Crime & Fraud

Telemarketing and robocall lawsuits can be filed against companies that make regular, unwanted calls to consumers. These lawsuits allege consumers are being harassed by telemarketing companies who make repeated telephone calls, text messages or faxes. A recent US Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for more litigation against companies that make relentless nuisance telephone… Read More »

The Federal Trade Commission recently started a claim process for people who want to be reimbursed for their losses, time and out of pocket costs related to the Equifax security breach in 2017. This exposed the personal data of at least 145 million US consumers. As part of the $700 million settlement with the FTC,… Read More »

Before they’re even in middle school, the average American child has a smartphone and at least one social media account. More than any other generation before them, today’s young people are digital natives, using the internet, online gaming and joining social networks on a regular basis from a very early age. That’s why it’s crucial… Read More »

The Internet can be a wealth of information to help you with your homework, and it can be an enjoyable place to connect with friends and family. As convenient and entertaining as the Internet is, there are some dangerous aspects about it, too. The World Wide Web is a vast arena, and you can’t always… Read More »

Crime is a threat to the peace and health of everyone who lives in the U.S. While the risk of becoming a victim may be higher in some areas than others, the potential is always present. These crimes may consist of anything from burglary to assault. To protect oneself from becoming a victim, it is… Read More »

Predatory lending and mortgage fraud are frighteningly common and must be stopped. A lending practice is considered to be abusive if it places homeowners in financial hardship or if it strips away their properties’ equity. In many cases, predatory brokers will lie on mortgage documents, including application forms. This is classed as fraud against the… Read More »

Unfortunately, the elderly are prime targets for scams, so much so that scams that are focused on them are known as ‘the crime of the 21st century’. The reason behind this is mainly because fraudsters believe seniors have lots of money. Additionally, it is a known fact that many scams are unreported and that they… Read More »

The elderly are at particular risk of fraud. This is why numerous pieces of documentation and help are available to make sure senior citizens are protected from this. Aside from the common fraud schemes listed by the FBI, there are many other types of fraud of which seniors are particularly vulnerable. Let’s take a look.… Read More »

There are many forms of financial fraud that you should keep a look out for. Common financial fraud involves writing phony checks. And other forms involve complex types of financial fraudulent activities. And still others feature investment fraud. Whichever type of fraud hits you, it can turn your finances upside down. But with enough foresight… Read More »

If you fear that your identity has been stolen, or if you fear there is a chance that it may have been stolen, it is vital that you know what to do. You may, for instance, have accidentally shared personal information online or lost your wallet, or maybe your home has been burglarized. The following… Read More »

Millions of people in this country and in other countries around the world find themselves defrauded by scam artists each year. Fraudsters use any means at their disposal to scam people, including the telephone, postal mail, email and the internet. Scammers attempt to trick their victims into divulging their personal information, or into sending them… Read More »

Insurance fraud is often seen as a victimless crime, but it’s not. When an insurance company is defrauded, people who honestly pay their premiums are the ones who suffer, as their insurance costs go up. In 2009, insurance companies lost an estimated $30 billion per year, which all had to be recuperated from honest consumers.… Read More »

Telephone and telemarketing fraud is a type of fraud whereby a con artist speaks to a potential victim by using the telephone. Telemarketing, however, is also a legitimate way to conduct business. Because of this, it is all too easy for a criminal to pose as a trusted business and obtain information about someone’s identity… Read More »

Consumer fraud comes in many different shapes and forms. However, the official definition describes it as “deceptive practices that result in financial or other losses for consumers in the course of seemingly legitimate business transactions.” Basically, this means that goods or services are sold using some form of deception. The goal is to make consumers… Read More »

The Better Business Bureau receives thousands of messages from consumers each month complaining about a scam they have fallen victim to or that they have spotted. Some of the scams only involve a few dollars, others have cost people their life’s savings. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the number of complaints continues to rise… Read More »

It is very important that you file a fraud complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you feel you have been victimized. Even if it may not help resolve your immediate situation, it will help law enforcement agencies and the FTC to stop con artists from continuing with their practices and even bring them… Read More »

It is estimated that 30 million people in the United States every year are victims of fraud. However, only a fraction of them are ever aware of it and alert the authorities. The types of fraud they fall prey to is almost endless. As soon as one common type of fraud is identified and people… Read More »