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Scams

Police & Fire
Mass Man Impersonated Pennsylvania Police Officer To Run Construction Scam: Cops Mass Man Impersonated Pennsylvania Police Officer To Run Construction Scam: Cops
Mass Man Impersonated Pennsylvania Police Officer To Run Construction Scam: Cops A Massachusetts man is behind bars after state police say he tried to con his way into a Pennsylvania home by posing as a cop. Thomas Rooney, 25, was arrested in Hempfield Township after a resident called police about a suspicious encounter on Friday morning, Jan. 31. The victim told troopers that Rooney knocked on her door, identified himself as a Pittsburgh police officer, and asked to come inside. Three other men waited nearby in a pickup truck with Massachusetts plates, police said. They claimed to be from out of town and said they were selling gravel for driveways, which investigators …

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by Josh Lanier
News
Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams Holiday Deals Or Fraud? IRS Issues Warning For These Scams
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know Scammers Are Creating Fake Customer Service Numbers In Google Searches: What To Know
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
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…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise Don't Fall For It: Driveway Paving Scams On Rise
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Milton Used Car Dealer Laundered Scammers' Money Through His Business: Feds Milton Used Car Dealer Laundered Scammers' Money Through His Business: Feds
Milton Used Car Dealer Laundered Scammers' Money Through His Business: Feds A 53-year-old Milton man will spend six months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to helping scammers launder their money through his car dealership, authorities said.  Augustine Osemwegie was sentenced earlier this week, the Department of Justice said on Friday, Aug. 3. The judge also ruled that Osemwegie must pay a $5,500 fine and serve two years of supervised release.  Federal investigators said Osemwegie used his car dealership Ejad Auto Sales, along with two other associates, as a vehicle for cleaning stolen cash.  Scammers would bring their c…

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by Josh Lanier