People are reporting getting calls (and calls) (and more calls) about their supposed “loan application.” Only they hadn’t applied for a loan. So what’s going on?
When people don’t pick up, the callers leave messages saying the imaginary “loan application” is on hold because the business needs more information, so please call back. The calls seem urgent — and they’re persistent. People report getting calls in bursts of anywhere from five to even 20 a day, all from different numbers, all with the same story. But there never was a loan application. It’s a tactic that some dishonest companies are using to offer loans. If you get a call like this:
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Have you ever gotten a text or email warning you that something is wrong with an account online? Maybe it says your streaming account is about to be suspended unless you respond quickly. It might even have a link that will supposedly fix your account’s problems. The message looks real. But is it?
Your first instinct might be to click to solve your problems. Don’t click. There’s likely nothing wrong. Instead, it might be a phishing scam. That’s when scammers pose as well-known companies to get you to give up sensitive information via text or email. A phishing email might:
So, don’t click on any links in unexpected emails or texts. If you’re concerned, contact the company directly using a link you already use or a phone number you know is correct. And if you think you’ve given someone your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and get a recovery plan. If you clicked on a link in an unexpected email, update your security software and run a scan to look for viruses and malware. Then report the phishing scam. Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, forward suspicious texts to SPAM (7726), and forward suspicious emails to [email protected]. Scammers will say just about anything — in any language — to separate you from your hard-earned money. And when it comes to student loan forgiveness, they’ll target Spanish speakers with false promises of debt relief help.
The FTC just sued USA Student Debt Relief (USASDR) for advertising and signing up people for fake student loan forgiveness plans with super-low monthly payments. The FTC says USASDR targeted borrowers living in Puerto Rico by pretending to be affiliated with the Department of Education and posting fake testimonials and reviews online. Instead of helping, USASDR pressured people to quickly sign a super-long, difficult-to-read contract (completely in English, even though the sales pitch was often in Spanish). Once you signed up, the company (illegally) billed you an upfront fee, and then started charging you monthly — payments you thought were going towards your loans (but weren’t). Instead, all the fees went into USASDR’s pockets. To keep their scheme going, the FTC says USASDR sometimes changed the contact information in your FSA account so your (real) lender couldn’t reach you. Want to avoid student loan forgiveness scams? Here are some things to know:
New produce recalls have several major retailers pulling vegetables from shelves in 15 states over contamination concerns. The issue behind the produce recalls is that some vegetables may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This can cause fatal illness in the young and elderly alongside severe short-term issues for healthy people. Let’s break down those produce recalls below! Produce Recalls 2024 Details First up are retail packaged items sold at Walmart (NYSE:WMT) stores in CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA and WV. That includes the following:
If your new online friend or romantic interest says they have an emergency and need money, it might not mean they have bad luck. It’s more likely they’re a scammer trying to grab your money. So, how can you tell if an online “friend” is a fraud?
It’s hard to know who people really are when you meet them online. Scammers create fake profiles on social media, as well as game and dating sites. They might send you a friend request, start a conversation and friendship, chatting or texting daily. Surprisingly soon, they might say they’re in love with you. Then, suddenly, they’ll have an expensive emergency — a lost job, failed business, or sister who needs an operation — and appeal to you for gift cards, money transfers, even cryptocurrency. Here are some sure signs you’re dealing with a romance scammer:
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