Author Archives: virginiasmp

You may think of gift cards as easy way to take care of your holiday shopping list but beware, scammers like the convenience of them, too. The money you put on gift cards is like cash — once it’s spent, you almost certainly can’t get it back. Scammers have developed two distinct ways to exploitContinue reading “Watch out for Gift Card Scams”

If you need a job, that text messaging offering a full- or part-time position you didn’t apply for might seem great. You might be thinking, why not check it out? Unfortunately, it’s likely a job scam. Here’s how the scam might work. You get a text out of the blue from someone who says they’reContinue reading “That random text offering you a job? It’s probably a scam”

Americans and Canadians love going online to shop, especially during the holidays, when millions head to their phones and laptops in search of the perfect gifts for friends and family. Unfortunately, having the item delivered to the proper address does not guarantee you (or they) will receive it. According to a Security.org study, package thieves stoleContinue reading “6 ways to keep your packages safe from porch pirates”

Scams are epidemic these days as criminals use every conceivable avenue to separate consumers from their cash. It makes sense that they frequently pretend to be big companies or institutions affiliated with millions of people (potential victims, in their minds): the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, big banks such as Wells Fargo and Chase — or massiveContinue reading “What to Know About the Latest Amazon-Impostor Scams”

After losing a job in her field of veterinary pharmaceutical sales in 2022, Marci Strouch, 47, of Delray Beach, Florida, did what most other job seekers do these days: She began visiting online job-search websites, where you can apply for positions and connect with employers who are interested in your skills and experience. (Read More)

Have you been getting unexpected messages about online work? The FTC’s new Data Spotlighthighlights a big increase in the number of people reporting gamified job scams, or “task scams.” Read on to learn what they are and how to avoid them. In a task scam, scammers ask you to do simple, repetitive tasks, such as liking videosContinue reading “Task scams create the illusion of making money”

With the holiday shopping season nearing its close and buyers wanting to get gifts delivered on time, there’s a crafty online shopping con being reported to BBB Scam Tracker. Scammers claim a product you purchased is out of stock, but they never process your promised refund. How the scam works You see a product online thatContinue reading “How to spot an out-of-stock scam before losing money”

Online shopping helps us avoid a trip to the store, but shoppers may not avoid a scam. “We consistently see that online shopping scams are among the top reported, particularly buying a product through an online ad,” says Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention at AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. (Read More)

With so many purchases during the holiday season, it can be easy to miss a fraudulent credit card charge or two – especially if it appears to be from a charity. Keep a close eye on your credit card statement this time of year. How the scam works You review your credit card statement and noticeContinue reading “‘Tis the season to donate, and scammers are taking advantage”