How to avoid Medicare Open Enrollment scams

How to avoid Medicare Open Enrollment scams By Bridget Small October is time for cooler days, warmer drinks, and the start of Medicare Open Enrollment Period.  If you have Medicare, October 15 – December 7 is when you can make changes to your Medicare health and Part D prescription drug plans.  About now, you'll probably be seeing ads from plans by mail, email, phone, and on TV. You might hear from scammers, too — but how will you know? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/how-avoid-medicare-open-enrollment-scams

MIAA reminder on growing trend of scams posing as legitimate sporting events

Thank you to @boston25 and the Better Business Bureau for the story on the growing trend of scams posing as legitimate video streams of events.

Be sure to look for links from official school accounts, the MIAA or NFHS Network. "Check before you click." 

https://t.co/SWSDpGF1My

Shared from -> https://t.co/276vwiAuH1

MIAA reminder on growing trend of scams posing as legitimate sporting events

Children’s Health Insurance Program: Spot the scam

Finding and keeping health insurance for your family can be stressful and expensive. During the pandemic, your state’s Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) might have helped — but with the end of the pandemic, states may be reaching out to update your family Medicaid enrollments. Except scammers might try to get to you first. So how can you spot them?

First, while the process to renew may differ from state to state, nobody legit will ask for your personal information over the phone or demand that you pay to renew. Medicaid won’t. CHIP won’t. But scammers will.

Continue reading ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/09/childrens-health-insurance-program-spot-scam

Children’s Health Insurance Program: Spot the scam

Looking for a remote job for a cause you care about? Here’s how to know if it’s a scam

"If you’re looking for a remote job, you might be interested in companies that support a cause. But scammers know that and use your interest to draw you in. If, for example, you’re an LGBTQ+ person or ally, a job that says you can “help LGBTQ+ people in need from the comfort of your own home” might sound great. But what happens if you take that next step?

Based on reports to the FTC, that LGBTQ+ non-profit looking to “hire fast” could be using common interest to build trust with you. If you’re invested in their cause, they hope you’ll be more willing to give personal information before they’ve told you anything about the job. Or you’ll be willing to deposit that check they sent you for “equipment costs” — and send some of the money on to someone else, or back to them. (These are both big signs of a scam.)"

Continue reading about this scam alert from the FTC ->   https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/09/looking-remote-job-cause-you-care-about-heres-how-know-if-its-scam

Looking for a remote job for a cause you care about? Here’s how to know if it’s a scam

Pay your student loans — not scammers

Pay your student loans — not scammers

By Ari Lazarus

"You've probably heard the news — federal student loan repayments are starting again in October. But scammers might try and tell you they can help you avoid repayment, lower your payments, or get your loans forgiven — for a price. 

Here's how to spot and avoid these scams.  Read more -> "   https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/09/pay-your-student-loans-not-scammers

Pay your student loans — not scammers

FTC, State Partners Secure Proposed Order Banning Roomster and Owners from Using Deceptive Reviews

Roomster used fake reviews, phony listings to lure consumers to its platform, according to FTC, states

The Federal Trade Commission will permanently ban Roomster Corp. and its owners, John Shriber and Roman Zaks, from buying or incentivizing consumer reviews as part of a settlement over charges that they bought fake reviews to entice consumers to pay for access to living arrangement listings that they claimed were verified, authentic, and available but often turned out to be fake.

"The FTC says New York-based Roomster saturated the internet with tens of thousands of four- and five-star fake reviews that it largely bought from Jonathan Martinez, doing business as AppWinn, who already agreed to settle the FTC’s charges. Consumers who paid for Roomster’s service complained that many of the company’s listings for living arrangements were fake and that, contrary to its promises, Roomster failed to verify that its listings were legitimate and authentic, according to the FTC."

View Press Release ->  https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/08/ftc-state-partners-secure-proposed-order-banning-roomster-owners-using-deceptive-reviews

FTC, State Partners Secure Proposed Order Banning Roomster and Owners from Using Deceptive Reviews

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not By Cristina Miranda Did someone tell you to buy a gift card and give them the numbers? That's a scam. Your money was gone the moment you gave someone those gift card numbers. But now, some gift card companies might be able to get your money back. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/if-you-paid-scammer-gift-card-your-money-gone-maybe-not

If you paid a scammer with a gift card, is your money gone? Maybe not

The Guardian: "Gone in two transfers: the email scam that cost Australian homebuyers their life savings"

"Simon Elvins and his wife were excited – they had spent 10 years saving for their first home and they had finally got there. The New South Wales man had just been sent an invoice from his conveyancer, asking him to pay the first lot of his home deposit for a property in the Blue Mountains.

In two transactions on 5 and 8 May, he sent the money and waited. After a few days, he had not heard back, so he emailed the conveyancers.

After a back and forth with the conveyancers and the real estate agent over five days, they worked out what had happened – but it was too late. Scammers had intercepted the email, changed the account details on the invoice and stolen his deposit.

With two quick transfers, Elvins lost $274,311.57."

Continue reading the article (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/20/australian-email-payment-redirection-scam

Simon Elvins and his wife had spent 10 years saving for a deposit for their new home in the Blue Mountains only to lose nearly $250,000 to a payment redirection scam. Photograph: Dean Sewell/Oculi

Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this !!

Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this By Amy Hebert Ever send money through an app like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? They make it easy to send money fast to friends or family. But what happens when it's a scammer on the other end? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/do-you-use-payment-apps-venmo-cashapp-or-zelle-read

 

Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this !!

