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Watch Out for Scams - When Disaster Strikes

some scammers prey on natural disasters

Throw a dart at a map of the USA, and chances are you will land on a community that suffered severe weather damage this year. Whether it was faulty landslides on the West Coast, extreme hurricanes or ice storms in the South, spring tornadoes across the Midwest, recent flooding in the Northeast, or the wildfires consuming California. Many golden state communities have experienced devastating losses. These same wildfire victims will take years to recover.

With any weather disaster, you may consider a charitable donation to help those affected. Television and radio commercials from nearly everywhere will target your generous nature. How can you possibly ignore these charity appeals?

First, know that when there is natural disaster, scammers are quick to follow. Some research and planning, before you donate, will help make sure your money reaches to help people in need, and not to enrich charity scammers.

Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record with dealing with disasters. Research the organization yourself — especially if the donation request comes on social media. Search the name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam.” Be sure to check out the charity on the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or Candid.

If the message was received from a friend, ask them if they know the organization themselves. Find out exactly how much of every dollar you donate goes directly to the charity’s beneficiaries. Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites.

If you can consider giving to someone you personally know and trust, this is the safest step to take. Some crowdfunding sites take measures to check out postings which are asking for help after a disaster. Others do not.

Do not donate to anyone who insists you can only pay by cash, gift card, wiring money, or cryptocurrency. That is how scammers tell you to part with your donation. If you decide to donate, pay by credit card, which gives you more protections.

To learn more, go to ftc.gov/charity. For advice to help you prepare for, deal with, and recover from severe weather and the scams that follow, visit ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.

For February 2025, we bring the scam alert warnings to people wanting to help disaster victims wherever they may be located. There are some big name charities banging the drums to collect more money than will ever be spent in helping anyone recover from a natural, or man-made, disaster. Remember the earthquakes in Haiti? Where did the many donated billions of dollars go?

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February 2025 - Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

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Title Lock Insurance - Have You Been Scammed?

home title lock insurance scams

If you have come across television commercial advertisements for home title lock insurance, you may start to feel a bit anxious. The ads claim that thieves can easily take ownership of your home. Then they suggest purchasing title lock insurance to supposedly safeguard against such brazen theft. Hold on. Take a moment to calm down. It is really just a marketing tactic that creates fear.

First, it is essential to understand that title lock insurance is not the same as title insurance. If you already own a home, you will most likely recall acquiring title insurance during the purchase process. This type of insurance shields you from any disputes regarding the title, such as undisclosed liens.

Let us all understand this: 'title lock insurance' is a distinct product — and technically, it is not insurance at all. It functions as a service that asserts it can monitor your deed to help prevent title fraud. Unfortunately, you would only become aware of fraud AFTER your title has been illicitly transferred to someone else. This is not exactly the protection the name implies.

Title fraud involves identity theft: a perpetrator impersonates you and reassigns your deed to another individual. Title lock insurance (which is neither a lock nor true insurance) would not thwart that. You can easily check your title for free through your local land records office, and in some regions, you can sign up for complimentary notifications regarding any legal changes related to property ownership.

To further shield yourself from identity theft, consider the following actions:

Review your credit report. Access your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Each major credit bureau offers free weekly reports online.

Keep an eye on your bills. A sudden stop in receiving utility bills might indicate identity theft. If you have concerns, reach out directly to your utility provider.

Seek assistance. If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a customized recovery strategy.

And, please, if you come across a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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How to Avoid Fake Shopping Sites

protect yourself from fake shopping sites

As the holiday season approaches, it seems like there are more and more fake shopping sites popping up. You are urged to take heed of this alarming trend that poses a significant threat to consumers. We will always want to protect you from unknowingly falling victim to online scams, criminal scammers and consumer fraud.

Fake shopping sites have been around for quite some time, but with the rise of e-commerce and the convenience of online shopping, their prevalence has increased significantly. Cybercriminals take advantage of the holiday season when consumers are more likely to be shopping online to lure unsuspecting victims into their schemes.

These fake sites often imitate well-known brands and offer products at prices that are just too good to be true. Key figures in the fight against fake shopping sites include cybersecurity experts, consumer protection agencies, and law enforcement authorities. These individuals and organizations work tirelessly to identify and shut down fake sites, but it is a constant cat-and-mouse game as scammers continuously find new ways to deceive consumers.

The impact of fake shopping sites is substantial, with millions of dollars lost each year to online scams. Consumers face financial losses, identity theft, and a loss of trust in online shopping platforms. The reputation of legitimate businesses may also suffer as a result of fake sites impersonating their brands.

protect yourself from bogus sites

On the positive side, awareness about bogus shopping sites is increasing, thanks to the efforts of many consumer protection agencies. Consumers are becoming more vigilant and taking steps to protect themselves from online scams. Online shopping platforms are also implementing stricter security measures to prevent scammers from operating on their websites. However, the negative aspects remain prevalent, with scammers finding new ways to deceive consumers and evade detection.

As technology continues to advance, the methods used by cybercriminals will also become more sophisticated, posing an even greater challenge.In the future, we can expect to see more collaborations between online platforms, cybersecurity experts, and law enforcement agencies to tackle the issue of fake shopping sites. New technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning may also play a significant role in identifying and shutting down fraudulent websites.

In conclusion, the proliferation of bogus shopping sites is a serious threat to consumers and legitimate businesses alike. By staying informed, practicing caution when shopping online, and supporting efforts to combat online scams, we can work together to create a safer online shopping environment for everyone.

Did you have a problem while shopping online? First, contact the seller and try to work it out. If that does not work, contact the company you used to make the payment to dispute the charges. If they can not help, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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