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41°
Monday, dec 16
Tag:
Scams
News
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
As the holiday shopping season begins, the IRS reminds everyone that it’s not just your credit card balance you need to watch — it’s also your personal information. As part of its ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS is warning taxpayers about a rise in holiday scams. The scammers aren’t interested in gifts under your tree; they’re after your Social Security number and financial information instead. Here’s how scammers are getting creative—and how you can stay safe: Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails pretending to be from reputable retailers, shipping companie…
Business
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
New reports reveal that scammers are trying to trick Google into showing their fake numbers pretending to offer reputable services, and many are getting away with it. Google sometimes highlights impostors during searches for airlines, banks, as well as local businesses, according to a brand-new report in The Washington Post. A victim who called what Google listed as Coinbase customer support was scammed out of $100,000 in 20 minutes by an impostor, Fortune reports. Google told The Washington Post that it uses several methods to determine whether business listings are legitimate, inclu…
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
Federal authorities are sounding the alarm over scams that impersonate well-known businesses and government agencies. In 2023, data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alone show more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. That amounts to nearly half the frauds reported directly to the agency, the FTC said. Combined, reported losses to these impersonation scams topped $1.1 billion for the year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. Reports show an increasingly blurred line between busine…
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise
Police are warning of an uptick in scammers hoping to take advantage of the warmer spring weather. Each year, agencies across the country see an increase in complaints about fraudsters who bait homeowners with driveway paving services, according to the North Greenbush Police Department in New York. “As the trees sprout leaf buds and the daffodils peek out of their underground hiding, so must the scam artists offering to pave or sealcoat your driveway for the low low price of only five times what it would cost for a legitimate business to do it,” the agency said on Facebook. “And they must b…
News
Customers Beware: Eversource Warns Of Uptick In Scammers Targeting CT Residents
Connecticut’s top energy provider is warning residents to protect themselves against scammers. Eversource says now is the time of year when the company typically sees an uptick in scams seeking to swindle customers out of their money. “Scam artists use sophisticated and intimidating tactics and can be hard to detect,” the company said. “Inform yourself about the tactics used and protect your information.” One of the most common schemes involves phone calls impersonating Eversource employees and demanding immediate payment in order to prevent electric service from being shut off. The compa…
Police & Fire
Alert Westport Bank Employee Foils Kidnapping Scam, Police Say
A woman who received a call demanding money saying her daughter was being held hostage was saved from falling for the scam by an alert bank teller in Fairfield County. The incident took place in Westport on Thursday, March 23 at the M&T Bank, said Lt. Eric Woods of the. Westport Police. Woods said the bank called for help after a customer reported she received a call from a man saying he and the victim’s daughter had been in a motor vehicle accident and the daughter was being held as a hostage. He then demanded she withdraw as much money as she could in exchange for the safe r…
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For Them: Police In Connecticut Issue Alert About These Scams
Connecticut State Police issued an alert to residents about common cryptocurrency scams. Police shared the alert on Tuesday, Aug. 30, saying scammers often use texts, phone calls, or emails to lure victims to cryptocurrency ATMs, web-based investment sites or exchange platforms to get them to convert dollars into cryptocurrency. "A victim is often led to believe that their bank account or investments are under attack," police said. "The victim is then prompted to convert those assets to cryptocurrency and send them to a 'secure' account, which is controlled by the scammer." Police said sca…
Police & Fire
Police Issue New Warning For 'Difficult To Investigate' Scams In Fairfield County
Police are warning the public about a new increase in scams that are "difficult to investigate." The scams, which take place all over the country, have also been reported region. "Even though the police may be made aware of these types of cases, they can be difficult to investigate because many times the suspects are in another country or quickly leave the scene where very little suspect information is available," the Trumbull Police Department in Fairfield County, Connecticut, said. Here's a list of the types of scams: The caller claimed to be a family member that has an illness or was …
Business
Hundreds Of Unexpected Amazon Packages Delivered To Home In New York
Hundreds of unexpected and unwanted packages from Amazon were sent to a New York home as part of what could potentially be a scam, officials said. Dozens of boxes arrived daily from Amazon, UPS and FedEx were delivered to upstate New York resident Jillian Canaan recently, despite her and her family not ordering any packages. According to WIVB-TV, Canaan, who runs a studio in the Buffalo area, initially believed that the packages could be for the family’s studio, but upon closer inspection, she found that while it was her home address listed on the boxes, it wasn’t in her name. Inside the …
News
Covid-
19: Beware Of These Five New Scammer Tactics, Utility Companies Warn
With the United States crossing a grim milestone as the COVID-19 death toll topped 500,000, utility companies are cautioning about new scams that have arisen in the past year as opportunistic fraudsters look to take advantage of the pandemic. Utility companies across the country have issued alerts regarding new scams as they seek to allow their customers to protect themselves from scammers exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak. According to officials, one of the largest threats involves scammers aggressively threatening to disconnect service, claiming that bills are past due, unless a payment is…
Police & Fire
New Alert For Scams Issued By Police In Fairfield County
