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02-10-2020, 04:05 PM
#601
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
It's almost impossible to know how much is really stolen in Ponzi Schemes each year. The cryptocurrency scams reported in the Wall Street Journal are larger than the 60 reported at Ponzi Tracker. Let's do some Ponzi math and add the two.
According to Ponzitracker, 60 Ponzi schemes were allegedly uncovered in 2019 that involved a collective $3.245 billion in investor funds. The statistics mark an abrupt reversal to a multi-year downward trend that in 2018 saw the lowest number of alleged Ponzi scheme discoveries in ten years.
Ponzi schemes are the latest form of bitcoin fraud, with big platforms like one called PlusToken drawing the most money.
Cryptocurrency Scams Took in More Than $4 Billion in 2019 - WSJ
There are some tips from a CNBC article on avoiding scams, the first are pretty clear cut. The later two in red are hot button items for me. Investors should NEVER be getting statements or withdrawals from the promoter. Statements at a minimum need to be verified by an independent third party. Better still a third party should be auditing funds and generating the statements. Money should always be segregated and the promoter granted no personal access. If you're calling anyone other than a bank, trust administrator, or licensed investment firm about your money look out below.
Do a background check
Watch for high-pressure sales tactics
Know what you’re investing in
Find out how they get paid
Check your statements
More than 8,000 investors were misled by this $1.2B Ponzi scheme
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02-14-2020, 02:02 PM
#602
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
It stands to reason that before changing payment destinations people and businesses should have a hard verification process. Pick up the phone and call just like in olden times, and probably not the number at the bottom of a specious email.
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Pick up the phone
The scam began when someone hacked into the computer of a finance worker at the island's Employee Retirement System in December, said José Ayala, director of the fraud unit within the bank robbery division. The hacker then posed as the female employee and sent emails to various government agencies alleging a change in bank accounts, he told The Associated Press.
Two agencies fell victim to the scam in recent months: Puerto Rico's Industrial Development Company sent $63,000 in December and more than $2.6 million in January, while the island's Tourism Company sent $1.5 million in January to fraudulent accounts on the U.S. mainland, he said.
Puerto Rico online scam targeted more than $4M amid crisis - ABC News
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03-16-2020, 11:54 AM
#603
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Color me shocked...
Alex Jones peddled a fake coronavirus cure that can turn people’s skin permanently blue
New York State attorney general Letitia James has ordered right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to stop making misleading claims about supposed coronavirus cures sold on his website, InfoWars. The attorney general's office “is extremely concerned” about Jones hawking these products on his online show, it said in a cease-and-desist letter dated March 12. The products include a “nano-silver” toothpaste, which Jones said “kills the whole SARS-corona family at point-blank range.”
Alex Jones peddled a fake coronavirus cure that can turn people’s skin permanently blue
Colloidal Silver Turns You Blue—But Can It Save Your Life?
Celebrities ranging from Gwyneth Paltrow to Infowar's Alex Jones swear by colloidal silver as a germ-fighting miracle cure. But the medical community says there's no evidence it works.
Colloidal Silver Turns You Blue—But Does It Work? | WIRED
In 2008, Paul Karason, a 57-year-old man from the Pacific Northwest, agreed to appear on the Today show. And appear is the best word for it, since he was there because of the way he looked. From head to toe, Paul Karason was the color blue.
Not a subtle light-wash tint, either. This was closer to navy—like Beast from the X-Men or some elder Smurf. His graying auburn hair heightened the effect; the whites of his eyes had a leaden tint. “I’ve gotten kind of used to it,” he told Matt Lauer.
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05-27-2020, 09:46 PM
#604
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
I'm shocked that seminars held in hotel conference rooms would be a bit smarmy.
The complaint names several television celebrities—such as Scott Yancey from A&E’s “Flipping Vegas,” Doug Clark from Spike TV’s “Flip Men,” Drew Levin and Danny Perkins from HGTV’s “Renovate to Rent,” and Josh Altman from Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Lost Angeles”—as appearing in advertisements for the seminars.
The complaint follows on the heels of another real estate seminar that grabbed headlines last month. The FTC ordered a temporary halt to seminars from Zurixx LLC that were endorsed by HGTV stars Tarek El Moussa and Christina Anstead of “Flip or Flop.” The complaint alleged the real estate seminars endorsed by the HGTV stars were “misleading” and made “bogus” claims about how people can strike it rich in real estate.
