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- Common Scams G - Z
Common Scams G - Z
Home Improvement Fraud / Theft
When the need arises for improvements or repairs that you can't do for yourself, many people turn to others to do the work.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is the crime of obtaining the personal or financial information of another person for the sole purpose of assuming that person's name or identity in order to make transactions or purchases.
Invisible Home Improvements
In addition to email, mail, and phone, scammers now just show up at your door.
Jamaican Switch or Pigeon Drop
The key element of a Pigeon Drop offense is the finding of a large quantity of currency and convincing the potential victim they can share in the money.
Lottery
These include scams that can go under the name of genuine lotteries like the UK National Lottery and the El Gordo Spanish lottery.
Medical Alert
This is a telemarketing scam that promises a 'free' medical alert system, that scam targeted seniors and caretakers.
Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud (AFF)
These frauds take the form of an offer, via letter, email, or fax, to share a huge sum of money in return for using the recipient's bank account to transfer the money out of the country.
Phishing & Pharming for ID Theft
The victim receives an email that appears to be from a credible, real bank or credit card company, with links to a website and a request to update account information. But the website and email are fakes, made to look like the real website.
Postal Fraud
Mail theft is a federal crime and is defined as anyone taking any piece of mail, be it a letter or a package, for any purpose.
Text Messages
It looks like a text alert from your bank, asking you to confirm information or 'reactivate your debit card' by following a link on your smartphone. But it is just a way to steal personal information.
Parent Scam
Broadly defined, parent or caregiver fraud is when someone illegally extorts a victim using an emotional or hysterical appeal for money or other property for personal gain. Parents and Caregivers are especially vulnerable due to the emotional appeal made by the suspect.