Dear Citizen — unless you’ve been living off the grid, you’ve heard this phrase. The people behind it want you to believe they can cut off your social security benefits…or send you to jail…or some equally preposterous claim. The problem is, this scam is a big deal in 2019 and people are falling for it. Tip 1: Save your sanity—press End Call, not 1 The sad truth is robocall … [Read more...] about 3 tips to survive the latest Social Security scam
scams
Broken password syndrome – did someone steal my password?
Why am I being forced to reset my password? It’s a question I asked just this week when I tried to log into Canva and was told I needed to reset my password. I hadn’t used my Canva account in months and hadn’t received an email notification about a data breach, so I went in search of answers. Option 1 - Canva data breach Surprise! Not really. Canva suffered a data breach on May … [Read more...] about Broken password syndrome – did someone steal my password?
3 tips to avoid fake Facebook friend requests
A new friend request…what a great feeling, right? Don’t clap your hands in glee and merrily hit the Accept button, though. Otherwise you could set yourself up for trouble. In the age of social media, Facebook friend requests—and the scams they spawn—are an integral part of our online lives. From recognizing the fraud to knowing how to deal with it, here are 3 tips to avoid fake … [Read more...] about 3 tips to avoid fake Facebook friend requests
Why does Amazon condone scam emails?
Why does Amazon condone phishing emails? You could substitute any big business name such as Apple, Starbucks, or Walmart, and ask the same question. Over the years, I’ve written about all of these companies and many more. From big banks to the Social Security Administration itself, they’ve all been the lure used by scammers. They, just like those who were taken in by the scams, … [Read more...] about Why does Amazon condone scam emails?
Scam Talk – Publishers Clearing House and the PCH scam
Ed McMahon might have passed on, but Publishers Clearing House (PCH) is still hitting the streets and giving away money. That’s right, a new version of the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes is alive and well…and it’s not a scam. Unless, of course, it is. The catch I still recall seeing Ed McMahon on TV going to a house with a camera crew and ‘surprising’ the resident with a … [Read more...] about Scam Talk – Publishers Clearing House and the PCH scam