Financial Fraud Prevention

Fraudsters are posing as nationally known antivirus software company representatives to scam their victims. In this SHAZAM Watch update, new scam tactics are outlined.

The U.S. Department of Education recently announced another extension of the student loan payment pause. This time the pause runs through August 31, 2022. That news puts student loans back in the headlines, along with discussion of some possible, eventual loan forgiveness for all. 

Threats from hurricanes don’t come just from wind and rain, storm surges, flooding and rip currents, or tornadoes and landslides. Hurricane-related threats also come in the form of scammers who use those weather emergencies to cheat people. 

It’s now easier than ever to connect with others through a simple click or call. Nobody knows that better than scammers who'll use fictitious virus or malware to lure you in. If someone unexpectedly calls or messages you, claiming your computer’s security is at risk, it’s most likely a scam.

Online and mobile payment apps let users quickly send and receive money. It's critical you know who you're sending money to because once it's sent, it's nearly impossible to get it back.

For so many of us, cell phones and computers are embedded in our personal and professional lives. Our devices store a lot of personal information, so it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to make sure your computer, phone, and other connected devices are protected.

In 2021, more than 95,000 people reported about $770 million in losses to fraud initiated on social media platforms.

With this new payment scam, fraudsters ask people to pay with cryptocurrency. It involves an impersonator, a QR code and a trip to a cryptocurrency ATM.

The holidays are a time for scam artists to take increased advantage of others. In this article, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shares their list of the biggest online scams and how to protect yourself.