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Scams and Frauds
Here are some of the Scams, Frauds, and Consumer Abuse items in the news.

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Cars - Computers - Education - Employment - Family - Federal Programs - Food
Health - Housing - Money - Small Business - Travel - And more...

Cars

Do Fuel-Saving Gadgets Take You for a Ride? - June 2008

Phony Escrow Companies Defraud Car-Buyers Out of Thousands - June 2008

Renting a Car for the Memorial Day Weekend? - May 2008

Auto Warranty Firms Launch Sleazy Scam - February 2008

Auto Auction Fraud - October 2006

BBB Issues International Alert: BBB Name Used to Scam Online Buyers - January 2006

Predatory Lenders Drive Borrowers into Debt With High-Cost Loans Secured by Cars - November 2005

A Cautionary Tale - Staged Auto Accident Fraud - Don't Let it Happen to You - February 2005

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Computers

Caveat Emptor: Watch Out for Phantom Stores - January 2009

Flurry of Spam Targeting the Federal Bureau of Investigation - December 2008

Koobface virus hits Facebook - December 2008

'Free Security Scan' Could Cost Time and Money - December 2008

Phishing Attack Uses Better Business Bureau Name to Trap Consumers and Businesses - October 2008

Hit Man E- Mail Returns - August 2008

Spammers Using Google, Outlook Calendars to Get Your Attention - April 2008

NCL's Fraud Center Releases Top Ten Scams of 2007 - Con Artists Prey on Consumer Vulnerability, Lurk Online, Make Deceptive Pitch via Phone, Email - February 2008

Don’t Open Bogus Email that Claims to Come From the FTC - October 2007

Department of Energy Warns of E-mail Scam Offering Energy Refunds - October 2007

FTC Warns Consumers About Bogus E-Mail That Claims to Be From Agency - June 2007

Internet Crime -- The Latest Numbers - March 2007

Something Vishy - February 2007

Scam uses the "BBB" Name to Attract Victims - February 2007

Fake Check Scams, Wire Transfers Dominate 2006 Fraud Lists - January 2007

Don't fall victim to the 'Free Wi-Fi' scam - January 2007

New Virus Identified: Warezov/Stration Worm - December 2006

E-mails Containing Threats and Extortion - December 2006

SPAM E-Mail Confirming the Purchase of a Computer - November 2006

She Lost Her Heart - and $2,700 - October 2006

Email Fraud Alert from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - October 2006

GSA Alerts Public to Recent E-mail Scheme - July 2006

Online Crooks Using Mainstream Tactics to Sell Stolen Data Amid Tough Competition - June 2006

BBB Issues International Alert: BBB Name Used to Scam Online Buyers - January 2006

ID Thieves Preying on Consumers with New Phishing Scam Called Pharming - October 2005

Mid-year Fraud Stats Reveal Alarming Trends in Telemarketing, Internet Scams - August 2005

Wireless Bank Heist - August 2005

Tsunami Disaster Relief Fraud Alert - January 2005

Group Warns Consumers Not to Take the Bait in Phishing Scams - August 2004

FTC Issues Alert about Identity Theft Scam -- Spammers Pose as Federal Government Operation - March 2004

Sham Site Is a Scam: There Is No "National Do Not E-mail Registry" - February 2004

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Education

ACE Issues Warning About Fake GED Testing Services - January 2008

Scholarship Scams - September 2005

Diploma Mills: Degrees of Deception - February 2005

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Employment

FTC Charges Marketers with Operating a Postal Job Scheme - November 2008

Look for Seven Red Flags when Searching for Jobs Online - June 2008

Beware of Online Job Classifieds Used to Steal Your Identity - May 2008

How I Got Taken by a Work-at-Home Scam - January 2008

USAJOBS Slightly Affected by Malicious Software - August 2007

Enigma for Consumers: What Mystery Shopping Jobs? - March 2007

Pyramid Schemes: Not What They Seem! - December 2006

FTC Stops Scheme That Did Not Deliver on Post Office Job Promises - September 2006

