No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here’s how to spot and avoid gift card scams.

The Florida Department of Health is sending out notices to people whose personal information was stolen and released by hackers in June.

Women and girls are increasingly becoming the target of online harassment. Some examples are cyberstalking, revenge porn, name-calling, threats, or other forms of exploitation. Research shows about 9 out of 10 Americans say being harassed or bullied online is a problem.

Anyone who tells you to buy gold, or withdraw cash, and give it to someone is a scammer, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

IRS impersonation scams have become a rampant threat, targeting more than 2.4 million individuals in the US and resulting in losses exceeding $72.8 million.

The Glynn County Police Department is warning the public of a phone scam that involves someone impersonating a police officer.

Hundreds of thousands of deliveries will be made this week and next following Amazon Prime Day, which means porch pirates will be on the prowl trying to pilfer your packages.

Two Jacksonville small businesses were the victim of a scam that left them locked out of their social media accounts, meaning they lost a vital part of their marketing.

The FBI has released its latest statistics on elder fraud. In 2022, the total losses reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 84% from 2021.

Nearly 700 marketing companies are on the chopping block after the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning saying they will not hesitate to use their authority to target companies whose products don't match their claims.

The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker has received reports from people -- and small businesses -- about notices claiming to be from Best Buy's Geek Squad or PayPal.

The website veterinarians.org said it’s tracking hundreds of online puppy scams in 15 states, including Florida, and some are cheating buyers out of thousands of dollars.

The website veterinarians.org said it’s tracking hundreds of online puppy scams in 15 states, including Florida, and some are cheating buyers out of thousands of dollars.

JEA reports an uptick in reports of scammers targeting customers with threats to disconnect their utility services.

This year, the FTC has gotten thousands of reports — including many from older adults — about scammers pretending to be an internet or cable provider to try to trick people out of their money or personal information.

Here’s what to know right now to steer clear of scammers

Two specific pop-up scams are targeting local shoppers and bank customers right now.

Your personal health information should be kept private for several reasons. If the wrong person gets it, they could access your financial information or steal your “medical identity.”

Scam artists are targeting Northeast Florida cell phone users with text messages designed to steal your money.

Nassau County Sheriff's Office announced they arrested Benjamin Lyons for fraud.

If someone calls you and says they are with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, and then asks for money -- hang up right away, JSO warns. It's a scam!

Protect yourself by “simply not participating in the scam,” said officials.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning about a scam involving people pretending to be agents to get your money.

Some people are cleaning up Monday in Rivertown after an intense hail storm swept through that St. Johns County neighborhood on Sunday.

A local woman called News4jax this week asking about a call she received from someone who appeared to be contacting her from our news station.

Knowing the ins and outs of payment types is one of the best ways to spot a scam.

There’s a scam alert warning from the News4JAX I-TEAM.

An Orlando man who said he and his wife were recently targeted by phone scammers reached out to News4JAX sister site Click Orlando to inform others and help them avoid being swindled.

The St. Johns County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office is warning residents about fraudulent phone calls from scammers claiming to be representatives of the Clerk’s office or law enforcement.

Many people have gotten their advance Child Tax Credit payments this year, but scammers are taking advantage of this new program to try to trick you out of money or information.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. Were all used to hearing of scammers calling our personal cell phones. It happened Sunday afternoon at a Starbucks location on Palencia Village Drive in St. Augustine, according to a St. Johns County Sheriffs Office incident report. The scammers told a Starbucks employee to count the money the store had on hand and then sent her to load up Green Dot prepaid cards with that cash, according to the report. The employee filled three cards with $1,500 before a CVS employee told her she had reached her daily limit for the prepaid cards. To report any type of scam, you can contact the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

A 27-year-old man from Jamaica who took part in a sweepstakes fraud targeting elderly Floridians was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison. Forbes and his co-conspirators often targeted victims who were elderly and more susceptible to fraud, prosecutors said. After they got them send money, they would often call again and try to get them to send more money by telling them more lies. The conspirators would often tell the victims that they had to send additional fees and taxes to ensure the safe delivery of the prize, prosecutors said. Forbes and his co-conspirators kept all of the funds for their own personal benefit, prosecutors said.

Don’t fall prey: Scammers creating fake customer service info onlinePublished: August 6, 2020, 11:32 pmIf you spotted fake customer “service,” report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

DEA warning about scammers impersonating agentsPublished: July 29, 2020, 11:19 pmJacksonville agent says he was targeted by scammer who called his cellphone.

