Be Aware of Concert Ticket Scams using P2P Payment

As the summer concert season heats up, so do concert ticket scams. Scammers are taking advantage of eager fans by selling fake or non-existent tickets, often through peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.

Here are some red flags to watch out for when buying concert tickets online:

• The tickets are significantly cheaper than the face value.
• The seller is unwilling to meet in person to exchange tickets.
• The seller only accepts payment through a P2P app.
• The seller has a suspicious-looking website or social media profile.
• The seller asks for personal information, such as your credit card number or Social Security number.

If you see any of these red flags, it’s best to avoid the seller and look for tickets elsewhere. Here are some tips for buying concert tickets safely online:

• Only buy tickets from authorized sellers, such as the venue box office, Ticketmaster, or StubHub.
• Do your research on the seller before you buy tickets. Read reviews and look for social media profiles.
• Be sure to meet the seller in person to exchange tickets. This will give you a chance to inspect the tickets and make sure they’re real.
• Only pay for tickets with a credit card. This will give you more protection if you’re scammed.

If you do end up getting scammed, report it to the authorities and to the P2P payment app that you used. You may also be able to get a refund from your credit card company.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

New Hire Receives Payment Advance Check Scam - Payment back using P2P

A new hire at a company recently fell victim to a payment advance check scam. The scammer contacted the victim, claiming to be the company’s CEO, and said that they needed to send the victim a check for travel expenses. The check arrived a few days later, and it was for more money than the victim was expecting. The scammer then asked the victim to deposit the check and send back the excess money using a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app.

The victim deposited the check and sent the excess money back to the scammer. However, a few days later, the bank notified the victim that the check was fake. The victim was now out the money they had sent to the scammer.

This is a common scam that targets new hires. Scammers often pose as the CEO or another high-ranking employee of a company in order to gain the victim’s trust. They then send the victim a fake check and ask for the excess money to be sent back using a P2P payment app.  They may ask for payment using Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.

There are a few things that people can do to protect themselves from this scam:

• Never deposit a check from someone you don’t know.
• If you do deposit a check, wait a few days to make sure it clears before sending any money back.
• Never send money to someone using a P2P payment app unless you are sure they are legitimate.
• If you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately.
• If you do receive a check from someone you don’t know, contact the company or organization that the check is supposedly from to verify its authenticity.

In this case, the victim should contact their bank and the P2P payment app to report the scam. They should also contact the police. The victim may be able to get their money back, but it is important to act quickly.

Here are some additional tips to help you avoid payment advance check scams:

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

Looking for a Puppy to Replace Loved Pet Scam

If you’ve recently lost a beloved pet, you may be looking for a new puppy to fill the void. Unfortunately, scammers are aware of this and often target people who are grieving the loss of their pet.

How the Scam Works

The scammer will typically post an ad online for a puppy of the same breed as your deceased pet. The ad will be very convincing, and the scammer may even use photos of real puppies to make it look more legitimate. They will often claim that the puppy is from a reputable breeder, but this is usually not the case.

Once you express interest in the puppy, the scammer will ask you to pay for it upfront. They may ask for payment using Zelle, Venmo, Cash App or one of the P2P payment systems. They may also ask you to pay for shipping or other fees. Once you have paid, the scammer will disappear and you will never receive the puppy.

How to Avoid the Scam

There are a few things you can do to avoid falling victim to this scam:

• Do your research. Before you pay for any puppy, do some research on the breeder or seller. Check their website or social media pages for reviews from other customers. You can also search for the breeder’s name or contact information online to see if they have been reported for scamming people.
• Be wary of any seller who asks you to pay for the puppy upfront. Legitimate breeders will usually require you to meet the puppy in person before you make a purchase. They may also ask you to pay a deposit, but they will not ask you to pay the full amount upfront.
• Don’t send money through wire transfer, P2P or gift cards. These payment methods are very difficult to track, so if you send money to a scammer this way, you will likely never get it back.
• Ask for references from the breeder. This will give you a chance to talk to other people who have bought puppies from the breeder.
• Get everything in writing. This includes the terms of the sale, the health guarantee, and the breeder’s contact information.

If you’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve been scammed, there are a few things you can do:

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC can help you track down the scammer and get your money back.
• Contact your local police department. The police may be able to investigate the scam and bring the scammer to justice.
• Share your story with others. By sharing your story, you can help others avoid falling victim to the same scam.

