Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns
Delete These Suspicious Texts Immediately, FBI Warns The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an urgent warning about a widespread text message scam designed to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. Known as “smishing” (SMS phishing), the scam involves fraudulent texts impersonating toll and package delivery services to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. According to cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42, cybercriminals have registered over 10,000 fraudulent domains as part of this operation, targeting at least 11 states and one Canadian province. Key…
IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams
IRS Issues Warning For These Taxpayer Scams A new warning from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taxpayers on high alert as the agency unveils its 2025 Dirty Dozen — a list of the most common and deceptive tax scams that could put financial and personal information at risk. With tax season in full swing, scammers are ramping up efforts to steal money, sensitive data, and even taxpayer identities. From fake tax credits to social media-fueled misinformation, the schemes on this year’s list serve as a reminder that fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics. What Is the Dirty Dozen? Each year, the IRS compiles the Dirty Doze…
Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know
Scammers Impersonating IRS With These Texts: Here's What To Know A new scam is making the rounds, with fraudsters posing as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents and sending text messages promising a substantial rebate.  The trap is a phishing attempt designed to steal your personal and financial information. What’s Happening? The fraudulent messages claim recipients are eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check, directing them to click on a fake link to “claim” their payment.  How The Scam Works You receive a text message appearing to be from the IRS, stating that you’re owed an Economic Impact Payment and must provide personal information …
Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: CFPB Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: CFPB
Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: Cfpb One of the nation’s largest credit reporting agencies has been fined $15 million for issuing inaccurate credit scores and failing to properly investigate consumer disputes, officials said. Equifax will pay the fine into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's victims relief fund, the federal agency said in a news release on Friday, Jan. 17. The CFPB's investigation found Equifax ignored critical evidence submitted by consumers disputing inaccuracies in their credit reports. According to the CFPB, Equifax also allowed deleted errors to resurface and relied on flaw…
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…
These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking
These DMV Cities Are Among Safest In US: New Ranking Some neighborhoods in the DMV region rank among the safest in the United States, according to a newly released report from WalletHub.  Two from Virginia were in the top 10 in the new ranking, with the state boasting five overall, joining two from Maryland and the District of Columbia as the safest cities in America in 2024.  In making their rankings, WalletHub evaluated a variety of "threats to safety," including the possibility of natural disasters, mass shootings, traffic accidents, and other dangers.  “When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immedia…
Courier Involved In Gold Bar Scam Targeting Maryland Elder Arrested Boarding Flight To Ireland Courier Involved In Gold Bar Scam Targeting Maryland Elder Arrested Boarding Flight To Ireland
Courier Involved In Gold Bar Scam Targeting Maryland Elder Arrested Boarding Flight To Ireland A 23-year-old man from Illinois has become the second apprehended for his role in a government-imposter-related gold bar scam targeting a Montgomery County resident. Neel Patel, of Carol Stream, joined California native Wenhui Sun behind bars after a woman was bilked out of hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of the scheme, according to police. In March, a woman advised investigators that she had been contacted by a fraudster alleging to be with  Office of the Inspector General – Federal Trade Commission. She was instructed that she was the victim of identity theft that laun…
Maryland Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds Maryland Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds
Maryland Scammers Accused Of Stealing $5M In Checks From The Mail: Feds A group of five from Maryland has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection to an alleged multi-million dollar stolen check scam in the region. On Monday, authorities announced that five people - all from Prince George's County - will face charges for a fraud scheme that saw them take more than 600 checks with a face value greater than $5 million. Those charged:  Tianna "Mendoza" Cosby, 23, of Upper Marlboro; Marche Sisco, 26, of Suitland; Tommi Cosby, 21, of District Heights; Biniah Carter, 24, of Upper Marlboro; Zion Oluwademilade Adeduqon, 22, of Bowie. Tianna Cosby and …
Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme
Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme A former social media influencer from Maryland is heading to federal prison for his role in a $1.2 million COVID scheme involving wire fraud and money laundering. Denish Sahadevan, aka “Danny Devan,” 32, of Potomac, Maryland, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 9 to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering, authorities said. ‘Danny Devan’ gained a TikTok following for his financial advice regarding stocks and cryptocurrency: @.dannydevvan ♬ original sound - Stocks • Crypto • Money The …
Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds
Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds A 29-year-old Maryland man has been convicted of a bank fraud scheme that saw him and his co-conspirators profit to the tune of nearly $2 million, authorities announced. Diape Seck was found guilty after he was accused of the extensive scheme he helped run from 2019 until 2020, according to the Department of Justice. According to the evidence, Seck, along with at least eight other people, stole nearly $2 million by pocketing checks from the mail of churches and religious institutions from at least Jan. 2019 thorough Jan. 2020. A customer service representative with one of the banks, Seck c…
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved'
Widow Who Fell Victim To $39K Romance Scam 'Forgot How Good It Felt To Be Loved' After losing her life savings to an internet romance scam, one Pennsylvania senior is speaking out to protect others from falling victim.  Kate Kleinert of Glenolden had been widowed for 12 years and had stopped looking for love when she received a Facebook friend request in August 2020, she wrote to a US Senate committee last year.  The man said he was a doctor named Tony Richard, and quickly struck up a friendship with Kate based on mutual interests, she said.  "We started talking on the phone through an app he had me download," Kate told Senators. "He told me he was …
Maryland Naval Officer Accused Of Cyberstalking, Campaigning To Ruin Ex-Wife's Life: Feds Maryland Naval Officer Accused Of Cyberstalking, Campaigning To Ruin Ex-Wife's Life: Feds
Maryland Naval Officer Accused Of Cyberstalking, Campaigning To Ruin Ex-Wife's Life: Feds A US Naval Officer from Maryland and his housemate are facing years in prison for running an elaborate cyberstalking and bullying campaign to harass his estranged wife, federal officials announced. Montgomery County residents Jason Michael Leidel, 43, an active-duty commissioned officer of the United States Navy and Sarah Elizabeth Sorg, 43, a senior trial attorney for the US Department of Transportation, both of Silver Spring, have been charged for their roles in knowingly bullying the officer’s former wife. The charges against the pair include aggravated identity theft, fraud related to a…