It seems like it would be great news if someone told you that you’d won a sweepstakes prize. But if you ever receive a check and the sender asks you to send them any money back, you are the target of fraud. According to the NCL, fake check schemes are the most commonly reported type of internet fraud. No matter how legit a check or money order looks, even if you are able to cash it, you will be responsible for any funds deposited and withdrawn. Unfortunately, by the time you realize it’s a scam, it’s usually too late. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Recognizing A Fake Check »

One of the most important civic duties a citizen can perform is serving on a jury. But if you get a phone call from the court about jury duty, be aware that this could be a scam. According to the FBI, in many communities, a growing number of attempts are being made by scammers to trick you into giving your personal information over the phone. You might get a call warning you that you have missed jury duty, and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Defend Yourself Against Jury Duty Scams »

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as many as 9 million Americans are victims of some form of identity theft every year. Whether conned into a phishing scam, visiting a malicious website, or having your mail stolen from your mailbox, there are hundreds of ways that lowlifes can take advantage of you and grab your personal information.

Criminals like AMW Fugitive Kurt Sohrbeck, a crook who cops say stole identities and thousands of dollars by making charges in other people’s names, are looking for ways to rob you of your identity, drain your bank account, and ruin your credit. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Be On Guard Against Identity Theft »

More than a billion people use the Internet, making the web a very enticing place for con artists to strike. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center lists Internet auction fraud as the most-reported offense, comprising 44.9% of referred complaints in 2007.

In the comfort of your own home, shopping on auction sites offers a convenient way to uncover hard-to-find items, compare prices and score some great deals. But when it comes to using online auction sites, a little bit of research can go a long way to protecting yourself from a scammer. When shopping online, always make sure you are dealing with a secure website by checking that the site’s URL contains either https:// or shttp://. You should also check for the padlock icon at the bottom of your browser window Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Keep Online Auctions from Being a Scammer’s Paradise »