is updated and running.
2. Be very sure that the address name is spelled correctly.
3. Be sure there are no added characters after the @ sign for email, or an extra .al (for example) befor the .com, .net, etc.
4. Always click on the 'site Information' silhouette of a person to the left of the webpage name in the address bar. If it is not a secure connection don't buy anything of that site!

(Please note - My web page is not secured because I am not selling anything.)

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BBB warns of retail scams targeting people in West Michigan

Justin Drummond - Jul 10, 2023 WXMI FOX 17

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging consumers to be wary of shopping scams as retailers prepare to host major online sales. We're told many West Michiganders have fallen victim, especially when it comes to scams posted in ads on social media. The BBB says more than $62,000 in losses were reported in the area so far this year.

"Scammers will pose as well-known retailers, tricking shoppers into shopping on a fake website, instead of the real one," says BBB Serving West Michigan President & CEO Lisa Frohnapfel. "Consumers should avoid clicking on any links sent by email, text or on social media, and make sure they are on the right website before giving out payment information or passwords."

Protect yourself from scams by doing the following:

  • Beware of social media advertisements for deals that sound too good to be true.
  • Don't click on links sent to you in emails, texts or advertisements. Visit websites by searching for them in your browser instead.
  • Ensure the website you're using is secure, indicated by "https" in the URL. Watch out for websites with extra characters listed before ".com."
  • Only log in to websites that contain a lock symbol beside the URL.
  • Shop on websites you know and trust. Even scammers can implement the above two points.
  • Keep an eye out for typos and grammatical errors. Messages containing these errors are likely fraudulent.
  • Shop with a credit card. It is much easier to dispute charges with credit cards than debit cards.

If you do fall victim to a scam, file a claim with the Federal Trade Commission and change your password. "You got to change that password," says Community Relations Manager Katie Grevious. "And if you use that password on any other sites, change it as well."

Then File a report with the B.B.B. if you believe you were scammed.

"Then we work with the FTC, the FBI, the attorney general's office to track down those IP addresses and find those criminals and help shut those websites down so other people don't fall victim as well," adds Grevious.

Visit the BBB's websitefor more safety tips.

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State Cautions Michigan Seniors Against Medicare Scams

By: FOX 17 News Oct 10, 2023

LANSING, Mich. - The state wishes to remind Michigan seniors to protect themselves from scams as open enrollment for Medicare has begun.

Open enrollment takes place Oct. 15-Dec. 7 this year, according to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS).

"The Medicare open enrollment period is a time for seniors to make important decisions about their health insurance and prescription drug coverage, and criminals will often try to take advantage of the situation to steal money or personal information," says Director Anita Fox. "Medicare participants, and those enrolling for the first time, can protect themselves by not giving out personal information, including their Medicare or Social Security Number, to anyone who tries to solicit their business over the phone, online, or at their front door."

DIFS and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges residents to do the following:

  1. Follow the FCC and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for up-to-date communications on scams and other information.
  2. Refrain from imparting sensitive information - including your Medicare number - to anyone, including people who claim to work for Medicare.
  3. Remember you can receive Medicare information without needing your ID number; that ID is only required to enroll.
  4. Don't trust caller ID on your phone; scammers can spoof - or fake - their numbers to appear as if calling from legitimate sources.
  5. Ignore those who claim you need to join a prescription drug plan to maintain coverage.
  6. Don't trust Medicare information appearing to be from the government in the mail; they might be ads for private corporations with fine print containing disclaimers.
  7. Remember that Medicare agents and brokers are forbidden from making unsolicited contact or leave materials at your home or in the mail.

For more information on Medicare, including plans to compare health plans, connect with the Michigan Medicare Assistance Program by calling 800-803-7174 or through their website.

Reach out to Medicare directly through Medicare.gov for other questions or concerns, or dial 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).

Report scams or aggressive sales tactics to DIFS online or by calling 877-999-6442.

Check your renewal status on the MI Bridges website.

Webmaster here - also see 'Protect Your Medicare Number, Your Other Info, And Your Money' on this page.

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Landlord Frustrated By Scammers Stealing Her Rental Listings

More Renters Are Falling For Fake Listings, Losing Money

By: John Matarese for FOX17 Aug 17, 2023

It's not just renters being targeted by the rental scam, with fake apartment listings. One landlord says her ads are constantly being stolen, and that renters are sending deposit money to a fake landlord.

If you've ever searched online for an apartment or rental home, you may have stumbled across some fake listings, which could cost you big money if you send a deposit to a scammer. Rental scams are frustrating for anyone looking for a new apartment or home to rent these days. But they are just as frustrating for landlords who say they see their properties reposted online by scammers almost daily and can only watch from the sidelines as innocent victims fall for this scam.

Gina Brown is one of those frustrated landlords. She owns several small homes and rents them out. Lately, she says, scammers are trying to rent them out too and are stealing deposit money from young renters who sometimes drain their bank accounts to put down a deposit.

"They copy my ads from Zillow," she told us. "Then they list my houses for $700 or $800 less than what they are actually being advertised for."

Brown showed us one of her home listings, renting for $1,849 a month. But she says renters found the same listing on Facebook Marketplace for as low as $900 or $1,000 a month.

"They Venmo a month's rent to a scammer," she said.

Brown has even met heartbroken renters at the front door, who claimed they had sent her hundreds of dollars.

"I had one instance where a lady drove two and a half hours, accepted a job here locally, and thought she was moving into my house," she says. She says the woman was devastated when she learned Brown had already rented it to someone else, who had signed a lease and was moving into the home in a few days.

Rental Scams Are Worse Than Ever:

Rental fraud like this is far more common than you'd think. In one study, 43% of renters said they encountered a listing they suspected was fraudulent. Miranda Marquit of the moving site, HireAHelper, says most legitimate landlords will ask for enough information to run a background or credit check before they ask for a deposit.

"If you've got somebody who is eager to make a deal without going through those steps, that could be a red flag," Marquit said.

Other red flags to watch for:

  • Instructions to wire money or send it via Zelle or Venmo, which is untraceable.
  • Asking for a security deposit or one month's rent before you've met or signed a lease.
  • Finding the same ad listed in other towns.
  • The landlord is out of state, and cannot meet you in person.

"Do some research on that landlord," Marquit said. "Do they live in the country? Are they claiming to be out of the country?"

And report fake listings to Zillow or Facebook when you see them to help future renters and frustrated landlords like Brown.

"Unfortunately, they seem to be everywhere," Brown said.

So check that ad thoroughly and make sure you are dealing with the real landlord so you Don't Waste Your Money.

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Beware Of The 'Say Yes' Phone Scam

Don't give robocallers what they're looking for!
By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report; for Fox News Aug 18, 2023

Have you ever received a call from an unknown number, only to be greeted with the question, "Can you hear me?" This is a common tactic used in the "Say Yes" phone scam, which has been around for a while and is once again making the rounds, according to the Better Business Bureau. It's important to be aware of this scam and others like it to avoid falling victim to them. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

What is the 'Say Yes' phone scam?

The "Say Yes" phone scam is a type of fraud where a person receives a call from an unknown number. If they answer it, the robocaller on the other end of the line will ask a question that prompts the victim to say "yes." This could be something as simple as "Can you hear me?" or a more specific question like "Is this [your name]?" or "Do you have time to talk?" The goal of the scammer is to record the victim saying "yes." What the victim doesn't realize is that "yes" is being voice recorded, and once the robocaller has that "yes," they can use it for whatever they want while pretending to be you. They might use it to authorize charges to your credit card or cellphone bill, to sign up for a program that you'd be charged for or something else.

What if I got a call like this, and I said yes?

If this "Say Yes" phone scam sounds like something you've experienced before, there's no need to panic. It's not a guarantee that your voice will definitely be used for something that will affect you negatively. However, it is important to be cautious when answering calls from unknown numbers and to be aware of the potential for this type of scam. You should also keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements and make sure that there aren't any charges on there that you did not authorize. I also recommend if you do receive a call like this, that you report it to the BBB Scam Tracker.

What can I do to protect myself in the future?

Although these robocall scams are common, there are plenty of ways you can protect yourself from them. Here are some of my suggestions.

Don't pick up!

If you're getting a call from a number that you don't recognize, don't answer it. You're better off letting the number go to voicemail than risking the chance of your voice being recorded for something you don't want. If it turns out that the call was from a real person, you can always call them back.

Answer the question with a question

If you do end up answering the call and the caller is asking you a question right off the bat, avoid saying 'yes.' Instead of answering their question, give a question right back to them. You can ask them something like, "Who am I speaking to?" or "What is the purpose of your call?" Questioning them might scare them off and make them hang up anyway, so just make sure you're avoiding saying the word yes at all costs.

Use a removal service

To protect yourself from scammers getting your phone number in the first place, take steps to remove your personal information off the web with a data removal service. Although no service can guarantee the complete removal of all your data, having a removal service can be helpful in continuously monitoring and removing your information from hundreds of sites over a longer period of time. See my tips and best picks for removing yourself from the internet by heading to Cyberguy.com/Delete.

For more information about how you can prevent robocalls, click here.

Kurt's key takeaways

Next time you receive a call from an unknown number and they ask, "Can you hear me?" be cautious. It could be the "Say Yes" phone scam trying to record your response. The solution is simple. Just avoid saying "yes" and use our tips to stay safe from robocall scams in the future. Remember, staying aware and protecting yourself is the key.

What more could phone companies be doing to protect you from ever receiving these types of robocall scams in the first place? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Home Equity Scams

By Mary Hunt - EverydayCheapskate.com in TIME December 6, 2022

Homeowners beware. These days, home loan scam artists are lurking around every corner. They're hungry, they're determined, and they're coming after your equity. Unscrupulous loan peddlers are known as predatory lenders because of their uncanny resemblance to vultures. These loans encourage people to consolidate their debts and suggest this will prevent them from ever overspending and maxing out their credit cards again.

Predatory lenders deal in asset-based lending: They make the loans based solely on the amount of equity a borrower has in a property rather than considering the borrower's ability to repay the loan.

Deceptive Marketing

Victims of predatory lending frequently describe being subjected to a flood of phone calls and letters from brokers and lenders, encouraging them to take out a home equity loan.

Red flag: Lenders who engage in high-pressure tactics, telemarketing, cold calling, and deceptive advertising campaigns.

Excessive Fees

Predatory lenders routinely charge borrowers fees totaling as much as 15 percent to 20 percent of the loan amount. Fees alone can have a ruinous impact on a homeowner's equity. But add them to prepayment penalties and you're locked into a high-rate, financially disastrous loan.

Red flag: You inquire about fees and charges, but you can't get the facts. They insist there are no "upfront" fees.

Equity Stripping

You need money. You don't have enough coming in each month to cover your expenses. You have equity in your home. A lender tells you that you could get a loan. This is a big shock because you know you will have difficulty keeping up with the payments. The lender encourages you to "pad" your income on your loan application to help get the loan approved.

Equity stripping is particularly dangerous for people who find themselves in financial trouble. Scammers target people who are facing foreclosure or other financial hardships and make false promises of relief. Beware of anyone who pops up at what seems like the perfect time promising to let you cash in the equity you've built up without any consequences. Falling for this scam could end up with you losing your home and all of the equity you've accumulated.

Red flag: Any suggestion that you can qualify for a loan when you know the truth is you cannot reasonably make the payments.

Balloon Payment

You've fallen behind in your mortgage payments. Another lender offers to save the day by refinancing your mortgage and lowering your monthly payments. But beware. The payments may be lower because the lender is offering a loan on which you repay only the interest each month.

Red flag: Unrealistically low payments.

Loan Churning

Senior homeowners who are asset-rich but cash-poor are prime targets for this scam. A mortgage company contacts you offering to refinance your loan and throw in some extra cash along with it. The problem is, each time you refinance, the fees and interest rates are going up.

Red flag: Lenders that contact you and any suggestion that a loan is the way to get your equity to start "working" for you.

Not all lenders are predatory. The best way to protect yourself against those who are is to be keenly aware of their tactics and always on the lookout for the red flags. If you need an explanation, talk to someone you can trust who has nothing to gain or to lose by the decision you make. Be careful how often you refinance your mortgage. Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor (HUD.gov/counseling) if you have questions or concerns about any mortgage loan transaction. Then consider all the costs of financing and repayment before you agree to a loan.

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Protect Your Medicare Number, Your Other Info, And Your Money

By Bridget Small for the FTC

Last year, the FTC got almost a million reports about impersonation scammers like fake government agents, pretend to be grandkids, bogus sweethearts, and others who took almost $2.3 billion from people across the country. So far this year, impersonation scams are still the most-reported fraud.
(Webmaster here - If you get a call like this, HANG UP! 1. State, Local, or Federal governments will NEVER call you and demand money. NEVER! 2. If they claim to be friend or family, call that person up on your phone with the phone number already in your address book. My aunt got a call like this and it was FAKE. They were trying to scare her into doing something stupid!!)

Scammers keep changing their stories to catch you off-guard. Some scams even ask you for your Medicare number. If anyone surprises you with a call, email, text, or message on social media and asks for money or personal information - no matter what story they tell - it's most likely a scam.
(Webmaster here - NEVER give Medicare, credit card, or bank account numbers to someone who contacted you demanding money! NEVER! Always contact the agency or business that is supposedly demanding money directly from the contact information already in your address book or in your files. IT'S A SCAM! They are trying to scare you into doing something stupid!!)

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week this week, learn about protecting your number from health care fraud. Then, take steps to keep impersonators away from your money and valuable information:

Reduce unwanted calls and email

  • Use call blocking technology or devices that stop unwanted calls - like scams calls and illegal robocalls - before they reach you.
  • Use email spam filters to reduce phishing scam attempts, and set your computer software to update automatically.

Keep information private

  • Medicare won't call or text to ask you for money. Even if your Caller ID says it's Medicare, it could be faked. Don't share personal or financial information with anyone who calls, emails, or texts saying they are from a government agency.
  • Don't click links or open attachments in email and text messages, even if they seem to come from Medicare or a company you know. They could be messages phishing for your account numbers, passwords, or other information.

    Protect your money

  • Refuse to pay anyone who demands payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Only scammers tell you to pay these ways. It's hard to track those payments, and almost impossible to get your money back.

    If you suspect a scam, tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    Overpayment Scam, Your Bank Could Be A Thief's Best Friend

    By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. in Kiplinger Newsletter

    If Southern California-based family nurse practitioner Joe Torres had read Fool Me Once by Kelly Richmond Pope (opens in new tab), he and I would never have spoken. He also would not have lost thousands of dollars in an "overpayment" scam that began when his laptop screen froze while he was working with a patient.

    I'll come back to Joe's all-too-common story in a moment - that is an utter embarrassment for his bank and many others - but I would like to offer the suggestion of Fool Me Once as a gift for a high school or university graduate, or really anyone who wants to learn how to protect their money. That gift could be one of the most useful books they could ever own.

    Fool Me Once provides keys to avoid being scammed by the con artists and thieves who roam the earth. Her book is so valuable, providing insight into how people like Bernie Madoff and corporations like Enron operate or how your trusted office assistant becomes an embezzler. The author shows you what to look for to prevent becoming a victim. Also, with elder financial abuse so prevalent, Fool Me Once highlights for my older readers and their children the signs that Mom or Dad aren't OK.

    From 'You Need Antivirus Protection' to No Fraud Protection

    Now, back to Joe and his infuriating problem. "I was at work," Joe wrote, "using my laptop, seeing patients, when suddenly my screen froze, and a message stated that it has a virus and to call a number to get it unfrozen. I did, and a man said he was with (my bank), and for $400 he can give me antivirus protection on my computer so I can use it. I sent the $400 using a credit card. Immediately, on my laptop screen, he showed my debit card number and said that I paid too much, and he will send $200 back to my bank account. Since I never use the card, I thought he was legitimately part of (my bank) as he had the card's number.

    "Somehow $44,200 was sent to my account! He instructed me to wire him the extra money, and if I do it right away, he would give me $70 and five years of antivirus protection. I was trying to be honest, and I wired $43,930 the same day. The next day, I realized this was a scam. So, I went to (my bank) and changed my debit card number."

    Joe's Nightmare: No Safeguards From His Bank

    At his bank branch, Joe was told that he owed the bank $44,200! "I never received an alert via text, email or mail about the movement of the money from my home equity line of credit to my bank account. I thought this was not right, especially since I had it for several years, but never used it. If I would have been alerted, I would have immediately canceled or not sent the wire."

    These overpayment scams have one thing in common: The victim is under pressure to "refund" money "mistakenly" placed in their account, but in reality, it isn't there.

    It is important to understand that merely because an account shows an amount of money in it does not mean that the funds really exist. It could take days for deposits to actually clear and be fully credited. This is another aspect scammers use to convince the victim that an overpayment was made.

    Joe filed a claim with the bank's fraud division and was told, "Our investigation could take up to 90 days." This comment, in my experience, is utter nonsense with no justification, as fraud requires immediate action. This was a slap in the face from one of the largest banks in America.

    Upon receiving Joe's letter, I contacted a high-ranking executive in the corporate offices of his bank, who, over the years, had always been helpful with consumer issues I brought to her attention. She promised to "escalate" Joe's case.

    Despite my leaving several voicemails, that was the last thing I heard from her after I asked, "Doesn't this bank have some safeguard in place to stop suspicious wires - sending money overseas from an account that never had activity - and explore the possibility of a scam with your customer?"

    Despite repeatedly asking her that question, I am still waiting for a response.

    Joe's letter to me concluded, "They need to fix this problem. I want my money back. I feel I should not have to pay for their mistake."

    He gave me permission to use his real name, as "I want people to realize how easily they can be swindled, and you can't trust your bank to prevent this known fraud from taking place."

    Bank Executives Silent When Asked, 'Are You Aware of Safeguards?'

    Can a financial institution prevent money from being wired? You bet it can. And while it is beyond the scope of this story, banks have an important role to prevent money laundering and must be alert to potential fraudulent transactions.

    "When a wire transaction is so far outside of a customer's profile, it should be stopped and the customer asked to come into the bank, if possible. That would appear to be the case here with Joe," said "Banker X," from a business bank in my town who asked that her name and the bank's name not be used. "We have prevented similar scams from succeeding, as our systems are designed to look for and alert us to unusual customer transactions," she said.

    Interestingly, I ran these facts by press relations and bank officers at a number of banks across America, asking, "Are you aware of safeguards that would have stopped Joe's wire from going through, giving time to investigate activity on an account that had never been used?"

    Not one bank or bank officer would comment, and most didn't return my calls.

    Investment Firms Use Algorithms That Raise Red Flags

    While bankers refused to comment, I also spoke with representatives of major investment houses. The common response was, "Yes, we have algorithms that are looking for the kind of thing that Joe was doing - suddenly wiring over $40,000 from an account he never used before. Everything comes to a halt, and we talk with our customer to see if all is legit, or if they are a scam victim."

    Finally, one fraud investigator told me, "These scams succeed due to a sense of trust, wanting to do the right thing and pressure to act immediately. Had Joe taken a step back and actually gone to his bank before wiring the money, the crooks would lose."

    So, what are Joe's remedies? I ran this by several attorneys who sue banks, and all agreed that this is a non-starter. They recommended trying to find a tax deduction of some type.

    To protect yourself from bank fraud and other scams, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for information on what to look for. You can also read more about this topic and find more tips in the article Banking Scams: Beware Fraudsters Impersonating Your Bank.

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    How To Avoid Tax Preparer Scams This Filing Season

    Problem Solvers By: Marisa Oberle - Mar 13, 2023

    The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants says it's important for people to carefully chose who files their tax return this year.

    Tax preparer scams are one of the IRS' "Dirty Dozen" tax scams.

    According to the agency, they regularly receive reports of unscrupulous preparers who, rather than help customers, hurt them and use their tax returns to commit fraud, identity theft or other crimes.

    "Those are really intentional and that's why it's important to make sure that that you really review your tax return when it's prepared," said Chris Picciurro, Teaching Tax Flow and Integrated CPA Group. "It really ties down to having someone that you trust, having someone that's accountable."

    According to Picciurro, in most cases, preparers claim dependents, typically children, when they should not, and take some of the credits offered. For example, in 2021, a federal court in the Western District in Michigan permanently enjoined a Holt married couple from preparing returns for others after an IRS investigation found they often inflated their client's dependency exemptions and earned income tax credits or lowered a head of household status to get a higher refund.

    According to a civil complaint filed, the couple pocketed refunds in some cases. Since then, a federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan has twice shut down Detroit-area preparers.

    Picciurro notes errors or false information on a return leaves taxpayers open to liability for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. He stressed the need for people to properly vet preparers.

    "Be organized and have a nice list of questions," said Picciurro. "Think about major changes that you had in your life - Did you have a did you have a child? Did you change your marital status? Did you refinance your home? Did you change residences or something like that, that could really affect your tax situation? So, being prepared is really the key to getting one the best result possible."

    According to the IRS, taxpayers should consider the following:

    • Look for a preparer who's available year-round. If questions come up about a tax return, taxpayers may need to contact the preparer after the filing season is over.

