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Don't Fall For It: This Social Security Number Scam Has Cost 35K Victims $10 Million, FTC Says Don't Fall For It: This Social Security Number Scam Has Cost 35K Victims $10 Million, FTC Says
Don't Fall For It: This Social Security Number Scam Has Cost 35K Victims $10 Million, FTC Says A consumer alert has been issued about a new phone scam that has already cost tens of thousands of victims millions. Imposters pretending to be from the Social Security Administration call victims and tell a fake story about their Social Security number being compromised in an attempt to obtain personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission.  In 2018, the scam cost 35,000 victims $10 million. “To compare: in 2017, we heard from 3,200 people about SSA imposter scams, and those people reported losing nearly $210,000,” the FTC said in a statement. Th…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M
Wells Fargo To Pay States $575M To Resolve Customer Ripoff Claims: NJ, NY, CT Get $34M Wells Fargo Bank has agreed to pay $575 million – including more than $34 million combined to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut – to settle charges that it engaged in a variety of sales, lending, and other improper business practices for more than a decade. The bank also has agreed to pay more than $385 million to 850,000 auto finance customers who were wrongly charged premiums, interest, and fees for forced-place collateral protection insurance, even though they already had the coverage. That includes payments to more than 51,000 customers whose cars were repossessed, according to the m…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Lifestyle
Cell Phone Fraud On The Rise: What You Can Do To Protect Yourself Cell Phone Fraud On The Rise: What You Can Do To Protect Yourself
Cell Phone Fraud On The Rise: What You Can Do To Protect Yourself People all around the country are at a higher risk than ever of becoming the next victim of cell phone fraud, especially the elderly. The FCC defines cell phone fraud as, “the unauthorized use, tampering or manipulation of a cellular phone or service.” It comes in two primary forms, subscriber fraud and phone cloning fraud. Subscriber fraud occurs when a scammer signs up for a service with information obtained in a fraudulent way. Cell phone cloning fraud occurs when a scammer essentially reprograms a cell phone to transmit the signal associated with another legitimate device. While other…

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by Valerie Musson
Business
Warning Issued For Holiday Charity Scams By CT Department Of Consumer Protection Warning Issued For Holiday Charity Scams By CT Department Of Consumer Protection
Warning Issued For Holiday Charity Scams By CT Department Of Consumer Protection Mind your businesses. That's the message the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is sending. The department is telling businesses to verify whether charities are legitimate before permitting them to ask for donations on their property. All charities soliciting in Connecticut must register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Legitimate charities can be confirmed on the State of Connecticut website by clicking here.

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by Daily Voice
Police & Fire
Scam Alert: Calls Tell Businesses, Consumers They're Behind On Bills Scam Alert: Calls Tell Businesses, Consumers They're Behind On Bills
Scam Alert: Calls Tell Businesses, Consumers They're Behind On Bills Opportunistic fraudsters have been making the rounds in Fairfield County, posing as utility workers threatening to turn the lights off at local businesses. The Shelton Police Department issued an alert, cautioning that local businesses have recently been targeted by scammers calling and pretending to be from United Illuminating. The businesses are told that they are behind on their electric bills and that the power will be shut off immediately unless a payment is made. “It’s an old swindle with some new twists,” officials from the utility company stated. “Caller ID may show the call is comi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scam Alert Issued Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scam Alert Issued
Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scam Alert Issued As area residents prepare for the holiday shopping season, authorities have issued tips to help consumers protect themselves on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The following are tips for consumers shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Beware of misleading bargains and added fees. The “sale” price may have been marked up before it was marked down – nullifying the impact of the sale. Often, the touted “sale” price may, in fact, be significantly higher than the price for that same item later in the season. Additionally, delivery charges and/or other added costs such as assembly fees are o…

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by Daily Voice
Police & Fire
State Police Warning: Look Out For Phishing Emails State Police Warning: Look Out For Phishing Emails
State Police Warning: Look Out For Phishing Emails State Police in Connecticut are warning residents not to bite the bait as a “phishing” scheme makes the rounds in the area. An alert was issued by state police involving the latest scam to hit the area, which is typically carried out by email spoofing or text messaging, directing people to enter personal information on a fake website that looks legitimate. Emails may also contain links to websites that will distribute malware. Police said that phishing is “when a scammer attempts to contact you through phone calls, emails, text messages or copycat websites in an attempt to get you to provid…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Alert Issued For Mail Scam That Could Cost You Thousands Alert Issued For Mail Scam That Could Cost You Thousands
Alert Issued For Mail Scam That Could Cost You Thousands There's a new mail scam in the area and police are warning the public to be on the lookout.One area police department, in Fairfield County, is detailing the contents of the letter. The potential victim is sent what appears to be documentation that they have won a substantial amount of money in the “Publishers Clearinghouse” sweepstakes, according to the Darien Police Department. A check is included, and the recipient is instructed to contact the “Claim Manager” prior to cashing the check and warned not to contact anyone in regards to the prize. The amount the check is made out for is substan…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam
Be On Lookout For New Amazon Scam There’s a new scam - this time involving Amazon - making the rounds in the area. A local resident received a call, allegedly from Amazon customer support, soliciting a response in regards to a purchase that was never made on the website. “Hi this is Alice from Amazon customer support,” the robocall stated. “This call is to notify you regarding your purchase on Amazon. You have been charged on your VISA card. If you have made this purchase on Amazon and recognized it, then simply hang up and your order will be delivered to you. If you have not made any such transactions, then call Amazon sup…

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by Zak Failla
News
FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers
FBI Warns Of Scam Targeting Car Buyers If it seems too good to be true, it might be, according to federal investigators. The FBI has issued an alert cautioning area residents to be aware of a national scam involving fraudulent online classified advertisements, offering vehicles that are not for sale, and some that never have been for sale, that are allegedly in their possession. According to the FBI, the fake advertisements tend to include photos that match the description of the alleged vehicle and a phone number or email address to contact the supposed seller. Once contact is established, the fraudster sends the intended buyer…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Area Residents Report New Apple Phone Call Scam Area Residents Report New Apple Phone Call Scam
Area Residents Report New Apple Phone Call Scam A new scam involving Apple products is making the rounds in the region, according to area residents. Last week, the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service issued an alert cautioning Americans to be on alert following a recent rash of phony phone calls coming from opportunistic fraudsters. In the wake of that scam, an area resident told Daily Voice that he received two calls from a scammer claiming to be from AppleCare. According to the resident, the fraudster had a thick Indian accent and warned him “not to use Apple devices due to ‘hacking.’” The local reported that he contacted Apple, who confirm…

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by Zak Failla
News
FBI Issues Alert On Imposter Scam Phone Calls FBI Issues Alert On Imposter Scam Phone Calls
FBI Issues Alert On Imposter Scam Phone Calls The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are warning Americans to be on alert following a recent rash of phony phone calls from opportunistic fraudsters. National law enforcement agencies issued an alert warning of several recent reports of imposter scams involving individuals claiming to be U.S. marshals, court officers, or other law enforcement officials. During the calls, officials said that scammers attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty or various other offenses. They then tell victims they can avoid arrest by purchasing a prepaid debit card and read t…

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by Zak Failla