FTC Stamps Out Postal Job Scam - August 2006

Post Office Job Offers from Classified Ads Bogus - January 2006

Wireless Bank Heist - August 2005

Postal Inspection Service Says Work at Home Schemes Don't Pay - March 2005

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Family

Lost Pet Scam - November 2006

Adoption Scams Bilk Victims, Break Hearts - August 2006

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Federal Programs

Spend Disaster Recovery Checks Wisely - September 2008

IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting - January 2008

Be Wary of Fraud - January 2008

Oregon Disaster Survivors Can Be Victimized By Identity Theft - December 2007

Scam Alert: Uncle Sham Wants You - December 2006

Social Security E-mail Scam - November 2006

Medicare Beneficiaries Urged to Be on the Look-out for Phone Scams - March 2006

Public Warned About Social Security Number Identity Theft E-mail Scam - February 2006

Watch out for Medicare Rx Drug Plan Schemes - October 2005

New Medicare Prescription Drug Program: Attacking Fraud and Abuse - October 2005

Telephone Fraud Involving Jury Duty - September 2005

Cross-Border Fraud - July 2004

'Free Grants': Don't Take Them For Grant-ed - March 2004

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Food

Hurricane Consumer Alert: Report Price Gouging To Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline - September 2008

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Health

Weight-loss Berry Claiming Oprah Endorsement Makes Wallets Slim and Consumers Angry Warns BBB - January 2009

FDA Warns Public of Extortion Scam by FDA Impersonators - November 2008

Makers of Airborne Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Advertising: Consumers Have Until September 15 to Apply for Refunds - August 2008

Airborne Agrees to Pay $23.3 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over False Advertising of its 'Miracle Cold Buster' - March 2008

Refunds for Consumers Who Purchased CortiSlim or CortiStress - October 2007

Refunds for Consumers Who Purchased Xenadrine EFX - August 2007

Stealing Your Health by Medical Identity Theft - September 2006

Medicare Beneficiaries Urged to Be on the Look-out for Phone Scams - March 2006

FDA Operation Reveals Many Drugs Promoted as 'Canadian' Products Really Originate From Other Countries - December 2005

Watch out for Medicare Rx Drug Plan Schemes - October 2005

Online Pharmacy Seller Using Better Business Bureau Trademarks to Market Drugs - July 2005

FTC: Consumers Do Not Need to Pay for Information on Free Drugs - November 2004

FTC Alleges That Marketers of CortiSlim and CortiStress Made False or Unsubstantiated Claims - October 2004

FDA and Johnson and Johnson Warn Public About Counterfeit Contraceiptive Patches Sold Through Foreign Internet Site - February 2004

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Housing

Tips for Hiring Contractors - September 2008

FINRA Warns Senior Investors About Reversing Fortunes With Reverse Mortgages - March 2008

Rebuilding After the Disaster: Tips for Hiring Contractors - March 2008

Watch Out For Scam Artists - February 2008

Beware of Scam Artists - December 2007

Don't Be a Victim Twice - November 2007

Consumer Alert: FCIC Warns about Overpaying for Certified Deeds - October 2007

Mortgage Fraud -- New Partnership to Combat Problem - March 2007

New Loan Scam Directed at Homeowners - February 2007

FMCSA Fines 12 Motor Carriers for Multiple Household Goods Violations - December 2005

FTC Offers Home Repair Advice to Victims of Recent Flooding - April 2005

Better Business Bureau Uncovers National Mortgage Elimination Scheme - January 2005

Hiring a Contractor? Beware of Fix-It Follies - October 2004

Subprime Loan Victims to Receive Additional Redress - February 2004

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Money

Caveat Emptor: Watch Out for Phantom Stores - January 2009

How I Got Taken by a Work-at-Home Scam - January 2009

Avoid the Next Madoff Scam - January 2009

Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams and Rip-Offs - December 2008