    • Review the preparer's history. Check the Better Business Bureau website for information about the preparer. Look for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. For CPAs, check the State Board of Accountancy's website, and for attorneys check with the State Bar Association. For enrolled agents go to Verify the Status of an Enrolled Agent or check the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers.

    • Ask about service fees. Taxpayers should avoid tax return preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the refund or who offer to deposit all or part of the refund into their own financial accounts. Be wary of tax return preparers who claim they can get larger refunds than their competitors.

    • Ensure their preparer offers IRS e-file. The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit.

    • Provide records and receipts. Good preparers ask to see these documents. They'll also ask questions to determine the client's total income, deductions, tax credits and other items. Do not hire a preparer who e-files a tax return using a pay stub instead of a Form W-2. This is against IRS e-file rules.

    • Understand the preparer's credentials and qualifications. Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent any client before the IRS in any situation. Annual Filing Season Program participants may represent taxpayers in limited situations if they prepared and signed the tax return.

    • Never sign a blank or incomplete return. Taxpayers are responsible for filing a complete and correct tax return.

    • Review the tax return before signing it. Be sure to ask questions if something is not clear or appears inaccurate. Any refund should go directly to the taxpayer - not into the preparer's bank account. Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return and make sure it's accurate.

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    Caledonia Man Loses Hundreds; Paid Fake Cash For Playstation 5

    By: Marisa Oberle, FOX17 News, Feb 06, 2023

    CALEDONIA, Mich. - A Kent County man says he lost out on hundreds of dollars after he recently sold a PlayStation 5 to someone who paid with fake cash.

    "I went to go count it and something felt slightly off about the money," said Josh Quist. "It felt a little too thick."

    It happened a few weeks ago at the Shell gas station off of Kalamazoo Avenue in Gaines Township. According to Quist, that's where he met the son of the buyer, who he found through Facebook Marketplace. They agreed to a $540 price tag.

    "He pulled up in a black Toyota Supra and he drove up next to me and rolled down his window," said Quist. "He had a bunch of 20s in his hand and he counted the money."

    It went well until the moment after their exchange. Quist explains the cash given to him felt weird, so he studied it and soon realized its lack of value.

    "I actually take a closer look at the bills and on the corners, underneath the 20, it says 'PROP' in tiny little letters, and red flags everywhere in my head," said Quist.

    The buyer had left by that point though, so Quist couldn't confront him about it. He tried to message their account, but the person behind it had already deleted it.

    "Things can go wrong in very weird ways," said Katie Grevious, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan.

    Grevious says scammers often use social media to target people. She suggests where someone plans to buy or sell an item, they take the following steps:
    *   Research the person you're making a deal with.
    *    conduct business on that platform.
    *    Do not share any personal information like your phone number or address.
    *     Meet in a public place with security cameras and witnesses.
    *      Try to use a mobile cash app, but read their privacy policies ahead of time. Link a credit card to it too rather than a debit card.
    *       Ask questions about the item.

    If someone takes your money, she says people should report it to the police and the platform where the deal was made.

    "You're allowed to ask questions before you buy things and if someone doesn't want to tell you those things, or they're just really pushy for you to make, make the sale or make the purchase, that's a sign that maybe they're hiding something,' said Grevious.

    Quist intends to do that next time. He says its been difficult to go without the money.

    "I have bills to pay," said Quist. "I have a car and I'm under 25, so car insurance is expensive. I do give my parents rent, and I help pay for things around here. I pay for mostly my own food and things like that and so that $540 is like a lot of money."

    A police report has been filed with the Kent County Sheriff's Office.

    Quist ask anyone with information to call detectives at 616.632.6125 or call Silent Observer at 616.774.2345 to report it anonymously.

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    How Do You Spot A Scam? Listen To How They Tell You To Pay

    By Cristina Miranda, FTC; April 11, 2022

    Now is a great time to dust off your knowledge for spotting and avoiding scams. The best way to make a clean getaway from a scam? Listen to how they tell you to pay.

    If someone tells you:

    $ - "Pay us by putting money on a gift card and then give us the number on the back." - - That's a scam!

    $$ - "We'll send you a check, deposit the check, and then send us the money."- - That's a scam! That check will later turn out to be fake and you will be on the hook for the money!!

    $$$ - "You have to pay us by sending money through a money transfer company like MoneyGram or Western Union." - - That's a scam!

    $$$$ - "Go to a store with a cryptocurrency ATM, put your money in to buy cryptocurrency, and use this QR code to send it to this address." - - That's a scam!

    Scammers have lots of stories about why you need to pay; like pretending they're calling from the government, a business, utility, tech company, or even a charity. Or they'll call about a family emergency. Or maybe they call with an alert about a virus on your computer that needs fixing. No matter what they say, they"ll pressure you to act immediately, and of course, pay them money. When they do, hang up and report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    Let's Talk About Recognizing Scams!

    Webmaster - This actually happened in the Grand Rapids Metro area late in 2022. I got it off the 'nextdoor' platform and have reposted it with permission from the author. He has done a terrific job of dissecting the anatomy of a scam email so we can spot one quickly and not get burned.

    I was just the target of an overpayment scam through the Facebook market place. Now it took me about 15 minutes to realize it was a scam because they were trying to do it through cashapp and it took me 15 minutes to set up my cashapp again because I only ever used it once and never used it to receive money before. But once it came time to put things into play, it became obvious fast. So I am not here to just say "watch out for scams" and be done with it. I am here to talk about what makes a scam obvious.

    First, how does this overpayment scam work? They were supposed to be buying an item from me that I had listed for $140. They said they needed my Cashapp tag and my email address. I then got an email saying that they sent me an extra $200 because Cashapp needed that to upgrade my account to business level.

    So what was my first clue this was a scam? The email. The first thing I noticed was a huge blurry low-quality banner that looks like it was saved, uploaded, saved, uploaded, saved, over and over. Losing quality each time.

    The second clue was that everything was aligned left and word wrapped all the way around my screen. Any business with more than 10 employees that write customer-facing emails that word-wrap may not be trustworthy and are certainly out of touch with the modern world. Check any of your emails that are coming from a company that's aimed at a large customer group. ASPCA newsletters, your cable bill, twitter feeds, news, advertisements, reddit updates. They are all compressed to a column to fit nicely on a phone or small monitor such as 480p or 720p. This is to make sure the format is as nice as possible for as many as possible. When you are sending the same email out to several million people and their dogs too, you want to make sure the experience is as universal as possible.

    The third clue it was fake, is the fact it was coming from a Gmail address. Again, if you are dealing with a company that has more than 10 employees, they should have their own domain address. They should not be using a Gmail address. Having their own domain adds trustworthiness, validity and reliability to the message. Getting a domain name, a custom website, and using this for your own email address has a cost starting at $30 a month. Unless your company is less than 60 days old there is no excuse not to have your own email addresses. And even then, I am gonna stick to my 10 employee rule. Though in reality that should be 3. If you are writing $200+ paychecks to someone that doesn't live in the same house as you, you can afford an email domain.

    At this point I told the person I know it's a scam. I then reported them to Facebook, Gmail, yahoo, and cashapp. But I kept digging because I wanted to write this post.

    The fourth clue it was fake, and maybe should have been second if I knew Cashapp better. The email addressed me by my cashapp tag, not my name. Yes, game companies will often refer to you by your user name. But a financial or retail company that's controlling your money should never do so. Amazon, PayPal, your bank, your place of employment. These places should not, ever, refer to you by a user name or "Dear Amazon Customer" or anything vague like that if the email is actionable. That is to say, an email you are expected to do something with, such as confirm a purchased or in this case telling me I need to send the scammer $200. Amazon may send an email referring to you as Customer if the email is being sent to all 999 million of their customers and isn't personal to you. Such as a newsletter saying that starting December 1st the sale of pink cowbells will now be banned. But not any email that is addressed to you specifically.

    The fifth clue that the email was fake, was the indentations indicating it wasn't an original email. Yahoo and Gmail (only email providers I use) indent emails and put a very think vertical line to the left of the indented section to show you the email is a forward or a reply. The original section is intended and any new part is not. So, if you send me an email telling me all about your favorite socks, and I respond saying pizza does not belong on feet, your original email is still there and indented, but mine is above it and not. Unless I delete your part, then nothing is indented. This entire email was indented which suggests to me that it was written somewhere else, then sent to this scammer's fake address, then forwarded to me. In the second email attempt other parts of it were indented to different degrees and levels that just don't make sense. There was no way I could imagine that happening naturally. Which suggested to me that this email was being Frankensteined together from multiple other emails.

    The sixth clue is the font. Different lines in the email have different fonts, different sizes. Different colors. Bolded in different spots. Os in place of 0s in some places. Even having $200.00 written out but with the last two 0s being two sizes larger than the first two.

    The seventh clue is that none of the places that links should have been, were clickable. The places at the bottom of any professional email such as contact email, support email, parent companies, ect, ect, ect. None were actual links. They color changed to blue.

    The eighth and final clue that should have stood out to me sooner. The subject being in all caps. Shouting the topic. No self-respecting individual screams their initial intent. Scammers and predatory bill collectors.

    That's it. I am sure if I shared the actual email here others could point out stuff. But really, these are the things to look at to see if an unknown email is legit. Regardless of who they are claiming to be. Your totally legit local towing company may break some of these rules, sure. But really. Anyone that has a monthly revenue of more than $30,000 a month absolutely should have someone with at least a 2-year college degree related to computers working part time for them, and be able to handle a professional email.

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    Save Money On Utilities This Winter And Avoid Scams

    By Colleen Tressler, FTC Oct. 6, 2022

    When temperatures drop, it often costs more to stay comfortable in your home - and scammers know that. This alert is to help you get your home ready for winter, save money, and avoid fraud.

    Utility imposters work year-round. Here's how to recognize and report utility scams.

      • Scammers say you're behind on your bill and, unless you pay right away by gift card or wiring money through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, they'll shut off your utility service.

        Stop. That's a scam!

      • Scammers come to your door saying they need to repair or replace equipment, and that you have to pay on the spot.

        Stop. That's a scam!

      • Scammers say you overpaid your bill, and they need to confirm personal information to process your refund.

        Stop. That's a scam!

    If you get a call like this, report it your utility company. Then report it to the FTC at. ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    Here are some easy (and more involved) ways to cut your energy costs. The less you're worried about energy costs, the easier it will be to ignore a call from someone (a scammer) who offers ways to save money this winter; if only you pay them.

    A. Do a home energy audit. It'll tell you how efficient your heating system is and where your home is wasting energy. Many utility companies offer free or low-cost energy assessments. Visit energysavers.gov for more resources.

    B. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weatherstripping for gaps or cracks.

    C. Bring your insulation up to levels recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy.

    D. Lower your thermostat before you go to bed or head out for the day, or get a programmable thermostat to do it automatically.

    See if help is available. Check to see if you're eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

    Learn more at ftc.gov/SavingEnergy. Then share this advice on social media using #WinterPrep2022.

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    Top 5 Ways To Avoid Delivery Scams Ahead Of The Holidays

    By: Alicia Smith Nov 17, 2022

    (WXYZ) - When it comes to holiday shopping logistics, consumers have it pretty easy these days. People can order practically anything they want online and have it shipped to their door. But, as you await all of those packages, watch out for scammers, especially when it comes to deliveries or shipping notifications.

    So-called 'porch pirates' are always a concern. "People have seen people taking packages from other people's porches, unfortunately," Kim Harper of Southfield said. She has received neighborhood alerts about package thefts recently.

    Harper also said she's concerned about delivery scams via phishing texts. "A lot of times you'll get texts that say, 'Your order has been delayed' or whatever. 'Click here to check on it.' I never click on those. I go directly to the site I ordered from," she said.

    Melanie Duquesnel, the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan, encourages people to avoid falling victim to those scams. I asked her what is the shipping scam that's causing the most concern right now in metro Detroit.

    "Package tracking," she replied. She said scammers will send an email or text posing as a company like UPS or FedEx prompting you to click a link. "The malware is what they're going for. They want to either disable your computer or figure out your personal information," Duquesnel said.

    Another scam is the fake "missed delivery" tag left on your door. Scammers say they have a challenge getting your package to your door. So, they want to reschedule the delivery. They want you to call the number on the tag. But it's really a ruse to get your personal information.

    Here are the BBB's top five ways to avoid delivery scams:

    1. Don't click on any links or call unknown numbers. Go to your delivery carrier's website directly or call them directly if you have questions.
    2. Get tracking numbers for your purchases and check the shipping progress periodically.
    3. Request a signature. It costs extra, but packages will not be dropped off when you're not there.
    4. Have your package delivered to your workplace or a trusted neighbor.
    5. Open your delivery upon receipt to check for damage or signs of tampering. Contact the seller immediately if something is wrong.

    Duquesnel recommends you print out or keep a digital folder of all your invoices so you know exactly what you're waiting to receive. Remember, major shipping services will never ask you for credit card information to get your package delivered.

    If you think you've been a victim of a crime, call the police to report it. Also, report it to the BBB's Scam Tracker website.

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    Check Your Bank Statements For Bogus Google Charges

    By: Kara Kenney WRTV Staff, Martinsville, Sep 16, 2022

    A scam involving unauthorized Google charges is hitting bank accounts across the country. The charges are totally bogus but appear to be coming from Google and Google Play, and typically there's more than one on your credit or debit card.

    Anita Caincross went out to dinner with a friend, and when she went to pay with her debit card, it would not go through. "I checked my account, and it was literally at zero," said Caincross. She found four separate charges totaling $4,065 that appeared to be from Google, with names next to each charge that Caincross did not recognize like "Duncan Oti" and "Maleto Ke."

    "I was angry," Caincross said. "What the heck happened here?"

    Caincross said the bogus Google purchases emptied her account which made it difficult to pay the bills. "I had a car payment and a house payment, and I'm never late on payments like that," Caincross said.

    Caincross contacted Google, but she says the company refused to refund her money.

    So, she contacted her bank, Fifth Third who reversed the charges.

    "I canceled the card and filed the dispute," Caincross said.

    Customers from other banks across the country also have been hit with bogus Google charges.

    A Reddit blog shows dozens of people who experienced fraudulent Google charges.

    The amounts often start small, because the scammers hope you won't notice.

    "You may not think twice if you see Google, so that's why you've really got to drill down and see what those charges are," said Jennifer Adamany, a spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau Serving Central Indiana. "Access your Google account and see what you're subscribed to and see if something doesn't look right. You have a better chance of stopping it early on."

    The best thing you can do is to regularly check your banking statements and look for unauthorized charges, even if they're small. "Keep an eye on it early on so you can put a stop before it gets to larger amounts," Adamany said.

    Anita Caincross is sharing what happened to spread awareness about phony Google charges.

    "It's important to be careful when using your debit cards online or anywhere because your information is extremely vulnerable," Caincross said. "They can wipe you out in the matter of a seconds. You have to be hyper-vigilant."

    Google has not responded to requests for comment.

    Fifth Third provided the following statement:

    We have not seen any specific uptick related to this scam, however, Fifth Third takes fraud very seriously and continues to monitor trends and mitigate risks for our customers. Customers should always report any fraud as soon as possible to Fifth Third. They should also continue to be alert to scams via text and email.

    There always seems to be new (and old) ways to try to scam people. People commonly get these types of fake messages purporting to be from different banks, so people need to be careful regardless of where they bank. Below are some tips we provide related to scams:

    !    Be suspicious if you get a call or text asking for personal information such as account numbers or your Social Security Number.
    !!    Be cautious if the person calling or texting has an urgent tone or if you are directed to an automated voice response asking you to validate information.
    !!!    Be cautious about clicking links within text messages.
    !!!!    Never provide personal information over the phone or via text unless you initiated the call to a verified Fifth Third Bank phone number.

    If customers have a question/are suspicious about an email, phone call, or text, contact Fifth Third directly to help.

    $    Call us via a verified Fifth Third Bank phone number and ask to be transferred to the person or department mentioned in the communication.
    $$    Forward suspected phishing emails that appear to be from Fifth Third Bank to 53investigation@security.53.com. Suspicious emails appearing to come from other entities should be forwarded to reportphishing@antiphishing.org

    Webmaster - I recommend that everyone should check their account balances at least once a day online. If there is a problem, call or text your financial institution IMMEADIATLY! Better safe than sorry.

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    BBB Warns Of Predatory Loan Companies And Debt Collection Scammers

    By: Alicia Smith WXYZ

    If you've been receiving annoying phone calls about debt you know you do not owe, you're not alone. Thousands of people have complained about these debt collection scammers to the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, more than 100,000 people have lodged complaints with the BBB about debt collection companies - real businesses that offer short-term consumers loans which advocates call a "debt trap."

    First, let's start with the scammers.

    Christopher Nettleman of Dearborn Heights is sick of fake debt collectors blowing up his phone. "I started getting harassing phone calls last year claiming to be from BHA Services stating that I owed $900 on a debt from 2008," he said. He double-checked with his credit union directly and confirmed he did not owe anything, but the calls and texts continued. He reported it to the BBB's scam tracker. Between 2019 and 2021, the Scam Tracker received more than 7,800 reports about loan and debt collection scams with losses of $4.1 million.

    "If you don't think you owe anything and somebody calls you and tells you you do, hang up," said Melanie Duquesnel, the president and CEO of the local Better Business Bureau. She said they found scammers posing as payday loan companies or debt collectors arm themselves with stolen financial information to convince customers to pay up. The schemers often using tough-to-trace sources like gift cards, payment apps, and money orders. "They really tried to scare the bejesus out of you. They really do. They use the tactic of if you don't do this, you're going to go to jail," Duquesnel said.

    Now let's turn to the legal businesses receiving a lot of complaints.

    The BBB found some payday loan companies, operating legally in 32 states including Michigan, are charging triple-digit interest rates because laws to curb predatory lending were rolled back in recent years.

    "They state on their website that they can go from about 300% to nearly 700% interest rates," Duquesnel said, giving one example of a loan company receiving a lot of complaints.

    A BBB study found many payday loan companies:
    -offer interest rates calculated weekly or biweekly rather than annually.
    -target people in need of cash who probably can't pay the money back quickly.
    -trap borrowers with stacking fees, triple-digit annual interest rates, and short-term repayment schedules.

    From 2019 to 2021, the BBB received more than 117,000 complaints against legal loan and debt collection companies with more than $118 million disputed.

    So, what can you do to protect yourself?
    * If you're considering a short-term payday loan, read the terms and conditions carefully before signing any paperwork. Understand what your interest rate and fees will be.
    * If someone calls you claiming you are overdue on a debt that's 10-15 years old, just hang up. Contact your creditors if you are not sure how much you owe.
    * Finally, never pay a debt through a payment app like Venmo or with a gift card. Any real creditor will accept traditional forms of payment - including a check.

    And if you feel like a scammer is trying to get your money...or a loan company is hiding sky-high interest rates... report your concerns.You can register a complaint with any of these entities:
    -
    Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker
    - Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    - Michigan State Attorney General

    If you have an overdue payment on a payday loan, the BBB recommends you explore resources with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that could help you understand how debt collection works and what your rights are. You may also consider setting up a payment plan or working with debt counselors at the Michigan-based non-profit Greenpath Financial Wellness.

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    BBB West Michigan Warns Of Riskiest Back-To-School Scams

    By: Lauren Kummer; Aug 11, 2022

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The rush to buy school supplies is underway as the first day of school quickly approaches. With that, the Better Business Bureau serving West Michigan is warning consumers of what to look out for.

    The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said online purchase scams are the top spot for riskiest to consumers, making up just 37% of all reported scams. According to their scam tracker, almost 3/4 of people affected reported monetary loss.

    How can you make sure you don't fall victim when back-to-school shopping?

    The BBB said to beware of 'too good to be true' deals. If you see free or very low prices on hard to find items, it's probably a scam.

    They said scammers look to take advantage of consumers who are desperate for certain supplies. "This year, we really encourage people to shop early, and that is because we're seeing those shipping delays, and those product shortages," said Better Business Bureau Communications Specialist Katie Grevious. "When you find something that you like, and maybe that pricing is really great, compare it with other prices or other well known stores to make sure that you truly are getting a deal, and that it's not a deal that's too good to be true," she said.

    Some additional tips include:

    • Do your homework. Learn more about the seller by looking them up on BBB.org. Do not rely on reviews from the company's website.
    • Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. Many sketchy retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that don't measure up to the promotional hype.
    • Finish your shopping early. With supply shortages and high prices, there will be a large number of shoppers all looking for the same products. Start early and finish early so you are not in a hurry, allowing you to avoid higher prices or being enticed by a bad deal.
    • Research big ticket items. Before purchasing any major item, research the brand and check the product's warranties. Only shop with businesses you know and trust to ensure you're getting a quality product and good customer service.
    • Check the site's security. If the site is secure, its URL should start with "https://" and include a lock icon on the purchase page. Only enter payment information on secure sites.
    • Read the fine print. Look for the return policy; although many online orders can be returned for a full refund, others have restocking fees. Some items cannot be returned; know before you buy.
    • The BBB adds paying by credit card is important to give an extra layer of protection, offering you the opportunity to dispute any charges if the transaction goes bad.
    • "If you do end up falling for a scam, or you do end up giving you know your money to a scammer, they can go ahead, reimburse you and then fight with that scammer in the background, and you don't have to worry about it," said Grevious.
    • When you are online shopping, if you find a suspicious website or email, the BBB is asking you to report it through its scam tracker.
    • You can also check the scam tracker list for find information on potential fraudulent websites or emails you find suspicious.

