Did someone tell you to pay a fine or bill with a gift card? Don’t do it! It’s a scam, the FTC warns
Read full article: Did someone tell you to pay a fine or bill with a gift card? Don’t do it! It’s a scam, the FTC warnsNo 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.
Florida Department of Health notifies those affected by hack, shares resources available
Read full article: Florida Department of Health notifies those affected by hack, shares resources availableThe Florida Department of Health is sending out notices to people whose personal information was stolen and released by hackers in June.
Cyber safe: Protect yourself online
Read full article: Cyber safe: Protect yourself onlineWomen 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.
How scammers trick you into thinking someone is using your Social Security number illegally
Read full article: How scammers trick you into thinking someone is using your Social Security number illegallyAnyone who tells you to buy gold, or withdraw cash, and give it to someone is a scammer, the Federal Trade Commission warns.
Glynn County police warns community of phone scam involving police officer impersonator
Read full article: Glynn County police warns community of phone scam involving police officer impersonatorThe Glynn County Police Department is warning the public of a phone scam that involves someone impersonating a police officer.
Deliveries after deal days are ‘Prime’ target for porch pirates
Read full article: Deliveries after deal days are ‘Prime’ target for porch piratesHundreds 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.
One click caused small business owners to lose Instagram accounts to scammer
Read full article: One click caused small business owners to lose Instagram accounts to scammerTwo 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.
FTC warns advertisers to live up to their health claims
Read full article: FTC warns advertisers to live up to their health claimsNearly 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.
Be wary of subscription scam targeting individuals, small businesses
Read full article: Be wary of subscription scam targeting individuals, small businessesThe 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.
Watchdog group ranks Florida No. 2 in US for puppy scams, and yes, many ads look legit
Read full article: Watchdog group ranks Florida No. 2 in US for puppy scams, and yes, many ads look legitThe 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.
Watchdog group ranks Florida No. 2 of 15 for puppy scams, and yes, many ads look legit
Read full article: Watchdog group ranks Florida No. 2 of 15 for puppy scams, and yes, many ads look legitThe 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 warns of uptick in reports of scammers targeting customers, threatening to disconnect utility services
Read full article: JEA warns of uptick in reports of scammers targeting customers, threatening to disconnect utility servicesJEA reports an uptick in reports of scammers targeting customers with threats to disconnect their utility services.
Scammers are posing as your TV and internet company, FTC warns
Read full article: Scammers are posing as your TV and internet company, FTC warnsThis 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.
Sheriff’s Office warns of increase in scam callers impersonating JSO personnel
Read full article: Sheriff’s Office warns of increase in scam callers impersonating JSO personnelIf 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!
Spoofing! Scammers pretending to be calling from WJXT try and dupe viewers
Read full article: Spoofing! Scammers pretending to be calling from WJXT try and dupe viewersA local woman called News4jax this week asking about a call she received from someone who appeared to be contacting her from our news station.
‘My mind was spinning:’ Orlando couple warns others after close call with phone scam
Read full article: ‘My mind was spinning:’ Orlando couple warns others after close call with phone scamAn 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.
Beware of St. Johns County jury duty scam
Read full article: Beware of St. Johns County jury duty scamThe 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.
Child Tax Credit scammers are still reaching out, FTC warns
Read full article: Child Tax Credit scammers are still reaching out, FTC warnsMany 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.
Starbucks in St. Augustine targeted in recent phone scam
Read full article: Starbucks in St. Augustine targeted in recent phone scamST. 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.
Prosecutors: Scammer who posed as fed sentenced in sweepstakes fraud case
Read full article: Prosecutors: Scammer who posed as fed sentenced in sweepstakes fraud caseA 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 online
Read full article: Don’t fall prey: Scammers creating fake customer service info onlineDon’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.
Catfishing: How romance scammers seduce seniors
Read full article: Catfishing: How romance scammers seduce seniorsAccording 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.
JEA scam alert: Utility will NEVER ask you to pay with gift card
Read full article: JEA scam alert: Utility will NEVER ask you to pay with gift cardWhile 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.
JEA warns of scam threatening disconnection of service
Read full article: JEA warns of scam threatening disconnection of serviceJACKSONVILLE, 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.
JEA warns customers of Cash App scam
Read full article: JEA warns customers of Cash App scamJACKSONVILLE, 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.
Georgia Power reports increase in scams and fraud attempts
Read full article: Georgia Power reports increase in scams and fraud attemptsATLANTA, 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.
Putnam County deputies investigating complaints of arrest warrant scam
Read full article: Putnam County deputies investigating complaints of arrest warrant scamPALATKA, 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.
Don’t fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts aren’t real
Read full article: Don’t fall for it: Army Recruiting says military draft texts aren’t realJust 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.
Law enforcement warns of scammers trying to steal the identities of children
Read full article: Law enforcement warns of scammers trying to steal the identities of childrenNASSAU 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 postings
Read full article: Officials warn to be on the look-out for potential vacation scam postingsOfficials 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.
Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise
Read full article: Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the riseNow, 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?