Tax season + phishing attacks = Hunting season (for scammers) Every tax season a new IRS scam does the rounds and unfortunately a lot of people fall for the scam and have their personal information stolen. By clicking on any link in the list below you can see corresponding screenshots of real IRS phishing attempts: … Read more
How would you feel if you lost your wallet? Most people would file a fraud alert. They’d call their banks to block their credit cards. As for the cash, there’s little you can do. How about the ID documents? Yes, that includes your driver’s license. Most of us do not think of our driver’s license … Read more
Preparing for a trip? Depending on your location, you might have thought of getting around on four wheels. Renting a car is usually not a cheap thing to do, so you need to make sure to avoid shady rental companies that could inflate this price even further. There are so many businesses offering the same … Read more
“You can fool all the people part of the time and part of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” – Abraham Lincoln Opportunities come and go. Those who move fast arrive first and reap the best reward. The risk of fast decisions, of course, is overlooking … Read more
You found a great opportunity: a product to buy, a business idea, or a job to apply. When it looks impossible to go wrong, it does. You did your part, but the other person didn’t. You wired the funds, but the other hasn’t responded since then. What will happen to your funds? Will you ever … Read more
Things happen. Unemployment, debt, divorce, medical bills— you name it. It only takes to miss a few mortgage payments, and before you know it, your house is for sale. Anybody can fall into such a situation, which is why many law agencies offer help to prevent foreclosure. These law firms may be able to make … Read more
Profit decreases and can’t explain why? Do your clients return perfectly working products for no reason? Refund policies give buyers the confidence to buy with no obligation to keep an item they don’t want. But others can use this privilege for profits. You want to offer a generous return plan to attract shoppers. But you … Read more
One of the basic foundations of the judicial system of every free nation is the notion that “no one is above the law”. This concept is very vital in the preservation of social order. In line with this, most laws are enacted in order to protect the underprivileged against those who will use their power … Read more
“Make thousands working from home. Our partners make over $3,000 in their first month. Anybody can do it!” What kind of a home job could promise that? Copywriting? Designing? Programming? If the ads about making a lot of money from simply stuffing envelopes seem too good to be true; they probably are. The proliferation of … Read more
Looking for the best vacation? The world is full of wonderful places: nature, buildings, stories, culture, people, traditions. Today, anybody with a fair budget can travel anywhere in a matter of hours. Some cities look so attractive to tourists that they receive visits consistently throughout the year. It helps to boost the economy, although it … Read more
The auto insurance business is a highly competitive sector. As the market develops and grows, so do the market challenges. To stay in the game some car insurance companies may develop dubious practices in order to make profit. They themselves are a target of preying clients as well. In the automotive insurance industry fraud can … Read more
Banks are a comfortable, relatively secure way to save money. In fact, they seem so reliable that some people trust them with all their fortune. After all, it’s easier to manage your finances if everything is in one place, right? Reevaluate. It’s okay to rely on one source as long as you control what happens … Read more
Welfare programs contribute to creating a better country. It supports children and families in need to reduce poverty. If you qualify, this safety net program can supplement your finances to get back on your feet. Aside from generosity, welfare is known to be expensive in most states. Although it’s better than not helping at all, … Read more
Things happen. A few people might just be less lucky than others. Some may have got injured at work or while trying to protect something important. Perhaps, it was an out-of-control accident. Others are born with disabilities. Fortunately, we have a disability system in place that has got you covered. Unfortunately, when the allure of … Read more
Looking for the best deal? Look no more. It’s probably on Craigslist. With over 60 million users, you can find almost anything there. Craigslist is a website that has revolutionized placing classified ads, finding jobs, houses, dates, and just about anything else you could possibly want. Despite the benefits, people look at Craigslist with caution … Read more
We may have entered the digital age, but telephone fraud is still widespread. Once they get you on the line, phone scammers use false promises, aggressive sales calls and false threats to obtain information that they can use to steal your money. Swindlers aren’t just out there trying to make a quick buck though. They … Read more
Make money online. What better way to do it than with affiliate marketing? You don’t need a product, the cost is zero, and it’s passive income. You make money while you sleep. Or do you? Affiliate Marketing is a great way for companies to broaden their reach on the internet. This concept isn’t new and … Read more
