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5 Tips To Avoid New IRS Tax Scams

Today I actually received what SEEMS to be good news via email  from the IRS.

After reading the subject line, the sender line and the smooth-talk line, I decided that today was NOT a good day to go “phishing”.

According to the sender, I’m entitled to an easy tax refund,  if I’ll just click on an attachment. (Hint: “NEIN! NYET! NOPE!”)

I received the following email today and want to point out several reminders for you when
opening email that requests your NPPI (Non-Public, Personal Information). Continue Reading…

January 9, 2012 in Federal Government, Phishing, Scams & Phishing

Time To Deck The Halls….With Fraud Awareness!

Lets examine 5 strategies which can help guard against holiday fraud this season.

The so-called Super Committee (Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction) just announced that they are unable to agree on the terms of a mandatory $1.2 trillion-dollar deficit reduction  plan. Are you wondering how their failure could possibly affect your gift-giving this year?

The stalemate in Washington, DC may put a damper on our already fragile economy, so protecting your hard earned assets and reputation are worthy goals this holiday season. This is also the time of year when record numbers of consumers  prepare to snag Black Friday and other seasonal shopping deals in malls and online.

With much at stake and our resources stretched like never before, fraudsters are licking their chops as they await the hoards of often distracted and rarely cautious holiday deal-snatchers. The shopping, shipping and selection alone are enough to entice even the most frugal and inexperienced buyers this time of year.

So with shopping in sight and awareness in mind, lets examine 5 strategies that can help you Deter, Detect and Defend against fraudsters lurking behind the holiday tree. Continue Reading…

November 22, 2011 in Data security, Financial Crime, Fraud, Identity Theft, Protect Your Credit, Scams & Phishing

$300 iPad Too Good To Be True?

Before you wander too far down the page, yes it IS too good to be true!

The underlying theme which guides most of my thinking about vulnerability and deception, has to do with deciding who you trust in any given situation.

If you don’t trust your bank, your accountant, your insurance adviser or your local manicurist, find a new one. It is really that simple.

I do trust McDonald’s to help me slap on a few pounds or feed my face for just a couple of bucks, but the two guys at McDonald’s offering to “let me in” on their iPad deal of the century? Not.

A large part of deciding who you trust has to do with the outside party’s reputation, the believability of the offer, and carefully listening your gut instincts! Continue Reading…

September 10, 2011 in Scams & Phishing