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    Beware Of Zelle Scams

    By Steven J.J. Weisman, Esq. June 1, 2022 in BottomLine Personal

    The money-payment service Zelle is a popular way to make free, near-instantaneous digital transfers between your bank account and someone else's, perhaps to repay a coworker for lunch. Last year, 1.8 billion Zelle payments were sent from mobile devices, totaling nearly a half-billion dollars. Problem: That convenience has made Zelle a scammer favorite. Even worse: If you get burned, your bank won't be of any help.

    Zelle is built in to mobile software apps from hundreds of banks around the country. The company is run by a consortium of major banks including Bank of America, Citibank, Chase and Wells Fargo. Problem: Zelle doesn't offer fraud protection and federal law covering electronic transfers requires banks to reimburse you for stolen funds only when a transaction is "unauthorized." Con artists often trick Zelle victims into sending money, technically making those transactions "authorized." Example: You purchase an item on Facebook Marketplace and "Zelle" the money to the seller. But if you never receive the item, your bank won't replace the money in your account. Or: You're contacted by a con artist posing as a bank official who says your account has been hacked. You are told that a new account has been established to keep your funds safe; all you have to do is Zelle the money in your old bank account over to the new account, which is in reality, controlled by the thief.

    How to protect yourself:

    Never share your Zelle credentials with anyone who calls or texts you; and never Zelle yourself money to a new account. If you are alerted to a possible fraudulent Zelle transaction, call back the bank to investigate.

    Use Zelle for only small trans-actions with people you trust. For commercial transactions, use PayPal which offers more robust fraud protection.

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    New Crypto Payment Scam Alert

    By Cristina Miranda, FTC January 10, 2022

    There's a new spin on scammers asking people to pay with cryptocurrency. It involves an 'impersonator', a QR code, and a trip to a store (directed by a scammer on the phone) to send your money to them through a cryptocurrency ATM.

    It works like this: someone might call pretending to be from the government, law enforcement, or a local utility company. Maybe a romantic interest you met online calls, or someone calls to say you've won the lottery or a prize. They'll wind up asking you for money. If you believe the story they tell and you seem willing to engage, they'll stay on the phone to direct you to withdraw money from your bank, investment, or retirement accounts. Then they'll tell you to go to a store with a cryptocurrency ATM (and they'll stay on the phone the whole time).

    Once you're there, they'll direct you to insert your money into the ATM and buy cryptocurrency. Here's where the QR code comes in: they send you a QR code with their address embedded in it. Once you buy the cryptocurrency, they have you scan the code so the money gets transferred to them. But then your money is gone.

    Here's the main thing to know: nobody from the government, law enforcement, utility company, or prize promoter will ever tell you to pay them with cryptocurrency. If someone does, it's a scam, every time. Any unexpected tweet, text, email, call, or social media message - particularly from someone you don't know - asking you to pay them in advance for something, including with cryptocurrency, is a scam.

    If you spot something like this, tell the FTC right away at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And to learn more about avoiding cryptocurrency scams, visit ftc.gov/cryptocurrency.

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    Michigan State Treasury Warns Of Mailed Collection Scams

    By: FOX 17, May 25, 2022

    LANSING, Mich. - Michigan's treasury department is alerting residents to a scam targeting those with tax debts. We're told letters are making their way through the mail to Michiganders who are past due on their taxes, asking them to call a number to resolve their debts while threatening to seize their property if a settlement is not reached.

    "We have received reports that taxpayers are receiving these letters," says Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White. "If you have questions about an outstanding state tax debt, please contact us through a verified number so we can talk about options."

    The Treasury says the letters appear to be legitimate due to containing specific information available to the public. The state says a legitimate correspondence letter would incorporate the state government's letterhead with the governor's and treasurer's names. Michiganders who receive a scam letter or wish to inquire about state tax debts are asked to call 517-636-5265. Click here for more information.

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    Before You Join That Crowdfunding Campaign, Read This

    By Emily Wu FTC, Nov 18, 2021

    If it takes a village to raise a child, crowdfunding may be what it takes to make that invention a reality. But scammers could be behind those crowdfunding efforts and take your money without delivering what they promise.

    name you want displayed can help raise money to develop a new product or invention. To get investors, the organizer may promise something in exchange for contributions. Investors might get a payout once the invention is profitable, be the first to get the new product, or get the new product at a discount later on.

    When you give money to a crowdfunding campaign, it goes directly to the campaign organizer. But a dishonest businessperson might lie about the project, product, and timeline. And they might lie about the rewards you'll get once the product is finished.

    So before you pledge funds to any crowdfunding campaign, check on a few things first:
    # Who created the campaign? Find the name of the organizer on the crowdfunding page and do your own vetting. If you can't find anything about that person, or the details don't match what they're telling you, that's a sign of a scam. Search for the name of the organizer and project with the words "complaint," "review," "or scam" to see if anyone has already had a negative experience.
    # What's the purpose of the campaign? Be clear what the funds are for and what you should expect from your contribution. Not all campaigns promise you'll get anything in return.
    # What happens if the project doesn't get off the ground? There's no guarantee that the project will be successful and completed. Find out what happens to your money if the project doesn't get going. Can you expect a refund? How you will get it?

    If you come across a crowdfunding scam, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, your state Attorney General, and the crowdfunding platform.

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    When Scam Calls Target Your Client Or Loved One

    By Amy Hebert Consumer Education Specialist, Nov. 15, 2021

    Calls from scammers are annoying and can cause a lot of trouble when you realize, too late, that they're scams. What's even worse? When they target a client or loved one you're caring for. So today, as part of National Family Caregivers Month, we're talking about how to spot and block scam calls.

    Scammers might pretend to be with the government, a grandchild, tech support, or a potential love interest.

    The real Social Security Administration won't threaten people or suspend their Social Security numbers and won't ask for payment this way. It's a scam.

    Here are some steps you can take to help your loved one get fewer scam calls:

    A. Look into call-blocking. There are technologies and devices that can stop a lot of scam calls and illegal robocalls before they reach you. Cell phones, home phones that make calls over the internet (VoIP), and landlines each have their own call-blocking options. Just know that call-blocking services could block some legitimate calls.
    B. Sign up for the National Do Not Call registry to stop calls from real companies. But know that the registry can't stop calls from scammers.
    C. If you answer one of these calls, hang up. If possible, tell the person you're caring for to do the same. If the call is a robocall, don't press any numbers or it could lead to more calls.
    D. Warn your loved one about scams. If possible, talk to the person you care for about different types of scams that can happen over the phone.
    E. Know when to report identity theft. If you find out the person you're caring for gave their personal information to a scammer, go toIdentityTheft.gov to report it and find out what you can do next.

    Learn more about unwanted calls at ftc.gov/calls. And learn more about scams targeting older people at ftc.gov/PassItOn.

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    Get The Dog Or Cat Instead Of The Scam

    By Jennifer LeachNov. 12, 2021

    This has been National Adoption Week for pets, and by now, thousands of dogs and cats might have new homes in the hearts of many thousands of people. But as the holidays approach, scammers know that families are hearing about their kids' NEED for a dog or cat. And scammers are ready to take advantage by offering up that perfect pet, for a fee. You'll find ads offering litters of puppies, especially, on websites and listservs online. But once you pay, your supposed pet and the 'breeder will vanish, along with your cash. Here are ways to spot those puppy and pet scammers and stop them in their tracks.

    + Start with a local rescue or animal shelter. A quick online search will point you to them, where you'll be able to adopt for a small fee. There are even rescues for specific breeds, so check them out, too.
     + Check out the rescue, shelter, or breeder. Search online for their name, plus words like 'complaint' or 'scam.' See what others have to say about them.
      + Check out the photos. Are the pics of the available cute puppies and kitties just stock pictures? Or are they copies taken from somewhere else? Do a reverse image search to see. If they're either, move on.
       + Have an in-person or video visit. Legit rescues, shelters, and breeders alike want to make sure you and your new pet are a good match. They'll encourage an in-person or video meeting. If they don't want you to visit, video chat, or even talk by phone, move on to someone else.
        + Watch how you're asked to pay. Nobody legit will ever require you to pay by gift card, wire transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union, or cryptocurrency. And paying by cash transfer services, like Venmo, makes it hard to get your money back. So stick with a credit card, if you have one, for the most protections if something goes wrong.

    If you spot one of these scams, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. All the cats and dogs of the FTC wish you well in adding a new family member to your home.

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    Avoiding Holiday Charity Scams

    By Rosario Mendez, FTC, October 18, 2021

    Every year, charity regulators from around the word get together to raise awareness about charity fraud. The FTC joins this effort again this year because it's so important to know how to spot a charity scam. The more you know, the less likely you'll donate to a bogus charity. Better yet, you'll make sure your money is helping in the way you intended.

    Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at #StopCharityFraud to get the latest advice on how to avoid charity scams. This year, we're focusing on:

    How to report charity scams - and why it matters (Hint: go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov)
    $ Research charities before you donate (Hint: go to ftc.gov/charity)
    $ How to avoid scams when donating to charity in times of disaster (Hint: go to ftc.gov/weatheremergencies)
    $ Donating safely through crowdfunding or social media (Hint: go to ftc.gov/crowdfunding)
    $ Resources for charities to keep their computers and network secured (Hint: go to ftc.gov/cybersecurity)

    You can help people make sure their donations reach real charities, not scammers. This week, join in to raise awareness in your community about charity scams:

    * Share our videos on social media.
    * Follow us at Facebook.com/FederalTradeCommission and at Twitter.com/FTC
    * Create your own social media posts using ideas from ftc.gov/charity). Don't forget to tag @FTC and use    #StopCharityFraud

    Report charity scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    How To Spot, Stop, And Report Post-Disaster Scams

    By Colleen Tressler, FTC September 3, 2021

    Whether you're starting to assess the damage from Hurricane Ida, the recent flooding in Tennessee, the wildfires in the West, or another natural disaster, coping with the aftermath is never easy. But when scammers target people just trying to recover, it can be even worse. Here are ways to help you avoid common post-disaster scams.

    Be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up and debris removal. Some may quote outrageous prices, demand payment up-front, or lack the skills needed.

    Check them out. Before you pay, ask for IDs, licenses, and proof of insurance. Don't believe any promises that aren't in writing.

    Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or in cash. And never make the final payment until the work is done and you're satisfied.

    Guard your personal information. Only scammers will say they're a government official and then demand money or your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number.

    Know that FEMA doesn't charge application fees. If someone wants money to help you qualify for FEMA funds, that's probably a scam.

    Be wise to rental listing scams. Steer clear of people who tell you to wire money or ask for security deposits or rent before you've met or signed a lease.

    Spot disaster-related charity scams. Scammers will often try to make a quick profit from the misfortune of others. Check out the FTC's advice on donating wisely and avoiding charity scams.

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    Credit Card Skimmers Found At Several West Michigan Gas Pumps

    By: Karie Herringa, FOX17online.com. Oct 21, 2021

    LANSING, Mich. Inspectors from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) found several credit card skimmers placed inside gas pumps in West Michigan. MDARD says weights and measures inspectors found the credit card skimmers during a routine blitz.

    "These criminals continue to try and use gas pumps to commit theft and steal your personal information for fraudulent use. These inspections are just another way MDARD is protecting Michigan consumers at the pump," said Gary McDowell, MDARD Director. "Kudos to our weights and measures staff for their vigilance in protecting consumers' pocketbooks and personal identification."

    The skimmers were found at gas pumps in Wyoming, Portage and Grandville as well as several other locations throughout the state.

    MDARD says skimmers were found at the following locations:

    * Admiral, 3221 Division S., Wyoming
    * Admiral, 5342 Westnedge, Portage
    * Sunoco, 40200 Michigan Ave., Canton
    * Admiral, 4315 Chicago Drive, Grandville
    * Mobil, 1396 Ecorse Road, Ypsilanti
    * Sunoco, 5843 S. Martin Luther King, Lansing
    * Mobil, 1500 Haslett Rd, East Lansing
    * FlexxMart, 496 Main St. Belleville

    According to MDARD, credit card skimmers can't be seen outside the pump. They are located inside where they make a copy of the person's card information.

    "Criminals who engage in this type of illegal activity exploit and manipulate the very technology that we depend on to conduct secure financial transactions in the retail marketplace," said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The FBI and its local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting consumers, businesses, and financial institutions from fraud schemes conducted by criminal enterprises likes this one."

    MDARD is working with the FBI to try to track down the thieves.

    "The station owners had security measures in place to protect their patrons such as security tape." added Craig VanBuren, MDARD's Lab Division Director. "Unfortunately, the thieves cut, broke, or removed the tape. It is important that both the stations and customers remain vigilant at the pump when using a bank or credit card."

    If you believe your credit card information may have been compromised, you should contact your banking institution immediately.

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    Texts From State Saying You Have Unclaimed Property Are Scams!

    By: FOX 17 News, Jul 01, 2020

    LANSING, Mich. - Some Michigan residents are receiving text messages telling them the state of Michigan is holding unclaimed property for them. The Michigan Department of Treasury says they don't send out texts, so the messages could be scams.

    "These messages are not affiliated with the state Treasury Department and could be a scam. If you have questions about unclaimed property, visit our website or contact us directly," said Deputy State Treasurer Ann Good in a release. To actually find out if the state is holding unclaimed property belonging to you, go to the Michigan Unclaimed Property website or call 517-636-5320 between 9 a.m. and noon Mondays and Fridays and between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

    The state Treasury Department says it has received reports over the last week that people have been getting texts from unknown sources, that the individual has unclaimed property, and a link provided will help them claim their property. The link is likely a phishing scam, and you should never click through to it. The Treasury Department does not deal with the public through text messaging.

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    Checks From The Government

    By Jennifer Leach; FTC March 18, 2020

    As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people's pocketbooks, there are reports that the government will soon be sending money by check or direct deposit to each of us. The details are still being worked out, but there are a few really important things to know, no matter what this looks like.

    1. The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.

    2. The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.

    3. These reports of checks aren't yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.

    Look, normally we'd wait to know what the payment plan looks like before we put out a message like this. But these aren't normal times. And we predict that the scammers are gearing up to take advantage of this. So, remember: no matter what this payment winds up being, only scammers will ask you to pay to get it. If you spot one of these scams, please tell the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov/complaint. We're doing our best to stop these scammers in their tracks, and your report will help.

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    Keep Your Vacation And Holiday Travel Plans Safe From Scammers

    Adapted from FTC consumer alert emails.

    As you think about what your vacation and holiday travel plans hold, here are some things to keep in mind:

    # Never pay for "prize" vacations. No legitimate company will ask you to pay for a prize.

    # Use a credit card, if possible, for your travel spending. This gives you more protection than paying by cash or debit card;and it may be easier to dispute unauthorized charges.

    # Subscribe to Consumer Alerts to keep up to date on the latest scams. Then pass them on.

    Scammers are posing as rental car companies, setting up their own websites, and advertising fake customer service phone numbers, all to convince travelers they're legit. Then, they're asking people to pre-pay for the rental with a gift card or prepaid debit card. To avoid rental car scammers driving off with your money:

    * Research the rental car company by searching for the name of the company and words like "scam," "complaint," or "review" to check if other people have had a bad experience.

    * Verify deals with the company directly. If you need customer support, look for contact info on the company's official website. Don't use a search engine result. Scammers can pay to place sponsored ads in search results, so they show up at the top or in the sponsored ad section.

    * Pay with a credit card if possible, and never pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card. You can dispute credit card charges, but gift cards and prepaid debit cards can disappear like cash. Once you give the number and PIN to a scammer, the money is gone.

    Before you rush to book that miraculously available rental car, take a moment and read up about things you should consider when renting a car. If you spot a rental car scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

    If you're considering getting a timeshare this vacation season, read on. Maybe you got a flyer in the mail with pictures of sunny beaches and beautiful resort suites. Sounds great, right? But before you sign a timeshare contract, make sure you understand what you're getting into and how to get out of it.

    Not all timeshares work the same way. Some use points to determine where you can stay and for how long. Others get you one week a year at a resort, but it's not always the same week. The cost also varies a lot. Typically, timeshares require you to pay initial fees and yearly maintenance fees that may increase every year.

    Promoters might offer you a gift or delicious meal to attend a timeshare presentation. If you decide to go, the sales staff may make a lot of promises and pitches designed to get you to buy right then and there without giving you time to think about it or do any of your own research.

    So before you sign that timeshare agreement, ask yourself a few questions:

    + If the timeshare is only for a specific property, is this where I want to vacation every year?

    + Can I afford this timeshare, even if the maintenance fees go up?

    + Do I have the time to deal with issues that may arise if I can't book the resort I want during the time I want to travel?

    + If I no longer can afford or want the timeshare, how can I sell it?

    And read Timeshares, Vacation Clubs, and Related Scams for more tips.

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    Shopping Online? Know Your Retailer And Your Rights

    Colleen Tressler, FTC June 30, 2021

    COVID opened the door for scammers to double down on their worst practices, while preying on consumers during an unprecedented global pandemic. That includes some bad actors who have been taking advantage of online shoppers in search of hard-to-find items like face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

    When you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads, or within 30 days if the ads don't give a time. If a seller can't ship within the promised time, it has to give you a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.

    So before you shop online, especially from an unfamiliar retailer, remember these three things:

    1. Check out the company or product. Search online for the name plus terms like "review," "complaint," or "scam." See what other people say about it. Read the seller's description of the product carefully. If the seller has name-brand goods at steeply discounted prices, they might be fakes.

    2. Look at the terms of the sale. Make note of the total price, including taxes, shipping, and handling; the expected delivery date; and policies for refunds, including who pays for return shipping and if there is a restocking fee.

    3. Pay by credit card. You'll get protections under federal law, so you don't have to pay for things you ordered but didn't get.

    Remember, if you see a scam, or want to report a problem about online shopping, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    How Long Does It Take To Hack Passwords - - NEW 07-25-21 - -

    Adapted from Kiplinger's Personal Finance; Hive Systems, with data from www.howsecureismypassword.net

    The number of Characters used to create a password are 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

    Using Numbers only takes - Instantly, Instantly, Instantly, 2 sec., 25 sec, 4 min.

    Using lower case letters - 5 sec., 2 min., 58 min., 1 day, 3 weeks, 1 year.

    Upper & lower case letters - 22 min., 19 hrs., 1 mth., 5 yrs., 300 yrs., 16K yrs.

    Numbers, up & lower case letters - 1 hr., 3 days, 7 mth., 41yrs., 2K yrs., 100K yrs.

    Numbers, up & lower case letters, symbols - 8hrs., 3 wks., 5 yrs., 400 yrs., 34K yrs., 2M yrs.

    The choice is yours.

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    More Money Is Coming To Families - And Scammers Are Ready

    By Lisa Lake, FTC; June 2, 2021

    As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, eligible families will get monthly payments from the government from July 15 through December 2021. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send these monthly payments directly to people through direct deposit, paper checks, or debit cards. Unlike economic impact payments, these payments are an advance on families' child tax credit. People who are eligible will get up to half of their child tax credit in these monthly payments and the other half when they file their 2021 taxes.

    If you qualify for payments - which depends, in part, on how much you make - you'll get them on about the 15th of each month, automatically, without having to do anything. The IRS is working to get online systems set up on its webpage and make sure all questions get answered. Go to IRS.gov for the latest info on who qualifies, how much you'll get, and how to address any problems you might run into.

    When money from the government is in the news, we know scammers are about to run their standard playbook. They may call, email, text, or DM you. They'll say they can help you get your payments earlier (they can't), get you more money (also no), or tell you other lies (for sure). Here's the real deal:
    * Only the IRS will be sending these payments. Anyone trying to "help" you get your child tax credit is really after your money.
    * The government will NEVER call, text, email, or DM you out of the blue, asking for money or information. Keep your money - and your Social Security, bank account, debit and credit card numbers - to yourself.
    * Nobody legit will ever demand that you pay by gift card, wire transfer through companies like Money Gram or Western Union, or cryptocurrency. That's a scam, every time.

    If someone tries to scam you out of these payments or anything else, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    DTE Energy Lays Out What Customers Need To Know So They Don't Fall Prey To Scammers

    By: WXYZ Web Team, May 04, 2021

    (Webmaster - These rules apply to every utility or service in Michigan!)

    (WXYZ) - DTE Energy is laying out what customers can do to prevent falling prey to scammers after they've heard "heart-wrenching" stories from people around the community. According to a press release, DTE says scammers have called or texted customers using technology that falsely indicates it's coming from DTE, demanding immediate payment. They have also heard of scammers showing up at doors, claiming to be from DTE Energy, and stealing from the home when the owners' backs are turned.

    DTE says they try to contact customers before making visits, but that it's not always possible. If someone shows up at your door, DTE says you should always request to see a badge. If you are called, ask the person to tell you your account number and current amount due. If it does not match what is on your current bill, call police and DTE to report them. You can always call 800-477-4747.

