Posts Tagged ‘scam’
IN THE HEADLINES: Criminal Mastermind Runs Identity Theft Ring…from Prison
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● February 2, 2011
I guess old habits die hard. An inmate serving time at the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in Ohio just plead guilty to operating a massive identity theft scheme while still in prison. It’s not clear what he was in prison for at the time, but it is very clear that he won’t be getting [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: Who Can You Trust?
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● December 2, 2010
A few months ago I wrote about a fake credit union that added a new and sinister twist to the old scam of phishing. Fake credit union emails are nothing new, and credit unions have been used for years as lures to trick unwary users into handing over their passwords. As a sign of their [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: ‘Tis the Season for Charity Scams
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● December 1, 2010
You probably know by now that the Christmas holidays are not only the busiest time for retailers, but also for scammers and identity thieves. Every holiday season creates opportunities for scammers to hide dozens of different schemes and traps in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, in the hope that busy consumers won’t spot [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: Let’s Catch a Thief
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● November 30, 2010
Have you seen this woman? The New York District Attorney’s office and NYPD sure hope you have. She’s wanted in connection with an elaborate yet simple identity theft scam that stole millions of dollars from banks across New York. What’s even more incredible was that the gang had recruited close to a thousand “soldiers” who [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: Thieves Are Now Faking Entire Credit Unions
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● October 7, 2010
In a bold new attempt to trick victims, scammers recently set up what appeared to be a legitimate credit union offering loans and other financial products to the unsuspecting public. According to numerous reports, authorities in Michigan were recently alerted to a credit union in the state operating as Whitestone Credit union. The credit union [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: Want to Steal a House? Start with an Email Address…
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● September 28, 2010
In one of the most bizarre cases of fraud and identity theft, an Australian man got a very rude introduction to the world of identity theft when he discovered that a few email exchanges triggered the sale of his home from right under his nose. While the victim was traveling, he was surprised to receive [...]
FDIC Warns About Bogus Collection Calls and Emails
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● September 10, 2010
If you ever get a phone call from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, you shouldn’t just be surprised, you should be very suspicious too. And maybe hang up. Trust me, the FDIC won’t be the least bit offended. Most people probably haven’t heard of the FDIC, or at least don’t really know what [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: A Reminder That Not All Identity Theft Is High Tech
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● September 3, 2010
For this Friday, here’s a little reminder from the summer that not all identity theft involves online transactions and malware… A security guard in the Washington DC area was recently charged in connection with a long running and lucrative identity theft scheme that was so simple and easy, it bordered on brilliant. And it’s used [...]
IN THE HEADLINES: How to Make $1 Million (without really trying…)
Posted by: Neal OFarrell in: ● September 1, 2010
It’s got to be one of the easiest scams around. Invest a few hundred dollars in creating a slick web site offering dozens, if not hundreds of beautiful vacation villas for rent around the world. Load it with enticing images of immaculately furnished interiors and stunning views, with a supporting cast of glowing testimonials, and [...]
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