While some people imagine a shady, unsavory character when thinking of con artists, in many cases, the most successful con artists are those who look and act "normal" and unsuspicious. In addition to traditional scams, many of today's most successful cons are those in which you never see the person stealing your money or personal information. Unfortunately, the Internet can provide the perfect arena for con... Read more >
In the electronic age, identity theft has become a real threat to the average adult and even children. Once victimized, identity theft can cause people to be strapped with unpaid bills, large purchases and even criminal records without their knowledge. The results can be devastating from both a personal and financial perspective. Identity theft statistics show that an estimated 9 million Americans have... Read more >
With the rise of online auction Web sites such as eBay, check and money order fraud has become an increasingly popular con. However, you can avoid becoming the victim of check fraud by understanding what to look for and being careful. The key is to pay attention to details and always be cautious when making transactions with people you don't know. Counterfeit Checks and Money Orders With the advancement in... Read more >
With the Internet Age and constantly evolving con games, advance fee fraud is rising. Understanding the how advance fee scams work will help you identify them and avoid being a victim. Advanced Fee Fraud, Defined An advance fee scheme is put into motion when a con artist asks a victim to send money for some reason. The amount requested is usually minimal fee that is necessary to help secure some falsely... Read more >
A credit card scam is a form of theft in which a criminal uses your credit card number to make fraudulent purchases. Criminals use numerous sneaky tactics to gain access to the credit cards of unsuspecting individuals. Over the Internet, on the phone and even at a restaurant, con artists can use trickery or traditional purse snatching to get your credit cards. In the fight against credit card fraud... Read more >
Automatic payment fraud is a fairly new form of theft in which a criminal steals money from your checking account through your bank's automatic payment option. This form of payment has plenty of legitimate uses, including making bill payment easier. However, thieves with access to your account information can easily exploit the convenience of automatic payment options for their own gains. Here are the... Read more >
When people who don’t have stellar credit ratings need loans, they often have to depend on lenders that offer less-than-ideal conditions to get the money they need. While this scenario almost always benefits the lender at the expense of the borrower’s savings and credit standing, subprime loans are sometimes a borrower’s only resort. Subprime Loans Defined Essentially, a subprime loan is a loan offered... Read more >
Bait and switch is one of the oldest fraud practices. When sellers use this dishonest tactic, they reel consumers in with the promise of a great deal. However, when buyers show up for the advertised product, they’re told that the item has been sold. The bait is the low-priced product, which can seem like a deal that’s too good to be true, and it is. If the item is actually in stock, there is probably... Read more >
A chain letter is a widely distributed letter that directly requests the recipient to keep it in circulation. While some chain letters contain a seemingly innocent request, like forwarding an email message to a certain number of people to ensure good luck, others may be threatening or scary chain letters that use fear to get the receiver to pass the message along. In addition to traditional paper... Read more >
Before chain letters and the Internet age was the Ponzi scam, a con developed by Charles Ponzi. Born Carlo Ponzi in 1882, he made headlines in the 1920s when the pyramid-like scheme he created collapsed, leaving thousands of "investors" at a loss. Like modern day schemes, Ponzi's promised investors more than double their investment in a quick period of time with little risk. The plan involved cashing in... Read more >
The Nigerian e-mail scam, also referred to as a 419 scam or the Nigerian letter scam, is a variation of advance fee fraud. In the Nigerian e-mail scam, the mark (or victim of the scam) is instructed or requested to send money in exchange for a much greater reward, such as a multi-million dollar inheritance or bequest. The Origins of the Nigerian E-mail Scam The Nigerian e-mail scam is actually a variation of... Read more >
All over the Internet you can find offers promising you free gifts and rewards. Sometimes these come in the form of pop up banners that tell you that you are the 1,000,000th visitor to a Web site. Other forms of these scams can be an e-mail with a link inviting you to claim your prize or gift card. The prize may be a free IPod, a $500 gift card to a department store, a gas card or a brand new laptop... Read more >
While a number of fraudulent practices are illegal, punishable offenses, many others aren't. In fact, some of the most deceptive scams are those that, while unethical, are legal. Legal scams come in many forms and are veiled with deceptive terminology and advertising made to look legitimate. If you are not careful, well-written legal scams can easily trick you out of your money or your personal... Read more >
The Con Game Fraud Aid (n.d.) What a Con Artist Will Tell You. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from the Fraud Aid Web site. Grabianowski, Ed (n.d.). How Con Artists Work. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from the How Stuff Works Web site. NASAA Fraud Center (n.d.). How to Spot a Con Artist. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from the North American Securities Administrators Association Web site. Identity Theft... Read more >
Topics
Related Topics
About Us
The Morefocus Media network provides news and timely information across thousands of interlinked topics from health through education, to work and lifestyle issues. Integration of a highly focused blog and community network provides consumers with the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals and share comments, views and opinions.
Learn More >>© morefocus group, inc.