    Here's what DTE wants YOU to know:

    * DTE does not ask for unusual forms of payment such as Bitcoin or gift cards.

    * DTE does not visit homes to collect a late bill or threaten shutoff.

    * DTE does not use aggressive tactics to get into a customer's home.

    * DTE does not request personal or financial information, such as a Social Security number, utility account number or payment information.

    * DTE does not claim a customer is entitled to a refund or rebate and ask for a bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.

    * DTE does not ask for your personal information for a government program that claims to reduce energy bills.

    The red flags include someone asking for your DTE account number, bullying and demanding a specific form of payment.

    They also advise you do not allow someone to enter your home if:

    # Claim to offer a DTE Electric or DTE Gas refund. Our employees never deliver cash refunds or rebates to customers' homes.

    # Attempt to collect a bill payment. DTE DOES NOT collect or accept utility bill payments at customers' homes or businesses.

    DTE says if any customers feel like their identity has been compromised, they should call their local police, take advantage of free credit reporting, watch for new accounts opened in their name, and report the activity to DTE.

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    Wrapping up 2020 with more car wrap scams

    Ari Lazarus, FTC, December 29, 2020

    We just heard from more companies that scammers are using their names to trick people into a car wrap scam. This time, scammers are saying they're Marlboro or Purell (but they're not really).

    The gist of the scam is this: scammers send emails and post to social media and job boards with messages like 'GET PAID TO DRIVE.' They offer to pay you up to $700 a week if you'll drive around with your car (or truck or bike) wrapped to advertise a well-known product. But they're not really affiliated with the brand. They just want your money. If you message them back, they'll send you a check to deposit into your bank account. Then they'll say to use some of that money to pay their 'decal agent' to put the ads on your car. They'll tell you to pay by money order, Walmart money services, or by making a cash deposit directly into the decal agent's bank account - all ways that are hard to cancel or get your money back.

    So what's really going on? Well, the 'decal agent' is really the scammer. And that check you just deposited? That was fake - which means the money you sent is coming out of your own pocket. So, if you deposited a $1,500 check and sent $500 to the 'decal agent', you're out $500 of your own money. (And you don't get to keep that $1,000, either.)

    Another thing: an FTC analysis published earlier this year showed that fake check scams hit 20- and 30-year-olds hard in the wallet. People reported a median loss in 2019 of $1,988.

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    Active Scam Short Articles:


    What's A Money Mule Scam? Scammers may try to use you to move stolen money. If you help them, you could be what law enforcement calls a money mule. Money mule scams happen several ways. The story often involves scams related to online dating, work-at-home jobs, or prizes. Scammers send money to you, sometimes by check, then ask you to send (some of) it to someone else. They often want you to use gift cards or wire transfers. Of course, they don't tell you the money is stolen and they're lying about the reason to send it. And there never was a relationship, job, or prize. Only a scam.

    What happens next? If you deposit the scammer's check, it may clear but then later turn out to be a fake check. The bank will want you to repay it. If you give the scammer your account information, they may misuse it. You could even get into legal trouble for helping a scammer move stolen money.

    How can you avoid money mule scams?

  • Don't accept a job that asks you to transfer money. They may tell you to send money to a "client" or "supplier." Say no. You may be helping a scammer move stolen money.
  • Never send money to collect a prize. That's always a scam, and they might be trying to get you to move stolen money.
  • Don't send money back to an online love interest who's sent you money. Also always a scam; and another a way to get you to move stolen money.

    Criminals are good at making up reasons to help them move money. Don't do it. The money may be from other people they scammed. You may be helping criminals hurt people just like you. If you think you might be involved in a money mule or money transfer scam, stop transferring money. Notify your bank, the wire transfer service, or any gift card companies involved. Then, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

    By Lisa Weintraub Schifferle; FTC; March 4, 2020. Read the original article.

    Return to top of page.

    Where is your online search leading you? - Dishonest companies set up websites that look like legitimate places to get information on finding a job, joining the military, or getting government benefits. But they might not help you with any of those things. Instead, they'll take your personal information and sell it to other companies. The companies that buy those "leads" then try to pitch you products or services you didn't ask for.

    Here are some tips on getting to better, and real, online sources of information for jobs, the military, and government benefits:

    1. If you find an unfamiliar website that claims to offer what you want, search its name with words like "review", "scam", or "complaint".
    2. The Department of Labor's American Job Centers has information about jobs in your state.
    3. For information on joining the U.S. Armed Forces, start with this site from the Department of Defense .
    4. Visit Medicaid.gov for details on this benefit.
    5. While there are many reliable, non-government sources for online information on government benefits, government sites (with URLs ending in ".gov") are the safest bet.

    To learn more about how your information can get shared online, read how companies get your info . And if you've had an experience similar to this case, report it to the FTC.

    By Lisa Lake, FTC August 27, 2019. Read the entire article.

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    Fake Debt Collectors - Consumers across the country report that they're getting telephone calls from people trying to collect on loans the consumers never received or on loans they did receive but for amounts they do not owe. Others are receiving calls from people seeking to recover on loans consumers received but where the creditors never authorized the callers to collect for them. So what's the story?

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if they:

    • are seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
    • refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
    • asks you for personal financial or sensitive information;
    • exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.

    If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

    • Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

      If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.

    • Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
    • Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft - charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
    • Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate - but you think the collector may not be - contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
    • Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

    Read the original article.

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    Medicare does not give out DNA kits! - Here's one that goes to show just how creative scammers can be. The FTC is getting reports that callers claiming to be from Medicare are asking people for their Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal informatio in exchange for DNA testing kits. The callers might say the test is a free way to get early diagnoses for diseases like cancer, or just that it's a free test, so why not take it? But the truth is, Medicare does not market DNA testing kits to the general public. This is yet another government imposter scam.

    In this example, as in others, scammers may give what seems like a believable explanation for needing your information. But before you give anyone your personal information or a swab from your cheek, consider these tips to help you spot and avoid these kinds of scams:

  • Government agencies will rarely, if ever, call you. If they do, it will be after they send you a letter or to return a call you made to them. But anytime the "government" caller demands information (or payment by wire transfer or gift card), that's a scam.
  • Don't trust caller ID. Scammers use technology to hide their real number, but show one that seems legit. So if the caller ID shows a 202 area code, or says "government" or "Washington, DC," don't take that at face value. It could be anyone calling from anywhere.
  • Never give anyone who calls or approaches you out of the blue information like your Medicare, bank account, credit card or Social Security number. Scammers can use your information, steal your identity, get credit in your name and take your money.

    By Lisa Lake - Consumer Education Specialist, FTC


    Get a one-ring call? Don't call back! A while back, we warned you about the "one ring" scam. That's when you get a phone call from a number you don't know, and the call stops after just one ring. The scammer is hoping you'll call back, because it.s really an international toll number and will appear as a charge on your phone bill - with most of the money going to the scammer. Well. the scam is back with a vengeance, and the FCC just issued a new advisory about it. Read the FCC's advisory for more detail, but the advice from both agencies remains the same if you get one of these calls:
    1 - Don't call back ! !
    2 - Report the robocall to the FTC at www.donotcall.gov and to the FCC at www.fcc.gov/complaints
    3 - Always check your phone bill for suspicious or unusual charges

    May 7, 2019 by Michael Atleson

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    What to do about robocalls? The FTC worked with AARP to create a series of videos about imposter scams - including robocalls, IRS imposters and Medicare scams. While the videos are aimed at older Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the tips apply to everyone. For three Fridays, we've highlighted these videos: first Medicare scams, then IRS imposters, and now robocalls. In this week.s video, you'll hear about imposter scams that come by robocall, and some steps you can take. The robovoice may claim to be a utility, a government agency, or even a foreign consulate. Don't believe them. Instead:
    1 - Hang up on illegal robocalls. Is the recording trying to sell you something? Did you give your written permission to get calls from that company? No? Then that call is illegal. No need to feel like you're being rude when you hang up. :
    2 - Consider protecting yourself with technology like a call blocking app or device. You also can ask your phone provider if it has call-blocking tools. To learn more, go to ftc.gov/calls. :
    3 - Report the call. Report robocalls at ftc.gov/complaint. The more we hear from you, the more we can help fight scams. :

    To read the article and access the video links plus more info click here!

    March 29, 2019 by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, FTC Attorney.


    Trying to make cash off robocalls? If you are tired of getting "robocalls" on your cell phones, you aren't alone. We get the calls here at the station too, both at our desks and on our work phones. So, when we saw this story from FOX 29 in Philadelphia, we were interested and we passed it along to you, via our sharing partnerships with other Fox stations. It also raised some questions. Robocalls.cash claims that with a $47 kit, they can help you fight back against robocallers and actually demand that they send you cash as payment for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The concept is that by breaking this rule, the company that made the call would be willing to settle with you, the victim, for anywhere from $750 to $5,000.

    We asked the Better Business Bureau of West Michigan if this works. They told us via email that it could work if real companies, who are afraid of getting in trouble, make the calls. However, since most scam callers don't care that they are already breaking the law, the likelihood that they'd look to settle a dispute is probably unlikely. The procedure to try and get payments from a company involves trying to get information from the caller where you can determine what company is calling and where they are located. As it turns out, we received a call Friday afternoon and tried to get the information out of the caller, but they hung up on us.

    In general, you will need to do some real work to get your money.

    From Fox 17, March 15, 2019

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    FTC Halts Another Phantom Debt Collection Scheme.

    Getting a call about a debt you don't owe - or even recognize - can be annoying. It can be downright scary when the caller claims to be a lawyer and threatens legal action if you don't pay. Such are the ploys of phantom debt collectors : lies, harassment, intimidation and threats. Don't let debt collectors - real or phony - scare you. Know your legal rights, so you can spot when something isn't right. By law, debt collectors have to send you a validation notice in writing, within five days of contacting you. If they don't, that's a red flag. And if a debt collector threatens, harasses or intimidates you to pay a debt, that's illegal, too.

    Today, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Global Asset Financial Services Group (GAFS) and fifteen related defendants for operating a fake debt collection scheme. The FTC's complaint says that GAFS employees claimed to be lawyers or affiliated with law firms. In truth, they were not lawyers and had no authority to collect debts. The fraudulent scheme bilked millions of dollars from consumers for debts they did not owe. At the FTC's request, a federal court has temporarily halted the operation and frozen its assets. This action is part of the FTC's continuing crackdown on abusive and phantom debt collectors.

    If you, or someone you know, has gotten a suspicious debt collection call, report it to the FTC. We've stopped a lot of bad debt collectors. Help us stop more.

    By Colleen Tressler; FTC published on February 8, 2019


    Get-rich scheme sold to wannabe Amazon sellers:
    "Get started selling on Amazon and make $5,000 - $10,000 in the next 30 day; even if you've never sold anything online before." That's one of the pitches the promoters of a large get-rich scheme used to lure people into a bogus business opportunity. In ads and live seminars in English and in Spanish, Amazing Wealth Systems - also known at different points as AWS, FBA Stores, and Online Auction Learning Center - claimed that people who used the company's "system" would generate thousands of dollars in sales on Amazon.com. Not so, says the FTC in a lawsuit against the company. In fact, the defendants didn't have anything to do with Amazon.

    The FTC says it was really Amazing Wealth Systems that made money - by enrolling people. Those who followed the system did not make anywhere close to the advertised income, or any income at all, according to the FTC's complaint. On top of that, the FTC says many people received warnings from Amazon.com or got their Amazon seller accounts suspended because what the system instructed them to do was against Amazon's policies.

    Read the entire article at the FTC Consumer Information page.

    By Rosario Mendez


    Watch Out For These New Tax Scams :
    They're at it again... tax scammers scheming new ways to steal personal information and money.

    In the first scenario, identity thieves file a fake tax return and have the refund deposited into your bank account. The thieves then contact you, often by phone, and posing as the IRS or debt collectors for the IRS; demand you return the money to the IRS. But following the thieves' instructions actually sends the money to them.

    In another version, after you get that erroneous refund, you get an automated call, allegedly from the IRS, threatening you with criminal fraud charges, an arrest warrant, and "blacklisting" of your Social Security number. The caller gives you a case number and a telephone number to call to return the refund.

    Don't take the bait. If you or someone you know gets an unexpected tax refund, follow the guidance outlined by the IRS for how to return the funds to the agency. The steps for returning paper checks and direct deposits differ.

    For more information and other Tax Scams, read the entire article at Watch Out For These New Tax Scams.

    By Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC March 12, 2018

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    Don't Be CBDeceived By Junk Science

    By Lisa Lake, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC December 17, 2020

    If you've explored alternative treatments for medical conditions, you've probably noticed that CBD products are pretty popular. But if an ad claims a CBD-based product is scientifically proven to cure or treat your symptoms, take that with a dose of caution to prevent losing money and, possibly, putting your health at risk. Today, the FTC announced six proposed complaints and settlement agreements as part of "Operation CBDeceit." This operation is a law enforcement sweep against companies claiming their CBD products treat serious diseases and chronic health conditions like diabetes, depression, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and cancer. The FTC also says one of the companies charged people's credit cards for bottles of CBD extract they hadn't ordered. The proposed settlements would ban these companies and their affiliates from making disease prevention and cure claims without adequate scientific proof to back them up. As part of the settlements, the companies would have to notify people who bought their CBD products that no scientific evidence supports the companies' serious health-related claims.

    Operation CBDeceit is the FTC's latest crackdown against companies making misleading or false statements about the health benefits of their products. Before CBD companies can claim their products are proven to treat or cure symptoms or diseases, they must have scientific evidence that meets the standards set by experts in those diseases and conditions.

    Before you try CBD-based or any other products, take these steps to protect yourself:
    1st - Talk to your doctor before trying any alternative medicines - and definitely before you stop taking any prescription medications.
    2nd - Avoid products that say they're 'guaranteed' to treat your condition. These people don't even know you. How can they know a product will work with your body to treat your condition?
    3rd - Find out more about miracle cure claims by visiting
    FTC.gov/miraclehealth.

    If you think a company deceived you about how effective its products are, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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    Scammers Taking Advantage Of Increase In Buying On Amazon

    By: FOX 17 News

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Scammers are spoofing phone numbers for the Better Business Bureau in their latest efforts to get money and personal information from unwary consumers. And they are targeting consumers' increased reliance on Amazon in their efforts. The Better Business Bureau Serving West Michigan says the Amazon scam hasn't shown up yet in Michigan, but other offices around the country have seen as many as 100 complaints.

    Here's how it works:
    * A recorded message claiming to be from Amazon says there is a problem with your Amazon account. It could be a fraudulent charge or a lost or damaged package or an unfulfilled order for an iPhone.
    * The message requests your personal information.
    * Sometimes you are brazenly asked for credit card numbers and Amazon account login information.
    * The scammers may ask to be permitted to gain remote access to your computer to help solve the totally made-up problem.
    * The phone number displayed belongs to a trusted organization, and lately it has been the Better Business Bureau.

    What you can do:
    * Demand to know who is calling and why.
    * Give out no personal information.
    * Report the caller to Amazon customer service.
    You can start on their web site.
    * Find a way to contact the organization on your own and call to verify.

    "The Better Business Bureau, and most other companies, won't take offense if you want to take the time to verify you are talking to the real organization," says Phil Catlett, president of the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan.

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    Couple's Perfect Rental Home Turns Out To Be A Big Scam

    By: John Matarese Oct 19, 2020 Don't Waste Your Money.

    Rental homes are in short supply right now, and renters often grab the first one they can find. But one southern Ohio couple just learned you need to be very careful that it's not a scam. Because it turns out the person who rented the home to them -- and took their deposit -- was not the real owner.

    Delah and JiJi Ndiaye found the perfect rental home - a cute little one-bedroom cottage for $475 a month. "We found this place on Craigslist. We called the landlord, and he told us to meet him over here to look at it," Delah said. There, they met a woman who appeared to be the landlord's wife, signed a very official-looking lease, and paid the woman a $475 money order.

    They started moving in their furniture and belongings. "We bought a new rug," Delah said. "We even had our WiFi turned on!" But days after moving in, they got a visit from....the real landlord. "They were coming here to lock us out, and we didn't know what was going on," she said. It turns out the ad, the lease, and even the landlord and his wife were fake. The real owner wanted them out, and was turning off their water. "The water is not running," she said. "They turned the water off."

    Rental scammers slicker than ever

    The Ndiayes had fallen victim to what's known as the 'Craigslist house-rental scam', and it's getting slicker and slicker.

    Scammers, according to Consumer Reports magazine, will find a legitimate house or apartment for rent. They will copy and repost the ad on Craigslist, even listing the address and showing photos to show that it is a real place. They price it below the original leasing price, to catch renters looking for a bargain. Sometimes they simply ask for prospective renters to wire a deposit.

    More emboldened scammers will actually meet the renters outside the property, give them a phony lease to sign, and take the money. Delah says the "landlord" did not have the key, but had the code to the lockbox, which is how they got in. It appears the scammer had posed as a renter to get the lockbox code.

    "It just feels like we are lost," she said. "There's nothing we can do." The Ndiayes went to the police, but learned they are probably out of luck. "It's a civil situation right now, so we are hoping the landlord and tenants that are currently living there can can work something out to stay there," Colonel James Toles. "I assume they will have to pay him rent for the first month."

    We contacted the home's legitimate owners, where a man who answered told us they will let the couple stay 30 days to fill out an application and reapply. He said the company will be happy to try to work things out, but needs a new deposit and first month's rent, since it never came to them.

    But Delah Ndiaye doesn't know if they can afford it now. "I don't know what we are gonna do," she said. "They got our money." The phone number on the lease was apparently a disposable cell number, which is now disconnected.

    How to avoid the rental scam

    To protect yourself, Consumer Reports says: Consumer Reports says:

    * Be suspicious of Craigslist rental listings that seem too cheap for the neighborhood.

    * Never wire or send a deposit to a landlord you have never met.

    * Be especially suspicious of a landlord who doesn't have keys to the property. He may not be the landlord.

    That way, you don't waste your money.

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    3 Red Flags For A Work-From-Home Job Offer

    By: Alicia Smith Nov. 13, 2020, Don't Waste Your Money

    Lisa Bryant, a working mom of two from Belleville, has been looking for ways to make some extra money from home during the coronavirus pandemic. In October, she received a text asking if she was interested in a job online. Immediately, her internal alarm bells starting ringing.

    "It was a company that I had never heard of before," Bryant explained underscoring that she had not applied for any position there. "Secondly, it was the manner in which he contacted me; via text. Normally, you receive an email," she added.

    Bryant asked how the business got her number. They told her they got it from one of the companies she'd applied to. She thought that was fishy since most companies don't share information about job applicants. But she wanted to see where this would lead.

    After a couple of weeks of electronically communicating, the 'business' asked for her address so they could send her a check as a signing bonus and pay for additional tech equipment she might need. A FedEx envelop arrived with a check for $2950.00. But it came from a totally different business.

    So, she called that company. "The gentleman that answered the phone said that I was the tenth person that had called," she said soberly. "I'm probably one of hundreds that he's doing this to," Bryant said. "I was smart enough not to deposit the check."

    I contacted the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Laura Blankenship - the BBB's Director of Marketing - said it happens with people looking for a work-from-home job. And there are warning signs.

    RED FLAG 1 - YOU DID NOT APPLY FOR THIS JOB
    If you didn't apply for any position with the company reaching out to you, start asking questions. "While it is possible for a legitimate job to reach out to you, a lot of the times if you didn't apply for something, they're not just going to hand it to you," said Blankenship.

    RED FLAG 2 - THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU
    They don't want to speak with you in person, on the phone, or over video conferencing -- which is unusual in the job interview process. "Typically, [the schemers will] only want to communicate via email or text message. You usually can't get a hold of someone. If you go to a website, there's not contact information listed," explained Blankenship.

    RED FLAG 3 - THEY SEND YOU A CHECK TO DEPOSIT
    They send you a check to deposit to buy office supplies or to give you a starting bonus Lisa Bryant's 'prospective employer' was pressuring her to deposit the check and asking for visual proof once it was done.

    But in these kinds of schemes, once the checks get deposited, Blankenship said that's when the real trouble starts. "They say that they overpaid you, and you need to send a large amount back. Well, when you send that amount back, it's usually before the bank has flagged that it's a fake check. So, you're the one sending your own money to the scammer as well as having to pay the bounced check fee," Blankenship explained.

    Bryant still can't believe she was targeted. "You get almost three-thousand dollars [in the mail], you know, that's a month of bills for me. It could have helped out a lot. But I knew it was too good to be true," Bryant said. Thankfully, she did not deposit the check. She believes the schemer got her number from her LinkedIn account.

    The BBB reminds people to never send money to anyone you don't know -- especially if they ask for the money in an unusual form such as a wire transfer or prepaid debit or gift cards. Also, if they want proof of the deposit or any of your personal banking information, that's another warning sign. With more people applying for temporary holiday jobs in the coming days, the BBB thinks these schemers may start reaching out even more.

    So watch out so you don't waste your money!

    To report a possible scam, call the Better Business Bureau toll free at 866-788-5706.

    You can also go online to report an illegal scheme to the BBB.

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    60 And Over In The Time Of COVID-19?
    SCAM ALERT!