Scam Alert: How Safe Is Online Banking? - December 2008

Scams Ripped From Today's Headlines - December 2008

Investor Alert: Affinity Fraud - December 2008

If You Win a Sweepstakes, Just Remember This: Never Wire Money - November 2008

Federal Reserve Board Alerts Public to Instances of Questionable Solicitations Directed at Consumers - November 2008

Exploiting the FTC Name, Scammers Promise Phony Sweepstakes Prizes - October 2008

Debt-Relief Firms Attract Complaints - October 2008

Consumers Warned to Avoid Fake E-mails Tied to Bank Mergers - October 2008

Senior Citizens Nationwide Report Losing Thousands of Dollars to Telephone Scam - October 2008

After Natural Disasters... Post-Disaster Scams - September 2008

Beware Of Scam Artists - July 2008

SIPC Warns Investors of New Identity Theft 'Phishing' Scheme Involving Phone Request for Confidential Financial Information - July 2008

U.S. Marketing Company is Charging Online Shoppers Every Month Without Their Knowledge - July 2008

FTC Warns Against Sweepstakes Scammers Posing as Government Officials - June 2008

FTC Warns Consumers About Potential Charity Scams - June 2008

Traps Likely to Burn Investors This Summer - June 2008

Red Cross Alerts Public to Scam Targeting Military Families - June 2008

Scam Alert: PayDay Lenders Target Social Security Recipients - June 2008

Advance-Fee Scams Target Non-U.S. Investors Using Fake Regulator Web Sites and False Broker Identities - May 2008

Beware of Online Job Classifieds Used to Steal Your Identity - May 2008

FTC Warns Consumers About Potential Charity Scams - May 2008

Tax Scammers Are Waiting to Take Your Money - March 2008

Taxing Your Peace of Mind - March 2008

FINRA Warns Senior Investors About Reversing Fortunes With Reverse Mortgages - March 2008

Phishing Scams, Frivolous Arguments Top the 2008 'Dirty Dozen' Tax Scams - March 2008

FTC Cautions Consumers About Tax and Rebate Scams - March 2008

NCL's Fraud Center Releases Top Ten Scams of 2007 - Con Artists Prey on Consumer Vulnerability, Lurk Online, Make Deceptive Pitch via Phone, Email - February 2008

Keeping Your Account Secure: Tips for Protecting Your Financial Information - January 2008

FTC Releases List of Top Consumer Fraud Complaints in 2007 - January 2008

NASAA Warns Investors to Watch for Holiday Investment Fraud - December 2007

Scam Alert: When Trouble Calls - November 2007

FTC Creates Consumer Hotline for Consumers Who Paid for Debt Reduction Services - November 2007

IRS Warns of E-mail Scam Soliciting Donations to California Wildfire Victims - November 2007

FTC Releases Consumer Fraud Survey - October 2007

Save Your Energy and Money -- Don't Fall for Energy Stock Scams - October 2007

Latest E-Mail Fraudsters Pose as Soldiers Serving in Iraq in Need of Help - October 2007

IRS Warns of New E-mail Scam Offering Cash for Participation in 'Member Satisfaction Survey' - August 2007

SEC Announces $55 Million Fair Fund Distribution to Investors Injured in Banc One Investment Advisors Market Timing Fraud - August 2007

Fraudsters Claim a Red Cross Connection in New Phishing Scam - June 2007

IRS Warns Taxpayers of New E-mail Scams - May 2007

Scam Offers Cheap Plasma TVs - May 2007

Stored-Value MasterCards Sent Today to SkyBiz Pyramid Scheme Victims - May 2007

FTC Identifies Additional Group of ChoicePoint Identity Theft Victims Who May Qualify for Redress - April 2007

'China' Stocks -- Look Beyond the Name Before You Invest - April 2007

Late Tax Scam Discovered; Free File Users Reminded to Use IRS.gov - April 2007

U.S. Government Sues Jackson Hewitt Tax Preparation Franchises in Four States, Alleging Pervasive Fraud - April 2007

