Unfortunately, many scam encounters result in monetary loss in Vermont. In 2020, 249 Vermonters lost approximately $1.5 million to scammers. The most common scams associated with monetary loss were imposter scams (scammers posing as friends, family members, or romantic interests) and online classified listing scams (scams perpetrated on sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace). Scammers ask… Continue reading Protect your Money from Scammers!
Author: Madison Braz
Vermont’s Top Ten Scams of 2020
Vermonters filed 5,021 scam reports with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2020. The Social Security number phishing scam, which typically involves calls claiming that your Social Security number has been compromised, suspended, or linked to criminal activity, remained the most commonly scam for the second year in a row with 1,160 reports filed. Claiming the number two spot on… Continue reading Vermont’s Top Ten Scams of 2020
Social Security Number Phishing Scams
Since August 1, the Consumer Assistance Program has received approximately 275 reports of the Social Security number phishing scam! Here’s how the scam works: You receive a phone call stating that there has been criminal or fraudulent activity involving your Social Security number. The scammer may also claim to be a government agency or law… Continue reading Social Security Number Phishing Scams
Friendly Advice
This week, during National Consumer Protection week, our staff members are opening up and sharing stories of when they were scammed. Because no one is invincible to being #scammed. Let’s keep the dialogue moving, share this post and your own scam stories and lessons learned. While the internet is an incredible tool, it’s also a… Continue reading Friendly Advice
Stay safe online this Valentine’s Day!
Looking for love online? The Consumer Assistance Program is here to help you make sure that your personal information and money are secure! Romance Scams How it works: The scammer creates a fake profile on a dating site or app. They may also initiate contact through Instagram, Facebook, Words With Friends, or Google Hangouts. Then,… Continue reading Stay safe online this Valentine’s Day!