    By Jennifer Leach, FTC March 30, 2020

    I know, 60-year-olds. You're not old. In fact, we've found that, when people think "old," they think of someone about 10 years older than they are right now. But, because we've been warned about the effects of the Coronavirus on people 60+, listen up. Because scammers follow the headlines and know you might have this on your mind. Right now, scammers are scuttling out of their dark corners to offer false hope (Home test kits! A cure!) and use fear (Your Social Security number is about to be revoked! Your loved one is in trouble!) - all to get your money or information. (None of those things are real, by the way.) They're asking for your bank routing number to "help" you get your relief money - which is not how you'll get it, by the way. They're sending fake emails that look real, but those fake CDC or World Health Organization emails are trying to steal your personal information - or, if you click a link, put malware on your computer, tablet, or phone. Scammers are calling (and calling and calling), using illegal robocalls to pitch you the latest scammy thing. They're texting, and they're all over social media.

    So, while you're washing your hands and working to stay safe, here are a few ways you can help protect yourself - and those you love - from scammers.

  • Don't be rushed. Whatever the call, email, text, or social media post is about, remember that scammers try to rush you. Legit people don't.
  • Check it out. Before you act on something or share it - stop. Do some research. Do the facts back up the story?
  • Pass it on. If you get offered something great, or you're worried about something alarming: talk to someone you trust before you act. What do they think?
  • Keep in touch with the FTC. Sign up for Consumer Alerts to help spot scams: ftc.gov/subscribe. And watch for the latest at ftc.gov/coronavirus.
  • Report scams to the FTC. Go to ftc.gov/complaint. Your report can help us shut the scammers down.

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    Guard Against Fraud Cures And Other Cons

    By Linda A. Johnson Associated Press, April 13, 2020

    * Don't answer your phone unless you know the caller: "Use your answering machine," If you answer a robocall and are directed to press a number for details on an offer, don't. It's likely a scam.

    * Beware "spoof" calls: These falsely ID callers as agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration or Small Business Administration and tell you to call a number for help getting money. Instead, look up that agency's phone number to check.

    * Consider the source. Government agencies contact people by mail, NOT by phone, text, social media or email.

    * Don't fall for pitches offering drugs or nutritional supplements to cure or prevent infection by the coronavirus, or at-home virus test kits. They don't exist, and the first time you hear about one won't be from a stranger.

    * Question email and text requests that seem to be from friends or relatives, asking you to buy store gift cards from a third party promising to forward the cards to them.

    * Don't send money to someone you haven't met, particularly via money orders, prepaid debit cards or gift cards, which aren't secure or traceable. Don't give info to people who contact you, or click unfamiliar email links, which could put malware on your computer to find passwords and financial information.

    * Question possibly true things, like emails and online ads offering hard-to-find hand sanitizer, sterile gloves and masks. Many people have reported ordering via credit card, but never received the items and the seller vanished.

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    Fake Cash App Customer Support Dupe Michiganders Of Thousands Of $$$

    By: WXYZ Web Team, Jul 23, 2020

    The Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula (BBB) has received several reports over the last few months from consumers who lost thousands of dollars after speaking with an alleged Cash App customer support person. Consumers say they searched online to find the customer service department phone number for Cash App. The 'representative' on the other end of the line then requested the consumer's login information to be able to 'further assess the problem,' claiming to be transferring funds to a dummy account and back again to see why consumers were having trouble accessing funds. When, in actuality, the scammers were transferring the consumer's money into their own accounts with no intention of returning the funds, according to the BBB.

    Right now, Cash App does not actually offer customer service via telephone, only via email or through the app. If a consumer does call the number provided by the company (1-855-351-2274), they will hear a recording telling consumers to seek service via email or their app. Cash App, a product of the company Square, Inc., based out of San Francisco, California, has been made aware of this issue and responded, in part by saying:
    "To ensure we can assist every Cash App Customer as quickly as possible, we primarily support this product via email. We're working hard to increase Cash App support via other channels and make it even easier for customers to get real-time help with urgent issues."

    Melanie Duquesnel, President & CEO of BBB serving Eastern Michigan & the Upper Peninsula said: "When looking for customer support for any website, it is best to go directly to the source, so in this case to the app itself. While our first instinct is to do an internet search, it may not always provide the most accurate information. If there is no customer service phone number on the app, chances are they don't provide customer service over the phone."

    One Michigan user reported calling a number they found by Google searching "Cash App Customer Service" and was convinced, by the representative, to send $335.00 a random account, they claimed was dummy account.

    Another Michigan resident stated that after calling a number they found on Google, the representative convinced them to download an additional app that allowed the representative to access to their phone screen, once the consumer did that, they watched as the scammer changed all of their account details and sent their money to another account.

    When looking to use any cash transferring app, here are some tips to consider:

    • Use money transfer with friends: Protect yourself from scams by only using money transfer apps for their intended purpose -- sending money to people you personally know.
    • Enable additional security settings: Check your account settings to see if you can turn on additional security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, requiring a PIN, or using fingerprint recognition like Touch ID.
    • Link your money transfer app to a credit card. As with many other purchases, using a credit card will help protect you if you don't get the goods or services you paid for. Linking to a debit card or directly to your bank account does not give you that added protection.
    • Use a password on your phone. If you lose your phone - or it's stolen - be sure criminals can't access your payment apps. Secure your phone by choosing a strong password or using the biometric security devices available on many smartphones.
    • Check your account to be sure that the money transferred: If you do use a peer-to-peer payment app to sell something, be aware that it takes a few days for some payments to transfer. Be sure that the money transferred: If you do use a peer-to-peer payment app to sell something, be aware that it takes a few days for some payments to transfer. Be sure that the money transfers before you send the goods. If you have any concerns that a payer didn't really send the money, be sure to check your account directly.

    BBB says peer-to-peer payment apps are certainly convenient but without the proper protections, you could sustain significant losses of time, money and in some cases, treasure.

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    How To Block Robotexts, Spam Messages To Cellphones

    KimKomando; komando.com

    If you thought robocalls were annoying, get ready. Spammy text messages promising free gift cards, low credit card interest rates, debt relief services or other scams are the next nuisance taking over our phones. The goal is the same, though: steal your money. While the phone carriers are slow to stop the onslaught of robocalls, there are proactive steps you can take. Unfortunately, stopping the robotexts is up to you. The process starts with understanding how telemarketers, hustlers and other outfits get your cellphone number in the first place.

    How Companies Get Your Cellphone Number

    Social media sites:
    Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Google keep track of your online activity and provide information to advertisers. If your phone number is public on social media, assume it's in various marketing companies' databases.

    Calling 800, 888 or 900 numbers:
    When you call phone numbers with these prefixes, your cellphone number is collected by an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) system. In addition to identifying and storing your number, the ANI system can match it with other digital data associated with you.

    You provided it:
    There many valid reasons why you would give your number to companies. Filling out a sign-up form, contest entry or enrolling in an in-store rewards program. Whatever the reason, you willingly hand over your cell number, and this practice allows for your number to end up in the wrong hands.

    You didn't provide it:
    Many telemarketing firms rely on automatic dialing devices that are capable of discovering and dialing all landline and cellphone numbers, including those that are unlisted.

    How To Block Robocalls And Spam Messages

    Robotexts are common now, and many people treat them as a necessary evil. Receiving unwanted messages is one of the sacrifices of having a smartphone. Whatever you do, do not reply and do not click anything in the text. There are several tactics for fighting back, and doing so helps everyone. The more we resist robotexts, the less likely their success.

    Tell them to stop:
    Legitimate companies offer you the chance to opt-out of receiving messages from them. Be careful, though: scammers use this same technique to lure you into replying to their messages, which helps verify the number. A quick Google search usually can confirm if a number is legit.

    Block numbers:
    Blocking numbers is easy. That said, precise instructions may vary according to the manufacturer, model and operating system of your mobile device. Also, remember that the same organization may try texting you from multiple numbers. On an iPhone, open the text from the number you wish to block and tap on the sender's number. Click on the info (i) icon. Under the Details screen, click on the phone number, choose Block this Caller and Block Contact. On an Android, open your phone app and tap on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and choose Settings. Tap on Block numbers. You will find several options including unknown callers, recent call or from your contact list. Choose a number you wish to block.

    Be a tattletale:
    Reporting a robotext or spam message to your cellular carrier is a great step in the fight against robotexts and spam messages. Copy and forward the original text to 7726 (SPAM), free of charge. You can use this method if you are a Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint or Bell subscriber.

    File an official complaint:
    According to the Federal Trade Commission, it is illegal to send unsolicited commercial email messages to wireless devices without your consent. This act includes text messages to your cellphone, and it's further unlawful to send unwanted texts from an auto-dialer. The only exceptions are transactional or relationship type messages, and non-commercial messages, such as political surveys or fundraising messages. If you receive unwanted commercial text messages, file a complaint using the FTC complaint assistant.

    Use your phone's secret setting:
    This setting isn't exactly a secret. It's so obscure you probably never thought of it. You can help eliminate spam messages and robotexts by filtering out spam on your mobile device. Filtering out spam on an iPhone is simple. Go to Settings and tap on Messages. Scroll down to Filter Unknown Senders and toggle the setting on. If you are an Android user, open your phone app and tap on the three-dot icon and choose Settings. Under Settings, enable Caller ID & Spam.

    Get additional help:
    There are several third-party apps to help against spammers. Two popular apps - Nomorobo and RoboKiller - are available for iOS and Android. Although each requires a subscription that costs a few dollars a month, they are efficient at blocking and filtering suspected robotexts and spam messages.

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    Blue Cross Warns of Telemarketing Prescription Scam

    When you think about the things in your life you want to protect, your mind probably goes to your home, family, and financial information. But now, more than ever, it's also important for you to be vigilant in protecting your personal medical information. Recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's Corporate & Financial Investigations team fielded complaints from members who received unwanted medication, supplies and durable medical equipment (DME) mailed to them. Usually, receiving unexpected packages can either mean a belated birthday gift from Aunt Sally or an online shopping purchase you forgot you made. But imagine checking your doorstep to find a box full of blood glucose meters and diabetic testing supplies you did not request or are not medically necessary for you.

    After an investigation, Blue Cross learned that some telemarketing companies were soliciting insurance information and primary care physician's contact information directly from patients through phone calls, emails, social media and online or mail surveys. These companies then faxed fake prescriptions to the prescriber's office to obtain authorization and place an order. Other times, pharmacies called requesting authorization from the prescriber to change a medication. Once the authorization was received, the members unexpectedly began receiving mailed deliveries of medications or durable medical equipment supplies. The member would receive the order, and the cost of the unnecessary medication or equipment was paid by the member's employer group coverage.

    In 2018, Blue Cross identified numerous physicians and pharmacies involved in this scheme. Information was shared with other Blue Cross plans as well as law enforcement agencies to help raise awareness of the scam. Blue Cross also blocked several prescribers and pharmacies from being able to continue this scheme.

    Avoid Being a Target
    These high-cost scams could also lead to higher insurance costs for members. So, how can you protect yourself (and your wallet)? Start by following some basic tips:

  • Know the source. Be wary of any communication from a doctor or other entity (such as an online prescription service) who initiates contact with you. If you have a medical issue, you should visit your primary care physician or a referred specialist.
  • Keep it personal. Don't give out personal or insurance information online. Unsolicited phone calls, surveys or emails asking for your insurance or doctor's information should be a red flag.
  • Don't be tempted by freebies. Be wary of anyone giving away free medication on social media or someone who offers a reward for filling a prescription. What looks free at first, may end up costing you and your employer more money in the longer run.

    Members who have been caught up in this scheme reported difficulty getting the dispensing pharmacy to stop sending medications. Therefore, it's important to learn how to avoid becoming involved in the onset.

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    Fake calls about your SSN

    By Jennifer Leach; FTC, December 12, 2018

    The FTC is getting reports about people pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who are trying to get your Social Security number and even your money. In one version of the scam, the caller says your Social Security number has been linked to a crime (often, he says it happened in Texas) involving drugs or sending money out of the country illegally. He then says your Social is blocked; but he might ask you for a fee to reactivate it, or to get a new number. And he will ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

    In other variations, he says that somebody used your Social Security number to apply for credit cards, and you could lose your benefits. Or he might warn you that your bank account is about to be seized, that you need to withdraw your money, and that he'll tell you how to keep it safe.

    But all of these are scams. Here's what you need to know:

  • The SSA, or any part of the U.S. government; will never ever call and ask for your Social Security number. It won't ask you to pay anything. And it won't call to threaten your benefits. NEVER!

  • Your caller ID might show the SSA's real phone number (1-800-772-1213). but that's not the real SSA calling. Computers make it easy to show any number on caller ID. You can't trust what you see there.

  • NEVER, EVER, NEVER give your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Don't confirm the last 4 digits. And don't ever give a bank account or credit card number - ever never ever - to anybody who contacts you asking for it.

  • Remember that anyone who tells you to wire money, pay with a gift card, or send cash is a scammer. It always, always, always is a scammer!!! No matter who they say they are.

    If you're worried about a call from someone who claims to be from the Social Security Administration, get off the phone. Then call the real SSA by dialing their number yourself: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Do NOT hit 'redial' as it will call the scammers back, not the SSA. If you've spotted a scam, then tell the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint.

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    Asked to pay by gift card? Don't!

    By Jennifer Leach, FTC

    Has someone asked you to go get a gift card to pay for something? Lots of people have told us they've been asked to pay with gift cards by a caller claiming to be with the IRS, or tech support, or a so-called family member in need. If you've gotten a call like this, you know that the caller will then demand the gift card numbers and PIN. And, poof, your money is gone. Scammers are good at convincing people there really is an emergency, so lots of people have made the trip to the Walmart or Target or CVS to buy gift cards to send these callers. And scammers love gift cards; it's one of their favorite ways to get your money. These cards are like giving cash; and nearly untraceable, unless you act almost immediately.

    So here's the most important thing for you to know: anyone who demands payment by gift card is always, always, always a scammer. Try this gift card buying exercise out at home; especially when anyone asks you to pay with a gift card:

    Q: Should I buy an iTunes, Google Play, Steam, Kroger, Walgreens, BestBuy, Amazon, CVS, Rite Aid or ANY OTHER gift card for someone who demands payment? For any reason?

    A: NO!
    Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If you've bought a gift card and lost money to someone who might be a scammer, tell the company who issued the card. (The contact info might be on the card, but might require some research) Call or email iTunes or Amazon or whoever it was. Tell them their card was used in a scam. If you act quickly enough, they might be able to get your money back. But; either way it's important that they know what happened to you. And then please
    tell the FTC about your loss. Your report helps us try to shut the scammers down.

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    Shimming; The New Way Thieves Can Steal Your Credit Card Data

    By Tracy Scott from moneytips.com Published: July 2, 2018

    According to Visa, the introduction of the EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) chip card in late 2015 resulted in a 76 percent decrease in counterfeit fraud in less than three years. Visa claims that the use of chip cards is incredibly effective against fraudulent activity. Other major financial institutions praise chip cards as the gold standard for consumer credit card protection. EMV chip cards addressed the vulnerability of magnetic strip credit cards, namely credit card skimming. In this scam, a device is physically attached to a gas pump, ATM, or point of sale machine to capture your account information without your consent. Once this information is obtained, a counterfeit card can be created to make purchases or withdraw cash from your account.

    However, consumers who upgraded to chip cards may have prematurely breathed a sigh of relief, because thieves have found a new way to exploit chip-enabled cards through credit card shimming instead of skimming. An important distinction is that skimming devices read information from the magnetic strip on the back of the card, while shimmers contain microchips specifically designed to capture data contained in the EMV chip as soon as you insert your card into an ATM or point of sale machine. Credit card skimmers are often bulky and wobbly, but shimmers are paper-thin. While you might be able to identify a credit card skimmer since it sits on top of the original card reader, the unfortunate truth is that you cannot see a shimmer with your naked eye. It is installed in the card reader itself, often by a crook pretending to make a transaction. The shimmer's chip-reading ability enables it to capture data from not just your credit cards, but also your chip-enabled debit cards. Other information besides your bank account details can be garnered from these cards, including your PIN. As soon as they have your information, crooks can begin making withdrawals and charges. If the thieves aren't caught promptly, they may sell your data on the Dark Web.

    While this might sound like the EMV cards have failed, there is more to the story. Chip cards still contain an additional level of security that magnetic strip cards lack, but if a bank fails to perform a critical verification step, then you might have a problem. Aquila Wealth Advisors Owner and Financial Planner Eric Maldonado, CFP, MBA, CKA, reassures consumers that the sky is not falling. Maldonado says we shouldn't let fear drive consumer actions, but stresses that timely reporting of suspicious card activity is key to resolving potential identity theft issues. "A new card can always be issued by the credit card company, but this can be a bummer because (all payees) linked to the card will need to be updated," acknowledges Maldonado.

    What can you do to prevent fraudulent activity on your account?
    Miguel Segura, Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in San Antonio, Texas, advises cardholders to pay inside. While this may seem simple, it can be a powerful step in preventing credit card identity theft since outdoor card readers appear to provide a greater opportunity for thieves to attach a skimmer or shimmer without attracting much attention. Segura also advises, "Monitor bank accounts at least once a month. (The) BBB has received reports of repeated fraudulent transactions totaling several dollars on the same account. Pay attention." It might be easy to dismiss a $2.49 charge from Walgreens last week and another $4.32 charge from 7-Eleven the week before, but Segura warns that it's this type of unchecked activity that keeps criminals just under the radar. Several dollars' worth of charges each day on thousands of stolen accounts will add up quickly.

    Set up alerts on your credit card and debit card accounts, so that you are notified every time a transaction takes place. The sooner you become aware of fraudulent activity, the better your chances of recovering your losses and avert further theft.

    What if you aren't making a purchase and merely want cash from your card? Should you stay away from ATMs completely? Recommends Sahil Vakil, CFA, CFP, President and Wealth Advisor at MYRA Wealth, "Withdraw money at a teller versus an ATM; if it's after-hours, use an enclosed ATM with CCTVs (closed-circuit televisions) versus a standalone ATM."

    One tactic to fight identity thieves recommended by all the experts was to use near-field communication (NFC) payment apps such as Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay. NFC payments can be made with an iOS or Android phone. NFC technology allows two devices near each other to exchange data. When using mobile payment apps, a random code is generated to process the transaction instead of your actual credit card number. Mobile payments usually take a few minutes to set up using your credit card with bank verification being a normal part of the initial set-up process.

    Until we stop using plastic, remain vigilant and practice caution in all your card transactions. Where possible, mobile app payments may be the best way for you to protect yourself in the ever-changing landscape of credit card identity theft.

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    State Says Skimmers Still A Problem At Michigan Gas Pumps

    Credit card skimmer found at Byron Township gas station July 17, 2018!

    Kent County dispatchers say the device was found on a pump at the Mobil gas station located on 76th Street near US-131 in Byron Township. The owner of the gas station, J&H Oil, said the skimmer was found during a routine check of the pumps. Skimmers are electronic devices that are hidden inside gas pumps and steal your credit or debit card information, allowing scammers to charge your account.

    If you used the pumps at an affected gas stations, make sure you check your accounts to make sure you don't have any erroneous charges. Crooks often install skimmers on pumps farthest from gas station stores to avoid being spotted, so you're best off using one close to the building and that the clerk can see from inside. Additionally, many stations now put security seals over the doors to the pumps that change color or read "void" when they have been tampered with. If the sticker looks like it may have been removed, don't use the pump and tell the station clerk. And, of course, you can always simply pay inside.

    If you notice anything abnormal on your credit card statement and think you may be the victim of a skimmer, call your credit card provider, local law enforcement or the Weights and Measures Division at 517.655.8202.

    Skimmers Still A Problem; FOX 17, September 1, 2016, by Robb Westaby

    LANSING, Mich. More than a year after the first credit card skimmer was discovered inside a pump at a Grand Rapids gas station, skimmers are still a problem, says the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the state agency that inspects commercial gas pumps. Skimmers copy your credit card information for use in fraudulent purchases.

    "Approximately 70 credit card skimmers have been found and removed from gas pumps statewide since last year," said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams in a statement issued Thursday. Adams urged gas station owners to increase inspections of their pumps while authorities try to crack down on such consumer fraud. Adams said station owners should change locks, use security cameras, and use tamper-proof security tape.

    MDARD posted a YouTube video in 2015 demonstrating a pump inspection and offering tips for consumers, such as frequently checking credit card statements.

    DANGER; HIDDEN GAS PUMP CREDIT CARD SKIMMERS

    A new scam involving credit card skimmers hidden on the inside of the gas pump has made it to the West Michigan area. The thieves have obtained master keys to the gas pump access doors and are attaching credit card skimmers on the inside of the pumps where no one but a trained professional would be able to detect them. Unfortunately there is almost no proactive way to avoid this type of skimming. Here are a few tips to lessen the risk and damage:

    PROACTIVE:
    Most of these skimmers are attached to pumps that are the farthest away from the building and hidden from a direct line of site of the clerk. Usually on the road side and on stations that are not open 24 hours a day. Take a look at the pump door to see if anything is out of normal like a damaged lock, scratches or dents from a pry bar, door not closed properly. If you see something report it to the clerk and use a different pump.