IRS Warns of Phony e-Mails Claiming to Come from the IRS - April 2007

Ponzi Endures With Lure of Riches - March 2007

Mortgage Fraud -- New Partnership to Combat Problem - March 2007

Even the Dead can be ID Theft Victims - March 2007

Fraudulent Telephone Tax Refunds, Abusive Roth IRAs Top Off 2007 'Dirty Dozen' Tax Scams - February 2007

FTC Advice on Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams - February 2007

Some Telephone Tax Refund Requests May Be Too High; IRS Will Deny Improper Requests - January 2007

Fake Check Scams, Wire Transfers Dominate 2006 Fraud Lists - January 2007

State Securities Regulators Warn Against Slippery Oil and Gas Deals - January 2007

New Twist Concerning Threat and Extortion E-Mails - January 2007

National Debt Consolidation Scheme Misleads Consumers About Costs, Benefits, and Nonprofit Status - January 2007

OCC Warns National Banks on Risks Posed by Scams Involving Fraudulent Bank Cashier’s Checks - January 2007

Resolve Not to Be Scammed - December 2006

'Tis the Season For Charity Scams - December 2006

NRF Addresses New Gift Card Scam - December 2006

Pyramid Schemes: Not What They Seem! - December 2006

She Lost Her Heart - and $2,700 - October 2006

DMA Refers GetItFree.net to the Federal Trade Commission - October 2006

Oil and Gas Investment Frauds - October 2006

Fraudulent E-Mail Purported to be Representing Congressional Interests - October 2006

Fraudulent FBI E-mail Sent by Lottery Scammers - October 2006

Stealing Your Health by Medical Identity Theft - September 2006

Look Before You Leave: Don't Be Misled By Early Retirement Investment Pitches That Promise Too Much - September 2006

Oil and Gas Scams: Common Red Flags and Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself - September 2006

Simple Steps Can Prevent Tax Scams as Private Debt Collection Begins - August 2006

A Cautionary Tale: Don’t Gamble on Foreign Lotteries - August 2006

Scam Preying on Americans' Emotions for US Deployed Soldiers - August 2006

GSA Alerts Public to Recent E-mail Scheme - July 2006

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System Cited in New E-mail Scam - July 2006

Promissory Note Scams: Too Good to Be True - July 2006

'Dash' Gov Sites Part of Ploy to Dash Off With Your Money - July 2006

Viatical Settlement Scams - June 2006

Cellular Phone Dating Service Scheme - June 2006

Scam Alert: Misfortune-Telling - March 2006

End of the Line for Phone Bill Crammers - March 2006

State Securities Regulators Release 'Unlucky 13' Investor Traps - February 2006

'Unlucky 13' Investor Traps - February 2006

IRS Announces Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2006 - February 2006

2005 Fraud Trends: Consumers Being Hounded by Internet and Telemarketing Scams - January 2006

FBI Alerts the Public of Latest E-Mail Fraud Soliciting Financial Assistance for Sago Mine Incident Survivor - January 2006

Bird Flu Stock Scam Hazardous To Financial Health, NASD Alert Warns - December 2005

Scam Alert...First-Prize Lies - December 2005

IRS Warns of e-Mail Scam about Tax Refunds - December 2005

Beware of 'Hot' Stock Tips on Your Cell Phone - December 2005

IRS Warns of e-Mail Scam about Tax Refunds - November 2005

Predatory Lenders Drive Borrowers into Debt With High-Cost Loans Secured by Cars - November 2005

New Spin on Sweepstakes Scams; Scammers May Impersonate Government Agencies - November 2005

IRS Warns Consumers of Possible Scams Relating to Hurricane Katrina Relief - October 2005

Financial Seminars Not Always What They Purport to Be - September 2005

Fraudulent Mail Sneaks through the Cracks - September 2005

Charitable Donations: Give or Take? - September 2005

Mid-year Fraud Stats Reveal Alarming Trends in Telemarketing, Internet Scams - August 2005

Wireless Bank Heist - August 2005

Extortionists are Using BBB Name to Scam Online Buyers - June 2005

Personal information of thousands of FDIC employees accessed, some possibly used for fraud - June 2005

