Author Archives: virginiasmp

You never need to pay to sign up for government student loan debt relief programs — but scammers will tell you otherwise. Here’s how to spot scam companies that charge illegal upfront fees for so-called help with your student loans. (Read More)

Natural disasters like storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires often bring out the best in people as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors taking advantage of those who have already been victimized. Better Business Bureau warns homeowners affected by natural disasters to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. AlthoughContinue reading “BBB Tip: Protect yourself from “storm chasers” after a natural disaster”

Last year, Pittsburgh resident Molly Sinclair, 54, suddenly received ominous-sounding messages from two local banks where she’s a customer. One warned her that her account had been locked because of unusual activity, and instructed her to click a link in order to verify the transaction. The other simply said that her account was locked, andContinue reading “Bank Impersonation Is the Most Common Text Scam: What You Need to Know”

The FTC charged that a business opportunity and coaching scheme bilked consumers out of tens of millions of dollars. The scheme grew on the back of baseless claims about how much money customers could make. The company behind the scheme, Automators, AI, (operated by the former owners of Empire Ecommerce and Onyx Distribution), promised to set upContinue reading “Vetting a business or coaching opportunity before you buy in”

Bed Bath & Beyond declared bankruptcy and closed its physical stores in recent months. It was then acquired by furniture and home furnishings e-retailer Overstock.com, a BBB Accredited Business, which rebranded its website and mobile app to Bed Bath & Beyond in the U.S. in early August. Scammers are taking advantage of the big changes byContinue reading “BBB Scam Alert: How to spot a fake Bed Bath & Beyond online sale”

Soon after Amy Gray, a 47-year-old public school teacher in Akron, Ohio, had her purse stolen last January from her workplace — an employment skills program for students housed at a mall — she received a bank alert that someone was using her credit and debit cards. She quickly canceled the cards and ordered replacements.Continue reading “Why Criminals Want Your Driver’s License”

What’s one of the best ways to spot a scam? Know how scammers tell you to pay. Scammers want you to pay them in ways that are hard to trace and hard to get your money back: like through a gift card, wire transfer, payment app, or cryptocurrency. Here, we’ll focus on that last one — cryptocurrency — andContinue reading “Did someone insist you pay them with cryptocurrency?”

Flooding problems may lead to scam artists attempting to pawn off flood-damaged vehicles as standard secondhand cars. These vehicles typically show up at auto auctions, used car dealerships, and classified ads. Unsuspecting consumers, particularly those living in regions of the country unaffected by hurricanes or flooding, are often fooled by fresh upholstery, new carpeting, and bargainContinue reading “10 Tip to avoid buying flood damaged cars”

Last month, two men were arrested in Fayetteville, Georgia, after authorities reportedly found 211 pieces of stolen mail in their possession, including 151 personal checks worth almost $50,000. They’d swiped the stash from a large blue mailbox in front of the Fayetteville post office, according to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. (Read More)

Scammers are at it again, this time pretending to be “Sheriff’s deputies” and threatening to arrest doctors, physician assistants, and nurses for missing a court date. So how do you spot this scam? The scam begins with a phone call from someone who says they’re a Sheriff’s deputy. He’ll say you missed a court dateContinue reading “Impersonation scam targets doctors, nurses, and other medical providers to steal money”