Scams & Fraud

The more you know, the less likely you are to become a victim of investment fraud.

Ads for jobs guaranteeing you will make a certain amount of money or that you can work from home are probably scams. If you respond to the ad, you’ll likely be asked to send money so you can either get the job, acquire more job listings, receive supplies to start a business at home, or obtain special “certification” that’s supposed to get you a job. If an ad for a job sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There’s a new scam we recently heard about. A resident receives an official-looking letter from a law firm in the state, outlining a family member’s prior criminal conviction, describing the verdict, and then stating there is an outstanding fine or fee. The letter directs the resident to send a check to clear the expense. If you receive a letter like this, contact local law enforcement.

As part of a long-range strategy, AARP Delaware invited a dynamic group of women to the table and initiated a collaborative venture with the Wilmington Delaware Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Delta Sigma Theta is a predominantly African-America sorority whose agenda is built on community service. The sorority boasts more than 900 chapters worldwide, and has initiated over 250,000 members. This collaborative effort allowed the state office to weave the key areas of multi-generational, multicultural and the movable middle into all they did with the well-known sorority.

It pays to look closely at your credit card statement. You may see a "test charge," - a small charge, like $1. It may seem insignificant but it could be a sign tat a scammer has stolen your credit card and is testing it with a small amount to see if it works. Some merchants legitimately place a test charge on your account appearing to come from gas stations or hotel; these charges eventually drop off. But if you see a small charge and can't identify the merchant, contact your credit card company immediately.

Every Day Behaviors Put Delawareans at Greater Risk

Have your sensitive documents safely shredded

Every 2 seconds, someone’s identity is stolen in America. In the last year alone, Americans lost $18 billion of their hard-earned dollars to fraud, identity theft and scams. Delaware ranks #6 out of all States for fraudulent activity. Don’t be a victim. Get inside the mind of a con artist and prevent fraud.

While using cash or a debit card to pay for purchases prevents tacked-on interest charges and helps you to stay on budget, you should still pay with credit cards this holiday season because they are the most protective payment choice.

A new survey of internet users shows that the freedom and convenience of public wireless networks may come at a cost. Nearly half failed a quiz about online and wireless safety, while tens-of-thousands admit to engaging in activity that could put them squarely in the sights of hackers looking to steal their personal information.