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Beware of Fake Delivery Alerts Sent by Text Message and Email

About Delivery Alert Scams “As online shopping sees its biggest holiday season ever, hackers are sending fake delivery notices impersonating Amazon, UPS and FedEx, with scams up 72% from last year and 440% from October to November. Clicking a fake shipping notification link can launch ransomware or launch a counterfeit branded site to trick users… Continue reading Beware of Fake Delivery Alerts Sent by Text Message and Email

Network Solutions Possible Phishing: Verify Email for SSL Certificate

On 13 Oct 2020, Network Solutions made some changes to their email services that resulted in a disruption for many people. [Learn More] The change had to do with a new certificate being used. In the immediate wake of that event last week and the residual confusion, it seems that someone has launched a sophisticated… Continue reading Network Solutions Possible Phishing: Verify Email for SSL Certificate

Email Extortion Scam: A blackmailer has your password and claims to have a video of you.

Crowdsourced Threat Radar As a tech consultant supporting a large user community, I’m frequently contacted when people experience things that are out of the ordinary. So, I’m regularly made aware of phone scams, fake antivirus programs, imposter tech support pop-up ads, and malicious email campaigns. It’s like a crowdsourced human radar system for early detection… Continue reading Email Extortion Scam: A blackmailer has your password and claims to have a video of you.

When Nina Kollars Received a free Nespresso machine.

Introduction A con artist conducting a financial fraud scam through eBay sent Nina Kollars a free Nespresso machine. The scammer didn’t realize that Nina Kollars is an Associate Professor at the Naval War College with extensive experience in Strategic and Operational Research. Suspecting something was going on, Nina began conducting an elaborate research project on… Continue reading When Nina Kollars Received a free Nespresso machine.

Here’s Why Sears Has 98% Negative Reviews and Over 13,000 Complaints

Summary The in-home appliance repair advertised by Sears Home Services appears to be a violation of the Federal Trade Commission regulations regarding honesty in advertising for the reasons explained below. This is likely the reason Sears has received over 13,000 customer complaints over 3 years with 98% negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau.… Continue reading Here’s Why Sears Has 98% Negative Reviews and Over 13,000 Complaints

Lessons from Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

The story of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes offers many teachable moments. Consumers were convinced that Theranos offered a simpler way to get blood testing. Distributors like Walgreens partnered with Theranos believing that the company was offering a viable solution. Investors bought into the Theranos promise and put millions into the company. News media was quick… Continue reading Lessons from Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

Advanced Tech Support Computer Service Remote Assistance Scam Fraud 800-978-4501 or 212-021-6652

Introduction In recent years, as a computer support consultant, I’ve occasionally had people tell me about a paid support program offered by Microsoft. For a certain fee, a person from Microsoft will remotely access their computer and fix problems. Most of these turn out to be scams. Someone recently told me they were charged over… Continue reading Advanced Tech Support Computer Service Remote Assistance Scam Fraud 800-978-4501 or 212-021-6652

Hacked Email Account Resulting in Fake Appeal From a Friend Asking for Money

This is a fairly common scam, but some may still not be familiar with it so its worth mentioning. You may receive a desperate email from a friend, someone you know, who claims they’ve been mugged or are in some other similar situation and need money from you. Below is an example. You should use… Continue reading Hacked Email Account Resulting in Fake Appeal From a Friend Asking for Money

Whirlpool Refrigerator PUR Water Filter W10295370 Rated at 6-Months May Require Replacement After 30-Days

Summary In many of their newer refrigerator models (see full list below), Whirlpool is selling a proprietary PUR filter system (filter part number W10295370) that is advertised as providing 6-months of service with a key feature being the removal of chlorine flavor. This claim by Whirlpool is used as a selling point to overstate the “savings” a… Continue reading Whirlpool Refrigerator PUR Water Filter W10295370 Rated at 6-Months May Require Replacement After 30-Days

Facebook Hacked – Vulnerability Posts Fake Like of Video Link Stating “This girl killed herself, after her dad posted THIS to her wall”

Have you recently seen a post on Facebook similar to the one above? It’s a fake post to the Home Facebook newsfeed page. It seems that someone managed to hack into Facebook today. This doesn’t seem to be simply an unauthorized use of a single user account. Instead, the hackers seem to have accessed the… Continue reading Facebook Hacked – Vulnerability Posts Fake Like of Video Link Stating “This girl killed herself, after her dad posted THIS to her wall”

FRAUD ALERT: Florida Crime Syndicate Running Timeshare Scam Claiming to be Consumer Defense Resource Group (CDRG) at ResourcesForLife.com

Consumer Defense Resource Group A Florida crime syndicate running a multi-fasceted timeshare scam is claiming to be the the Consumer Defense Resource Group (CDRG) at ResourcesForLife.com. The Florida Attorney General and FBI are currently investigating this case. The Consumer Defense Resource Group (CDRG) at ResourcesForLife.com has no affiliates, agents, or offices in Miami, Florida or anywhere else. We are… Continue reading FRAUD ALERT: Florida Crime Syndicate Running Timeshare Scam Claiming to be Consumer Defense Resource Group (CDRG) at ResourcesForLife.com

SCAM: Timeshare Victims Compensation Fund

Consumer Defense Resource Group Summary. There is a scam currently being perpetrated against people who have lost money through timeshare frauds. The perpetrators apparently have obtained a list of names and contact information for people who lost money. So, when the unsuspecting victim receives a phone call, they assume it must be legitimate since the… Continue reading SCAM: Timeshare Victims Compensation Fund