Current Scams and Fraud Attempts

What is a DISASTER SCAM?

A fraudster will exploit a recent tragedy, or capitalize on relief efforts after a natural disaster, shooting, fire, or other catastrophe.

Who is usually the target of a disaster scam?

Victims could be do-gooders simply trying to help, or those seeking relief.

What should you look out for?

All criminals thrive on urgency, anxiety, desperation, or lack of hope. In the wake of a tragedy, they may appear as contractors, government officials, clergy, or others to demand upfront payment so they can begin work. Requesting payment in cryptocurrency is a new popular variant of this fraud.

What is an ELDER SCAM?

These fraudsters prey upon the greatest fears of seniors – Loss of home, loss of independence, loss of acquired wealth, medical concerns, etc.

Who are usually targeted in elder scams?

Fraudsters seek high wealth individuals that tend to be isolated or have cognitive challenges.

What should you look out for?

In 2023, these scams accounted for $77.7 Billion in loss to seniors. Fraudsters target those in isolation, less familiar with technology, challenged with disabilities. Seniors who are exploited don’t often report these crimes so the actual dollars lost may be double or triple that reported. Seniors feel shame, uncertain who to turn to leads to distrust and a desire to “forget about the whole thing”. This often causes lasting consequences and trauma.

What is an EMPLOYMENT SCAM?

Fraudsters pose as potential employers.

Who is the target of employment scams?

All demographics, but often college students, those seeking employment as a caregiver or seeking a work-from-home job.

What should you look out for?

Scammers may pose as recruiters for legitimate businesses and can even go so far as to “spoof” a companies website. They conduct fake interviews and offer the victim a job, but first they require personal information including banking information and potentially an upfront fee for processing. Mobile deposits are often made into the victims account which they are then instructed to send the money back minus a convenience fee or “bonus”.

What is a FINANCIAL GROOMING INVESTMENT SCAM?

Variation of an investment scam in which scammers make great cases for get rich quick ooportunities.

Who is the target of financial grooming investment scams?

All demographics, but typically those who are desperate concerning their finances. Fraudsters will prey upon those “down on their luck”.

What should you look out for?

They have a quick investment that may be difficult to understand… Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, or the like.

They can send over fake evidence of huge returns and encourage people to do their own research. But their promised returns are even better because they are “sneaking the person in the back door.” These scams are often long and start with small initial investments that may even appear to post a solid return… but the fraudsters “milk” the victim for more and more money. It is called “Butchering the Pig”, because the victim is slowly “fattened up” until the final “slaughter”.

What is a HEALTH SCAM?

Criminals will victimize individuals or family members who have physical, mental, or emotional ailments.

Who are targets for health scams?

Those personally or family members who have been diagnosed with an impairment of some kind, including addiction and dementia.

What should you look out for?

Fraudsters will promise assistance with finances; provide access to a medical trial; or in general offer hope during a very difficult time. There is often a time pressure to receive the treatment or “get in” before a trial closes.

What is an INVESTMENT SCAM?

A Scammer has a once-in-a-lifetime, zero risk, can’t miss investment, but there is a significant time pressure.

Who is the target of an investment scam?

All demographics, but victims are often those that want to grow their wealth.

What should you look out for?

Victims could attend online or in person seminars, phone calls, dating apps, or respond to fake ads.

There will be promises and may even be pictures of great wealth and even research sent. But TIME will be of the essence. These types of deals don’t last long… the will encourage their victims to act quickly and boldly. Most of the time there will be an ask for money up-front to “get in on the action”.

What is an IRS / TAX SCAM?

Criminals will pose as the IRS or government agency to discuss a deficiency of a tax bill.

Who are the targets of IRS / TAX SCAMS?

All demographics, but often target economically vulnerable.

What should you look out for?

Fraudsters will threaten garnishment of wages, seizure of property, or imprisonment if a particular debt is not cured. Often times the fraudster will offer lower settlement amounts to avoid penalties, but the victim must act fast or the offer expires.

What is a LOTTERY SCAM?

Promise of large winnings if the victim will handle the “processing fees”.

Who are targets of the lottery scam?

All demographics, but typically the elderly, or financially vulnerable.

What should you look out for?

Generally contacted via e-mail or text message – these fraudsters will promise the winnings will be deposited or a check sent as soon as the victim pays for upfront taxes or some administration fee.

What is an ONLINE LOAN OR PAYDAY SCAM?

Individuals get the promise of a loan in exchange for fees.

Who are the targets of an online loan or payday scam?

Individuals with poor credit history or difficulty in obtaining loans. Could be aliens or those not US born.

What should you look out for?

Victims will respond to e-mail, fake ads, or text messages from out-of-State lenders that have government grants or a pool of money to distribute. Actual loan documents with elevated rates and terms will be exchanged. Potentially the victim even gives financial access to set up automatic payment. There is almost always a fee attached to this type of loan and no credit checks.

What is a ROMANCE SCAM?

Criminal adopts a fake persona to gain a victim’s trust and uses the illusion and euphoria of romance to manipulate their victim.

Who is the intended target of a romance scam?

All demographics can fall victim. Seniors are often victimized, there is a growing trend to target teens.