Need money? You’re in luck. Many lenders will give you the amount in no time, depending on who you are. If you have strong credit, you can get low-interest loans fast. But most people won’t likely qualify for these. Without a good history, loans become a complex, long process with tons of paperwork. Because why … Read more
Wire transfers are a popular payment method, and sometimes this is exploited for the wrong purposes. It’s a convenient way to receive money, but we can’t say the same about sending it. Why? Because wiring money to a stranger is like moving cash: once the other has it, you most likely lose it forever. Many … Read more
Bank fraud is a crime that has been around as long as banks themselves. Anytime there is a large amount of money floating around, there are going to be people trying to figure out ways to get to it. In developed countries, bank fraud is a serious problem that causes billions of dollars in damages … Read more
Taxi scams are present in every corner of the world including the developed countries and are in contrast to other travel scams, some of the easiest identify. Most taxi scams are carried out by unlicensed or unregulated drivers. They prey on unsuspecting passengers with their guard down and take advantage by over-charging them or stealing … Read more
For many advertisers, pay per click ads are the holy grail of their business. By making a relatively small investment, they multiply their profits. PPC ads scale well and are provide fast results and performance feedback. PPC ad campaigns have also earned themselves a bad reputation. Millions of people wasted their money either through their … Read more
Unfortunately college has become a burden for many aspiring students. A path of constant challenge, perhaps even overwhelm and anxiety. They need to invest a lot of energy, time and resources in a career, they don’t even know they need. What if you found a way to get it faster and easier? Fake distance learning … Read more
Like everybody, you use the Internet everyday. Within seconds, you can access countless services, most of which are free. Or so we think. Behind those companies, there’re powerful servers coordinating user requests. People don’t really know how the Internet works, but you know, nobody cares as long as it does. When you type in a … Read more
Online dating is a big interest for many internet users and is a large business industry at the same time. As such, it is a target for scams which are executed through different websites or apps. Social networking websites, online dating websites, mobile apps and text messaging apps are all great platforms for the perpetrator. … Read more
Have you thought of buying your dream house? It may not be too far away. With enough money, you could move there next month. But that’s easier said than done. Financing 100% can be risky, especially with the constant housing price changes. If you have a change of heart, you don’t want to be tied … Read more
When changing locations, moving can be stressful. Packing all those boxes, organizing your goods, and scrambling it into the van. This task can easily take many days of your time. Without the proper gear, it can lead to damaged items, storage problems, and more gasoline expenses. But don’t think it’s over! Moving your stuff is … Read more
Jamaican switch or handkerchief switch is a confidence game very similar to the pigeon drop. It manifests in various forms, although all follow a similar pattern. The offenses normally employ at least two suspects. The first suspect is “the catch” and is playing a foreigner from a third world country. The second one is called … Read more
A pair or a team of swindlers will usually work together to accomplish the pigeon drop. The key element is supposed found money or a valuable which will be shared between the one who found the money and the victim (pigeon). The scam is normally committed on an older victim but can be committed on … Read more
Everyone, in some way or another, is connected to a group, association or community-based organization. Our interests, backgrounds, and other factors will naturally lead us to those affiliations that best serve our needs. Race, culture, and religious beliefs also play a role in identifying us as members of unique groups that we often come to … Read more
Looking for a vacation? Time for new experiences and relaxation. Visiting exotic places, enjoying good food, meeting new people …or so they say. For a moment, travel excitement and preparations make us forget about the other side of the coin. Variations on travel scams are numerous and ever changing. If you travel frequently, informing yourself … Read more
After months of hard work, a vacation is just what you need. It’s time to forget about problems and relax in the best hotels out there. But best doesn’t always mean popular or cheap. Best stands for a place where guests pay fair prices and feel valued. Because who wants to spend a vacation stressing … Read more
Most of us have the gift of human compassion. Whether it is the victim of a dissease or the little orphan across the street, we are glad to help out. Billions of dollars a day go to charities worldwide. People donate to charities as a sign of goodwill and grace. Unfortunately, thieves know that and … Read more
