Scams & Fraud Prevention

A 'Secret Santa' gift exchange among online 'friends' you don't really know may not be as innocent as you think. These gift exchanges may look like harmless fun but are actually illegal pyramid schemes. Don't get buried under one. ...

As their memory and other thinking skills decline, people with dementia may struggle to make financial decisions. They may not remember or report the abuse–or understand that someone is taking advantage of them. This abuse can occur anywhere, including at home or in care settings. ...

Job hunters, be on the lookout for reshipping or “parcel mule” scams from two fulfillment services reportedly in the Cleveland area. In a parcel mule or reshipping scam, job seekers are “hired” by a company under the guise of performing warehousing, shipping or fulfillment duties which are actually just relabeling parcels shipped to the consumer’s residence to be forwarded to a new address. The high pay lures workers who later find themselves aiding scammers with money laundering and possibly other offenses. ...

Most major banks offer the convenience of banking through a mobile application. With a mobile app, consumers and companies can deposit checks, check account balances, and transfer funds with the ease of a click. Other nonbank companies have also started offering similar services, but without a banking license, federal oversight, or the protection of an FDIC-insured institution. ...

Remember, applying for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is free and there is help available concerning the proliferation of scams and “bad actors” in this area. BBB has reported, since 2020, active-duty personnel, veterans and their dependents have reported more than $12 million in losses to BBB’s Scam Tracker. ...

There are no vacations for fraudsters, so you need to stay informed of the latest Social Security-related scams. While you are out enjoying fun and sun this summer, they are working hard to find new ways to scam you. Seniors and younger people are particularly vulnerable to scammers who claim to represent Social Security.  ...

Each year, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion due to abuse, errors and fraud. While some Medicare-related errors may be honest billing mistakes, many are not, and it’s up to consumers to report questionable activity they see with their accounts. Follow these tips to identify and avoid Medicare fraud. ...

Know before you go with another online trial offer. Free trial offers are extremely popular marketing tactics, especially for subscription services. But unwanted charges lurk close behind. Learn how to avoid them. ...