How my own daughter’s $1 donation turned into a $2,000 Zelle scam
I’ve spent years writing about Zelle scams and how to recognize and avoid them. That’s what makes what happened to my daughter last week on the streets of Philadelphia so unusual.
The News and Alerts category at Consumer Rescue exposes scams consumers may encounter. Each article tells the gripping story of individuals who have fallen victim to a scam and also includes tips and practical guidance to help others avoid falling victim.
Here, you’ll find stories about bewildered consumers who lost significant amounts of money to scams. From car rental gift card scams to phone scammers posing as customer service agents to Zelle scams and more. These articles are not just cautionary tales. These are detailed, real-life accounts highlighting the tactics used by scammers to make readers more aware and vigilant.
I’ve spent years writing about Zelle scams and how to recognize and avoid them. That’s what makes what happened to my daughter last week on the streets of Philadelphia so unusual.
People either love Facebook or hate it. An increasing number of former users are leaning toward the latter and pressing the eject button. In their place, though, swarms of scammers have moved in. The bad actors create “helpful” Facebook groups, lurk in Direct Messenger, advertise non-existent products, and stalk the Marketplace for victims. Their only intention is to con as many legitimate Facebook users as possible before being detected — and banned.
Old-school scammers are trying to get back in the (con) game and, surprisingly, they’re doing it via snail mail. Here’s what you need to know about the inheritance scam, delivered straight to your home by the USPS.
Publishers Clearing House scams remain a menace to senior citizens, even after the company’s bankruptcy this year. I know because a friendly, self-proclaimed “man of God” called me last week, claiming to be a representative of PCH. He said he’d soon arrive at my house to deliver my sweepstakes award of “a whopping $5.5 million.”
Aurora Expeditions’ subsidiary Vantage Explorations just turned two years old. To celebrate this milestone, the cruise line has big news and a $2,500 booking bonus for cruisers.
Here’s what’s next for Vantage Explorations and Aurora Expeditions.
Could you fall for a fake job scam?
If you’re like Sam Erin, you probably answered “no!” She’s a college-educated young adult who was sure she knew how to spot a con game. That is until a phony employment crime ring preyed on her naivety and stole nearly $9,000 from her.
Now, after draining her bank account, the scammers have vanished, leaving Erin jobless and cashless. She’s hoping our advocacy team can help. But how?
As she searched for a new job, love suddenly was in the air — or so Karen C. thought. But behind the inappropriate emails she received from her recruiter with carefully typed romantic promises lurked a scammer weaving a web of deceit.
Karen couldn’t believe her luck. She thought she had found a dream job and a romantic partner, but the reality was much, much different.
There’s a new scam coming to your home phone. Aggressive, fake customer service agents are on duty, demanding payment for Keto supplements you didn’t order.
I learned about this bizarre scam firsthand when a pushy, fast-talking woman called me to deliver an ultimatum. She told me that her company, Keto Supplements, wanted me to pay for the diet pills they’d sent me. If I didn’t give her a valid credit card immediately, she said, I would regret it.
Picture it: A Facebook friend messages you with some fabulous information about a free government grant she discovered. It’s definitely not a scam, she excitedly assures you. She knows this for sure because Federal Express just delivered a check right to her front door!
What if your doctor recommended some expensive blood tests that Medicare would not cover? That’s what happened recently to Kim Hanks. Unfortunately, she didn’t find out until after her blood tests were complete that Medicare would not pay for them.