Tag:

Online Scams

Beware Of 'Pig Butchering' Online Romance Schemes In NY: Attorney General Beware Of 'Pig Butchering' Online Romance Schemes In NY: Attorney General
Beware Of 'Pig Butchering' Online Romance Schemes In NY: Attorney General New York Attorney General Letitia James urged New Yorkers to be on high alert for increasingly common online romance scams that lead to the victims making fraudulent investments. Also referred to as “pig butchering” schemes, the perpetrators of such crimes will work to gain trust with their victims, “fattening” them up so they willingly provide the scammer money, James said in a Thursday, June 6 press release. Victims are usually targeted via dating websites and apps, social media, and unsolicited text messages. Earlier report - NY Resident Loses $341K In 'Pig Butchering' Scheme: …
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams
Don't Let Them Break Your Heart: FBI Issues Alert For Romance Scams While Valentine's Day is a time for romantic gestures, the FBI has issued an alert to the public about romance scams.  The agency said in an alert on Monday, Feb. 14, that the scams take place when a criminal adopts a fake identity online to get the victim's trust and uses the close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. "The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable," the FBI said. "Con artists are present on most dating and social media sites." The FBI said eventually the scammer will ask the vic…
Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams
Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams The FBI is warning the public of cybercriminals targeting shoppers hoping to take advantage of online bargains and hard-to-find gift items for the holidays. During the 2020 holiday shopping season, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the non-delivery of goods, resulting in losses of over $53 million, the agency said.  It is anticipated this number could increase during the 2021 holiday season due to rumors of merchandise shortages and the ongoing pandemic. That's why criminals are busy finding ways to entice their victims in multiple …
Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies
Alert Issued For Online Scams While Shopping For Back-To-School Supplies With the new school year fast approaching and children returning to the classroom following a lost year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are being cautioned to be aware of back-to-school shopping scams. As most classrooms prepare for in-person learning during the fall for the first time in more than a year, there have been reported shortages of some school merchandise, creating an opportunity for fraudsters to target parents through online scams. Sandra Guile of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said that “what parents are challenged with at this point in time is juggling the transition…
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts Law enforcement officials are cautioning of a new text message "smishing" scam that involves phony messages being sent from fraudsters posing as members of the US Postal Service (USPS). Alerts have been issued by state and federal officials following recent reports from consumers who have received messages claiming to be from USPS about a change in delivery shipment. The messages typically include a link that could potentially expose one to scammers looking to steal personal identifying information. Many who click the phony link have wound up being hacked or prompted to provide new informat…
Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police
Online Employment Scam Alert Issued By State Police Police are warning the public about a new scam involving online employment. New York State Police say the online employment scam begins with an online interview using Google Hangouts or another social media platform. Once the applicant is offered the job, they are told that they will be sent a check to purchase equipment for their new position, police say. The applicant then uses the funds to obtain money orders to pay for the supplies and deposits them into an account for a specific vendor that is named by the employer, according to police. When this process is completed, the applicant d…
Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address
Scam Alert Issued For Websites That Try To Get You To Change Your Address The United States Postal Service is investigating a new scam involving a website that charges residents to change their address. According to the USPS, they processed upwards of 40 million address changes annually in recent years, though Postal Inspectors have found that some customers paid for an address change on websites with domain names that are not associated with the Postal Service. Investigators said that the sites charge customers up to $40 to change an address, and in some cases, the change never gets officially made. The Postal Service has no affiliation with the businesses that …
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…