Citizens Blog

Another phone call, another scam. It’s not just you, those robocalls just won’t stop! More than just an annoyance, scam calls cost 56 million Americans a financial loss in 2020. One of the most common scams over the phone is the auto warranty scam. Here’s all you need to know about it.

This year in particular, many Americans are struggling to shed the “quarantine 15." Unfortunately, scammers know this and they are out in full force, trying to scam consumers. Gyms aren’t far behind, with many of them offering misleading contracts that are impossible to get out of once they’re signed.

Scammers famously exploit high-stress times, and the pre-holidays shopping frenzy is no exception. That’s why the BBB is warning of an uptick in holiday toy scams which can be difficult to spot.

Here’s what you need to know about these scams.

With the pandemic still wreaking havoc on the economy, many people are struggling to pay their monthly bills and meet their debt payments. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the financial downturn by tricking unsuspecting victims into paying for debts that don’t actually exist, or by using abusive tactics to collect legitimate debts.

Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam. Here’s all you need to know about these scams.

Everyone loves a surprise package, and scammers are taking the excitement out of that experience by using bogus packages as a cover for a nefarious scam that tricks victims into sharing their personal information — and their money.

Election fever is now at an all-time high and so are election scams. From schemes that steal your vote to ones promising dream vacations in exchange for participation in a poll or survey, there’s no shortage of scams centering on elections.

Using cutting-edge technology, scammers create bills that look just like the real thing to the untrained eye. Unfortunately, once counterfeit bills are passed, their new owner can become liable for passing them on to someone else.

Q: I’ve heard there’s been an increase in scams through mobile payment apps, like Cash App. Can I continue using these apps safely?

Each year, the IRS publishes the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of tax scams most prevalent during that year’s tax season. This year, with COVID-19 pushing off the federal tax deadline to July 15, the IRS held off publishing the list until early July, and of course it’s loaded with COVID-19-related scams.

Back-to-school season means a flurry of shopping — and scams. As you get ready for school, look out for these scams targeting college students and parents of private school students that tend to peak before the start of the school year.