- ???? ?????? ?????? ????????You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months under federal law. The only government-authorized website for ordering your free annual credit report is AnnualCreditReport.com, but the internet is rife with imposter sites.These websites claim to provide “free credit reports,” but they frequently attempt to collect personal information, such as your Social Security number or date of birth, which can then be used to steal your identity. Other websites may offer “free” credit monitoring, but after a trial period, impose a charge to your credit card.
- ??? ?? ????? ???? ????Don’t respond to emails, pop-up ads, or social media ads offering a free credit report. Instead, visit AnnualCreditReport.com. Be aware that some bogus credit report websites use URLs that look very similar to AnnualCreditReport, so type the address into your search bar carefully and double-check that you’re on the right site before entering any information.
- ?????? ???????Dating websites can be great for meeting new people, but unfortunately, romance fraudsters, aka catfish, also use these sites to find their victims. And, according to the FBI, romance scams result in greater financial loss than any other internet-facilitated crime, with the average victim losing over $100,000.This type of fraud can take many forms, but it usually begins with the scammer developing a phony online romance with the victim. Once the scammer has gained the victim’s trust, they will request money. They frequently claim to require funds for a personal emergency or to purchase a plane ticket to visit the victim.
- ??? ?? ????? ???? ????Older adults should be especially cautious using online dating websites, as some romance fraudsters specifically target older citizens. Whatβs more, women are victimized at a much greater rate than men.
- ????? ???-?? ???????? ????????This scam takes advantage of consumers’ fears. A bogus pop-up alerts the user that their computer has been infected with a virus and directs them to download security software right away.The goal of this scam is sometimes to make money by duping the victim into purchasing rogue software. Sometimes the ostensible security software is free, which encourages the victim to download it.
- ??? ?? ????? ???? ????Protecting your computer with genuine antivirus software from a reputable security company is one of the most effective ways to help avoid this scam. Bitdefender is a good option because it protects your computer from scams, viruses, and phishing attempts.
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October 29, 2022