Adware is a software or software extension that displays unwanted advertisements on your screen. Without warning, it installs on your device and sends visible or invisible ads automatically. Usually it uses a sneaky method to either disguise itself as a legitimate application or piggyback on another program to get you to install it on your … Read more
Can you make money online fast? Is it possible to go from broke to millionaire in X days? If so, how could you do it? A get-rich-quick scheme promises that participants can make money fast with basically no skill, effort or time in a very short period of time. With so many internet gurus talking … Read more
Short and distort is a less publicly known trading scam similar to the classic pump and dump. Shorting is a word in traders’ jargon and means basically selling a stock, currency, crypto or any other similar financial item that can be traded. Imagine some stranger reaches out to you and says: “Buy this penny stock … Read more
When was the last time someone helped you for no reason in particular? You get private information, someone sends money, or finds someone’s wallet. The help received makes you feel privileged. It may be luck, goodwill, and also a hook. No matter the purpose, that gift makes you trust the person. The same can happen … Read more
The chain letter formula has existed since at least the 19th century. In recent decades, they have gained new life through the reach of Internet and become quite common. You have at any point in time probably received a message on a social network or in your email inbox that promises you money or good … Read more
Success in business is about reaching financial goals. But to be where you want to be, you need to be transparent on where you currently are. Accounting fraud is a costly mistake in business. You can be brilliant at making decisions. If the data used is inaccurate, you cannot get the right results. These tricks create … Read more
High or low mileage cars? On a tight budget, you may see used cars cheaper and reliable. A high-mileage car in great condition may be a great buyer’s choice! “Too many kilometers” depends on the car status, brand, and type. High numbers mean the car is reliable if we ignore the shorter durability and possible … Read more
So you’re still getting those calls. How do they get your number? A stranger calls in a bad moment to sell a product you don’t need. As he presents how amazing the opportunity is, you’re just looking for the fastest way to get out of the phone. But will that solve your telemarketer issue? They … Read more
“Will my masterpiece ever come to light?” — You may wonder. Most poets are confident with their creative skills. They create with passion and excitement about the future. But they often forget about the other side of the coin: promoting. If nobody knows your work exists, you can’t expect recognition or money. People won’t appreciate … Read more
Who doesn’t need money? Having enough of it may mean more freedom and choices. But how much is enough? Is it really that important? For many, it’s not as important as time. Having money is great, but it takes time to produce it. Time is limited, and money is not. If you want money, you … Read more
You wake up one day and find notices you can’t explain. As you login to your account, you find programs you didn’t sign up for: insurance, loans, other banks. People reach out to you with false claims on email and phone calls, and the money you saved is gone. Yes, identity theft can be devastating. … Read more
Cramming happens when minor expenses are added to an invoice by a third party without the agreement or authorization of the subscriber. Usually cramming is connected and practiced by phone companies and third parties connected to these companies. Cramming is a type of phone scam. You can be charged for many types of services that … Read more
The best way to steal is the subtle way. No matter how it’s done, there’s a better chance to succeed if the victim never notices. That’s why modern thieves prefer more elusive and nonviolent methods, like cashpoint scams. ATM Fraud is as old as the machines themselves. When you enter your credit card into an … Read more
“Congratulations, you won the lottery! Pay $200 to claim your prize!” Ever found a lottery scam? You land on a pop-up website or get an email about a prize. The algorithm has blessed you: here are your X million dollars. BUT FIRST, someone needs to cover those admin fees and logistics. Scammers may further use … Read more
The real tragedy of fake drugs can not be measured in monetary value. These schemes impact many people who are seriously ill, sometimes on the very edge of despair when they run into these deceptive medications that generate false hope. Rather than receiving proper medical treatment on time, a lot of this time goes wasted … Read more
Nowadays, buyers may prefer to find deals online, but when it comes to newspapers and magazines, many still prefer print subscriptions – and fraudsters see this as an opportunity. Magazine subscription scams are offered either online, door to door, or as a variation of telemarketing theft where false, pretending to be telemarketers persuade consumers into … Read more
Credit Cards are a convenient payment method, but this conveniences brings about some risks. Fraud with the use of stolen credit cards is committed for the purpose of obtaining goods without paying, to obtain unauthorized funds from a bank account or to sell stolen information further. What Is Credit Card Fraud? Credit card fraud costs … Read more