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Be Careful When Disposing of Your Old Computer
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable
Are you thinking about putting Ol' Nellie out to “e-pasture”? In other words, are you thinking about retiring an old computer? No problem, but make sure the bad guys can't access private information left on the hard drive. -
9 Ways to Foil Scammers Hyping Work-from-Home Schemes
Do your due diligence
Have you been bombarded with work-from-home come-ons? Don't they sound enticing? Just sit back and watch the big bucks roll in. The sky's the limit! -
Test Your Cyber Smarts
Education is the first step in fighting phishers, scammers, and thieves
Test your cyber smarts with these interactive quizzes. You'll learn all about guarding against Internet fraud, protecting your personal information, and securing your computer—and you'll have fun! -
How to Report Medicare Fraud
A step-by-step approach
You, as the beneficiary, are the key link in fighting Medicare fraud. Review your Medicare Summary Notices, and if something looks wrong, take action! -
States Fail to Report Disciplined Caregivers to Federal Database
Many state agencies didn't know about the requirement or simply weren't complying
Hundreds of state agencies nationwide have never told the federal government about health professionals they disciplined, undermining a central database meant to weed out dangerous caregivers. -
6 Tips to Avoiding Counterfeit Prescription Drugs
Is danger lurking in your medicine cabinet?
It pays to be careful, especially if you buy prescriptions over the Internet. Follow these tips to stay safe. -
Be on the Alert for Scams Targeting Elders
As always, a little common sense goes a long way
They solicit you by telephone, mail, or TV. Their come-on is that you can protect your home or your assets. They offer a free lunch or dinner. They sound so nice. . . . -
“Handkerchief Switch” Scam Targets Elderly Men
Suspects take the money and run
Ever heard of the handkerchief switch? While you might need a hankie to wipe away tears after being victimized by this scam, that’s not the reason for the name. -
Recycling Fraud Cost California $3.5 Million
Three fraud rings busted
Three fraud rings that were trucking cans and bottles into California in order to collect money from the California Redemption Value (CRV) program have been shut down. -
Trio "Made a Career" of Exploiting Seniors
Scam went on five years before arrests
A trio of women dubbed the “Golden Years Crew” scammed more than 80 senior citizens and have been charged with 45 felonies in an alleged fraud ring they operated in the Detroit area for five years. Police believe the group stole more than $200,000 before the initial arrests in January 2010. -
Spate of White-Collar Crime Hits Minnesota
Ponzi scheme, mortgage fraud cost victims big bucks
White-collar crime—especially Ponzi schemes and mortgage fraud—has kept the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota busy lately. -
New Web Site Is a Clearinghouse for Fraud Info
Task force partnership “unprecedented”
If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud, how to report it, and what’s in the news about it, a government task force has set up a one-stop shop that’s loaded with information. -
Junk Mail Claims to Lower Property Taxes
For a fee, of course
Have you gotten a mailer that looks like an official government document and offers to help reduce your property taxes for a fee? You might have, if you live in Oregon. -
Two Plead Guilty in Reverse Mortgage Fraud Ring
Elaborate plan benefited scammers
A reverse mortgage fraud ring was shut down after arrests in February. In early April, two of those involved pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud reverse mortgage lenders and the FHA insurer of the loans. -
Sales Didn’t Benefit Anyone
FTC puts halt to telemarketer
I think, at one time or another, we’ve all gotten a call from a phone solicitor selling light bulbs to benefit the handicapped. If the call originated from an Arizona-based telemarketing operation called Helping Hands of Hope, the FTC has put a stop to it.




