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Terry Ambrose

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Scams & Cons

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Brain training apps — to buy or not to buy?

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Brain training apps — can they really help improve memory? Problem solving? Forestall dementia? Not according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). On January 4, Lumo Labs, makers of the popular Lumosity app, agreed to modify its marketing tactics to no long make such grandiose claims. Brain training apps — the claims If you’ve ever […]

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Mailbox skimmers make the rounds

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In my post about holiday package scams two weeks ago, I warned about scammers who follow package delivery trucks and steal delivered packages from in front of homes before the package can be taken in. There’s another type of theft that is becoming more prevalent and it also has to do with deliveries. Instead of […]

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Watch out for a last minute Christmas offer scam

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With Christmas just around the corner, the “sales” and Christmas offer scam emails are in full swing. These “opportunities” range from “holiday flooring specials” to holiday gift baskets to sales at Tiffany’s to digitized memories and more. Here are just a few examples you should avoid. Christmas Tree Ornaments This email offers Custom Christmas Tree […]

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Holiday package scams to watch out for

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With the holidays approaching, the scammers are seeing green. Here are three holiday package scams showing the different ways that a package delivery can result in money for them and a ripoff for you. Three holiday package scams The “surprise” package According to WBAY TV in Green Bay, WI, this scam begins when you receive […]

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Reviewing online reviews — are they naughty or nice?

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Do you use online reviews to make a purchasing decision? Whether we’re shopping for a book, a vacation resort, or a new car, those of us who shop online go looking for reviews made by others. Those online reviews can be very helpful, but are they always reliable? In a word—no. There are really two […]

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Santa letter email scams are back for the holidays

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The first Santa letter email arrived the other day. It reminded me that parents looking for a unique gift might see the Santa letter email as an opportunity to create a memorable holiday. In a utopian world, that email signaled the beginning of a season filled with joy and giving. Sadly, it also signals the […]

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Click4Support scam shut down by FTC

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On November 13, 2015, a tech support company operating what’s being called the Click4Support scam was shut down. The shutdown was a cooperative effort between the states of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). There are plenty of other scams like this one out there. That makes the methods used in the Click4Support scam […]

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Tips to pick the best charity for giving

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The holiday season is when charities make the bulk of their money. And, just as Christmas decorations and advertising have steadily marched forward through the calendar, charities have been shifting their holiday solicitations into November and sooner. In addition to expanding the “Season of Solicitation,” they’ve also raised the stakes by sending more unsolicited and […]

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Use these tips to avoid the chip card scam

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You’ve probably already received a new credit card with an embedded microchip from your bank. These cards are intended to help cut down credit card fraud, but come with new opportunities for crooks. The embedded chip is intended to improve the card’s security by creating a unique code for each in-person transaction. For these in-person […]

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