Tag: Business Impersonators

If someone contacts you unexpectedly and tells you to buy gold bars and hand them to someone (anyone!) to “protect your money,” you’ve spotted a scam. Instead of doing what they say, stop. Want to know how these scams work and how to avoid them? Read on.

After a long search, you’ve got that new job. You can’t wait to share the good news on social media, but as you’re shouting it from the virtual rooftop, know this: it’s not only friends and colleagues who’ll get the alert. Scammers are watching, too — and they might use the update to target you.

Hoping to take a trip in the warmer weather? Before you start planning, know that some scammers set up websites advertising free or cheap travel deals. Learn to spot these scammy sites and other schemes designed to steal your money and personal information.

Are you the parent of a fur baby? Then you know how tough it is when your cat, dog, or other adorable pet is sick, in pain, or injured. You’d do anything for them. Scammers are using that feeling to steal your hard-earned money.

Scammers impersonating the government — including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — is nothing new. But here’s a twist: scammers are now calling themselves FTC “agents” and supplying fake badge numbers and ID cards to try to convince you they are who they say they are. (…They’re not who they say they are. The FTC doesn’t have “agents.”) So how do you avoid scams like this?

You may have heard the news: JOANN Fabric & Craft stores are closing — and holding big clearance sales before they shut their doors. Looking to grab some deals? The real JOANN sales are only happening in person in their physical stores. But that hasn’t stopped scammers from setting up bogus websites with fraudulent deals claiming to give you 80-90% off. Here’s how to avoid these JOANN online impersonators.

Have you ever gotten a text message about a package coming via the United States Postal Service? Maybe it confirmed your order, said a package is out for delivery, or said there’s a problem like unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or you need to update your shipping preferences. That text message will say to click a link to learn more or fix the problem. But there’s a good chance that text message that says it’s from USPS (or FedEx…or DHL…) is really from a scammer.

Did you know that people almost always open text messages? In a new Data Spotlight about the big jump in reported fraud losses involving text scams, the FTC notes a study finding open rates can be as high as 98%. Those are really good odds for a scammer. And when scammers get you to respond to their messages, they’re cashing in. Here’s how you can increase your chances of keeping your money safe.

Have you gotten a robocall about a discount on phone, TV, or internet services? Scammers are pretending to be businesses and making robocalls about “discounted services” if you pay with a gift card. It’s a scam. Here’s how the scam works so you can avoid it.

You’re online and get a message or pop-up alerting you to a problem with your computer. The message might even say or suggest it’s from Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad. Should you click immediately to see what it’s about? No, and here’s why.