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Scammers putting COVID-19 twist on imposter scheme, state leader warns
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Scammers targeting parents and grandparents with phony calls about family member arrests are using COVID-19 concerns to strike more fear, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said. Moody warned in a Consumer Alert issued Tuesday that scammers are putting a new twist on the common scam. For years, she said, scammers have targeted parents and grandparents with phony calls claiming a family member is under arrest. Imposter phone calls are effective because spoofing technology allows scammers to change the information displayed on caller IDs to give the appearance that their calls are coming from a government entity. To avoid falling victim to an imposter scam:Do not automatically trust the number listed on the caller ID, especially with respect to unsolicited calls.
Florida college students warned of work-from-home job scams
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. College students looking for chances to work from home during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic should be warned that scammers are looking to take advantage. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued a Consumer Alert to students at Florida colleges and universities about scammers targeting students in work-from-home job scams. Moody said the scammers send emails that appear to be from a college or university, advertising fake work-from-home jobs. The scammers use the false recruiting emails to steal the students personal information and even convince students to cash counterfeit checks and send them the money. Students who fall victim to this scam could face serious repercussions to their financial stability and credit record.
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FTC warns of COVID-19 scams targeting college students
Hey college students: Even though you’re likely far from campus, scammers are still trying to find you, the Federal Trade Commission warns. Maybe you or your friends have gotten an email claiming to be from the “Financial Department” of your university. Don’t click on a link. Don’t click on a link. While some phishing emails look completely legit, bad grammar and spelling can be a tip-off to phishing.
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Easy ways to avoid falling prey to gift card resale scams
Moody’s office issued a Consumer Alert on Thursday to warn shoppers about common gift card scams that increase after the holidays. "Shoppers should be wary and take steps to avoid falling victim to gift card scams this holiday season.”A common gift card scam occurs when shoppers try to sell or exchange a gift card online. Simpler scams involve fake gift card exchange websites. These sites prompt users to enter gift card information in order to confirm the balance. These are just a few tips to help better protect shoppers from common gift card scams.