    REACTIVE:
    Go online and check your credit card transaction history often, perhaps once a week depending on how often you buy gas, to see if there are any unauthorized charges. Dispute those charges and restrict or cancel that card immediately. It is not unusual to see a thief run a small sale first to see if the card still works and then max the card out. Naturally I am sure that you always keep your receipts and balance your account once a month to avoid problems.

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    More Victims In Home Buying Wire Scams

    Nina DeSarro 13 on Your Side

    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich-- It's tough to find and buy a house in Grand Rapids, so when you are able to snag one, you probably want to go through the process of closing as quickly as possible so you don't run the risk of it falling through. Kent County Sheriff's Department said that's exactly what happened in this case.

    "It was a couple who was preparing to close on a loan for a house," Sgt. Joel Roon with the Kent County Sheriff's Department said. The e-mail, which looked like it came from the bank, told them they needed to wire $180,000. "People tend to want to comply because they don't want to hold up the closing and potentially lose a house," Roon said. The couple wired the money, but fortunately, their bank's fraud department caught the wire and immediately froze the account.

    "You have all these things to keep track of and it might be the first time you bought a home or dealt with this in a long time so you're not able to think about it in a way to protect yourself," Phil Catlett, President of the Better Business Bureau serving West Michigan said.

    Catlett isn't surprised. "I think these hackers, or these crooks are just saying 'OK, where's the money and where can I get a big chunk of it all at once,' and buying a home would certainly fit that," Catlett said. He said this kind of thing is only going to get worse.

    "Virtually every one of us, our private information is out there to some degree or another," Catlett said. "Because of the technology and the software programs that we can buy and create just about anything that we want."

    In this particular situation, the email address was fraudulent. There was a very small difference between the fake one and the legitimate bank email address, which is easy to overlook. The sheriff's office is urging people to double and triple check everything that is asking you for money.

    Both the Better Business Bureau and the sheriff's department encourage any wire transaction to happen in person, at the financial institution to verify that it is legitimate.

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    Business Hacked, Phony Invoices Sent To Clients

    Here we go again. The new targets for scammers to get your money is to hack a business you used and send you a fake invoice with instructions where to send the money to them. As always follow the rules to stay safe:

  • 1. ALWAYS VERIFY EVERY BILL YOU RECEIVE. If you're not sure you owe the money, contact the business with the address or phone number in your personal address book or last legitimate invoice. NEVER use the contact info on a suspicious invoice.
  • 2. NEVER USE A PREPAID CREDIT CARD EVER ! ! NEVER ! ! This is the biggest scam warning sign EVER ! If they are demanding a prepaid card you can be 99.99% sure it is a scam. Always use your personal or business credit/debit card or paper check. You have ZERO, ZIP, ZILCH recourse in the case of fraud with a prepaid card. You do have some limited recourse with your personal or business credit/debit card or paper check. Sometimes the electronic fraudulent payment can be reversed if caught soon enough.

    Read the article at Business Hacked, Phony Invoices Sent Out To Clients

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    Smartphone Scam Targets Victims

    A new smartphone scam targets victims of phone theft. First, someone steals your smartphone and passes it off to a hacker who can figure out your phone number. The hacker then messages you on your new phone or another device synced to the cloud claiming that the stolen phone has been recovered. The text asks you to click a link and enter your user name and password. If you enter this information, the hacker can unlock and erase the stolen phone.

    Self-defense: If your smartphone gets stolen or lost, be suspicious of any links that ask you for login information. Always error on the side of caution. Instead of logging in, ask to meet at the local police station to get your phone back. Don't be too bashful about offering a small reward for its safe return, just in case the thief might jump at an easy $50 today.

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    Craigslist Renters Rent The Same Home

    Sarah Sell, WZZM TV December 06, 2017

    At least four renters may be the victims of fraud after they signed leases and paid rent on a home listed on Craigslist. Each person says they jumped at the chance to rent what they thought was a decent, affordable home in Grand Rapids for $550 a month. They soon discovered that they weren't the only ones planning to move in.

    "I heard the door open. I'm like, this isn't happening", says Henry House. A woman walked into what he thought was his new apartment. "He's like 'why do you have keys to my apartment?' I'm like, why do you have the keys to my apartment? Why are you in here?", says Marisha McFarland.

    Both planned to move in to the Davis Avenue home on Dec. 4. Both say they signed leases, paid the first months' rent and were given a set of keys to the house. As they reviewed the paperwork, they discovered Jaleeiah Davis was also on the lease. All three found the listing on Craigslist.

    "I was apartment searching. I was in a one bedroom. But, I'm six months pregnant so, I wanted a 2 bedroom for my daughter."

    They all say that the man they talked to went by the name Michael Alan Hite. A quick property search shows the real owner is Victoria Zwart. She says Hite is the tenant and currently in jail. She found out other people were living in the home. "We were trying to evict everybody here", says Zwart. One of them is Robert Tyler the third.

    McFarland, Davis, and House all identified the man as Tyler, who they say, was posing as Hite. They paid him a total of $1,100 each. "He signed Mike Alan Hite's name, not Robert Tyler the third, which is his real name", says Davis. Tyler has since moved out of the house.

    When 13 on your side talked to him on the phone, he declined an on-camera interview, but says what he did, was legal. He said he was providing a service and what they gave him were "fees" for finding them a house. He also denies signing Mike's name to those receipts.

    "We feel bad because a lot of people got hurt. That's a lot of money", says Zwart. Davis says, "That's why I'm really mad. You just don't mess with people's livelihoods like that. I worked hard for that money".

    We also asked to speak to Tyler's attorney. He said the attorney told him the documents were legal and binding. Tyler wouldn't give us the man's name, but said he would have him give us a call. So far, we have not heard back.

    In the meantime, Grand Rapids Police are investigating this as a potential case of fraud.

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    Youtube Video Tricking Consumers On How To Pay Bills Using Social Security Numbers

    From WZZM TV 13 On Your Side

    Here's some sorry news this summer: There's no secret cash stash out there to pay your utility bills or your old outstanding debts with the state.

    Consumers are getting swept into some scams across the country that promise a way to use special bank routing numbers supposedly from the U.S. government to cover their bills. In some cases, they're watching a You Tube video published by "Money Boy Filmz" called "I paid my bills using my Social Security number." Another is titled: "Believe you can pay bills with your Social Security." One website notes: "Pay all bills now with your no-longer secret Social Security Trust Account."

    Ron Leix, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Treasury, said the state collections department spotted a pattern of payments in the past month that seemed strange. By re-examining the account numbers being used to pay bills, staff members noticed that individuals had been trying to pay old state debts by using routing numbers from two U.S. Department of Treasury bureaus; the financial management service and the bureau of public debt.

    "Individuals are using these federal routing numbers with their Social Security Number as the checking account number and listing the bank as either FMS or the BPD," the state treasury department said. Leix said the strategy seems to be one promoted by tax protest groups and others. Groups reportedly are holding seminars throughout the U.S. to fraudulently teach consumers how to use these tricks to resolve their outstanding government debts. "It just won't work," Leix said. "It's just not a valid method of payment for any outstanding debt."

    A similar type of alert went out by Alabama Power this summer. Ike Pigott, a communications specialist for Alabama Power, said more than 140 Alabama Power customers since early July have followed the unusual payment advice on websites and videos that promise to pay your bills somehow via a Bureau of Public Debt. People are being told that your Social Security number is all that you need to unlock payment from a "corporate account" that was established by the government in your name.

    Since mid-July, DTE Energy has seen about 1,000 payments that have been returned as a result of customers attempting to use the Federal Reserve routing number. "These payments initially came back to us as a "returned payment" which is similar to a NSF (non-sufficient funds)," said Jill M. Wilmot, manager of corporate communications for DTE Energy. She said that when the utility discovered the reason for the returned payments, DTE implemented a safeguard with its payment processing partners that results in a real-time payment rejection when the customer tries to submit a payment using the Federal Reserve routing number.

    DTE also contacted its internal security group and its financial institution to make them aware of possible fraud issues. "Any customer who tries to use this routing number will receive a rejected payment notification, and is still expected to submit payment with a legitimate payment method," Wilmot said. Not paying the bill can result in a shut-off notification followed by termination of service.

    The idea that anyone might fall for this could sound laughable, if some people weren't naturally hopeful to find an easy way out of their troubles. "Any video, text, e-mail, phone call, flyer or website that describes how to pay bills using a Federal Reserve routing number or using an account at the Federal Reserve Bank is a scam," according to a statement by the bank.

    The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta issued an alert this summer stating that the Fed has receive a "number of unauthorized transactions in which consumers have tried to use the Fed's routing numbers and their Social Security numbers to pay their bills." The Fed's routing numbers are used to sort and process payments between banks.

    If you try to use a Fed routing number that you find online to pay a bill, it might look like it was approved initially in some cases. But ultimately the utility, state treasury or other entity is going to reject the payment and return it as unpaid. And you could be subject to late fees or other penalties.

    Consumers Energy said it hasn't seen its customers attempting to use federal routing numbers to resolve outstanding bills. But Consumers Energy is aware of another scam. Callers can pretend to be from Consumers Energy and demand immediate payment using a gift card or prepaid debit card. "We're aware of over 1,300 reports of such scam attempts this year, with customers paying out over $45,000 to scammers," said Brian Wheeler, senior public information director for Consumers Energy.

    Remember:
    There is NO secret account you can tap into to pay your bills.
    There is NO government grant program to pay your utility bills other than Section 8, Welfare, WIC, and others that you must FIRST apply and then qualify for in advance.
    There are NO secret routing numbers.
    If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't. But it is a SCAM ! ! - Webmaster.

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    Hotel Front Desk Credit Card Scam

    As published in Bottom Line Personal.

    Yet another reason NOT to give out your personal info to an unknown caller. Always, Always, Always just tell the caller you will take care of it and HANG UP ! ! Then contact the company from the number in your personal contacts list the scammer claimed to be representing and ask if there is a problem. Or go down to the front desk and ask. - Webmaster

    You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. Typically when checking in, you give the front desk your credit card to scan (for any charges to your room). You go to your room and settle in. All is good. The hotel receives a call and the caller asks for (as an example) room 620 - which happens to be your room. The phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following: 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.' Not thinking anything wrong, since the call seems to come from the front desk you oblige. But actually, it is a scam by someone calling from outside the hotel. They have asked for a random room number, then ask you for your credit card and address information.

    They sound so professional, that you think you are talking to the front desk. If you ever encounter this scenario on your travels, tell the caller that you will be down to the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk or call directly and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone tried to scam you of your credit card information, acting like a front desk employee.

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    State Treasury Officials Warn Of Summertime Scams

    From Advance Newspapers July 16, 2017

    Michigan Department of Treasury officials are encouraging residents to be alert for aggressive and threatening phone calls made by criminals impersonating state tax officials. The department observes scam phone calls throughout the summer, officials said. Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be tax officials and ask for cash through a wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card. The criminals may leave "urgent" callback requests through robocalls or phishing emails.

    The Michigan Department of Treasury doesn't initially contact taxpayers through the phone. "Our first interaction is generally done by mail," said Deputy Treasurer Glenn White, head of the department's Tax Administration Group. Scammers may alter their caller ID numbers to make it look like the call is coming from the Treasury Departments the Internal Revenue Service or another agency. The callers may use employee titles, a person's name, address and other personal information to sound official. Treasury Department officials say they never:
    > Initiate a phone call to ask for personal information.
    > Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the department first will mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
    > Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law- enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
    > Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
    > Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

    Taxpayers who don't owe taxes should hang up if they receive one of the calls. People who owe taxes may call 517-636-4486 to learn their account balance information. Taxpayers who have received a call from a scammer should report the case to the IRS by calling 800-366-4484.

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    Scammers Steal Donated Rewards Or Claim They Are Government Workers

    Scammers are offering to help people donate unused frequent-flier miles or hotel rewards points to charity. The scammer's e-mail or website asks for a fee and/or asks you to cash in your miles or points for an airline ticket or hotel voucher in the name of someone the scammer pretends is associated with a real or phony charity. That person, who may have paid the scammer for the ticket or voucher, then uses it.

    The right way to donate frequent-flier miles or hotel rewards points: Most major airlines and some hotel chains partner directly with charities and provide donation options on their websites. Some large charities, take airline-mile donations directly. Always call the business or charity directly or go to their web site and ask about their specific rules about donating.

    Beware: The IRS does not allow you to take tax deductions for the value of miles or reward points you donate to charities and nonprofits.

    Scammers are posing as government health workers to get personal information and steal your identity. The thieves make phone calls which show a false caller ID such as "HHS Tips" or "Federal Government". The scammer asks for your personal info; and if you give it to them they will steal your identity. The Department of Health and Human Services (AND ALL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES) do NOT use the phone to collect any personal information! The U.S. Government ALWAYS initiates contact by U.S. mail. You must instruct them to call you in the future, but any legal business MUST be done by U.S. mail. If you get a scam HHS call, report it immediately to the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP and to HHS at 800-447-8477 or by email at spoof@oig.hhs.gov .

    REMEMBER: you can call the federal government any time you want, but the federal government can NOT call you without your permission.

    Compiled from Bottom Line Personal articles.

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    Student Loan Repayment Scams

    Consolidated from Bottomline Publications

    The Internet is littered with ads promoting the Obama Administration's Student-Loan Forgiveness Program. There have been TV ads about it, too.
    The only problem: No such program exists. Federal student-loan forgiveness is in reality very rare. available only in extremely specific circumstances, such as for certain people who become teacher or who work in the public service or nonprofit sectors for extended periods.

    If you respond to one of these ads, the company behind it likely will push you to pay hundreds of dollars in hopes of having your loan payments modified or your loan forgiven entirely. If you hand over this money, the company probably will do nothing more than complete a simple form to consolidate your federal student loans into a single paymen or perhaps apply for a legitimate federal loan forgiveness program on your behalf; a program for which you almost certainly will not qualify. And you could have easily done either of these things for free by yourself. An especially disreputable company also might sell your personal information to ID thieves.

    What to do:
    Ignore ads or e-mails promising student-loan forgiveness, reduction, and/or consolidation. If you want to consolidate multiple federal student loans into a single loan, visit the US Department of Education website
    StudentLoans.gov (click the "Managing Repayment" tab, then select "Direct Consolidation Loans"). But doing so is not always wise. It might make bill paying a little easier, but it also means that you will no longer have the option of accelerating your payments on the particular loan that has the highest interest rate, a smart way to reduce the overall cost of debt. And because the interest rate on your consolidated loan will be the weighted average of your existing loans rounded up to the next one-eighth percentage point, consolidation often leads to slightly higher, not lower, total loan payments.

    Beware of promises of instant forgiveness of loans or notices that you are prequalified for lower payments. Never pay high up-front fees to seek to a federal repayment or forgiveness program. It costs nothing to apply. Avoid any offer that says "it is about to expire" or that tells you it is about to expire or that tells you specifically how to handle your loans instead of letting you decide what is best for you.

    Never give out your Federal Student Aid ID or National Student Loan Data System PIN to a third-party payment company! These contain personally identifying information that can use to gain control of your loan and pocket the payments you send them.

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    WARNING

    THE I.R.S.; D.E.A.; F.B.I.; IMMIGRATION; STATE POLICE; SHERIFF; CITY POLICE; COURTS & COURT EMPLOYEES, AND ALL OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT SEND YOU AN EMAIL, TEXT, OR CALL YOU ON THE PHONE AND ASK FOR MONEY OR ELSE YOU OR A LOVED ONE WILL GO TO JAIL ! NOR WILL THEY CLAIM TO HELP YOU FILL OUT A WILL, COURT DOCUMENT, OR ANY TYPE OF FORM WITHOUT CONTACTING YOU BY U.S. MAIL FIRST ! !

    If you think one of your children, grand child, or other family member is calling for help in posting bond, paying a fine, or ticket and need you to get them a prepaid credit card, money order, Western Union money gram, gift card, etc. or else they will go to jail; play along! Get all the info you can, record it if possible. Tell them you need some time to get the money and make an appointment to have them call you back. Then check it out by calling your relative on their cell / home phone number that you already have in your personal phone book. Or call another family member they live with, or your local police. Never ever call them back to verify their story on a phone number they give you! ! When you find out it is a scam, call your local police and give them all the info.
    HINT : If someone is in police custody, you usually have to down in person to pay the fine in CASH or with personal credit card and sign them out.

    HANG UP ! ! !

    IT IS A SCAM ! ! ! !

    If a utility, service provider, or anyone else calls you on the phone demanding a payment on a prepaid credit card or that you give them your credit card / bank account number over the phone :
    HANG UP!

    IT IS A SCAM! !

    No legitimate utility, service provider, court personnel, or government agency would do this. There has been a great deal of these phone calls lately in West Michigan.

    THESE ARE ALL 100% SCAMS! ! !

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    Thieves Target Shoppers Who Use Supermarket Self-Checkout

    From MoneyTalkNews By Karla Bowsher on February 8, 2016

    Scammers with skimmers who have traditionally targeted ATMs and gas station payment terminals are shifting their focus. They're now targeting the payment terminals at supermarket self-checkout lines, CBS MoneyWatch reports. The publication explains how skimmers enable thieves to steal financial data that is then used to replicate debit and credit cards:
    The devices are hidden electronics that sit inside or over a card slot. When consumers swipe their cards, the skimmers scan the information and steal the data. Fake keypads or small cameras then record the customers punching in their PIN.

    Terminals at self-checkout lines share remoteness in common with ATMs and gas station terminals, as they are generally unattended by a cashier or other employee. That remoteness provides criminals the opportunity to install their devices with less chance of being noticed. The cyber-security blog Krebs on Security - which recently published a photo of a skimming device that was removed from a Safeway supermarket in Maryland - notes:
    The device could be attached in the blink of an eye (and removed quickly as well).

    One way to avoid being defrauded by a scammer's skimmer is to pay with a so-called "chipped" debit or credit card. These cards have a small computer chip (sometimes called an "EMV" chip for "Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa") embedded in the front. Instead of horizontally or vertically swiping the magnetic strip that's on the back' you "dip" the side of the card by inserting it face-up into a slot, then leaving it there for a while. As we explain in "What You Need to Know About Your New 'Chipped' Credit Cards," dipping is safer because each time you use a chipped card, it creates a unique, single-use code. So even if thieves figure out how to copy the code, it won't do them any good, because the code can't be re-used.

    But not all retailers have switched over to terminals that accept chipped cards. If you have a chipped card but find yourself at a terminal that is not enabled for "dipping," try tugging at the face of the terminal. While this tip is not fail-safe, a loose terminal is considered a possible sign of a skimmer.

    If you don't have a chipped card or are otherwise in the market for a new or better credit card, visit the Money Talks News Solutions Center, where you'll get help finding the perfect credit card and tackling other financial issues.

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    FBI Warns Phony Job Scam Targeting College Students

    January 24, 2017, by FOX 17 News

    WASHINGTON, DC - Colleges and universities around the country are warning their students of an online scam that promises jobs but only seeks get money from students. The Federal Bureau of Investigation issued an alert on the scam last week. Here's how it works:

    1. Job opportunities are posted online seeking college students for positions.
    2. After the student accepts the "job", they receive counterfeit checks and instructed to deposit them in their personal account.
    3. The student is instructed to withdraw the money and send it to a third party, such as a "vendor" to pay for equipment and software needed for the job.

    Since the checks provided to the students are fake, the bank eventually identifies them as fraudulent and closes or freezes the student's account. It's possible the defrauded student becomes responsible for paying back the bank for funds withdrawn, and the student's credit record can be negatively affected.

    Recommendations from the FBI:

    1. Never take a job that requires you to deposit checks into your account or sending money to others.
    2. Watch for poor English, because many of these scammers are not native English speakers.
    3. Forward suspicious to IT personnel at your college or university and to the FBI.

    Internet scams can be reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

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    Holiday Scams

    There is a lot of press lately on holiday scams. The truth is the scammers are out to get you 24-7-365. They never stop, never sleep, and never show mercy. The best defense is to NOT trust anyone! That's right, do NOT trust anyone. Do NOT trust that letter, phone call, or email saying you have won a gift card, grand prize, and lottery, NEVER believe there is a problem with a package delivery, your credit card, or a love one needs bail money without verifying the info. Unless you entered a lottery, drawing, raffle, are expecting a package; IT IS A SCAM ! !

    Never ever NEVER call someone back on a number supplied by a caller or email, do NOT go to a web address they gave you.

    ALWAYS always always go to your address book and use that info to directly contact your bank, credit card company, Amazon, local retailer, and everyone else. A few minutes on the web verifying the correct web address or phone number is well spent if you do not have the info already on file. I had to do just that to verify a phone number and company name who was an authorized third party to receive a phone call about a problem I needed to solve. I would rather be suspicious and verify the info than trying to deal with identity theft or a drained bank account.

    Even the I.R.S. understands: If it sounds too good to be true; it probably is NOT true.

