Call CAP to identify and report scams at 1-800-649-2424. “The spread of internet scams in 2021 sends a clear message about the importance of staying safe online in our social and professional lives,” said Attorney General T.J. Donovan. “If you receive a suspicious contact, whether it`s by email, online message or phone, you know CAP is here to help.” When it comes to fraud, sometimes the law protects you, sometimes it doesn`t. The best policy is to take care of yourself – and those who are dear to you. Love scams occur when a criminal assumes a false identity online to gain the affection and trust of a victim. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. Vermont Business Magazine Vermonters filed 5,021 fraud reports with the Attorney General`s Consumer Assistance Program (PAC) in 2020. The Social Security number phishing scam, which typically involves calls claiming that your Social Security number has been compromised, suspended, or related to criminal activity, remained the most frequently reported scam for the second year in a row, with 1,160 reports submitted. Number two on the list of top ten scams in 2020 were “free money” scams. Six hundred and eighty-three Vermonters said they received fraudulent “free money” calls telling them they had won a prize or money and would have to pay fees or taxes in advance to get them back. Learn about other types of FCC COVID-19 scams and read and listen to examples of text and phone messages from scammers.
Complaints about scams with fake prizes, fake sweepstakes, and “free” gifts were the top complaints reported by consumers Fraud.org in 2021. In 2020, these complaints accounted for nearly a quarter (23.78%) of the reports we received. In 2021, these complaints accounted for more than one in three complaints (35.23%), an increase of more than 48% over the previous year. Investment scams, many of which are associated with cryptocurrency, have been the fastest growing type of complaints in 2021, with more than double (168% year-on-year increase). This increase correlates with data released last spring by the Federal Trade Commission, showing a dramatic increase in cryptocurrency investment scams, often fueled by social media. Reverse mortgage scams are developed by unscrupulous professionals in a variety of real estate agencies, financial services, and related businesses to steal equity from the property of unsuspecting seniors or to use those seniors to unknowingly help scammers steal equity from an upside-down property. This is called a price reduction and it is illegal. If you suspect price reductions, report it to your Attorney General. Illegal sports betting has real consequences, both for those who place and receive bets and for the safety of the American public. Federal agencies investigate fraud and pursue criminal charges against scammers. But they will not investigate your case.
The state`s consumer protection agencies can both prosecute individual cases and investigate fraud. Commercial fraud is activities carried out by a person or company in a dishonest or illegal manner to benefit the injured person or entity. As eviction bans expire in cities and states, tenants should be on the lookout for rent assistance scams, said Deborah Royster, deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. More than 583,000 seniors were in arrears with rent as of mid-2021, opening the door for scammers to impersonate government or nonprofit employees and request personal information and money in advance for applications. even if they have nothing to sell. While phishing and identity theft are illegal, smart scammers have figured out how to achieve something similar without pushing the boundaries of the law. But sometimes ecommerce stores follow the legal line a little more maliciously. There have been many cases where scammers have set up an online pharmacy, with complete contact information and qualifications listed on their website.
Medications will be cheaper than those found at your local Walgreens, off-brand or poorly marked, and some won`t require a prescription, even the same medication usually does. However, if a customer receives the product they paid for and the FDA cannot prove that the drug is mislabeled, the retailer is still operating legally. Prize scammers try to get your money or personal information through fake sweepstakes, sweepstakes or other contests. Many claim that you have won a prize, but you have to pay a fee to collect it. Others require you to provide personal information in order to enter a “contest”. These scams can reach you via mail, email, phone call, robocall or SMS. Report investment scams to the appropriate government agency. Unfortunately, many cases of fraud in Vermont result in financial losses. In 2020, 249 Vermonters lost a total of about $1.5 million to fraudsters.
The most common scams associated with losing money were scams (scammers posing as friends, family members, or romantic interests) and online classifieds scams (scams committed on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace). Scammers ask their victims to send money using a variety of methods, including gift card transactions, peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or CashApp, bank transfers, and money or checks in the mail. The scam: There are a variety of fake relationship scams. Sometimes the scammer pretends to be someone you know, such as a love interest, friend, relative, or even a religious leader. They usually contact you online or by phone and claim to need money. Below are some of the most common scams and crimes encountered by the FBI, as well as tips to prevent you from becoming a victim. Visit the Bureau of White Collar Crime and Cybercrime website for information on other fraud schemes. Counterfeit prescription drugs are illegal and counterfeit drugs that can be dangerous to your health. even if their goods are not authentic. Ecommerce stores appear all the time, and it`s almost impossible to keep track of which ones are legitimate — or how we should define “legitimate.” For example, while a high-end handbag manufacturer may not be happy with the cheap imitations that appear on a rival`s website, many consumers aren`t worried about having a cheaper option. And technically, many fictitious retailers operate legally. Ticket fraud occurs when a scammer uses tickets as bait to steal your money.
The scammer usually sells fake tickets, or you pay for a ticket but never get it. They are common when tickets for popular concerts, plays, and sporting events run out. We did a special issue on scams against seniors in Scambusters #267. Find information about common scams and scams that can happen to you. Bank fraud involves attempts to gain access to your bank account. Use this information to recognize, report, and protect against it. Pyramid schemes are scams that require a constant stream of new participants to make them work. They are marketed as multi-level marketing programs or other types of legitimate businesses. They use the “investments” of new recruits to pay “profits” to those who participate longer. Don`t believe anyone claiming to be from a foreign lottery or sweepstakes.
It is illegal to participate in such foreign competitions. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, but the FBI works throughout the year to educate older adults and their loved ones about fraud and elderly prevention. Play it safe – find your own licensed and related escrow company in your state. You can read more about escrow fraud here. Identity fraud remains a source of concern, with fraud adapted by law enforcement and lawyers in fourth place threatening arrest and prosecution of unsuspecting call recipients in 2021. The Family Emergency/Imposter scam, which includes the grandchildren scammer, also known as the “grandparent scam,” and friends and relatives in need asking for money, have once again been in the top ten list in 2021.
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