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…
Online advertisements claiming that Maria Shriver has endorsed a rosemary-based remedy for Alzheimer’s disease have raised concerns among consumers. These promotions may use manipulated or AI-generated videos, celebrity imagery, and dramatic health claims to make an advertised supplement appear trustworthy. Consumers should be cautious because Maria Shriver has publicly warned about fraudulent advertisements using her…
If you have been searching online for information about burning feet, tingling hands, numbness, nerve pain, or neuropathy, you may have encountered advertisements promoting a so-called “sticky plaque” nerve treatment or a “10-second nerve reset ritual.” These advertisements often present an emotional story about someone supposedly discovering the hidden cause of neuropathy after conventional treatments…
A health-related online promotion claiming to be a “60 Minutes” arterial flush report has attracted attention because it presents a supplement advertisement as though it were a legitimate television investigation. The page may use familiar television-style graphics, medical terminology, dramatic testimonials, and references to well-known personalities to make the promotion appear trustworthy. However, consumers should…
