Author Archives: virginiasmp

Recently, a number of our providers have received a call claiming they missed an expert testimony at a local courthouse. The call then claims that money is needed from the employee to secure bonds. Many emerging scams attempt to compromise your personal information and that of our patients. Be suspicious about any unexpected calls orContinue reading “Be alert for Scam Phone Calls and Messages”

New technology makes it nearly impossible to tell fake video or audio clips from real ones. Now, as the software used to create these “deepfakes” becomes more widespread, scammers are using it to steal money and sensitive information. What is a deepfake?  Deepfakes use artificial intelligence technology to create a seemingly real video or audioContinue reading “How to Spot a Deepfake and Avoid Scams”

Summer is officially here which means door-to-door sales crews are too. But buyer beware, what they’re selling isn’t always legit. Be cautious anytime a stranger comes knocking, especially if the visitor is trying to sell you goods or services. Be wary of contractors who say they stopped by because they just happened to be in the neighborhood.Continue reading “Summer Scams On the Rise: Be Wary of Door-to-Door Sales Scams”

Scammers want payments that are quick, anonymous, and tough to reverse. In other words, scammers are asking for wire transfers. That’s why money transfer businesses like Walmart need to warn people about fraud risks and train employees to spot scams. And that’s why the FTC is suing Walmart in federal court. (Read More)

Even if high gas prices are draining your budget, don’t fall for this scam. Scammers are tempting drivers with phony gas station gift cards. It’s really a way to get your credit card details and other personal information.   (Read More)

We’ve covered the dangers and necessary defenses against various scams, including romance scams, supply chain scams, financial scams, lottery scams, and vishing scams, but now we turn our attention to what could be the most personal and invasive of scams – the medical scam. But wait, you might think, wouldn’t ROMANCE scams be the most personal and invasive? To that, we would beg toContinue reading “Medical Scams: Educate Yourself and Your Loved Ones”

In their never-ending pursuit of your money and identity, criminals are constantly coming up with new cons. Here’s a closer look at eight relatively new types of scams that are becoming more common, along with expert advice on avoiding them. Check out the list of today’s hottest emerging frauds. (Read More)

Last year, the FTC got almost a million reports about impersonation scammers — fake government agents, pretend grandkids, bogus sweethearts, and others who took almost $2.3 billion from people across the country. So far this year, impersonation scams are still the most-reported fraud. Scammers keep changing their stories to catch you off-guard. Some scams even ask you forContinue reading “Protect your Medicare Number, Your Other Info, and Your Money”

When criminals steal from you, the pain is raw, immediate and personal. But in arguably the costliest fraud in America, crooks use you merely as a tool for getting to a bigger target — your tax dollars that fund the federal government’s health care programs. In any given year, an estimated 5 to 10 percentContinue reading “Criminals Target Medicare Benefits to Reap Millions”

Scammers and others blanket Americans with billions of illegal robocalls annually, many of which originate overseas. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new rules to help block these automated calls, which have become increasingly vexing for consumers. (Read More)