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Scam Artists Love Your Social Media Addiction Scam Artists Love Your Social Media Addiction

Scam Artists Love Your Social Media Addiction

The brain of someone addicted to social media looks very much like the brain of someone addicted to heroin.

Addiction of any kind – whether it be gambling, drugs, social media or something else – unquestionably leads to devastating effects. When it comes to social media addiction, a major effect we see is falling prey to online scams.

While no one factor can predict if someone will develop an addiction to social media, we do know that an unhealthy reliance on social media can cause isolation, which causes vulnerability, which can make you prey. Here’s how:

Robocalls Driving You Insane? You’re Not Alone… Robocalls Driving You Insane? You’re Not Alone…

Robocalls Driving You Insane? You’re Not Alone…

Here’s something important to know about answering your phone: If you hear a prerecorded voice instead of a live person, it’s a robocall. And you may be hearing them more often than ever right now.

Robocalls aren’t just annoying. Get caught in a robocall scam and your life could be turned upside-down for the worst.

There are laws guarding against these types of calls, but that doesn’t stop criminal intent. It’s up to you to know what you’re up against. In this post, we’ll explain why robocalls are increasing, plus the different types of these awful, annoying and potentially dangerous calls.
Avoid These Common Home Improvement Scams Avoid These Common Home Improvement Scams

Avoid These Common Home Improvement Scams

The contractor drove off with a truckload of concrete and a pocket full of cash and you were left with a shoddy driveway.

This is a typical scenario of a home improvement scam.

Without knowing what to look for, a conning contractor can take advantage of your home improvement aspirations.

Here are four giveaways that a home contractor might be scamming you and how to protect yourself:

Scam 1: “I have extra materials”

A contractor knocks on your door and claims to have extra materials from a job he just completed down the street. Not wanting to take a loss on the supplies, he offers to pave your driveway or patch your roof for a smoking-good deal.
Delete This Text Message Scam Delete This Text Message Scam

Delete This Text Message Scam

Con artists are using your phone number and a deceptive text message to steal your information, money and identity.

It’s called SMS phishing, or smishing. This text message scam usually looks like it came from your bank and asks you to update your information or provide personal details. It prompts you to click on a link.

Innocently clicking on this malicious link or responding with your information are the worst things you can do.
Signs Your Charity Donation is Going to a Scammer Signs Your Charity Donation is Going to a Scammer

Signs Your Charity Donation is Going to a Scammer

The holidays aren’t just a time to exchange gifts with friends and family. You might be thinking about giving to your favorite charity too.

Before donating, be aware that scammers set up fake charities to collect donations for themselves from compassionate people like you.

This fake charity raised millions

Cancer Fund of America (second on a list of the worst charities by the Center for Investigative Reporting) operated a network of charities that scammed donors into believing their contributions were going toward care packages for cancer patients. The Cancer Fund kept millions to themselves, while giving “less than 2 cents of every dollar raised” to patients or families.

Online Deception: What to Watch For Online Deception: What to Watch For

Online Deception: What to Watch For

Last week we discussed how to identify verbal and nonverbal cues to tell if someone is lying, but what if the person you are interacting with is online? How do you know if that person really is who he or she says they are or if you are dealing with some form of online deception?

The truth is that it is very difficult to tell if someone is lying to you online. It is important to be vigilant and refrain from sharing too much personal information, too soon, in order to limit the chance of being deceived.

Students: Don't Pay This Scam "Tax" Students: Don't Pay This Scam "Tax"

Students: Don't Pay This Scam "Tax"

Think phone scammers just target the elderly? Think again. Students are the newest target of this kind of scheme.

It’s called the “Federal Student Tax.” Students and parents, watch out because this tax is phony bologna. It’s a non-existent tax scam by IRS impersonators. The real IRS recently issued a warning to taxpayers about these scam artist impersonators. They convince students to wire money directly to them, and if they don’t, they threaten to report them to the police.
ID Theft: 3 Ways to Avoid The Worst ID Theft: 3 Ways to Avoid The Worst

ID Theft: 3 Ways to Avoid The Worst

The FTC recently reported that out of all consumer complaints, identity theft once again topped the list of biggest aggravations in 2014.

ID theft can take many forms and has many causes, from the increasingly large and well-publicized data breach events at government agencies, major retailers and hospitals to more mundane but just as damaging scams such as phishing emails from so-called Nigerian “princes."

While an increasingly sophisticated software and services industry has emerged to help consumers defend their identities, it may be useful to review these three common sense steps first, to cover your bases.

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Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.