New Year, New Tricks! MoneyGram Warns About New Fraud Schemes
Urges consumers to make a New Year's resolution to protect themselves from fraud
Fraudsters are always searching for new ways to take your money and this time they are preying on social media accounts.
One of the newest scams targets people who use Instagram. The fraudsters
offer the victim an investment opportunity. They ask the consumer to
send between
"Never send money to someone you don't know," says
Other social media scams to watch out for in 2014 include:
Work From Home Offers
Fraudsters set up fake business accounts on popular networking sites and offer victims attractive work from home business opportunities, but first the victim needs to send money for a kit to get started. Remember, reputable companies use social media to connect with customers, not to ask for money.
The Family Emergency
Most people like to share their vacation pictures with friends and family on social media but they don't realize they could be sharing them with fraudsters as well. Seeing trip information and pictures gives thieves ammunition they need to call family and friends of individuals travelling and ask for money to help get their loved ones out of an "emergency situation."
"The internet knows no boundaries," says
- Recognize: Savvy consumers should look for red flags when someone asks them to send money through a wire service or money order, because scammers often request these methods knowing that once the money is sent, it cannot be retrieved.
- React: When they identify a scam, consumers should immediately put an end to any transaction or conversation — hang up the phone, delete the email, or end the back-and-forth messaging.
-
Report: Report the suspected scam to the local police, and file
reports with the
Federal Trade Commission ,National Consumers League , and Internet Crime Complaint Center (if the suspected fraud was online).
Consumers should call 1-800-
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