Scam Alerts in Massachusetts

Every week we are posting about the latest scams to look out for, make sure to come back regularly to stay up to date. We know if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam!

Chimney Repair Scams
Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is receiving calls from consumers across Massachusetts about fake chimney repair companies. Before you hire anyone to work on your chimney or house, use OCABR's contractor lookup to be sure they are registered! https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx

Credit Repair Scams
Overwhelmed by holiday bills? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to face your debt alone either. The New Year is the perfect time to take control of your finances — but beware of criminal scammers offering quick fixes that are too good to be true.

Scammers often exploit financial stress by promising instant relief or quick results to become debt-free. These schemes typically involve up-front fees, bad advice like avoiding your creditors, or vague claims about what services they actually provide.

Before committing to a debt relief service and providing your sensitive personal information, research reviews and check for complaints with organizations like the Better Business Bureau to ensure their credibility. If you need help getting out of debt, turn to an organization like the Nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Social Media Advertisement Scams
Over one-third of U.S. adults who have bought something through an ad on their social media feed report being defrauded, according to a new AARP survey. Don’t let scammers ad-vertise their way into your wallet this new year; here are three tips to stay ahead of social media shopping scams.

1) Don't click on the ad. If the ad appears to be from a known retailer, type the address into your browser or use the retailer’s app. Scammers can impersonate legitimate retailers, and clicking on the ad could bring you to a copycat site.

2) Read reviews and research. If the ad is from a retailer you’re unfamiliar with, verify the site’s legitimacy. Research the company and check for complaints with organizations like the Better Business Bureau.

3) Check the product quality. Be wary of bait-and-switch scams where you receive a product inferior to what was advertised (or you receive nothing at all). If this happens, you can contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.

Utility Scams
With temperatures dropping in many states, scammers are turning up the heat on their deceptive tactics. Each winter, criminals pose as utility company representatives, claiming a missed payment and threatening to shut off service unless payment is immediate.

If you get a surprise call from the “utility company” threatening to shut off your service, hang up the phone. The goal of these scammers is to create a sense of panic, making it harder to think logically and verify their claims. Their hope is that we stay in that state of panic long enough to complete a payment.

To verify the status of your utility payments, contact your provider using the customer service number on a recent bill (or log into their website or app if that’s an option). Chances are you will find out your payments are up to date.

Concert Ticket Scams
Getting tickets to top concerts is tough – don’t let scammers make it harder. With most concert venues switching to digital tickets only and concert demand through the roof, criminals are producing more counterfeit tickets than ever. Here are three tips to avoid buying a fake ticket.

1) Stick to known ticket sales sites or visit the National Association of Ticket Brokers (natb.org) to ensure that you are dealing with a verified reseller. Always type the web address of the site you want to visit into your browser rather than clicking on a link that could take you to a copycat site.

2) Beware of offers on social media and online marketplaces, where this scam thrives. These platforms are a hotspot for fraudulent ticket sales.

3) Never pay with a peer-to-peer payment app unless you are getting tickets from someone you know. You don’t have the same consumer protections with these payment methods that you have with a credit card.

Our Information is Already Out There
If we really want to keep ourselves - and our money - safe from fraud, we must all come to terms with one thing: our personal information is likely already out there. In a time where data breaches are increasingly common, safeguarding yourself from fraud has become more important than ever. Here are three steps to help protect yourself from the risks associated with data breaches and other identity fraud risks:

1) Place a security freeze on your credit accounts with the three big agencies (Experian, Equifax and Transunion) so no one can open a new credit line in your name.

2) Establish online access to your financial accounts and monitor regularly (you can set up text alerts for activity on these accounts as well).

3) Use strong and unique passwords for every online account; consider using a password manager that creates complex passwords and stores them securely.

Crypto Romance Scams
In recent years, cryptocurrency scams have surged, with billions stolen annually. One of the biggest drivers of this trend? Romance scams. By building trust and forging deep emotional connections, scammers can manipulate their victims into making financial decisions they would not normally consider.

If someone you’ve only met online claims they are making money with crypto and offers to help you do the same, it’s a scam – full stop. It does not matter how genuine they seem or what “proof” they attempt to show you; encouraging you to invest and claiming that you can make extraordinary returns in cryptocurrency is one of the surest signs of a modern-day romance scam.

These criminals often pressure you to act fast, making it seem like you are about to miss out on a golden opportunity – another big red flag. The safest way to invest is to research opportunities to ensure they are legitimate and that you understand the risk as well as the potential. A good place to start is at the SEC’s site, www.investor.gov.

Gift Card Balance Scams
The holidays have passed, and for many, that means a stack of gift cards just waiting to be used. But before you check your balances online, beware of fake gift card balance-checking sites designed to steal both your post-holiday joy and your money.

Just because a website to check your gift card balance appears at the top of internet search results does not mean it’s legitimate. Search results can be filled with fraudulent gift card balance-checking sites, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to get their pages to show up at the top of results.

A safer way to check the balance of a gift card is to refer to the back of the card for a phone number or web address. If it’s not provided, proceed with caution. Avoid entering your gift card details into any search result labeled as “Sponsored” or “Ad.” In addition, be cautious of any site title that appears in wacky fonts or next to odd emojis; this is a common tactic scammers use to make their fraudulent web pages both visually pop and appear towards the top.

Getting Help After a Scam
Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.

One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.

AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at aarp.org/fraudsupport.

Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn't have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.

Avoiding the Cruise to Nowhere
Winter is still here and many of us would do just about anything to find some warm weather. Enter the cruise scam. Many of these trips to nowhere literally pop up online as a “free” incentive or a can’t-miss deal. What they really are is an attempt to steal your information or your money.

Here are three tips for avoiding a cruise scam when shopping for your spring getaway.

1. Beware of starting with a search engine: Scammers buy ads and use fake websites to appear at the top of results. Consider starting your search on trusted cruise line websites instead.

2. Check the source: If you receive unsolicited cruise offers, investigate the company to verify its legitimacy, ask questions and study the fine print before booking.

3. Pay with a credit card: If you’ve done your homework and are ready to make the investment, credit cards offer the strongest and most immediate fraud protection.

Crooks Want Gold Bars Now
Understanding the ways criminals seek to steal money can help you stay a step ahead of scams.

While scams take many forms, scammers may seek payment through a few hard-to-trace methods with few or no protections, including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps and, more recently, gold bars.

Criminals impersonating law enforcement or bank employees may convince targets to protect their bank accounts from an active hack by withdrawing their savings and purchasing gold bars as a way to keep their money safe. Then they send a courier to pick up the gold bars for ‘safekeeping.’ This scheme is happening across the country and victims are having their entire life savings stolen in this way. If your bank calls about an urgent matter, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate.

How to Help Repeat Fraud Victims
All too often, victims of fraud are repeatedly deceived by the same criminals regarding the same scheme. Or, once victimized, some are that much more vulnerable to new scams.

If your loved one is experiencing this, gently ask thoughtful questions that may prompt them to reflect on the situation, helping them recognize inconsistencies and come to their own conclusion that it may be a scam. It’s also important to try to understand underlying issues like unmet emotional or financial needs and develop a plan to address them.

Importantly, have regular discussion about scams with family and friends. When you read or hear about some new scheme, talk about it. Put your concerns about protecting your loved ones in the context that fraud is everywhere but together we can help protect one another.

Lastly, and most importantly, avoid blaming the victim. Criminals are skilled manipulators who exploit our emotions. Victims need support, understanding and reassurance from their loved ones.

Be a fraud fighter!

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.