What should you look out for?

In 2023, romance scams caused $3.8 Billion dollars of personal loss. Victims are contacted via text message, social media, dating sites, etc. This can often take months to foster a relationship. Fraudsters often appear as military or a “captain of industry” to attract victims who likes “power”. Or they will be sympathetic figures that have recently experienced a loss of some kind (widow, divorce, illness, etc.) appearing to be someone who needs “rescued”. At some point the fraudster will initiate and escalate requests for money, claiming to need it for travel expenses to see them, emergency medical procedures, business opportunities, or investments.

What is the GRANDPARENT SCAM?

A grandparent scam typically targets elderly individuals by pretending to be a grandchild or family member in urgent need of help.

Who is the target of a Grandparent Scam?

People usually in retirement age.

What should you look out for?

Scammers claim that they are in trouble, such as being in jail or involved in an accident, and need money quickly. They pressure the victim to send funds via wire transfer or prepaid gift cards, often stressing secrecy to avoid alerting other family members.

What is the FAKE RENTAL / AIRBNB SCAM?

This scam involves fraudsters posting fake rental listings, often for properties they don’t own.

Who is the target of a Fake Rental / AirBNB scam?

Usually people from the ages of 20 to 35+. These are normally “tech savvy” individuals, making the most use of AirBnB and other services.

What should you look out for?

The listings appear legitimate, but once a potential renter shows interest, the scammer asks for a deposit or rent payment upfront. Victims only discover the scam when they show up to the property and find out it’s already rented, doesn’t exist, or was never available.

What is the BUSINESS EMAIL COMPROMISE (BEC) SCAM?

BEC scams target businesses by hacking into email systems or impersonating executives and employees.

Who is the target of a BEC scam?

Business personnel, usually employees directly under management and lower.

What should you look for?

Scammers often send emails requesting wire transfers or sensitive information, masquerading as a trusted company insider. Businesses lose billions annually to this sophisticated form of fraud due to the high level of trust involved in the transactions.

What is the MONEY MULE SCAM?

In a money mule scam, victims are tricked into moving stolen funds on behalf of criminals.

Who is the usual target of a money mule scam?

Victims can come in any shape or size. Certain types of money mule scams rely on victims thinking they are helping charities or charitable organizations.

What should you look for?

Fraudsters might pose as employers, romantic partners, or charity representatives, asking the victim to receive and transfer money for them. Unknowingly, these victims become complicit in illegal activities, which can have legal consequences.

What is the OVERPAYMENT SCAM?

In overpayment scams, fraudsters send a check for more than the agreed-upon amount for goods or services.

Who is the target of the Overpayment scam?

This can be any type of person, and every age. The victim usually depends on the platform of the scam’s origin, rather than targeting a type of person or a person of a certain age.

What should you look for?

They ask the victim to deposit the check and return the excess funds, usually via wire transfer or gift cards. The victim later finds out the check was fraudulent, but by then, the scammer has pocketed the real money.

What is the FAKE WEBSITE SCAM?

Scammers create websites that look like legitimate businesses, often mimicking well-known brands or government entities.

Who is the target of the Fake Website scam?

Anyone can be a victim of this type of scam. In many situations the victim of a fake website scam is someone hoping for a deal on a purchase or something else free or cheap.

What should you look for?

Victims make purchases or enter personal information, thinking they’re dealing with a reputable company. Instead, they receive counterfeit goods, nothing at all, or their financial information is stolen.

What is the PET / KITTY / PUPPY SCAM?

Pet scams involve fraudsters posting fake ads for puppies, kittens, or other pets.

Who is the usual target of this scam?

Younger people, and extremely older people can be victims of this scam.

What should you look for?

After a victim expresses interest, they’re asked to send money for the animal, shipping, or insurance. Once the payment is made, the seller disappears, and the victim never receives the pet, which often never existed.

What is the QR CODE SCAM?

QR code scams involve tampering with legitimate QR codes found on posters, websites, or invoices.

Who is the target of the QR Code scam?

Cell phone users are the main targets of this scam. In many cases these are parents ages 30+, usually around the holidays.

What should you look for?

Scammers replace the real code with one that leads to a malicious website. When the victim scans the code, they are tricked into entering personal or payment information, which is then stolen.

What is the CHARITY SCAM?

Charity scams occur when fraudsters pose as legitimate charitable organizations, often in the wake of a disaster or tragedy.

Who is the target of a charity scam?

The victim of this scam can literally be anyone. Everyone can have a soft heart, and want to do something good in this world.

What should you look for?

Victims, moved by a desire to help, donate money to what they believe is a worthy cause, only to later find out that the “charity” was a scam and their money went to criminals.

What is the DEBT RELIEF SCAM?

In debt relief scams, fraudsters promise to help reduce or eliminate a victim’s debt for an upfront fee.

Who is the target of the debt relief scam?

Usually, the victims are people with bad financial health looking for some help.

What should you look out for?

After paying for what they think is a debt relief bill, the victim receives no real assistance, and the scammer disappears. In some cases, these scams lead to further financial hardship, as the promised debt relief never materializes.