According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans age 60 and up will experience some form of fraud this year. So what are romance scammers and how are they taking seniors hard-earned money? Watch out for internet friends who try to become close, but frequently cancel plans and refuse to give a picture. While it’s common to be untrusting of strangers, limited time spent on the internet makes seniors less able to identify abnormal behavior. If you wouldn’t trust them coming up to you on the street, don’t trust them sliding into your messages either.

While the scam is not new, its causing some serious concern as JEA plans to re-start disconnections on delinquent bills, beginning next week. Sheila Pressley from JEA said if you receive a call with this message, hang up because it is 100% a scam. 1, we will never call you and tell you were going to disconnect you in 30 minutes, Pressley said. Call JEA and we will confirm if you are disconnection eligible.If you are threatened with immediate disconnection, customers should hang up the phone, delete the email, and/or shut the door right away. JEA customers who suspect someone is trying to scam them should call 904-665-6000 to report it.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. JEA is warning about scammers looking to take advantage of the coronavirus by threatening to turn off your service if you dont pay up. The city-owned utility said City Councilman Danny Becton recently received a scam call that he immediately reported it to JEA. The call included this message:You will be experiencing a disconnection of service today, within 30 minutes. Also, be on the lookout for threats that your connection will be immediately shut off. JEA customers who suspect someone is trying to scam them should call 904-665-6000 to report it.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA officials warned Monday that they have received reports of scam activity against their customers. As part of the scam, customers are told to pay their utility bill with the Cash App to avoid their utilities being cut off. Not only does JEA NOT accept payments through Cash App, but the city-owned utility has also suspended disconnections of power and water services because of the COVID-19 crisis. JEA said will never require a customer to buy a prepaid debit card or call to ask for bank, credit card or other financial information over the phone. Any customer needing assistance with payment plans or general questions regarding their account should contact JEA at 904-665-5000.

ATLANTA, Ga – With a recent increase in reports regarding scams and fraud by criminals posing as Georgia Power employees, the company is reminding customers to be aware and follow simple tips to avoid being a target. Georgia Power urges customers to be cautious when contacted by an unverified person claiming to be a Georgia Power representative. Georgia Power also provides the following guidance to customers:If an account becomes past due, Georgia Power will contact the customer via a pre-recorded message to the primary account telephone number or by letter requesting that the customer call Georgia Power to discuss the account. If a customer receives a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from Georgia Power and demanding payment to avoid disconnection, the customer should contact the company’s customer service line at 888-660-5890. Georgia Power continues to work with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to identify and prosecute criminals who pose as Georgia Power employees in order to defraud customers.

PALATKA, Fla. – The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating complaints from people who said they received a phone call from a man claiming to be a deputy, asking people to pay hundreds of dollars to avoid arrest. Investigators told News4Jax the calls are part of a scam that was designed to prey on unsuspecting people who thought they were in trouble with the law for failing to show up in court. Investigators said that when the scammer called, he used a different name and title. Charlie Green of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators are reminding people that no law enforcement agency will ever call to set up payment arrangement to get out of a warrant.

Just a heads up: The U.S. Army is not sending out text messages to tell people they’ve been chosen for a military draft, officials from Recruiting Command said Wednesday. Even if there were a draft, it’s not a decision made by U.S. Army Recruiting Command. The Selective Service System, a separate agency outside of the Department of Defense, is the organization that manages registration for the Selective Service, officials said. The Selective Service System is conducting business as usual. Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist you into the military.

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Law enforcement is warning parents about a potential scam that could be used to steal the identity of children. Here’s how it works: The scammers contact the parent offering “child safety kits” saying that they are the best way law enforcement can quickly locate a child in an emergency. “It said that you ordered a child safety kit from us,” the man said. “You’ve just got to be extremely careful because there are people that will kidnap, but the main reason with the child safety kits is that they’re trying to steal your children’s identities. The Better Business Bureau says scammers know that people rarely, if ever, check their child’s credit report, which means they can get away with using a child’s information for years before being found out.

Officials warn to be on the look-out for potential vacation scam postingsPublished: December 4, 2019, 6:27 pmNot only could you be scammed of your money, you could no longer have a place a stay.

Now, scammers are luring people into paying them with Bitcoin -- a type of digital money or cryptocurrency. Read on to learn how to spot and avoid some of the top ways scammers are trying to get you to pay with Bitcoin. This scammer might use threats, intimidation, and high-pressure tactics to get you to pay right away. This type of scam works like a chain letter: someone promises that you’ll make money if you pay into the scheme. Spot a cryptocurrency scam?