Scam Watch -- baltimoresun.com

November 30, 2008

'FDA special agent' calls are frauds

Beware of an extortion scheme by callers who falsely identify themselves as "FDA special agents" or other FDA officials, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

November 23, 2008

Tips to avoid cheats online

The Better Business Bureau is offering online shopping tips to protect you from being taken in by unscrupulous online retailers, scammers and hackers this holiday season:

November 16, 2008

'Federal Reserve' loan offer is fake

The Federal Reserve Board is warning consumers to be wary of questionable solicitations promising access to personal loans through what turns out to be a nonexistent Federal Reserve lending program.

November 9, 2008

Fed cracks down on mimic mailings

The Federal Reserve is cracking down on scams targeting distressed homeowners that mimic mailings sent out by mortgage industry alliance HOPE NOW, a group brought together under the arm of the U.S. Treasury to modify mortgages for people at risk of losing their homes.

November 2, 2008

'BBB' e-mail, blog posts just phishing

Beware of e-mail messages and blog posts that direct consumers to register software with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB warns that the messages are phishing schemes designed to fool people into sharing private information.

October 26, 2008

Bogus e-mail uses FBI seal, photos

Beware of a spam e-mail claiming to be from FBI Director John S. Pistole.

October 19, 2008

Thieves exploiting financial upheaval

You've seen plenty of e-mail trying to trick you into sharing sensitive data. Now the Federal Trade Commission is urging consumers to be even more cautious of online scammers looking to take advantage of upheavals in the financial marketplace.

October 12, 2008

Mortgage trouble sparks scheme

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is warning consumers and mortgage companies to beware of a new type of business purporting to offer "loss mitigation consulting," "foreclosure prevention" and similar services.

October 5, 2008

Frauds prey on cancer sufferers

Beware of deceptive advertising for bogus cancer cures, the Federal Trade Commission warned recently.

September 28, 2008

Scheme works on appeal to vanity

Consumers, local businesses and organizations should not be fooled by deceptive e-mail messages telling then that they've been selected to win an award, warns the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection recently.

September 21, 2008

BBB warns of scheme charging for unordered supplies

Two Maryland janitorial supply companies might be using unscrupulous methods to obtain unauthorized payments from businesses, warned the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland.

September 7, 2008

'Hit man' e-mail scheme resurfaces in the U.S.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center issued another warning about the hit man e-mail scheme that first surfaced a couple years ago and, more recently, earlier this year.