Reports of online scams are rising, with a diverse range of fraudulent activities reported to authorities and consumer protection agencies as of . These schemes range from phishing attempts and employment scams to fraudulent online purchases and deceptive financial practices, impacting individuals and businesses alike.
Rising Tide of Phishing and Impersonation
Phishing attacks continue to be a prevalent threat. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker has logged numerous reports of individuals receiving repeated calls with voicemail messages from different numbers, a common tactic used in phishing schemes. As of today, , one such report details a scammer impersonating TD Business Lending. No financial loss was reported in this specific instance, but the frequency of these calls highlights the persistence of this type of fraud.
Another reported phishing attempt involves emails falsely claiming an unclaimed life insurance policy through the Clark Michael Law Office. Scammers are attempting to locate relatives of the deceased client, a tactic designed to extract personal information or solicit funds. Again, no financial loss was reported in this case.
Employment Scams Target Job Seekers
The BBB Scam Tracker also reveals a concerning trend of employment scams. One individual reported that their husband was contacted after searching for employment opportunities, specifically mentioning Amazon. The scammer promised easy work and substantial earnings, initially requesting a small investment of $5 for a “workbench” and subsequently demanding increasing amounts of money. The victim was ultimately unable to access funds totaling $2,200, with the promise of a $7,000 payout after completing a final order. A loss of $1,500 was reported in this instance, demonstrating the financial and emotional toll these scams can take.
Online Purchase Fraud and Unresponsive Sellers
Fraudulent online purchases remain a significant problem. A consumer reported placing an order over a month ago for a “DIY Barista” product, receiving a tracking number that never activated. Attempts to contact the seller via email were ignored, and the consumer was eventually blocked after reaching out on social media. A loss of $127.80 was incurred. This case exemplifies the risks associated with purchasing from unfamiliar online retailers and the difficulties consumers face in resolving disputes with unresponsive sellers.
Autopay and Recurring Charge Scams
Concerns are also emerging regarding unauthorized autopay charges. One report details a company, Emora Health, allegedly using customer autopay information to make charges without providing adequate notice. The incident occurred on , at 2:01 a.m., suggesting a systematic approach to exploiting customer payment information.
Website Reputation and Scam Detection Services
Several online services are available to help consumers assess the legitimacy of websites. Scamvoid.net allows users to check a website’s reputation, identify potential scams, and share experiences with other users. The service utilizes a Site Trustworthiness API and data from MyWOT to provide a trustworthiness value for websites. ScamAdviser.com offers a similar function, providing a risk assessment and allowing users to report scams. Scam-detector.com provides website reviews and online scam protection.
Recent reports flagged on ScamAdviser.com as of , include concerns about dnsinvestmentlimited, Shop.app (redirecting users to the fraudulent gogetcart.com), gogetcart.com itself, BetterCV.com (allegedly using misleading pricing and unauthorized recurring charges), and evceth.vip (a phishing scam involving investment promises). A fraudulent company claiming to sell postal stamps at a discount, foreverstampsplu, was also reported.
Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
The increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies has also attracted fraudulent actors. A report originating from crypto-tracing.com details a scam involving Tradeshark24.com. The report, translated from German, states there is no connection between the company and the website tradeshark24(.)com, and warns of fraudulent brokers exploiting investor ignorance and greed with unrealistic profit promises. Legal counsel, Kanzlei Wilms, specializing in crypto and online law, has issued a warning regarding this specific case.
Protecting Yourself from Online Scams
The proliferation of these scams underscores the importance of exercising caution online. Consumers are advised to be wary of unsolicited communications, verify the legitimacy of websites before making purchases or providing personal information, and carefully review all financial transactions. Utilizing website reputation checkers like Scamvoid.net, and ScamAdviser.com can provide an additional layer of protection. Reporting scams to the Better Business Bureau and other relevant authorities is crucial to help protect others and combat fraudulent activities. The data from , indicates a continued need for vigilance and awareness in the face of evolving scam tactics.