FTC Cracks Down on Real Estate Seminar Scams | Realtor Magazine
FTC Orders Halt to ‘Bogus’ HGTV-Endorsed Seminars | Realtor Magazine
Zurixx’s real estate investment scheme | FTC Consumer Information
Real estate seminar endorsed by HGTV personalities temporarily halted by FTC: '''Misleading'''’ | Fox News
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07-03-2020, 10:43 AM
#605
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Sweepstakes or Lottery
Tech Support
“Grandchild” in Need
Romance
Social Security
Natural Disasters and Contractors
Six Scams that Prey on the Elderly
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07-28-2020, 09:12 AM
#606
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
What a mess the government has made for taxpayers...
One of the first things David T. Hines bought when he got $4 million in COVID-19 relief loans from the feds for his supposedly ailing South Florida moving business was a super-luxury Lamborghini Huracan Evo, authorities say.
First he got $4 million in COVID-19 relief loans. Then he bought a Lamborghini.
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07-28-2020, 09:15 AM
#607
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Pandemic Schemes:
“It was like I was just throwing money away.”
The Consumer Awareness Institute, whose research has been posted on the website of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), found that 99% of people who participate in them lose money. “Statistically, it is more likely you will win the lottery than you will make hundreds of thousands of dollars selling for an MLM,” says Robert FitzPatrick, the co-author of False Profits, a book about MLMs, and the president of PyramidSchemeAlert.org.
How MLM Distributors Are Using Coronavirus to Grow | Time
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09-05-2020, 11:54 AM
#608
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
How about don't get scammed by going to your local public shelter and adopting some old mutt or grumpy cat that no one else wants?
This Year’s Big Online Scam—Puppies - WSJ
https://petscams.com/
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10-02-2020, 09:24 AM
#609
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Come to our free seminar where you get to hear about the $495 seminar where you get to hear about the real seminar...
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
FTC
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to name celebrity real estate investment promoters Dean Graziosi and Scott Yancey as defendants in a case for their roles in a massive real estate training scheme that bilked consumers out of more than $400 million.
Graziosi is known for his appearances in infomercials promoting his books on real estate investing and is a self-described New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor. Yancey was the star of the reality television series “Flipping Vegas” that aired on the A&E television network between 2011 and 2014.
“We believe these two TV personalities each made millions of dollars by assisting and facilitating this real estate investment rip-off,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “They were instrumental to the scheme and took a cut of the profits, and that’s why we’re seeking to add them to our case against the program’s operators.”
FTC Seeks to Add Real Estate Investment Celebrities Dean Graziosi and Scott Yancey as Defendants in Real Estate Training Case | Federal Trade Commission
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10-10-2020, 03:00 PM
#610
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
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10-18-2020, 02:50 PM
#611
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
One hundred years ago, Charles Ponzi was indicted for a type of scam that continues to ensnare over-eager investors—and sometimes whole societies.
The Original Ponzi Schemer - WSJ
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10-23-2020, 09:22 AM
#612
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
This "article" disappointingly reads more like an ad, especially considering they never mention what the scam is beyond ransomware. It does however make sense to have two computers; one used only for serious stuff backed up to an external drive, and one for porn and cat videos. That is unless you don't like cat videos.
The newest hackers are so sneaky, they “identify employees who are using hard-to-hack cybersecurity tools (like VPNs),” said Levin. “Then they wait for them to log off the VPN, targeting non-work Internet traffic to install ransomware. Because many work-from-home employees are using the same computer for work and everyday tasks, networks are infected.”
The frightening scam everyone working from home needs to know about
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10-30-2020, 10:53 AM
#613
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Don't know anything about this but looks interesting.
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Kiplinger Letter
Protecting against ransomware attacks doesn’t have to break the bank. Best practices include backing up data, encrypting files, using spam filters,setting up multifactor authentication and disabling USB storage access. Executives should get special training, since they’re higher-risk. A free tool, No More Ransom,provides decryption software to use if hit by an attack at
The No More Ransom Project.
https://www.kiplinger.com/store/samp...cent_issue.pdf
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11-04-2020, 10:10 AM
#614
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
This article reads like an ad for Malwarebytes.
