Scam Watch

Fraud: An Inside Look Video

Former scam artist Jim Vitale gives consumers a candid look at the scams behind bogus business opportunities. The video also includes tips from the FTC for avoiding and reporting these scams.

Unemployment often makes people more vulnerable to scammers who offer prime job opportunities — but only after you pay the upfront fees. This FTC video clip points out how to spot and avoid bogus job offers and provides advice on finding legitimate employers who are really hiring.

Money Transfer Scams Video

Scammers use lots of different ploys to get consumers to part with their money. In this video, the FTC highlights common money transfer scams and warns consumers not to send money to strangers.

DeliveringTrust.com

Visit DeliveringTrust.com for free fraud education and prevention videos about identity theft, work-at-home scams, internet fraud, foreign lotteries, investment scams and more. The website also offers tips on recognizing scams and instructions on reporting scammers to the appropriate authorities.

Avoid Fake Check Scams and Get the Real Deal about Mystery Shopping

This fact sheet describes fake check scams that are disguised as mystery shopping jobs. It can be used, with attribution to CFA, to educate consumers about how to tell the difference between phony and real work-at-home opportunities.

Consumer Scam Prevention Tips

Don’t be a scammer’s next victim. Check out the BBB’s consumer alerts on common scams and learn how to protect yourself and your money.

OCC Anti-Fraud Resources

OCC’s new web feature provides consumers and bankers with information and resources to effectively identify, report, and combat fraud.

Say Goodbye to Phone Fraud Video

This FTC video helps consumers spot and stop scammers who offer credit cards, other trade lines, “free” vacations and timeshares to unwitting consumers.

Annoying Robocalls Video

This video clip provides consumers with succinct information on how the FTC is addressing Robocalls and how consumers can avoid and report these calls.

Ftc.gov/CharityFraud

While many legitimate charities use direct mail, phone calls or personalized emails to ask for contributions, scam artists also use these techniques to pocket consumers’ money. This FTC site helps consumers spot the tell-tale signs of charity scams.

Scams and Swindles: An Educational Guide to Avoiding Investment Fraud

This guide from the National Futures Association describes common characteristics of investment scams and outlines steps individuals can take to avoid them.

Help for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Know the signs of a mortgage foreclosure scam and get help. Homeowners facing foreclosure can call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for loan modification guidance from a HUD-approved counseling agency or to report a scam, or visit www.LoanScamAlert.org.

To help educate others and learn more yourself, you can:

1. Send an e-card to family and friends to alert them about loan modification scams.

2. Download the partner toolkit to see how to educate homeowners in your community.

3. Listen to the radio PSAs in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean or Vietnamese.

Rental Listings Could Be Red Herrings

This FTC Consumer Alert helps renters avoid being taken in by scams through a smart mix of savvy and skepticism when reviewing ads and negotiating terms.

Free Security Scan Could Cost Time and Money

Because everyone online needs to be concerned about viruses and spyware, it’s smart to install a good internet security package. But the FTC warns that some of those “free security scans” could cost consumers money and install malware on their computers.

Fakechecks.org

This website explains the most common types of fake check scams and how they work, and offers advice to consumers about how to avoid losing their money. It also provides a link to report fake check scams to NCL’s Fraud Center.

Fake Check Scams Facts

This fact sheet explains how fake check scams work, provides statistics about the scope of the problem, and offers tips for how consumers can avoid losing money to these scams. It can be used, with attribution to CFA, to educate consumers, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, as well as by the media. Excerpts may be quoted.

Fake Check Scam Ecard

This ecard was developed by CFA and NCL to educate consumers about fake check scams and how to avoid losing their money.

Fake Check Scams Ready-to-Use News Article

This article can be used, with attribution to CFA, to educate consumers about how fake check scams work and how to avoid losing their money.