Social media advertising has become a convenient way for businesses to reach customers. Unfortunately, scammers also use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote fraudulent products, fake online stores, investment opportunities, giveaways, and other deceptive offers. A social media advertisement can look professional and still lead to an unreliable website. The Federal Trade Commission…
Have you received a package at your home that you never ordered? An unexpected delivery may be a simple shipping mistake, a gift from someone you know, or something more concerning. In some cases, unsolicited packages are associated with a scam known as a brushing scam. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that scammers may…
Searching Google for a company’s bill-payment page may seem like a quick and convenient way to pay a utility, insurance, medical, phone, internet, or other bill. However, consumers should be careful when clicking search advertisements. Fraudsters and deceptive operators can use online advertising and misleading website designs to make a payment service appear connected to…
Artificial intelligence is making online communication more sophisticated, and scammers can use AI-assisted tools to create convincing travel-related messages, websites, and customer-service interactions. Travelers may receive fake airline emails, hotel messages, booking confirmations, refund notices, or customer-service messages that appear legitimate. The goal may be to persuade the recipient to click a link, provide personal…
Buying a vehicle online can save time and make it easier to compare prices, models, and dealerships. However, consumers should also be aware of fake car dealership websites designed to look like legitimate businesses. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently warned about scammers impersonating real car dealerships online. According to the FTC, criminals may clone…
QR codes have made parking payments faster and more convenient. Instead of entering a long website address, drivers can simply scan a code with their smartphones and proceed to a payment page. However, scammers can take advantage of this convenience. A QR code parking scam occurs when criminals place a fraudulent QR code over or…
Have you received an unexpected email claiming that another company is trying to register your business name as a .CN, .COM.CN, or other Chinese domain? Be careful. The Chinaregistry domain scam is a known type of deceptive domain-registration solicitation. The message may look like an important business or trademark notification, but its purpose is often…
Receiving an unexpected email claiming that you have been selected for a grant can sound like good news. However, unsolicited grant messages can also be used in phishing and impersonation scams designed to obtain personal information or money. The NoVo Foundation is a legitimate philanthropic organization, but scammers can misuse the names and branding of…
A viral online advertisement has been circulating with claims about Dr. William Li, an Asian honey drink, and diabetes. The promotion may suggest that a simple honey-based recipe can dramatically improve blood sugar or even reverse diabetes. These kinds of advertisements can be convincing, especially when they appear to feature a well-known medical professional. However,…