How to make sure your donations count when weather disasters strike

How to make sure your donations count when weather disasters strike

By Colleen Tressler

"Throw a dart at a map of the U.S. and chances are you'll land on a community that suffered severe weather this year. Whether it's landslides on the West Coast, extreme ice storms in the South, spring tornadoes across the Midwest, recent flooding in the Northeast, or the wildfires consuming the Hawaiian island of Maui, communities have experienced devastating losses ― and many are still recovering.  

With any weather disaster, you may consider a charitable donation to help those affected. But how you can avoid charity scams?"

Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/how-make-sure-your-donations-count-when-weather-disasters-strike

How to make sure your donations count when weather disasters strike

Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms

Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms By Larissa Bungo Scammers are lurking on LinkedIn and other job sites, posing as "recruiters" for well-known companies.  But instead of looking to hire you, they're really looking to take your money and personal information. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/scammers-impersonate-well-known-companies-recruit-fake-jobs-linkedin-and-other-job-platforms

Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord By Terri Miller If someone asked you to mail them $200 in cash, would you do it? Probably not. Wiring money is just like sending cash in the mail.  Once it's gone, you probably won't get it back — which explains why scammers tell you to pay that way. You'd think twice before mailing your hard-earned money — do the same thing before you wire money.  Here's what to know.  Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/asked-wire-money-cut-cord

Video link -> https://youtube.com/shorts/gsTrV41neJU?feature=share

Asked to wire money? Cut the cord

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast By Colleen Tressler As recovery efforts continue in areas of the Northeast hit hard by devastating flooding, scammers aren't far behind. Your tragedy is an opportunity for them, and they'll try to take advantage. If one of the recent storms damaged your home, you might get offers to do things like help you clean up debris or get financial help. The offer might even seem to come from a government official. But how do you know what's real? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/how-spot-and-avoid-post-disaster-scams-northeast

How to spot and avoid post-disaster scams in the Northeast

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants By Larissa Bungo You may have heard about food delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats: you order through a restaurant's website or a delivery service's mobile app and drivers deliver your food. We're hearing about a new scam targeting food delivery drivers and restaurants. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/scammers-impersonate-delivery-service-support-rip-drivers-and-restaurants

Scammers impersonate delivery service support to rip off drivers and restaurants

The best way to protect your information from scammers? Recognize a phishing scam

The best way to protect your information from scammers? Recognize a phishing scam By Andrew Rayo Scammers know how valuable your personal and financial information is — and they'll do or say almost anything to get it. What can you do to keep it safe? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/best-way-protect-your-information-scammers-recognize-phishing-scam

The best way to protect your information from scammers? Recognize a phishing scam

Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams

Military consumers and romance scams By Carol Kando-Pineda Counsel, FTC's Division of Consumer and Business Education For Military Consumer Month, let's talk a little about how romance scammers target people who support the troops — and sometimes servicemembers themselves. These scammers can be any age, gender, or sexual orientation and may approach you on dating sites or on social media platforms.  In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam to the FTC — and losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion. How can you avoid a romance scam? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/07/military-consumers-and-romance-scams

Federal Trade Commission: Military consumers and romance scams

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers By Cristina Miranda Scammers are always looking for people to lure into schemes, in any language. The latest twist: scammers placing social media ads in Spanish, inviting people to free "seminars" where they'll learn how to profit from an online business or real estate investments.  But will you make money? Or is the company that is speaking your language scamming you? Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/06/business-coaching-and-real-estate-investment-scheme-targets-spanish-speakers

Business coaching and real estate investment scheme targets Spanish speakers

Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them!

Have you been getting scammy text messages? By Ari Lazarus If you get tons of scam text messages, you're not alone. Lots of people have been reporting to the FTC that they're getting texts from scammers impersonating people and organizations you know and trust — like your bank or companies like Amazon.  An analysis of consumer reports reveals the top text scams from 2022. So, what are they? And how do you avoid them? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/have-you-been-getting-scammy-text-messages

Have you been getting scammy text messages? How to deal with them! 

Scam proof the young people in your life

Scam proof the young people in your life By Jim Kreidler Think the techy young people in your life are too techy to be scammed? Think again. According to data from the FTC, people in their twenties reported losing money to fraud at a higher rate than people in their seventies.  So, if you count yourself an older adult, let's use your accumulated knowledge this Older American's Month. Reach out to the young people in your life to help them better spot and avoid scams.  But where to start? Read more -> https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/05/scam-proof-young-people-your-life

Scam proof the young people in your life

FTC Action Leads to Lifetime Industry Ban for Operators of ‘Extended Vehicle Warranty’ Scam

"As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, the operators of a telemarketing scam that called hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide to pitch them expensive “extended automobile warranties” will face a lifetime ban from the extended automobile warranty industry and from all outbound telemarketing.

Under the terms of proposed court orders, three companies and their owners that were charged by the FTC with running the operation that scammed consumers out of millions of dollars would be permanently banned from participating in the extended automobile warranty market, as well as from any further involvement in outbound telemarketing.

“AVP misled consumers about who they were and what they were selling and called a large number of consumers who were on the FTC’s Do Not Call List,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s order banning five defendants from the industry and imposing a monetary judgment of $6.6 million continues the Commission’s aggressive crackdown on telemarketing fraud.”

Continue reading the FTC press release ->

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-action-leads-lifetime-industry-ban-operators-extended-vehicle-warranty-scam

FTC Action Leads to Lifetime Industry Ban for Operators of ‘Extended Vehicle Warranty’ Scam