Deviled Nest Eggs - June 2005

Easy check fraud technique draws scrutiny - May 2005

SEC Sues Telemarketers for Fraudulent 'Wrong Number' Stock Tips - May 2005

Dialing for Dollars - March 2005

Stamp Out Identity Theft - February 2005

A Cautionary Tale - Staged Auto Accident Fraud - Don't Let it Happen to You - February 2005

2004 Fraud Trends: Consumers Being Hounded by Phishing Scams - February 2005

Better Business Bureau Uncovers National Mortgage Elimination Scheme - January 2005

Tsunami Disaster Relief Fraud Alert - January 2005

Scam Alert - Can’t Win for Losing - December 2004

BBB Cautions Donors on Tsunami Relief Appeals - December 2004

FTC Warns Consumers About 'Check Overpayment' Scams - December 2004

The Holidays Are Here Again: FTC Offers Tips to Help Consumers Shop Safely Online - November 2004

FTC Survey Shows Advance-Fee Scams Top the List of Consumer Frauds - November 2004

Magazine Subscriptions - Door-to-Door Deception - September 2004

FDIC Warns About Fraudulent Request for Information - September 2004

Federal Bank, Thrift and Credit Union Regulatory Agencies Provide Brochure with Information on Internet "Phishing" - September 2004

Charity Fraud - August 2004

Con Artists Using 'Wrong Number' Answering Machine Messages to Snare Victims in New Scam Sweeping Nation - August 2004

Advocacy Group Warns that More and More Consumers Falling for Fake Check Scams - August 2004

IRS Reissues Consumer Warning on Identity Theft Scheme; Scheme Now Targeting Caribbean - August 2004

BBB Warns that Imposters are Targeting Consumers and Businesses - August 2004

IRS Warns of Scheme to Steal Identity and Financial Data - June 2004

Treasury, IRS Warn of Identity Theft Scheme Involving Bogus E-mail, Web site - April 2004

FINRA Investor Alerts - March 2004

IRS Updates the ‘Dirty Dozen’ for 2004: Agency Warns of New Scams - March 2004

Get Rich Quik? Don't Count on It! - February 2004

FDIC And FBI Investigating Fraudulent Emails - January 2004

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Small Business

BBB Small Business Advice: Your Company’s Identity at Risk - September 2008

Small Businesses Looking for Funding are Increasingly Becoming Victims of Fraud - April 2008

Don't Be a Victim Twice - November 2007

SBA Alerts Gulf Coast Disaster Loan Borrowers To Bogus Financial Service Provider Notices - April 2007

Skybiz Victims to Collect Court-Ordered Restitution - September 2005

BBB Alerts Businesses to Beware of Voice Mail Hackers - August 2005

Tips for Businesses to Avoid Overpayment Scams - August 2005

FTC Creates a Consumer Hotline to Assist Victims of Alleged Epixtar Web Cramming Scam - January 2004

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Travel

Travel Scams to Avoid - August 2008

BBB Warns Vacationers that Travel Club Membership Doesn't Always Pay - May 2008

Don't fall victim to the 'Free Wi-Fi' scam - January 2007

DOT Cautions Consumers on Super Bowl Air Travel Ticket Scams - January 2005

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And More

Ten Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams and Rip-Offs - December 2008

Want to Buy Tickets to the Obama Inauguration? Let the Buyer Beware - November 2008

Ticketing Information for the 56th Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony - November 2008

Hurricane Consumer Alert: Report Price Gouging To Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline - September 2008

BBB Alerts Consumers to iPhones Rip-offs - September 2008

FTC Cautions Consumers About Voter Registration Scams - August 2008

FTC Warns Consumers About Potential Charity Scams - May 2008

Love Stinks: Consumer Group Helps Lonely Evade Scams - February 2008

FTC Cautions Consumers about Voter Registration Scams - October 2004

FTC Releases Top 10 Consumer Complaint Categories in 2003 - January 2004

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