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    Dial Back Scam Hitting Cell Phones

    A scammer leaves a phone message saying that there has been a death in your family and to call for details or someone in your family needs bail money or the I.R.S. calling about back taxes or ... or ... or ... The message asks you to add *72 to the beginning of the call-back number. When you dial a number begining with the *72 code, you are telling your cell-phone service to forward all future calls to the number after that code. This lets anyone call the crook by using your number and you are charged for each call, which you don't realize until the bill arrives. Self-defense: Do not use *72 or any other code before calling a number that you do not know or do not recognize.
    From
    Scambusters.org.

    Come on people, we have seen similar scams before! Read the next article.

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    The 5 Worst Social Security Scams

    You're At Risk No Matter What Your Age

    By Steven J. Weisman, JD Scamicide.com Bentley University published in Bottom Line Personal APRIL 15, 2016

    Your Social Security account is a tempting target for scammers whether you are already collecting benefits or will be in the future. Few people understand all the ins and outs of this complex government program, and the bad guys have developed ways to exploit this confusion. Watch out for these five scams...

    SCAMS THAT APPLY TO EVERYONE
    Online account hijacking.
    The Social Security Administration is encouraging beneficiaries and future beneficiaries to set up "My Social Security" accounts on its website, SSA.gov. If you set up an account, you can check on the size of future Social Security benefits or make changes to your account, such as altering your mailing address or bank information, without visiting an office or waiting on hold for a phone rep. Unfortunately, this system is proving convenient for scammers, too. They have been setting up accounts in the names of benefit recipients (and people who are eligible to receive benefits but have not yet done so) and then routing benefits to the scammers' bank accounts or debit cards. Scammers can do this only if they know a victim's Social Security number, date of birth and other personal information, but thanks to recent data breaches, that information often is easily accessible. If a scammer hijacks your benefits, Social Security will reimburse you, but it could take months to sort this out, during which time you could have financial trouble if you depend on your benefits.
    What to do: Set up an account at SSA.gov/myaccount before a scammer sets up a bogus account in your name; the sooner, the better. You can set up an account even if you have not yet reached retirement age and/or do not yet wish to start receiving your benefits (accounts may be set up only for people who are at least 18 years old). When you set up your account, click "Yes" under the "Add Extra Security" heading on the online form. That way, a new security code will be texted to your cell phone each time you try to Log onto your account. Access to the account will be allowed only if you enter this code, making it extremely unlikely that a hacker would be able to hijack your account.

    Fake data-breach scam.
    There have been so many data breaches in recent years that it would hardly come as page 12 a surprise if the Social Security Administrations database were hacked. Scammers use this fear of data breaches to their advantage.
    It works like this:
    The scammer contacts a victim, claims to work for the Social Security Administration and says that its computers have been breached. The scammer says that in order to find out which accounts have been hacked and altered, he/she must check whether he has the correct bank and account number for the beneficiary. He gives account information that he knows does not pertain to the victim. When victims say the account mentioned is not theirs, they are asked to provide the correct bank information and perhaps other information as well. In reality, victims who provide the requested information might have their bank accounts robbed and their benefits and/or identity stolen as well.
    What to do: Always ignore calls and e-mail messages about Social Security data breaches the Social Security Administration never initiates contact with recipients via phone or e-mail. If you receive a letter claiming you must take action because of a data breach, this, too, could be a scam. Call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (not at a number provided in the letter) to ask whether the letter is legitimate. Be extremely wary if someone who contacts you about a Social Security data breach asks you to provide sensitive information, such as bank account details; the real Social Security Administration would never ask for this.

    SCAMS THAT APPLY ONLY TO CURRENT BENEFICIARIES
    Cost-of-living adjustment scam.
    Social Security benefits increase in most years to keep pace with inflation. This year was an exception;falling energy prices kept inflation down last year, so there was no 2016 cost-of-living adjustment. To scammers, this exceptional situation represents an opportunity. Victims receive an e-mail, text, letter or phone call explaining that the Social Security Administration has noticed that they did not apply for their cost- of-living increase this year. Apply soon, these victims are warned, or this benefit boost will be forfeited. An application form might be provided or possibly a link to a website. In reality, victims who supply the requested information will have their identities and/or Social Security benefits stolen.
    What to do: Ignore any notices or calls suggesting that you must apply for a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. These adjustments are made automatic ally in years when they occur. And never assume that a phone call is legitimate because your phone's caller ID says that it is coming from the Social Security Administration. Scammers have ways to fool caller-ID systems.

    Social Security card scam. It seems perfectly reasonable that the old paper Social Security cards might be due for an upgrade, after all, the latest credit cards contain computer chips. In fact, Social Security card modernization is a scam. Scammers contact benefits recipients, claim to work for the Social Security Administration and say that no further benefits can be issued until the beneficiary's old, out-of-date paper card is replaced with a modern, chip-enabled card. These scammers offer to expedite replacement card requests if the beneficiary provides some identification details. If this information is provided, the victim's benefits and/or identity will be stolen.
    What to do: Ignore anyone who says you need a new, high-tech Social Security card. There is no such thing.

    Fake-scam scam. Scammers have come up with a way to steal Social Security benefits by exploiting people's fear of being scammed. The scammer contacts victims, claims to work for the Social Security Administration, and says the Administration's scam-spotting software noticed a suspicious change to the victim's account; did the victim recently reroute his benefits to a bank account in a different state? When the victim says no, the helpful Social Security "employee" warns that a scammer must have hijacked the victim's account. The scammer says that he will help the victim fix the problem, but the person must act fast. As part of the process, this fake government employee will request information such as Social Security number and bank account details that will allow him to steal the victim's benefits and/or identity.
    What to do: Never provide any information to anyone who contacts you with a warning that you might be the victim of a Social Security benefits scam. Instead, contact the real Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213, describe the warning you received and ask if your account is truly at risk.

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    Car Buyer Note On Windshield Scam

    The Battle Creek Police Department also posted a scam alert on its Facebook page last Monday. The police department says they have received a few calls from people who have found a suspicious note on the windshield of their cars parked in lots around the Beckley area. The note reads: "I have a serious buyer for your car. Please call me at 928-279-9608. Thanks Leon."

    If you have found one of these notes on your windshield you are urged to call police.

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    Ransomware Thieves Come Up With Creative New Schemes

    Robert Lemos PCWorld Nov 19, 2015

    Current ransomware typically encrypts victims' data and then threatens to delete the key if payment is not made. The latest variant of the prolific CryptoWall malware, however, now scrambles the filenames on infected computers, making it even more difficult for victims to recover without buying the key from the attackers.

    Potentially worse, another ransomware operation, known as Chimera, has threatened to publish the data of any non-cooperative victim, whether business or consumer, to the Internet. The operation, which currently aims at German targets, demands the payment of almost 2.5 bitcoins, or more than US $800, according to German cybersecurity site Botfrei, which reported the initial attack.

    An Empty Threat That May Still Signal A Trend.

    Subsequent analysis has found that the program does not actually steal data. While this makes its threat largely toothless, it also raises questions about whether such tactics are a possible escalation in ransomware.

    It would be a logical move in the cat-and-mouse game between data-encrypting criminals and security experts. In the past, online blackmail schemes have taken one of two paths. In the oldest type of schemes, criminals hack computers or use malware to steal or create sensitive or embarrassing information and then demand a payment for not publicizing the information. More recent schemes involved denial of service, the criminals use encryption to deny access to data, or use packet floods to overwhelm Web sites.

    "Ransomware has always been a two-pronged attack," says Adam Kujawa, head of malware intelligence for Malwarebytes Labs. "One being against the technology of the system and the other against the psychology of the user." The claimed abilities of Chimera combines these two attacks, denying access to data but promising to embarrass any victims that do not pay.

    Ransomware has become a significant threat to both businesses and consumers online over the past three years. The malicious software targets Windows and Macs, and even Linux servers and systems are not immune to attack. In August, Dell Secureworks researchers estimated that more than 600,000 computers had been infected by one type of ransomware, CryptoWall, in the first six months of 2015, and at least 0.27 percent of victims paid the ransom, garnering more than $1 million for the operators.

    Security experts have also identified two fundamental hurdles to any ransomware schemes that threaten to publish data. Currently, ransomware operators only encrypt data and then store the key to that data. Uploading copies of all of a victim's data, or even a subset, is most resource intensive and will make the ransomware more noticeable, says Chester Wisniewski, senior security advisor with security firm Sophos. "There is nothing stopping them from saying they are going to go through your files, but are they really going to spend all that time for a few hundred dollars?"

    Finally, publishing some or all of a person's data to the Internet undermines the other part of the ransomware threat losing access to the data. A victim could just not pay and then download their data from the information posted online, says Malwarebytes Kujawa. Yet, future ransomware could turn the threat into a real tactic.

    So what's the latest advice? Security experts have a few recommendations:

    1. Attend to your systems' security.
    The first line of defense is to not get infected by ransomware. Users should avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in suspicious email messages and beware of dodgy Web sites, but also harden their systems. Update your software regularly, especially the ubiquitous code often targeted by attackers, such as Adobe's Flash, Oracle's Java and Microsoft's Office formats.

    In addition, users should maximize their chances of detecting malware, which is changed frequently to try to avoid security software. "There is a lot of money on the line, so these guys are working hard to keep their malware dynamic." Sophos's Wisniewski says.

    "Users should make sure to turn on the advanced settings in their security software.", he says.

    2. Back up your data.
    Historically, security firms have recommended that that businesses and consumers restore their files from backup, but not all businesses; not to mention consumers; back up their files regularly, leaving payment as the only option. In addition, it is often cheaper for a company to restore files using the encryption key rather than from backups.

    "We always tell people to have backups and we tell people to never pay, but that is not always realistic." says Chester Wisniewski, senior security advisor with security firm Sophos.

    The FBI recently gave a nod to this reality. Joseph Bonavolonta, assistant special agent in charge of the Cyber and Counterintelligence Program in the FBI's Boston office, told a recent conference, "To be honest, we often advise people just to pay the ransom."

    3. Encrypt data even on your own hard drive.
    Even security experts have had their files and email stolen by hackers and posted to the Internet. Increasingly, businesses are encrypting their most sensitive data and any sensitive email discussions. While encryption will not necessarily protect the content of messages, if the computer itself is compromised.

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    Beware Of Odd Friend Requests On Facebook

    Fox News November 23, 2015

    TAMPA, Fla. - A lot of folks are getting odd friend requests on Facebook. People from all over the world, who you don't know, are asking to be your friend. A University of South Florida professor says that those "friends" want access to your personal information and might be trying to steal your identity and your money.

    Information systems professor Grandon Gill says that there may be no precise answer to why strangers are sending you friend requests. But, you should be cautious. "For example, if there happens to be someone from the military in these networks, they might be able to start to pick up information from their profile that would identify for example who they are' where they are." Gill tells WTSP-TV.

    Those friend requests may also be part of a scam to get your money. The Better Business Bureau reports that friend requests are a good way for someone to access your personal information. If you add them as a friend they can start messaging you. Facebook is an easy way for scammers to reach networks of people, and in this case, under the guise of someone they trust. If you happen to add a scammer, they have access to information that could lead to identity theft or other fraudulent activity. In this case, it seems like the "fake friend" was after money (aren't they all, really?) through a loan scam. Those "Friends" may also be looking to steal your identity.

    The BBB offers these tips:

  • Always double check friend requests: Don't just automatically click "accept" for new requests. Take a few moments to look over the profile and verify that account is a real person, not a scam. Scan your list of current Friends to see if any show up twice (the newer account is going to be the scam one).

  • Don't blindly trust friends' recommendations: Just because a link, video, or other information is shared by a friend doesn't mean that it's safe to click. It could be a fake account, a hacker, or mean that your friend hasn't done his or her research.

  • Watch for poor grammar: Scam Facebook posts are often riddled with typos and poor English.

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    Don't Get Caught In Facebook Scams

    By Kim Komando Komando.com. as published in the G.R. Press 11-29-15

    What online site lets crooks, hucksters, and scammers potentially reach more than a billion people with a single post? You guessed it, Facebook. Right now, three specific Facebook scams are rampant. If my News Feed is any indication, normally "smart" people are falling for them. Don"t do the same.

    "Secret Sisters" Holiday Gift Scam
    Here's a fantastic deal: Buy a $10 holiday gift and send it to one person. In return, you'll get up to 36 gifts back. This generous offer is courtesy of something called the "secret sisters gift exchange." There's a similar post focused on a book exchange for kids, but the premise is the same. The instructions clearly detail a classic two-deep pyramid scheme. You begin by sending a gift to the first secret sister. Then, move the second secret sister to the first position, send the instructions to six other ladies, and on and on. At the end, you're promised gifts in about two weeks.

    But stop right there.
    With each level, you need more people to keep it going. By the time you hit the 11th level, you need the entire population of the United States participating to make it work. Pyramid schemes are technically illegal because they violate the federal Lottery Statue and might get you fined or imprisoned. Many states also have laws against these kinds of schemes.

    How to avoid this type of scam:

  • Keep in mind anyone offering a huge return on any investment is probably trying to fool you.
  • You don't get something for nothing. Of course, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

    Lottery Scam
    If you get a message from a Facebook friend saying that they've won a $30,000 lottery on Facebook, watch out. In a case from Nevada' someone on Facebook named Theresa Paddock contacted her to tell her she won the lottery. To get her money, however, she'd have to wire $150 to cover "insurance" and other fees. She did, but didn't get her winnings. Instead, an unknown man started reaching out to her to try and get more money.

    How to avoid this scam:

  • If a friend tells you they won something and you can too, call or email them and make sure you're actually talking to them.
  • Don't send money to someone with the promise of getting money or a prize back. It's called an "Advanced fee" scam, and it never ends well.
  • Never wire money to anyone, whether it's through Western Union, MoneyGram or another service. Once you wire money, it's gone forever.

    Airline Ticket Scam
    If you're in the mood for travel, you might be tempted with the news that British Airways is giving away free flights for a year. You just have to share the photo, like the page and comment to win. It's coming from the "British Air" Facebook page, so it must be legitimate, right? Nope. Sadly, this is a common scam, often using Delta. The two latest "Delta" scams tricked 65,000 and 22,000 people respectively.

    How to avoid this scam:

  • Your first clue this isn't a legitimate offer is that British Airways' real name is "British Airways." If you see "British Air," "British Airway" or some other variation on Facebook, you're looking at a fake.
  • The real airline page will have a blue checkmark next to the name indicating it's a verified profile. Hover your mouse over the checkmark. It should pop up a little box that says "Verified Page".
  • Very few companies run contests exclusively using Facebook. If a company posts about a contest, you usually need to click a link to visit a contest signup page.
  • Even if a Facebook post has a link to a standalone contest page, still check that it's really a contest from that company by finding the contest through the company's home page.

    Another Ticket Scam
    Occasionally, people will post on Facebook groups saying that they have a $200 (or another amount) voucher for an airline that they can't use before it expires. It's your lucky day because they're willing to sell it to someone for half price. Of course, if you do send the person the money (requested as a wire transfer), you'll never get the voucher.

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    ID Theft and Social Media Scam

    From - azcentral.com by Mark Pribish via AMAC - Association of Mature American Citizens

    Have you ever received a warning from your bank making you aware of fake websites designed to impersonate theirs, looking to steal your personal information? Has your business ever received a demand to "pay up" in order to prevent your customer data from being released? Welcome to the Internet of Faking and Extortion - a growing new cyber-threat arena that exploits businesses and consumers at an alarming rate, according to law enforcement and security experts.

    Here are key points from three recent and very informative articles that I highly recommend:
    In "Fake Persuaders", an MIT Technology Review article, learn how "fake accounts can inflate follower counts, suppress political messages, and run stealthy social marketing."

    The basic concept in social media advertising is that people can be "profitably influenced by promotional messages in between updates from their friends."

    According to Tom Simonite, fake accounts often are used to inflate follower counts, push spam or malware, or even skew political discourse. The tactic appears to be pervasive and growing in sophistication.

    "Once a fake account is established, the simplest way to make money with it is by quickly inflating the numbers of things like followers or "likes". It is easy to find sites offering 100,000 new Twitter followers for as little as $70. Instagram and Facebook "likes" and Pinterest "pins" are also easily bought. Having more followers or likes helps people and businesses look good. It can also influence the algorithms used by social networks or other companies to recommend influential accounts, according to Simonite.

    In "Fake LinkedIn profiles lure unsuspecting users," originally published by InfoWorld, you will learn how a fake LinkedIn network "was created to help attackers target victims via social engineering. The group relied on the fact that people tend to trust people within their personal network and would be more likely to fall for a spear phishing email if it appeared to come from a fellow member. The victims would also be more likely to visit a website if a member of their network suggested it."

    The fact is ID-theft criminals and hackers use social media and networking sites to steal our personal information by customizing targeted attacks through fake LinkedIn profiles. The deception increases their success. Examples of fake accounts on social networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram can be someone pretending to be your business, brand or employee to sell a fraudulent product or service, distribute malware, broadcast false information, or steal account credentials.

    Finally, in "Beyond the breach, "Michelle Kerr of Risk and Insurance writes that "with credit card data flooding the black market, criminals are now more likely to hit a company directly by threatening to vaporize data or cripple operations."

    According to Kerr, "the 'old-fashioned' data breach is alive and well, but it has declined in profitability as the black market for credit card and Social Security data has become oversaturated."

    Instead, the new frontier of cyber-extortion - where ID theft criminals and hackers threaten businesses by demanding cash in order for the "privilege" of not having their customer or employee information destroyed, manipulated, or shared publicly - is the new frontier.

    Mark's Most Important: Cut your cyber- and ID-theft risks by recognizing and learning about the Internet of Faking and Extortion occurring through social media, as it has become a new profit center for ID-theft criminals.

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    The bad guys are STILL out to get you in any way they can. They use all types of tricks and traps to get your personal info. Most involve "SCARE-WARE" tactics that try to get you to panic and link out to their phishing web site, which may look very similar to the real legitimate company site. Here are some tips to avoid being a victim and some of the active scams I have seen recently.

    When you get an e-mail, phone call, or letter that just doesn't look right; is asking for personal information or confirmation of personal information that the company should already have - STOP ! ! It is probably a scam! Especially if the e-mail is claiming it is urgent or trying to scare you into acting right away! You should always have in your address book the names, address, and phone numbers of every service provider you use. Companies like your bank, utilities, internet provider, doctor, credit card provider(s), broker, and etcetera. Use these numbers to contact the provider directly and inquire about the questionable e-mail, phone call, text, tweet, or letter.

    For more info on Identity Theft Prevention see our Identity Theft page

    If you know of an e-mail scam Click to let me know. - Brian

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    The Clean-Credit Scam

    By John Ulzheimer as published in BOTTOM LINE PERSONAL March 15, 2015

    It sounds like a tempting offer to hide your credit problems by obtaining a credit-privacy number (CPN) to replace your Social Security number and use it when you are applying for credit. But CPN5, which are also called Credit Protection Numbers or Credit Profile Numbers, are always a scam. Scammers pretend to be from credit repair firms and solicit customers through ads on the Internet. The scammers tell you that by using the nine digit CPN instead of your Social Security number, you can build a brand new "clean" credit history, thereby hiding any bad credit or a past bankruptcy. The cost for this CPN? Hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars.

    Reality:
    The Social Security Administration does not issue any such numbers, and credit bureaus don't accept anything other than legitimate Social Security numbers when they compile credit reports. The numbers sold as CPN5 often are Social Security numbers stolen from children or from people who have died. Or the scammers may have you apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) that the IRS issues for employment tax reporting, and they may tell you, incorrectly, that the EIN can be used as a CPN. If a CPN turns out to be a stolen Social Security number, you could be charged with identity theft. Anyone using a CPN on a credit or loan application could be found guilty of bank, mail and/or wire fraud.

    What to do:
    If you have a troubled credit history, use legitimate, government approved credit counseling services to help you negotiate payment plans with creditors. Also, dispute erroneous items on your credit report and rebuild your credit score using legitimate means, such as by paying your bills on time and paying off your credit card debt.

    Bottom Line/Personal interviewed John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education at CreditSesame.com, based In Mountain View, California, which offers free credit scores, credit reports and credit monitoring to consumers. He is founder of Credit ExpertWitness.com.

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    Three Warning Signs of Malicious Email

    First remember the EMAIL RULE! ! ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use your stored personal contacts to reply to any email unless you are 100% sure it came from a trusted service provider.

    HOW IS IT ADDRESSED? If you see an email addressed to "Dear customer", "Your email address", or no salutation at all that asks you to follow a link to fill in your account details, chances are it's a phishing scam. That's not to say that you should automatically trust any email specifically addressed to you. But you can be sure that if you get an email from a company you do business with like a major bank, retailer, or technology company, they will address you by the name they have on file in any email.

    HOW TO TELL IF A LINK IS GENUINE - 1st Hover your mouse over the link WITHOUT clicking on it.
    2nd Look at the lower left corner of your browser or email client. You should see the exact address of the link you're hovering over.
    3rd Read the entire URL. With a long and complicated URL how do you tell what's authentic and what's not? Here's a good rule of thumb: keep reading a URL until you hit the back slash "/". Once you hit the back slash, back up until you're at the first period before the backslash. Everything you see to the left of that period is the full address of the webpage you're headed for. To the right of the period is the domain extension and page of the website.

