Top 10 Scams Of The Year

Top 10 Scams Of The Year

1. Top Job Scam
   Email Pitch:
   Professional website phone interview. You got the job! Now fill out this online credit form…

   Target:
   Anyone who is looking for work .

   Result:
   Scammer now has information for identity theft

2.  Top Sweepstakes & Lottery Scam
   Online Pitch:
   You won! Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to send you $1 million

   Target:
   Users of social networking sites

   Result:
   Clicking lets the scammer see your personal information, your friend, etc

3. Top Social Media Scam
   Online Pitch:
   Did you see the video of Osama bin laddens death? Upgrade your Flash player to view…

   Target:
   Anyone curious about the event supposedly shown

   Result:
   Instead of upgrading Flash, you download a virus that finds your passwords

4. Home Improvement Scam
   In-Person Pitch:
   I’ve got a great deal on resealing your driveway. (fixing your roof, trimming your trees, etc.)

   Target:
   All property owners, especially seniors

   Result:
   At best shoddy work. At worst, they take the money and run.

5.  Top Check Cashing Scam
   Pitch:
   Sorry i wrote the check for too much. Can you wire me the difference?

   Target:
   Transactions with strangers (selling on Craig’s list, mystery shopper jobs, etc.)

   Result:
   Their check bounces, but your wired money is gone forever

6. Top Phishing Scam:
   Pitch:
   Email from ACH (Automated Clearing House) about an electronic transaction problem

   Target:
   Anyone who uses electronic banking or online billpaying

   Result:
   Link takes you to a fake banking site that steals your information

7. Top Identity Theft
   Phone Call Pitch:
   This is the front desk. So sorry, but there’s a problem with your credit card.

   Target:
   Hotel guests who sleepily respond in the middle of the night

   Result:
   Someone other than the hotel clerk just got your credit card number

8. Top Financial Scam
   Phone / Mail Pitch:
   We can help you keep your house by dealing with your mortgage company for you…

   Target:
   Anyone who is behind on their mortgage or in other financial trouble

   Result:
   You pay them, they do nothing, and you are in more debt than when you started

9. Top Sales Scam
   Online Pitch:
   Win an iPad, win a new computer, win a camera… all for just pennies a bid

   Target:
   Anyone who wants to get a bargain shopping online

   Result:
   You pay for every bid, even if you don’t get the merchandise

10. Top Scam Of The Year

It’s Us! The BBM Phishing Scam

Pitch:
An email from BBB with the subject line “Compliment Against Your Business”

Target:
Small business owners mostly but many others have gotten

Result:
Clicking on the link or attachment downloads malware that finds your bank info and transfers money