It seems that every day a new scam is hitting the internet, and members of the Fairfield Police Department are offering tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. Many of the scams are common, but people still fall for them, Town of Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras said. Some common-sense reminders offered by the department include never give out personal or financial information to a person they do not know or whose identity cannot be verified. That includes Social Security numbers or credit card numbers. Recently, Fairfield Police received a report regarding an elaborate scam t…
News
Eversource Issues Warning For Increased Reports of Scam
Eversource is warning customers of a classic utility scam involving a threat to disconnect a customer’s electric or gas service because of an unpaid bill and demanding immediate payment is circulating through the region again. A recent case involved an area company that received a call from scammers posing as Eversource and have continued to receive threatening calls to shut off power unless an immediate payment was made. “We get scam calls all the time. Last month alone we got multiple calls threatening to disconnect our power,” said Kim Masse of Northeast Garage Door Systems, “…
News
Here Are Four Ways To Avoid Stimulus Check Scams
Consumer protection and law enforcement agencies are warning people to be wary of scams associated with stimulus checks. To avoid scammers, the Department of Consumer Protection is circulating tips on how to identify, stop, and/or report fraudsters going after stimulus checks. The second round of stimulus checks to help Americans deal with an economy hampered by COVID-19 began arriving in people’s mailboxes and direct-deposit accounts in late December. Single people will get $600, a married couple will get $1,200, and there will be an additional $600 per child to families. Everyone who qual…
News
Covid-
19: Warning For Vaccine Scams Issued By Lamont, Other State Officials
Gov. Ned Lamont is warning Connecticut residents to be wary of new vaccination scams that have been making the rounds in the wake of the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. An alert was issued by Lamont and the Department of Health warning that "as the COVID-19 vaccine continues to become available to more people, they should be aware of potential scams related to the vaccine and be on the lookout for certain warning signs that can help them avoid being scammed.” Lamont made note that anyone from a legitimate vaccination distribution site in Connecticut will never ask for bank account informat…
News
Covid-
19: Beware Of These Vaccine Scams, FBI, DOJ Warn
Scammers are using the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States to trick people into paying for doses or early access that never comes, federal authorities are warning. As COVID-19 vaccines become more available, there has been a spike in scams seeking to exploit people’s desire to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus, according to the U.S. Department of Justice as well as local police departments and other law enforcement agencies. “Members of the public should be suspicious of unexpected or unsolicited contact from anyone unknown to them claiming to have inform…
News
Covid-
19: Don't Fall For These Virus-Related Scams Making Rounds In Fairfield County
Fraudsters are scamming the elderly by taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials in Fairfield County. The City of Bridgeport reported 114 scams during the last four months, stemming from 19 known scams conducted via social media, text message, email and phone calls. According to the Bridgeport Emergency Communications and Operations Center, scammers pose as employees of COVID-19 treatment facilities, testing locations, government operations distributing stimulus monies and charity groups. They then use venues like Venmo and Cash App to extract mone…
News
Covid-
19: Alert Issued For Fake Mask Exempt Cards Being Sold Online
While mask-wearing amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has become politicized, federal officials are cautioning of a new scam for fraudulent face mask exempt flyers that have been circulating online. The Department of Justice has issued a warning of a card that has been circulating online which falsely claims its holder is exempt from wearing a mask - contrary to local, state, and federal mandates. The cards are purportedly from the “Freedom to Breathe Agency” - which is not an official federal or state agency - and states that wearing a mask will incur mental or physical risk fo…
News
Here's How You Can Avoid Being Reeled In By Mail Fishing
Though it’s not officially fishing season, police are cautioning area residents to be wary of scammers going “fishing” in United States Postal Service mailboxes. Law enforcement agencies in the tri-state area issued alerts warning of scammers who have been making the rounds “fishing” in USPS mailboxes in an attempt to steal checks and personal information. Police said that “mail fishing” is a crime that involves thieves using a weighted object that is attached to a string or wire and covered in a sticky substance to retrieve mail from out of postal boxes. According to police, “‘mail fisher…
News
Covid-
19: Beware Of Scammers Posing As Contact Tracers, FTC Says
Some opportunistic fraudsters are taking advantage of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis by posing as contact tracers hired by the state to obtain personal information and money. Since the outbreak began, state officials have stressed the importance of ramping up COVID-19 testing, then tracing the people they’ve come into contact with, and isolating those people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “contact tracing, a core disease control measure employed by local and state health department personnel for decades, is a key strategy for preventing further spread…
News
Don't Fall For These
Covid-
19 Scams: Eversource Offers Tips For Customers To Protect Themselves
As communities continue to deal with the effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, scammers are busy attempting to take advantage of those in need. Eversource Energy warns that a current scam involves scammers saying they are from the company and demand instant payment for power bills. “We’re always working to help our customers protect themselves against scams, which is especially important today as sophisticated scammers are trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and nervousness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Off…
News
Covid-
19: Alert Issued For Testing, Supply, Other New Scams