    Theinfopage.net.tosomewhereelse.youdonotwanttogo.ascammer.com/gotyourmoney

    If you're not playing close attention, you'd see Theinfopage.net at the front of that link and just figure this was an email from theinfopage. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong. In this example it doesn't lead to Theinfopage.net, but a subdomain of ascammer.com/gotyourmoney. Even the domain extension of ".com" is wrong.

    IT HAS AN ATTACHMENT Here's a classic example I came across recently. A message supposedly from Booking.com landed in my inbox with an invoice attachment asking for final payment on an overdue item. This message was playing on the sudden emotional horror at thinking you may have an unpaid item with a service you use. Without thinking twice, you may soon be downloading an attachment just to make sure the company didn't make a mistake. That's when you need to stop and breathe.

    Another solid rule of thumb is to NEVER download an attachment you're not expecting, no matter who it's from.

    Complicating this issue, however, is there are a few people that you may expect to send you unsolicited (or semi-unsolicited) attachments such as your child's teacher or a co-worker with an animated GIF obsession. In those cases, it will be up to you to decide whether or not it's risky to open up those attachments. If nothing else, make sure the message from your child's teacher is well written and makes logical sense (Christmas party plans in January? I don't think so). And if you do decide to download the attachment, save it to your hard drive and scan it with an antivirus tool before you open it.

    Email is far less risky to use than it used to be. Nevertheless, it's still an extremely popular attack method for the bad guys. So it pays to keep your email sleuthing skills sharp for those times when the bad stuff gets through your email provider's defenses. And be sure to check out PCWorld's guide to dodging the web's most devious security traps to stay outside of your inbox, too.

    Adapted from Ian Paul's article in September's PCWorld.

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    Fake Companies on Google Scam

    This scam is meant to separate you from your money without getting the service you paid for. Say you need a locksmith. You grab your trusty phone and Google "Locksmith in Wyoming, Michigan" and call the first name on the list. But are you sure that company is a local or even a properly licensed and insured legitimate company? It could be an out-of-state reseller who will charge you more for contracting a local company to help you. Or a scam artist who will take your money and run.

    Unfortunately it is really easy to set up a fake company on Google, or an out of area service reseller company. I have noticed many service companies that advertise they are a "local company" and turn out to be an out-of-area company. After a little digging you will find that the corporate address is not local and the local address is a P.O. box. No local shop, no local employees, no local service trucks. Now that may not all bad, but you are probably going to pay more. And I prefer to buy locally, as in from neighbors and friends right here in my home town. At worst it is a scam artist who will take you money and run leaving you with nothing, a job half done, or badly done and in need of major repair work.

    What can you do to protect yourself? If you recognize the name, go ahead and call. If not seek the advice of friends and family or look the business up at the BBB website. Your insurance provider may have a list of good service providers, or a go to a trusted customer reviews web site. You can also Google the company name plus the word "Scam", or use a trusted anti-scam website. Always ask to see a service provider's license and proof of insurance. If they are offended by your asking, maybe you should choose someone else. It is worth doing a little research to prevent a big problem.

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    Phone Scammers

    Caller ID Spoofing

    I have been reading about 'Caller ID Spoofing'. This is where your caller ID displays a legitimate phone number and company / charity say from your bank or a favorite charity. Problem is it is not from them; the scammers are just displaying a false caller ID. Yes it is against the law, just like calling your phone number when it is on the government's 'No Call List'. Like that really works.

    So what can you do? NEVER NEVER NEVER give out personal or financial information to an unsolicited phone caller, NEVER NEVER NEVER! ! Tell them you can't talk right now because the toilet is backed up, car is running, etc. and ask for a call-back number and their name. Write it down and then call the company / charity back with the phone number from your personal phone book and ask if that was a legitimate call. NEVER call the scammers number or use the redial / call back button!

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    Phone Rings Only Once

    I have noticed an increase in the number of times my home phone rings just once or twice. If you see a missed call on your caller ID with no message left; it is from a robo-call computer. It is either a telemarketer or a phone scammer. You really do NOT want to call either one back. At best your phone number will be sold to other telemarketers and scammers so that you will be flooded with bogus calls. At worse you will be connected to a pay-per-second phone scammer and receive a huge charge on your next phone bill and your phone number will be sold as a live sucker number.

    Here is what is happening -
    Telemarketer's computers dial several numbers at once. The 1st one to pick up gets the sales pitch and all others are dropped.
    Scammers do the same thing and hope the others who got hung up on will call them back. Either way they charge you by the second an exorbitant amount of money just like a 1-900 number. The problem is the numbers look vaguely like a US regular phone number with an area code you might not recognize. No country codes or extra digits, just the usual 10 digit US / Canada phone number.

    Therefore -
    Never call back or answer a number you do not recognize.
    If it was a legitimate caller they should have left you a voice mail. I always tell people and service providers to please leave a message as I work in a noisy factory. If it is from an area code you do recognize, you might try it. But don't complain I didn't warn you.
    Best defense is to Google or reverse look-up the number before calling back. If you do fall victim to a scammer; hang up immediately and call your service provider to report the scam and possibly get the charges removed.

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    More Scare Tactics to Get Your Money!

    Scammers Claiming to be Police:

    You get a call that goes something like this; Cop calls and says you have an unpaid parking/speeding/red light ticket and they are going to arrest you unless you pay the fine right now with your credit card or checking account number over the phone. Or Cops/FBI/DOJ are trying to catch a counterfeiter/embezzler and need your help to catch them. They need you to withdrawal some money and meet with them so they can check/mark the money. Or the thief poses as a family member in trouble with the law and needs you to wire them some money to pay a fine or they will go to jail.

    Lets get real! The Police, FBI, DOJ, Boarder Patrol, etc, DO NOT conduct business by phone. They DO NOT announce when and if they are going to arrest someone. They have plenty of undercover officers, interns and trained volunteers so they won't ask you for help in such things. And if you question that so called relative, you will find that they really do not know any personal details that they should know about you or your family.

    Utility Scare:

    Beware of someone calling and saying that they are going to turn off your utilities because they have not received your payment. BUT, if you give them your credit card/bank account info they will make the payment instantly and cancel the shutoff order.

    Yeah right. Hang up and call your utility provider directly. See the above page introduction paragraph.

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    APARTMENT / HOME RENTAL & MORTGAGE SCAM

    There is a growing scam concerning renting apartments and houses. The scam artists hijack a legitimate ad or create their own bogus ad and require a deposit or advance fee of some kind BEFORE you can see the rental unit. Usually everything is conducted by phone, e-mail, or text and the rental 'owner' is out of town and needs to rent the unit fast. This is a scam, or at best a very bad owner. NEVER SEND MONEY OR PERSONAL INFO in advance of meeting the 'owner'. If they can't meet with you or send a representative to meet with you within a few days - RUN AWAY!

    HOME / APARTMENT OWNERS - this can happen to you! Scammers can hijack your ad or fraudulently try to rent out our home. If someone contacts you about renting when you are not trying to rent out our apartment or home, try to find out where they saw the ad and report it to the police and the place where the ad was published.

    There are also reports of scammers taking out fraudulent mortgages too. So be wary of odd things happening with regard to your home and rental property.

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    UPDATE:
    It takes a modern processor only a few hours to crack a 5 character password as opposed to more than 10 days to crack a 7 character password. Just think how hard it would be to crack a 12 character password. Length appears to be the key to security especially if the characters are random. But it is really hard to remember random stuff. So create your own special formula to generate 12 or more character passwords. Say you use your middle name, 1st four letters in the site name, and year. That would be - namethei2013. Any way you do it, the harder you are to crack the sooner they give up. And don't forget to change the your passwords once a year or more.

    Passwords are meant to keep your personal data safe. Unfortunately most people do not understand how to make a good password. And with the new generation of GPUs (Graphic Processing Units) which are made to handle huge volumes of data for games and video, cracking your measly password is simpler than ever. Here are a few rules to help you make better passwords :

    1. Simple words like 'password' are the first thing scammers try. Nowadays there are dictionary programs that simply try every word in the dictionary until it hits upon your password. Same thing for simple number passwords like '1357'.

    2. And please don't use your birthday, anniversary, pets name, address, or anything else that is public knowledge or on your Facebook page. Talk about making it easy for scammers.

    3. Size does matter. 4, 5, or 6 characters long? HA!! The new GPUs break a 7 character password easily. 12 characters is the minimum size. The longer the better especially for financial passwords.

    4. What is a "Character"? Anything on your keyboard that the program will accept - letters(caps and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. And mix it up! Use them all. Something like - 1f^mo91%&(5A or B1l8u%e2T6w(o .

    5. Never keep your passwords in a simple 'Word" file on your computer. Scammers look for this with 'Trojan Horses'. If you write them down, do it in longhand and store them in a plain old unmarked file folder in a safe location away from the computer. Or you can buy a 'Password Manager' program. These programs will also help you generate very strong passwords.

    6. No legitimate web site or business will ever ask you for your password unless you are logging into their site. If someone on the phone, email, or online wants your password, just hang up. It is a scam. *See Text Message and Email Scams below.

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    Obama Care Help Scam

    The bad guys are calling people offering to help them sign up for Obama Care. DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS! HANG UP!! It is a phishing scam! See the above page introduction paragraph.

    Contact your current insurance provider, health care provider, or your local county health agency for information on Obama Care.

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    PACKAGE DELIVERY E-MAIL SCAM

    You receive an e-mail saying the US Post Office could not deliver your package and to 'click here' to arrange delivery. Yes it is a phishing scam. The US Post Office will ALLWAYS put a notice card in your mail box. They NEVER contact you by e-mail unless you request it.

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    Cyber Bandits Use Your Cell Phone To Rob Your Home

    Cyber Bandits can use you cell phone and tweets / Facebook / online pictures to find out where you live and when you are not home so they can rob you in peace. That's right, your GPS enabled smart phone reports your whereabouts continually and the info is NOT very secure. Thieves can actually track your movements. Also paying bills via your cell phone is not much safer. Thieves can easily hack into your signal and copy your account info and passwords.

    Have you ever wondered why so many people you don't know want to be your friend on Facebook? Because if you post / tweet your whereabouts continually they know when you are not home. Now all they need is your address which they can usually get with a quick Google search and rob your home. Even those digital camera pictures are encoded with the GPS co-ordinates of where it was taken and time & date.

    So be wary of 'friends' you do not know, and what you post. You might be helping a thief rob you.

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    There is a new text message scam sweeping West Michigan. The text looks like it is coming from your bank. 5/3rd bank customers are currently getting hit. It says your account is being 'suspended' and call this number. DON'T DO IT!! IT IS A PHISHING SCAM ! ! NEVER EVER NEVER respond directly to any email, text, or phone call saying there is a problem with your bank account. If you are worried by receiving these texts; 1st delete the text, email, or hang up. 2nd ALWAYS contact your bank using the phone #, email address, or web site address that you already have in your personal address book.

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    Watch out!! Scammers are out to hijack your Facebook account and 'friend' list. Then they go after your credit card number. Beware of videos or links from a friend that say 'Is this you? LOL!!'. It may be legit, but it probably is a scam. The link will probably take you to a phishing site or a site loaded with spyware and malware designed to harvest your personal and financial info. Then it will use your contact list to spread itself to all your friends. So beware of juicy sounding links and video posts. Especially those that take a very long time to load. That might mean you are being bounced from one server to another and another to hide the identity of the scammer.
    And NEVER EVER NEVER re-enter your password or personal info once you are properly logged into Facebook. That means you are DEFENATLY on a phishing site! Facebook shares your login info with legit partner sights automatically, or ask if it is ok for Facebook to share your personal info with them.
    Better to miss a funny video than become a victim of identity theft.

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    While not a scam, this is a growing problem. Many thieves are breaking into cars and then using the personal information programmed into your GPS to find and rob your house. A good rule to follow is to NEVER program your home address into your GPS. Use the local gas station, supermarket, or you work location into the 'home' or 'starting' position. After all you already know how to get there and how far it is away from your house.

    About car break-ins, some thieves are using a more subtle method of breaking into your car. They will punch or drill a small hole in your car door just below the handle on the passenger door. Then jimmy the lock and take only a few things without trashing your car so you won't be instantly be aware of the theft. This gives the thieves a few days before you realize some things are gone and report it to the police.

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    Sorry I didn't post this sooner, guess what happened to me :

    Check Fraud

    I listed my old Canon 35mm SLR camera for sale on Craigslist. Received this email:
    "Still up for sale ? Carl." From 'gamed78@gmail.com'.
    I replied and received a 2nd email :
    "Ok,I'm presently on vacation but I will instruct my assistant to prepare and mail a Money Order which you will receive in the next 3 - 5 business days. I'll add $20 extra for the delay.If this is acceptable by you, Send your info i.e your full Name to cash,mailing Address and also your phone Number so payment can be mail out immediately. I will make arrangement for pick-up after you must have received and cashed the Money Order. Awaiting your info. Thanks Carl." From 'heart4allsoul2000@gmail.com'.

    Yes I was immediately suspicious. After a little research I found several postings confirming that this email address has been trying this scam for almost a year.

    The point here is be very suspicious when you get someone who asks no questions, doesn't ask for a lower price, and wants to send you a money order for more than you are asking for. AND NEVER NEVER NEVER refund an overpayment!! IT IS A SCAM!! These checks take 2 weeks or longer to clear all the way to the issuing bank and YOU WILL BE LIABLE TO REPAY ALL THE MONEY BACK!!

    Employment Fraud

    While there are many legitimate employment ads on Craigslist, there are lots of scammers.
    Rule #1. NEVER pay up front training fees!
    Rule #2. NEVER pay up front background check fees! It is usually a scam. Unfortunately a few employers are doing this because they are a revolving door. They are constantly hiring (and losing money on background checks) because people are constantly leaving. Think very carefully about working there.
    Rule #3. NEVER give out personal bank account numbers or information over the web before you are hired! I don't care how legitimate the web site looks, IT IS A SCAM ! ! Legitimate employers only need this info after you are hired and have signed the proper documents.
    Rule #4. If the pay is higher than other similar employers it is probably a scam. Remember the I.R.S.'s advice - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true! 99.99% of the time you CAN NOT make $50,000 a month or even a year part time. It just doesn't happen unless you are a rock star or semi-retired doctor, lawyer, or president.

    Free Stuff

    Sometimes that 'free stuff' ad was not true. Several times people have posted other peoples stuff as free when it was not. One burglar even posted that a store's merchandise was free to cover his crime. Guess who is in jail?
    ALWAYS CONFIRM the 'free stuff' posting with the owner of the free stuff.

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    A thief with an RFI reader can steal your credit card number from your Tap-n-go credit card right out of your pocket without touching you or your credit card. All they need to do is get their stock commercially available RFI reader within 3 inches of your credit card. If they juice up the power on their reader, they may be able to get it from several feet away. Check out this story ELECTRONIC PICKPOCKETS.

    Electronic skimmers are getting to be a major problem, especially at gas stations and ATMs. Thieves can skim your card number and transmit it to them via Bluetooth or WIFI. Always look over the terminal before you put your card in. If there is anything loose on the card reader, the cover, clear plastic, etc., DO NOT use the terminal. It may have been compromised. You know I love my debit card, but most credit cards keep you safer as they do not have direct access to your bank account. Always read the fine print about your liability if your card or card number is stolen. Some card issuers offer little or no protection if your card number is skimmed and used electronically (not physicaly swiped).

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    This scam sends a text to you about a problem with your credit card, loan, bank account, or ??? account. BEWARE - this is just another phishing tool for the scammers! DO NOT reply!! I don't care how official the email looks, DO NOT reply!! If you want to make sure there are no problems call the number on your last statement and tell them what happened. Never use any number or link provided by a questionable source. If there is a problem with your account, most banks will suspend your account until they can reach you, or you call / visit them. You may want to call your bank / service provider and discuss what would happen if there were an unusual or unauthorized transaction happening. That way you know their procedures and how to contact you if this ever happens.

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    Here we go again. Remember if it is too good to be true; it is NOT TRUE! ! Hackers are now using headline stories like swine flu to get you to visit there phishing / malware / bot sites to rip you off or use you to rip others off. The government does NOT initiate contact with emails. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use your brains not your fear! Here is the complete article complete article

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    NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association - has issued an advisory to financial institutions about phishing emails designed to appear as if they were sent from NACHA warning users about failed ACH transactions. The e-mail includes a link that, if clicked, redirects the individual to a fake web page that appears to be a NACHA website and contains a link that almost certainly leads to a Jabber/Zeus malware download.

    DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINK OR RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL! ! Call your bank or credit card provider directly to verify any potential problem.

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    If you get an e-mail supposedly from your e-mail service provider stating 'We have changed your security settings. Please click on this link to confirm.' or anything closely resembling this from your Internet Provider, Facebook, etcetera - DO NOT CLICK ON THAT LINK! ! !
    This is a scam to get control of your email account. Call or contact your service provider using the previously recorded phone number or address in your personal files. DO NOT under any circumstances click or call any link or phone number provided in the fake e-mail. I called my provider when I got this e-mail and the asked me to forward it to them. Then they e-mailed me back confirming it was a scam and thanked me for the call.

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    There is an email scam going around that claims it is from the I.R.S. Here is an example:

    Taxpayer ID: lbstump-00000174073547US
    Tax Type: INCOME TAX
    Issue: Unreported/Underreported Income (Fraud Application)
    Please review your tax statement on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website (click on the link below):
    review tax statement for taxpayer id: lbstump-0..........US (not a valid link, Brian)
    Internal Revenue Service

    This is a phishing site. If you go there the bad guys will steal your identity ! ! ! ! !
    The United States Internal Revenue Service NEVER EVER NEVER will initialy contact you via email about a problem. The real U.S. Government I.R.S. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS initiates all contact with taxpayers by United States Mail ONLY ! ! !

    PROTECT YOURSELF - NEVER EVER NEVER CLICK ON THOSE LINKS! ! !

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    With names like Antivirus 2009 and AntiSpyware 2009 they sound legitimate. BUT they are phishing sites! Designed to collect your personal data to steal your identity, credit cards, and bank accounts. Always use a trusted vendor recommended by a friend or trusted magazine like PC World. Don't be sucked in by free offers, low rates, or unbelievable claims of protection. Always do your research!!

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    This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want.
    Please Note: The callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it!!

    The scam works like this: Caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in ??' When you say 'No', the caller continues with, 'Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?' You say 'yes'. The caller continues - 'I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800 -VISA) and ask for Security.' You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. 'Do you need me to read it again?'

    Here's what the scammer needs to complete the theft of your Credit Card:
    The caller then says, 'I need to verify you are in possession of your card'. He'll ask you to 'turn your card over and look for some numbers'. There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security Numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, 'That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?' After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, 'Don't hesitate to call back if you do, and hangs up.

    DO NOT GIVE THOSE 3 VERIFICATION NUMBERS TO THEM!!!

    If you receive one of these calls record or write down all the info they give you. DO NOT GIVE THOSE 3 VERIFICATION NUMBERS TO THEM!!! Simply hang up and contact your card issuer using the phone number on the back of the card or on your last statement. Tell them what happened and ask if there is really a problem. NEVER EVER NEVER give out those 3 verification numbers unless you are trying to buy something online or by phone. If you did not initiate the contact, it is probably a fraud.

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    The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. Give out any of this information and bingo, your identity was just stolen. The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma , Illinois , and Colorado . This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

    If you get one of these calls DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY INFORMATION!! Ask what court (i.e. 6th Distric court of Nowhere Michigan) and tell them your lawyer will be calling to straighten it out. Then hang up, look the number of that court up in YOUR phone book and report it. If they give you a phone number, great. DO NOT USE IT! Include it in your fraud report.

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    This may or may not be true Credit Card Cash Back Scam BUT it reminds us of the importance of checking out your receipt before you leave the store. Accidents happen, machines malfunction, and there is the occasional crook out there.

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    The Michigan Secretary of State is warning about fake internet sights that are claiming to be repossession agents or dealerships selling cars at substantial discounts for banks and loan agencies. You are supposed to send them the money and they will deliver the car in 3 to 5 days.
    NO THEY WON'T!
    THEY ARE NOT LICENSED BY THE STATE!!
    IT IS A SCAM!!!

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    Beware of Car Auctions that offer to sell your car for you. They have you ship your car to them, negotiate a contract, and then steal your car. My friend in Louisiana lost 2 classic muscle cars to an auction in Murphysboro. They sent him a letter stating they sold the cars for substantially under the agreed amount in violation of the contract. He has spent thousands of dollars to recover 1 of the cars. Seams they were "sold" without the title, laundered thru Ebay Motors, and Ohio (for a new title), plus several different owners and dealerships in just 2 months. He found them in Lansing at a dealer who offered to sell them back to him. He presented the original title and police report to the MSP and recovered the stolen vehicle.

    NEVER SELL ANYTHING THRU AN AUCTION YOU DO NOT KNOW. ESPECIALLY OUT OF YOUR STATE. NEVER SURRENDER YOUR VEHICLE'S TITLE UNTILL YOU GET THE MONEY IN YOUR HAND! !

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    To report a DEAD LINK