Author Archives: virginiasmp

If you bought antivirus software from Avast between August 2014 and January 2020, you could be eligible for a payment from a recent settlement in the FTC’s lawsuit. Start by checking your inbox for an email about how to submit your claim by June 5, 2025. (Read More)

A federal jury convicted a Kentucky doctor, a Texas businessman, and a Kentucky woman yesterday for their roles operating a scheme out of a series of addiction treatment facilities in Kentucky that fraudulently billed Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid for over $8 million. (Read More)

If you have shifted to be more of an online shopper and banker like many Americans did during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might have thought about how safe your information is on the websites you enter it onto. Credit card fraud and identity theft are on the rise, and according to the Federal Trade Commission,Continue reading “Credit Card Fraud and ID Theft – Facts & Statistics [2024 Data Study]”

When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, scammers know that losing weight and getting in shape is one of the most popular goals. This popularity has led to a slew of scams involving vitamins, supplements, and weight loss formulas, all claiming to offer rapid results. Not only are the products themselves questionable, but so areContinue reading “Spot misleading ads and subscription traps for weight loss products”

It sounds like a sci-fi movie plot: A scammer uses a card reader to scan your credit card and steal your data from afar. For protection, a range of products — fanny packs, purses, card sleeves, wallets and more, some rather pricey — promise to shield your card from unauthorized access.  (Read More)

Planning to travel this holiday season? No matter where you’re going (over the river and through the woods), how you’re getting there (planes, trains, and automobiles), or where you’re staying (home for the holidays), here are the scams to avoid along the way. Just in time for a holiday vacation, you might think you’ve won aContinue reading “Stay scam free, no matter how far away you roam”

The Better Business Bureau® is urging people to use caution when doing business with Prime Pack Logistics and Prime Path, LLC. Prime Pack Logistics uses an address in Steubenville, OH, inside Fort Steuben Mall, but a representative for the mall told BBB there’s no such store at that location. Prime Path, LLC uses a Louisville, KYContinue reading “Job seekers should use caution when applying for work from home jobs”

You’re dreaming of bright sun, blue water and gentle sea breezes, and you feel so lucky to have won a free cruise through an ad, a sweepstakes or a raffle. Unfortunately, instead of celebrating your good fortune with piña coladas on the top deck, you find yourself scrambling to recover your money when the cruiseContinue reading “Key Ways to Avoid Cruise Scams When Planning Your Next Trip”

Scams can be hard to spot because they often look just like the real thing. That includes job scams. They crop up on real job sites, including places like LinkedIn. Scammers have even invited people to do things like 45-minute interviews, putting in the time so you let your guard down. So how do you tell aContinue reading “How to spot the latest job scams”

Securing tickets to popular sporting events and concerts can be difficult and competitive. Many stadiums and venues have gone to only accepting digital tickets, making the possibility for scams all the more likely. Here is what you need to know about online ticket purchases. Thanks to the internet, there are countless ways for consumers to find ticketsContinue reading “Buying tickets to the big game or concert? Don’t get scammed”