Unfortunately, seller impersonation scams, also called “deed fraud”, are on the rise. Deed fraud is when criminals attempt to sell property they do not own. The listings may steal information from properties already on the market or create a new advertisement based on real property, such as real estate listed in a city/town’s grand list. Scammers often target property of absentee owners like vacation homes, vacant lots, or residential rentals. Criminals succeed by forging deed documents.
Nonstandard Standardized Test Calls
As a student, the standardized test may have been one of the first times I was asked to provide personal information like my address and birthday and optional Social Security number on a form. As one of the first times my SSN was queried, I remember my heart racing a bit. I found this sudden… Continue reading Nonstandard Standardized Test Calls
Avoid Scams and Fraud During Flood Recovery
Vermonters have become all too familiar with the difficulties of disaster flooding. We know from experience that as we seek to recover, time is of the essence. We may bypass research gathering steps to respond as quickly as possible to the most pressing needs. When encountering urgent, unexpected, or unfamiliar consumer transactions, like agreements for… Continue reading Avoid Scams and Fraud During Flood Recovery
Protect your small business against fraud with secure payment systems
“This will end my business operations.” “I can’t afford to stay open.” “I am just trying to operate my business.” Vermont small businesses have reported substantial losses from scams. With more than 76,000 small businesses in the state, representing 99% of Vermont businesses and employing 60% of Vermont’s employees, small businesses are the backbone of… Continue reading Protect your small business against fraud with secure payment systems
Top Scams Reported by Businesses in 2024
Of the 3533 scams reported to the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP), 191 were submitted by Vermont businesses. The five most common scams for businesses include: fake orders, utility disconnection threats, imposters of business personnel, government imposters, and business identity theft. The top scam for businesses to look out for is Order Fraud (fake orders of… Continue reading Top Scams Reported by Businesses in 2024