McKenna, chief innovation officer for Point Predictive, a San Diego-based fraud-prevention company, interacts with scammers to better understand how they work. Hiding his identity, he responds to criminals’ emails and texts to analyze their sophisticated manipulations, then uses that information to hone prevention methods. (Do not do this at home: If you suspect a scammerContinue reading “3 Key Things to Know About Scams in 2025”
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Recovering from a Scam
Scammers are generally after one of two things; they either try to steal your money now, or they try to steal your identity now to steal money from you later (or to pretend to be you to steal from others). For many scam victims, the loss of personally identifiable information (PII) is even worse thanContinue reading “Recovering from a Scam”
Update: Judges Reverse Acquittal
In an update to a January 4, 2024, story, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed Dr. Ron Elfenbein’s acquittal. Read a story on MSN. Update: A federal judge tossed out a jury’s conviction of Dr. Ron Elfenbein for submitting millions of dollars in fraudulent insurance claims for COVID-19 tests. Read a story from The Baltimore Banner. Update: Physician Ron Elfenbein,Continue reading “Update: Judges Reverse Acquittal”
Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scam
Have you ever gotten a text message about a package coming via the United States Postal Service? Maybe it confirmed your order, said a package is out for delivery, or said there’s a problem like unpaid postage, a missed delivery, or you need to update your shipping preferences. That text message will say to clickContinue reading “Think that text message is from USPS? It could be a scam”
Louisiana Chiropractor Convicted of Health Care Fraud and Unemployment Insurance Fraud
A federal jury convicted a Louisiana chiropractor yesterday for his role in health care fraud and unemployment insurance fraud schemes totaling millions of dollars. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dr. Benjamin Tekippe, 40, of New Orleans, was a chiropractor and owner of Metairie Chiropractic & Rehab in New Orleans. Tekippe solicitedContinue reading “Louisiana Chiropractor Convicted of Health Care Fraud and Unemployment Insurance Fraud “
15 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud
Scams are rampant these days, with criminals stealing a reported $12.5billion from Americans in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And that’s likely a fraction of actual losses, because fraud is notoriously underreported. But there are ways to protect yourself, including staying up on the latest schemes and following the advice listed below. Also consider adding the AARPContinue reading “15 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud”
What the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees means for you
Have you ever picked out tickets to an event or the perfect vacation rental and then ended up paying twice what you expected in fees at checkout? Help is on the way: the FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees takes effect today. What might this mean for you? (Read More)
United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Vohra Wound Physicians Management and Its Owner Alleging False Claims for Wound Care Services
The United States filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Vohra Wound Physicians Management LLC (Vohra) and its founder and majority owner, Dr. Ameet Vohra, for allegedly causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for overbilled and medically unnecessary wound care services. Vohra is one of the nation’s largest specialty wound care providers andContinue reading “United States Files False Claims Act Complaint Against Vohra Wound Physicians Management and Its Owner Alleging False Claims for Wound Care Services”
Refund checks are in the mail for eligible Publishers Clearing House customers
Refund checks totaling more than $18 million are in the mail to more than 281,724 Publishers Clearing House (PCH) customers eligible for a refund as a result of an FTC action. In their case, the FTC said PCH used language and designs to trick people into thinking they had to buy things to enter or increaseContinue reading “Refund checks are in the mail for eligible Publishers Clearing House customers “
Read This Before Accepting a Stranger’s Check
A self-taught baker, botanist and gardener, Stern began creating and selling botanical-inspired cookies and cakes from her home kitchen in 2016. Although she’s witnessed plenty of scam attempts since then, she was stunned by the one perpetrated by a fraudulent customer who called herself Zoe Madison. (Read More)
The Virginia SMP 