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Originally Posted by
yahoo article
Best practices for safely donating to charities online—and avoiding scams
The FBI says that once you’ve zeroed in on a charity, look to online reviews and consult sites like the Better Business Bureau, Give.org, Charity Navigator or Charity Watch to verify their legitimacy. This applies to donations made through social media, crowdfunding websites, or directly to the charities themselves.
“Before donating, ask how much of the donation will go toward the program or cause you want to support,” the FBI says in its brief. “Every organization has administrative costs, and it’s important to understand those structures.”
One specific way fraudsters are poaching dollars from well-meaning donors is through a method called phishing, in which hackers disguise themselves as legitimate charities to solicit funds via email. When these bogus “charities” contact you via text, it’s called smishing. Either way, it’s attempted theft.
COVID-19 charity fraud is on the rise, warns the FBI—here’s how to safely donate without getting scammed this holiday season
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
FTC
Keep scammers’ tricks in mind
Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. That’s something scammers do.
Some scammers try to trick you into paying them by thanking you for a donation that you never made.
Scammers can change caller ID to make a call look like it’s from a local area code.
Some scammers use names that sound a lot like the names of real charities. This is one reason it pays to do some research before giving.
Scammers make lots of vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.
Bogus organizations may claim that your donation is tax-deductible when it is not.
Guaranteeing sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a donation is not only a scam, it’s illegal.
If you see any red flags, or if you’re not sure about how a charity will use your donation, consider giving to a different charity. There are many worthy organizations who will use your donation wisely.
How to donate wisely and avoid charity scams | FTC Consumer Information
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11-08-2020, 12:59 PM
#615
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Still plugging stuff in the article.
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
five coronavirus scams
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02-17-2021, 02:14 PM
#616
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
In 2016 Forbes Africa listed Okeke among the most influential businesspeople under the age of 30
Obinwanne Okeke: Nigerian email fraudster jailed for 10 years in US
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02-24-2021, 12:47 PM
#617
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Probably this...
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Brooke Henderson
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02-25-2021, 10:13 AM
#618
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
A good rule is not to send money to people you haven't met in person, a better one is to not send it to people you have.
But it came crashing down when Scott asked Grace to help him gain access to his own money that he couldn't get to because he was overseas.
Dating-app con artists are scamming singles up to $900,000 with elaborate fake relationships
Sweetheart Scammer or did this really hot person pick me above all others?
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03-22-2021, 10:48 AM
#619
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Apparent? May be?
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Sam Sherwood
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04-03-2021, 11:33 AM
#620
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
A similar scam exists where a fraudster will pay cash for a series of smaller orders until a relationship is established with a merchant. Then said fraudster asks that credit be extended for a very large order.
South Carolina man swindled $450,000 from Lowe’s buying pricey lawn mowers, feds say
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04-07-2021, 10:46 AM
#621
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
There's no business like snow business.
![Quote](https://realscam.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Michael Finnegan
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04-08-2021, 09:44 AM
#622
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
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04-19-2021, 10:08 AM
#623
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Currently Known Scams
Please see below for examples of prominent fraudulent emails, texts, and posts that are currently circulating. These offers are not from Costco Wholesale. You should not visit any links provided in messages such as these, and you should not provide the sender any personal information.
Fraudulent Satisfaction Survey
Fraudulent Facebook Post
Fraudulent Survey
Texts Regarding Loyalty Reward
Overcharge Reimbursement Texts
Survey with Exclusive Offers
Free Television
Coronavirus Stimulus
Exclusive Giveaway
Fake Interview Confirmation
Fraudulent Executive Rewards Redemption
Citi Rewards Direct Deposit Scam
Redeem your gift card!
Currently Known Scams
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04-23-2021, 11:49 AM
#624
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Like asking the fox to sure up the chicken coop.
“In AMG Capital, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of scam artists and dishonest corporations, leaving average Americans to pay for illegal behavior,” Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said. “With this ruling, the Court has deprived the FTC of the strongest tool we had to help consumers when they need it most. We urge Congress to act swiftly to restore and strengthen the powers of the agency so we can make wronged consumers whole.”
Statement by FTC Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in AMG Capital Management LLC v. FTC | Federal Trade Commission
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04-26-2021, 01:14 PM
#625
Re: Cut and paste snippets about scams.
Bookmarks