In the past year complaints of financial scams have more than doubled, as scam artists continue to craft “too good to be true” offers, phony employment schemes, fraudulent internet auctions, and bogus sweepstakes scenarios.
In a recent report from the Attorney General, someone posing as PA’s Attorney General Tom Corbett, tried to convince a senior citizen [...]
Beware of Attorney General Impostors
Consumer Groups Reach Out to Victims of Rejected Clunker Deals
The popular “Cash for Clunkers” program was a deal for some, but for others, it was far from that. The cumbersome regulations have caused some applications to be kicked back because of technicalities, and some consumers have been told that their rebate was rejected, after already taking their new car off the lot. Dealers [...]
Business is Thriving For Scam Artists
After being hard hit by the stock market crash, many are desperate to rebuild their portfolios and recoup financial losses- but be careful. Scam artists are taking full advantage of eager investors by luring them with bogus, yet convincing offers. In response to this widespread trend, the Securities Commission’s Chief Counsel, Michael Byrne has compiled [...]
Predatory Phone Calls Escalate
Almost all of us have experienced it- an unwanted or predatory phone call from a company or individual we do not know. Some phone scams offer foreclosure help or credit card debt assistance, while others warn that your car’s warranty will soon expire. State officials blame the tough economy for a rise in unwanted calls, [...]
Tough Economy Spurs an Increase in Wage Theft
At a time when people need their paychecks most, more workers are being stiffed. Complaints of wage theft have risen nationally, with allegations ranging from underpayment to complete neglect of payment. Despite not getting paid, workers are desperate so they’re sticking with their jobs in hopes that their employers will pay up in the end. [...]
Don’t Get “Clunked” By Scammers
Like clockwork, scammers seem to take advantage of consumers when new programs and incentives make the headlines. The Better Business Bureau has received numerous reports from consumers who received phone calls offering them assistance with filling out paperwork to obtain a voucher for the “Cash for Clunkers” Program- which is completely unnecessary because the dealers [...]
Beware of “Cash for Clunkers” Fraud
11 NY car dealers were accused of deceptive advertising practices in connection with the “Cash for Clunkers” program. The dealers neglected to mention important requirements, which misled consumers to believe they were eligible for the incentive when they were not, or that their car qualified when it did not. Before stepping foot at a dealership, [...]
Solution Side: Beware of Making $ with Twitter Scams
You knew it was only a matter of time before scam artists found a way to “tweet” money out of people. The BBB is warning people about “make money with Twitter” schemes.They offer people the opportunity to make a lot of money, working fro home, using Twitter. Officials say these fall in line with other [...]
Hackers Expose Weakness in Visiting Trusted Sites
A powerful new type of Internet attack acts like a telephone tap, but works between computers and Web sites they trust. A serious flaw in the way Web browsers dismiss untrustworthy sites and block anybody from seeing them has come to the surface. Hackers can set up a secret eavesdropping post and take in credit [...]
1/3 of Adults Have Been Approached by Scammers
In an uncertain economy, we tend to be more vulnerable, and as promising opportunities present themselves- like a seemingly easy and well-paying work at home job, a congratulatory letter for a monetary reward, or a too good to be true government grant, it’s easy to fall victim. Nearly 1/3 of adults have been approached [...]
