Author Archives: virginiasmp

Those who enter sweepstakes and lotteries always await that special phone call notifying them that they’ve won big! Unfortunately, scammers know just how to play into our emotions and are tricking people into paying for prizes they haven’t actually won. BBB has received several reports of phone calls that impersonate Publishers Clearing House to BBBContinue reading “Don’t fall for this sweepstakes scam impersonating Publishers Clearing House”

Some student loan debt relief companies will lie and say they’re affiliated with the Department of Education when they’re not. They want their bogus claims of “guaranteed” loan forgiveness (for a fee) to seem more legitimate (they’re not). (Read More)

In an update to a February 16, 2024, story, Kareem Memon was sentenced to eight years in federal prison. Read a Department of Justice press release.  Kareem Memon admitted his role in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) kickback scheme after previously pleading guilty to carrying out a COVID-19 fraud scheme and being a felon inContinue reading “Update: Felon Sentenced in DME Kickback Scheme”

If you own a house, you’ve probably received postcards declaring, “We want to buy your home.” Or maybe the solicitations arrived by email, robocall or text. You might have seen roadside signs proclaiming, “We Buy Houses” or “Cash for Homes.” Whatever the method, these frequent pitches can seem puzzling and intrusive — and they’re probably not inContinue reading “What to Know About Those ‘We’ll Buy Your Home’ Ads and Mailers”

Many people are looking forward to fun festivals this summer. As usual, scammers are taking advantage of the building excitement. This time, they are cashing in with phony tickets—and even fake events. (Read More)

Providers including Sheldon Rabin and New York Eye Care will pay more than $2.4 million to resolve claims that they billed or caused to be billed false claims for payment to Medicare and Medicaid for certain procedures, tests, and other ophthalmological services that were either unnecessary or could not have been performed because the ophthalmologistContinue reading “Eye Doctor Settles Fraud Claims”

American adults lost a total of $43 billion to identity fraud in 2023, according to a new report cosponsored by AARP. That includes $23 billion lost to traditional identity fraud, which affected about the same number of people—15 million—as in 2022 (when the number was 15.4 million). But total losses grew by 13 percent last year, accordingContinue reading “Identity Fraud Cost Americans $43 Billion in 2023”

Dennis Jones, an avid runner and photographer, was adored by his children and grandchildren. But in the last few months of his life he withdrew from his family and, having been divorced for years, befriended a woman going by the name Jessie on Facebook. After transferring his savings to Jessie he took his own life.Continue reading “The global scam that stole $4 billion from American victims last year”

There probably isn’t a day that goes by without you logging in to at least one account — maybe you check your email, post to your social media, pay bills, send money to your friends and family, or buy something online. Your accounts can store a lot of personal and financial information. That’s why youContinue reading “Use Two-factor Authentication to Protect Your Accounts”

Here’s a new scam spotted on social media: appointment setting jobs. They claim you can work from home and make big money. But just what does an appointment setter do? And how can you tell the difference between a legit job offer and a scam? (Read More)