Losing a pet is a very difficult experience, and it’s understandable that you would want to find a new puppy to help you heal. However, it’s important to be careful and to avoid falling victim to a scam. By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your money.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

Beware of Crooks Using Cash App for Fraud

Cash App is a popular peer-to-peer payment app that allows users to send and receive money quickly and easily. However, this convenience has also made Cash App a target for fraudsters.

There are a number of different Cash App scams that fraudsters use to steal money from unsuspecting users. Some of the most common scams include:

• Fake Cash App support: Fraudsters will pose as Cash App customer service representatives and contact users via email or text message. They will then try to trick the users into providing their personal information or sending them money.
• Fake payments: Fraudsters will send users a fake payment notification, even though no money has actually been sent. They will then ask the users to send them money back, claiming that the original payment was a mistake.
• Phishing attacks: Fraudsters will send users emails or text messages that appear to be from Cash App. These emails or text messages will often contain links that, when clicked, will take users to a fake Cash App website. Once the users enter their personal information on the fake website, the fraudsters can steal it.

If you are using Cash App, it is important to be aware of these scams and take steps to protect yourself. Here are some tips:

• Never give out your personal information to anyone who contacts you claiming to be from Cash App.
• Beware of any payments that you did not authorize.
• Do not click on links in emails or text messages that you are not sure about.
• Keep your Cash App app up to date.
• Use a strong password for your Cash App account.

If you think that you have been scammed on Cash App, you should report it to Cash App immediately. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

Beware of Crooks Using Venmo for Fraud

Venmo is a popular mobile payment app that allows users to send and receive money quickly and easily. However, this convenience has also made Venmo a target for fraudsters.

There are a number of ways that crooks can use Venmo to commit fraud. One common scam is to create a fake Venmo account and then send requests for money to unsuspecting users. The requests may appear to be from someone the victim knows, such as a friend or family member. Once the victim sends the money, the scammer disappears with the funds.

Another scam involves using Venmo to buy items that don’t exist. The scammer will create a listing for an item that is in high demand, such as a rare collectible or a concert ticket. Once the victim pays for the item, the scammer will either block the victim or simply disappear.

In some cases, crooks may even use Venmo to steal personal information from victims. This information can then be used to commit identity theft or other crimes.

To protect yourself from Venmo fraud, there are a few things you can do:

• Only send money to people you know and trust.
• Be wary of any Venmo requests that seem suspicious.
• Never send money to someone who you haven’t met in person.
• Check the Venmo profile of anyone you’re considering sending money to.
• Only use Venmo for legitimate transactions.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

Beware of Crooks Using Zelle for Fraud

Zelle is a popular peer-to-peer payment app that allows users to send and receive money quickly and easily. However, Zelle has also become a target for fraudsters.

In recent months, there have been reports of crooks using Zelle to scam people out of their money. One common scam involves sending a text message or email that appears to be from a legitimate Zelle user. The message will ask the recipient to verify their Zelle account by clicking on a link. Once the recipient clicks on the link, they are taken to a fake Zelle website that looks like the real thing. The website will then ask for the recipient’s login information and other personal details.

Once the crooks have this information, they can log into the recipient’s Zelle account and steal their money.

Another common Zelle scam involves posing as a customer service representative from a legitimate company. The scammer will call the victim and claim that there is a problem with their Zelle account. The scammer will then ask the victim to provide their login information so that they can “fix” the problem.

Once the scammer has this information, they can log into the victim’s Zelle account and steal their money.

To protect yourself from Zelle fraud, there are a few things you can do:

• Never click on links in text messages or emails that you are not expecting.
• Be wary of anyone who asks you to provide your Zelle login information.
• Only use Zelle to send money to people you know and trust.
• If you think you have been scammed, contact Zelle customer service immediately.

Zelle is a convenient way to send money, but it is important to be aware of the risks of fraud. By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

What is a Bank Impersonator Scam Around Two Factor Authentication?

A bank impersonator scam around two factor authentication (2FA) is a type of phishing attack that targets people who have enabled 2FA on their bank accounts. In this scam, the attacker will first try to obtain your username and password for your bank account. Once they have this information, they will then send you a text message or email that appears to be from your bank. The message will say that there has been suspicious activity on your account and that you need to verify your identity by entering a code that has been sent to your phone.