The United States Postal Inspection Service is warning consumers to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters looking to take advantage of fear-mongering during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. An alert was issued by the USPIS due to scammers who have “identified the public’s concern as a target for scams and fraud.” Current scams that have been reported include testing scams, supply scams, provider scams, app scams and investment scams, each of which is designed to convince targets to hand over money during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to USPIS, to protect oneself from COVID-19 sca…
Lifestyle
Covid-
19: Be Aware Of These Scams, Police Say
Police agencies in the area are cautioning residents to be vigilant and wary of potential scams surrounding the fear of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). There have been reports of: Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. Seeking donations fraudulently for ille…
News
Covid-
19: Police Issue Warning For Scam Linked To 2020 Census
Police agencies in the area are cautioning area residents to be vigilant and wary of potential scams surrounding the 2020 U.S. Census as the world navigates their way through the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With all eyes on the virus, the Fairfield Police Department issued an alert warning that residents should not respond to any fraudulent emails, text messages or social media posts regarding the Census. Police said that scammers have been stating that their victims need to respond to the 2020 U.S. Census in order to receive a COVID-19 stimulus check from the federal govern…
News
Covid-
19 Scams: Texts, Emails Promise Updates On Latest Cases
The global outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to a rash of new scams from fear-mongering fraudsters, officials warned. Scams ranging from texts and emails from scammers posing as health officials and other professionals to others brewing up phony vaccines and cleaning cocktails have become more prevalent in the weeks since the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Attorney General’s Office announced. According to the FTC, to help weed out scammers, the organization has issued a joint statement with the FDA to seven sellers of unapproved and misbranded products, cl…
Lifestyle
Covid-
19: Justice Department Issues Alert For These Scams
The United States Justice Department of Justice is warning the public to be wary of opportunistic fraudsters who have been fear-mongering in the wake of fears of coronavirus. Attorney General William Barr issued an alert warning of fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 outbreak, as he begins to investigate and prosecute scammers. According to Barr, he has directed United States attorneys to prioritize and investigate the prosecution of coronavirus-related fraud schemes. Each has been directed to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial d…
News
Don't Fall For It: Beware Of These Coronavirus Scams
The outbreak of the Novel coronavirus has also led to the outbreak of new scams by opportunistic fear mongers who are looking to take advantage of the spreading panic surrounding the virus. As of Tuesday, Feb. 21, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there has been 76,769 cases of coronavirus throughout the world, with the risk assessment remaining “high” on a global level. Fifteen cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the United States. The fear and concern about the fast-spreading virus has opened the door for fraudsters who are taking advantage of the situation with a variety o…
News
New Warning Issued For Latest Scam In Fairfield County
In that past several weeks, numerous law enforcement agencies, across several states, including in Fairfield County, are reporting a new scam targeting elderly victims or "grandparent scams." In the latest scam, police say the scammers are contacting elderly victims by phone telling them a family member needs bail money because they have been arrested, usually out of state. In some instances, the suspects use the actual name of local police officers to gain credibility. Although this is a common scam, the suspects in the recent cases tell victims that they will send a courier to pick up th…
Police & Fire
Phone Scammers On Rise Again, CT State Police Say
Connecticut State Police are warning residents to beware of phone scams that appear to be on the rise. Dispatchers and troopers from around the state have been contacted by concerned citizens about unusual phone calls they have received, the department said. The phone calls are from people claiming to be from the Connecticut State Police, among other agencies or organizations. In some cases, scammers ask callers to deposit a check they provide and then wire the money from that account. In other calls, scammers insist that consumers make a decision and provi…
News
Fraud Alert: You Are Not Being Drafted, US Army Says
The U.S. Army is still the place where one can “be all that you can be,” but no draft is coming to the country, despite a string of fraudulent messages that have been sent out nationwide by scammers. An alert was issued by the U.S. Army Recruiting Command this week warning of a series of fraudulent text messages that have been making the rounds informing some individuals that they’ve been selected for an upcoming military draft and will face fines or jail time if they don't comply. The Army said that they’ve received multiple calls and emails in recent weeks regarding the fake messages, and…
News
Scam Alert: Eversource Issues Warning To Customers
Eversource Energy is warning its customers of the increased number of scams involving utility services that often come with the holiday season. Scammers have been posing as Eversource employees to obtain money, demand personal information for identity theft or use deceptive tactics to persuade customers to switch energy suppliers, Eversource officials say. “We always want to protect our customers from scams, and that’s why it’s critical we continue to raise awareness and educate the public about all the different tactics these scammers use,” said Eversource Senior Vice President a…
News
Alert Issued For New 'Meter Replacement' Scam In Fairfield County
Police in Fairfield County are cautioning area residents that scams targeting utility customers across the country and in Connecticut “are in full swing.” The Greenwich Police Department and Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut announced they would be teaming up after scammers have targeted customers over the phone or by going door-to-door. “The scammers, often sounding legitimate and quite convincing, threaten to shut off electric service immediately unless instant payment is made,” Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner said in a statement. “The…
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