FBI Warns Of New Twist In Counterfeit Check Scam
FBI Warns Of New Twist In Counterfeit Check Scheme Counterfeit check schemes involving the wiring of money to a bank account overseas have been frequently reported to the FBI. The FBI now warns of a new twist in counterfeit check schemes where the fraudulent client emails as an an ex-wife in an…
FBI Scam Alert: Mystery Shopper Schemes Increasing
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has reported an increase in mystery/secret shopper schemes. Legitimate secret shopper programs exist, but fraudsters are taking advantage of those unaware of schemes involving counterfeit check cashing or identity theft.
Scams: Haitian Scams Abound - FBI Issues Hatian Scam Alert
Scams: Haitian Scams Abound - FBI Issues Haitian Scam Alert The FBI continues to remind the public to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of Haitian victims. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites…
Reverse Mortgage Fraud Increases - Prompts FBI Warning
As the economy continues its downturn, reverse mortgages are on the rise. Reverse mortgages allow senior citizens to tap into their home’s equity and receive monthly payments for a lender. To be eligible for a reverse mortgage you must be aged 62 or older and own your own home or have a small…
Scam Artists Take Advantage Of The System
Scam artists not only steal money from the people they're targeting, but they also create negative impressions around the whole industry or group of people they're impersonating.
The latest scam alert from the FBI revolves around scam artists using a telephone relay service to charge money to a…
Today on the Ilyce Glink Show - June 7, 2009
Fraud, scams and jobs were top of mind today on the Ilyce Glink Show.
Beware of IRS’ 2009 “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams
As that April 15 tax deadline edges closer and closer, the IRS has released a list of top tax scams to watch out for. Whether you've already sent off your return or you're one of the last minute filers, make sure you don't get trapped by any of these scams:
Beware of IRS’ 2009 “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams…
Prevent Identity Theft For Free
Worried about identity theft? Turns out you can likely prevent it yourself, rather than hiring a firm who offers identity theft prevention services.
The Consumer Federation of America recently released an analysis of 16 firms that sell identity theft prevention services. The Web sites of the identity…
Tax Refund Anticipation Loans - Consumer Groups Want Regulation
Two consumer groups, the Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumer Law Center are calling for the federal government to regulate tax refund anticipation loans (RALs) because of their extremely high interest rates (50 to 500 percent generally) and excessive fees.
Tax preparation…
BBB Warns Senior Citizens About Telephone Scams
Grandparents across the country are receiving calls from their grandchildren who are in trouble. They've been in an accident, or arrested and they need cash wired ASAP through MoneyGram or WesternUnion.
Only..... It's a SCAM!
According to the Better Business Bureau, senior citizens must be on the…
Comments on the show -- Buffing Out Granite
Some contractors called in to say that you can buff out granite and mable, which I know to be true. The problem is that if the stone is flawed, no amount of buffing is going to make it look perfect.
If Mark, our caller, saw perfect slabs of granite in the showroom and was promised that his granite…
If you're moving, be sure to check out movingscam.com before you hire someone. There's a terrible scam where the bill of lading is doubled after your stuff is loaded on the truck. Then, unless you hand over the cash, they'll store your stuff on the truck, and you'll just watch the fees increase.
If…
The United Parcel Service, or UPS, warns that there's a fraudulent e-mail being sent out that tells customers a package could not be delivered. The e-mail has an attachment that's a virus.
UPS states they rarely send out e-mails with attachments and that if you receive such an email you should delete…
Does LifeLock Really Work? Not The Way It Should
The guy who waves around his Social Security Number and dares people steal it might be regretting that dare.
Todd Davis, owner of the fraud prevention company LifeLock, has had his service fail his own Social Security number.
According to an AP wire story, Davis has had his identity stolen and now…
The FBI released its annual report (http://www.fbi.gov/publications/financial/fcs_report2007/financial_crime_2007.htm) on the state of financial crimes in the U.S. last night. As you might expect, it's not a pretty picture.
According to the general overview, there has been a spike in the number of…
Phishing Scam Reaches From Romania To Los Angeles
Latest word from the FBI: Never click on a link in an email that looks like it's from your bank or another financial institution -- unless you know for sure it's real.
Yesterday, the FBI announced it had broken up a couple of high-level phishing rings stretching from Romania to Los Angeles. Before it…
FBI Says Mortgage Fraud Has Increased
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation announced this month that it was investigating 1,200 cases of mortgage fraud at the end of 2007.
That's an increase of 47 percent over 2006 and up 176 percent since 2003.
It's important to note that the FBI only investigates cases that are worth more than…
Con Artists After Your IRS Rebate Check
I received one of those scam emails today purporting to be from the IRS. They wanted to let me know that more than 130 million Americans will receive refund checks, and that the IRS has determined that I am one of the lucky 130 million.
I don't think so.
In fact, I don't qualify for a rebate check…
Americans Worry About Becoming ID Theft Victims
A majority of Americans worry about becoming victims of identity theft, according to a poll released by Bankrate yesterday. Of those surveyed, 8 in 10 say they're concerned about identity theft.Here are some other stats from the poll of 1,006 Americans: One-third of Americans (34 percent) know…
If you have an account with Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, Bebo or Windows Live Spaces, you can look for Ilyce - she has accounts on all of them and provides helpful tips on those sites.
But these sites are no safer than the rest of the Internet. You never know if the person you're talking to is a…
Equifax Announces Another Tool To Protect You From ID Theft
Ever seen that commercial where people dance around cheerfully because they have stolen someone's financial identity? One of the characters is a guy who talks like a little girl because he's stolen her identity.
Identity theft occurs when someone pretends to be you when applying for credit cards, a…
Watch out for scammers calling you for bank account information, warns the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The IRS announced yesterday that identity thieves ask for account numbers saying they need them for you to get your $600 or $1200 rebate. Thieves may also ask for Social Security numbers or…
Credit Freeze Can Protect You From Identity Theft
It's become a little bit easier for you to protect yourself from identity theft. As of Nov. 1, 2007, all three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian, now allow people in all 50 states to freeze their credit, according to Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports.
Why freeze your…
Should A $1 Million Winning Lottery Ticket Be Forfeited?
In White City, Oregon, a judge ordered a woman to turn over a $1 million winning lottery ticket, after she was found guilty of using a credit card stolen from her ex-boyfriend's mother.
Apparently, she kept using the credit card for two weeks after she won the lottery.
We had a lively discussion on…
Identity Been Stolen? Here's What To Do.
I've published this information before, but it's worth a refresher:
ID Theft -- What to do if you're a victim
Contact Experian, Equifax and Trans-Union to place a fraud alert on your account. Initial alert lasts 90 days. If you have been the victim of a fraud, 2-years. Military personnel can get a…
