Health Fraud* As COVID-19 spread, coronavirus scams spread, too, many of them plugging phony cures. The companies touting colloidol silver as a defense against the disease or selling bogus COVID-19 testing kits are part of a long and ignoble tradition of exploiting people’s health fears for profit. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines health fraud as the deceptive advertising, […]
Common Elder Fraud Schemes* Romance scam: Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites to capitalize on their elderly victims’ desire to find companions. Tech support scam: Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues. The scammers gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information. Grandparent scam: Criminals […]
Many college students are on the lookout for flexible, part-time employment to help cover their school expenses. Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic and many other people out of work, finding a job may be even more difficult and may create more pressure to find work quickly. If this situation describes you or a student in […]
Through the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, each of the three national credit reporting agencies (aka credit bureaus) are required to provide a free copy of your credit report once every year, by request. Review your credit report annually to: Manage debt and qualify for the best rates and terms on loans and […]
Internet pirates steal personal financial information with a new a type of Internet piracy called phishing, pronounced “fishing,” and that’s exactly what these thieves are doing: “fishing” for your personal financial information.* What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account […]
It’s a good idea to install virus and/or internet protection software. Virus scannning software monitors your computer and online activity and automatically tells you if something is trying to invade your computer. It can stop viruses, worms, and Trojan horses and also helps you scan attachments in e-mails or other files you bring into your […]
