Tag: All Scams

Scammers are at it again, impersonating well-known businesses and trying to rip people off. This time they’re pretending to be from Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech support service. Here’s what we’re hearing about the scam and what to do if you see it.

After a natural disaster, the road to recovery — financial and otherwise — can be long and bumpy. As you begin picking up the pieces in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, here are some things to think about as you develop a plan to regain your financial stability:

Between inflation and soaring energy prices, many of us are thinking about how much more it’s going to cost to stay warm this year. Getting an email, a call, or a knock on your door with an offer to cut your utility bill may seem like hitting the savings lottery. But before you say “yes,” know that scammers may hide behind some of those offers. They’re after your money and information and will leave you out in the cold.

Nobody knows how long it’ll take to recover from the destruction Hurricane Ian left behind. But we do know it won’t be long before scammers start trying to cash in on the deadly storm. Whether you’re getting back on your feet or looking for ways to help people in areas hit hardest, learn how scammers operate — and how to avoid them.

We know that scammers target Latinos with calls and ads in English and Spanish because the FTC has sued to stop them. When the FTC hears about the Latino community’s experiences and collects their reports about frauds and scams, it helps everyone. Want to be part of the solution? Add your voice and help us get the word out this #HispanicHeritageMonth.

As recovery efforts continue in areas hit hard by mother nature’s recent bi-coastal punch, scammers are not far behind. They see tragedy as opportunity, and they'll use the devastation caused by severe storms — like Typhoon Merbok, Hurricane Fiona, and Hurricane Ian, now headed for shore — to try to take advantage of those affected. As well as of anyone who tries to help. That's why it's so important to know how to spot the scams that often follow natural disasters.

Scammers promise to make changes to your mortgage loan or take other steps to save your home, but they don’t deliver. Never pay a company upfront for promises to help you get relief on paying your mortgage.