The code that the attacker sends you is actually a 2FA code that they have generated. If you enter this code into the fake website, the attacker will be able to bypass your 2FA security and gain access to your bank account.

How to Protect Yourself

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from this type of scam:

• Never enter your 2FA code into a website that you do not trust. If you receive a text message or email from your bank that asks you to enter your 2FA code, make sure that you navigate to the bank’s website yourself and enter the code there. Do not click on any links in the message.
• Be suspicious of any emails or text messages that ask you to verify your identity. If you receive a message like this, it is always best to contact your bank directly to verify that it is legitimate.
• Keep your software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect you from these types of scams.

What to Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed

If you think you have been scammed, there are a few things you should do:

• Contact your bank immediately. Let them know that you have been scammed and that they need to disable your 2FA and change your password.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this online at ftc.gov/complaint.
• Be vigilant about your financial accounts. Monitor your accounts closely for any unauthorized activity.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from bank impersonator scams around two factor authentication.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

What is a LinkedIn Relationship Fake

A LinkedIn relationship fake is a fake profile that is created to impersonate a real person or organization. These profiles are often used for malicious purposes, such as phishing, spam, or identity theft.

There are a number of ways to spot a LinkedIn relationship fake. Some common signs include:

• A profile with a generic name or photo.
• A profile with no or very little work experience.
• A profile with a high number of connections, but few or no endorsements or recommendations.
• A profile that is not active, with no recent updates or activity.
• A profile that is asking for personal information, such as your credit card number or Social Security number.

If you are unsure whether a LinkedIn profile is real, you can do a few things to check. First, you can try to search for the person or organization on other social media platforms or websites. If you can’t find any other information about them, it’s a good sign that the profile is fake.

You can also try to contact the person or organization directly to verify their identity. If they don’t respond, or if they give you a suspicious reason for not being able to verify their identity, it’s best to avoid interacting with them.

If you think you have encountered a LinkedIn relationship fake, you can report it to LinkedIn. To do this, go to the profile and click on the “More” button. Then, select “Report/Block” and choose the option “This profile does not represent a real individual.”

LinkedIn will review your report and take appropriate action.

Here are some tips to help you avoid LinkedIn relationship fakes:

• Be cautious about accepting connection requests from people you don’t know.
• Do your research before connecting with someone on LinkedIn.
• Be wary of profiles that ask for personal information.
• Report any suspicious profiles to LinkedIn.
• If you receive a connection request from someone who is using a stock photo as their profile picture, it’s a good sign that the profile is fake.
• If you receive a connection request from someone who is located in a different country than you are, be careful. There have been cases of scammers using fake profiles to target people in other countries.
• If you receive a connection request from someone who is asking for money, it’s a scam. Don’t send them any money.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.

What is a Fake High School Sports Streaming Site Scam

A fake high school sports streaming site scam is a type of online scam that tricks people into paying for a live stream of a high school sporting event that does not exist. The scammers often use social media to promote their fake streams, making it appear as though they are legitimate.

How does it work?

The scammers will create a fake website that looks like it is affiliated with a high school or athletic organization. They will then post links to the fake website on social media, often tagging the school or organization in the posts. When people click on the links, they are taken to the fake website, which will ask them to pay a fee to watch the live stream.

What are the risks?

There are two main risks associated with falling victim to a fake high school sports streaming site scam. First, you will lose the money you paid to watch the live stream. Second, you may also expose your personal information to the scammers, which could be used for identity theft or other malicious purposes.

How to protect yourself

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to a fake high school sports streaming site scam:

• Only watch live streams from legitimate sources. The best way to do this is to check the school’s or athletic organization’s website or social media pages to see if they are offering live streams.
• Be suspicious of any links that you see on social media. If you see a link to a live stream that you are not familiar with, do not click on it.
• Be careful about providing your personal information online. Only give out your personal information if you are sure that the website is legitimate.

What to do if you think you have been scammed

If you think you have been scammed, you should contact your credit card company immediately to dispute the charge. You should also report the scam to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission.

See Scam and Fraud Protection for 2023 for more information and make sure to Sign Up for our Scam Prevention Newsletter.