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The Google Voice scam: How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it By Alvaro Puig Dec 29, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #ftc-article #scams It’s Cyber Security Awareness month, so the tricks scammers use to steal our personal information are on our minds. If there’s one constant among scammers, it’s that they’re always coming up with new schemes, like the Google Voice verification scam. Have you heard about it? Here’s how it works.... Full Article
’Tis the season for student loan scam calls By Emily Wu Dec 15, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article If you have a federal student loan, you probably already know that the Coronavirus emergency relief program that has paused your payments is ending. Repayments will begin again after January 31, 2022. Scammers know it, too, and are looking for ways to take advantage: they’re calling, texting,... Full Article
Child Tax Credit scammers are still reaching out By Emily Wu Dec 8, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article Many people have gotten their advance Child Tax Credit payments this year, but scammers are taking advantage of this new program to try to trick you out of money or information. They’re pretending to be the IRS, contacting people by phone, text, email, and social media — and sending people to... Full Article
The Google Voice scam How this verification code scam works and how to avoid it By Alvaro Puig Nov 2, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article It’s Cyber Security Awareness month, so the tricks scammers use to steal our personal information are on our minds. If there’s one constant among scammers, it’s that they’re always coming up with new schemes, like the Google Voice verification scam. Have you heard about it? Here’s how it works.... Full Article
Spot the pandemic scam: emergency broadband program impersonators By Carly Johnson Oct 28, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams Have you seen ads on social media that offer to “help” you sign up for a government program that will give you a “free” device and internet service in exchange for money or personal information? While there is a real government program to help people connect during the pandemic, there’s no... Full Article
Amazon impersonators: what you need to know By Maria Mayo Oct 28, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams Has Amazon contacted you to confirm a recent purchase you didn’t make or to tell you that your account has been hacked? According to the FTC’s new  Data Spotlight , since July 2020, about one in three people who have reported a business  impersonator scam  say the scammer... Full Article
Keeping older adults safe from scams By Bridget Small Oct 28, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams As last week's annual report to Congress makes clear, the safety of older consumers in the marketplace is a priority for the FTC.  Protecting Older Consumers 2020 – 2021: A Report of the Federal Trade Commission  summarizes the agency’s ongoing law enforcement efforts, new research... Full Article
Watch out for charity scams By Rosario Méndez Oct 28, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams Every year, charity regulators from around the word get together to raise awareness about charity fraud. The FTC joins this effort again this year because it’s so important to know how to spot a charity scam. The more you know, the less likely you’ll donate to a bogus charity. Better yet, you’ll... Full Article
'Suspicious Activity' Surge, As Scammers Impersonate Amazon Phone scammers claim to be from Amazon By Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press Jun 13, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams Amazon scam calls have surged significantly over the past few months. Consumers are now regularly receiving anywhere between  100 million and 150 million  robocalls per month from fraudsters claiming to be with Amazon, according to YouMail, which has a robocall blocking app. ... Full Article
Hang up on auto warranty robocalls By Emily Wu May 20, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article #tip Have you gotten a recorded phone message from “Susie” with the “Vehicle Service Department” calling about your vehicle warranty? That’s, like, so retro. But fanny packs, scrunchies, and tie dye are back — and so are vehicle warranty robocalls. It starts when you pick up a call and hear a... Full Article
Stay Safe from Scammers. Visit the new BCT Scam Prevention Page May 20, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #scams #tip #company information Have you ever received a text message or an email that looks or feels a little suspicious? Maybe it came from an odd email or number you don’t know, or there are several misspelled words throughout. And why does a prince halfway across the globe want to give you his $100 million inheritance... Full Article
Unwanted calls: Just block ’em and report ’em FTC Consumer Information May 13, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article Unwanted calls are annoying. They can feel like a constant interruption — and many are from scammers. Unfortunately, technology makes it easy for scammers to make millions of calls a day. So this week, as part of Older Americans Month, we’re talking about how to block unwanted calls — for... Full Article
When it’s Not Really the Government Calling Apr 20, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article Lots of people are having trouble sleeping, thanks to the pandemic and all the parts of our lives it’s affecting. And it doesn’t help when you get a call saying you owe the government money. Oh, and, they add, you’ll go to jail if you don’t pay up immediately. That’s a scam, and nothing to lose... Full Article
Fake Price Offers Don't Pay Apr 19, 2021 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #ftc-article The pandemic has caused financial distress because of lost jobs, income, and homes, and emotional distress because of social isolation. This week, during National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), we want your help to reach people who might be a bit cut off from their social network. The FTC... Full Article
Fake Calls from Apple and Amazon Dec 4, 2020 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #news We are receiving reports from members about fake calls from Apple and Amazon trying to scam them. The FTC has an article out describing these scams and providing information on what you should do. For the most part, just hang up and ignore, but view the article from the FTC here for more... Full Article
"Email Account" Scam Alert Dec 4, 2020 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams #email We are getting reports of members that are receiving email notifications from what looks like "BCT Support" that are fraudulent. The messages in general will say your "Email Account is near Capacity" or your "Inbox is full" and ask for your username, password or other personal information. BCT... Full Article
SCAM ALERT By Conner Williams Dec 4, 2019 | posted by Jason Nugent #scams While it may be the season of giving, some gifts can sound too good to be true. A BCT member alerted us of a text message scam in which the scammer(s) pose as Beaver Creek Telephone Company and ask users to complete a survey to win an iPhone 11. It claims to have randomly selected a user by... Full Article