jonathancouch

This is the first week in the May focus on Senior Fraud, and this week is Government Imposter Scams.  What are they?  How do you tell a scam from reality?  What can you do to protect yourself?  Let’s take a deep dive into these types of scams and see if we can answer those questions. […]

Welcome to another Fraud Friday!   National Senior Fraud Awareness Day is observed on May 15 every year.  The United States Congress declared this day to promote awareness of fraudulent schemes older adults often fall prey to. I have chosen to make the focus of May Fraud Fridays all about Senior Fraud.  What is alarming

Good morning!  Another addition of Fraud Friday is upon us.  This week let’s talk about Unknown Number Text Scams, sometimes referred to as “Hello” scams.   Anyone received a strange text from an unknown number lately?  I’m sure you all have; it seems to be an epidemic.  I recently received one from someone texting their

Did you know that fraud can be classified as either First, Second, or Third party?  All fraud is damaging not only to individuals but businesses as well, causing financial losses and mistrust.  Let’s dive in for a closer look at these 3 types and explore examples, red flags, and prevention.   First-party fraud occurs when

We have all heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers”, but the month of April has much more in store for us than that.  For example: a day dedicated to playing jokes, pollen, Easter, child abuse awareness, and the dreaded tax deadline.  One thing about April you may not know is that it is

We have made it to another #FraudFriday! How many Apple users do we have??   Apple has these nifty little things called AirTags, which when used correctly, are a really easy way to keep track of all your stuff.  Unfortunately, there are those out there who are using these handy dandy devices for more nefarious reasons. 

Welcome to another Fraud Friday! Imagine you have been the victim of a scam.  Think of the guilt, embarrassment, and fear you might feel on top of having to shoulder the weight of losing your hard-earned money to a fraudster.  Now, picture someone assuring you that they can not only find the scammers but can

How many animal lovers do we have out there?   Adopting from the Humane Society, local vet or pet store, or using a trusted breeder are all wonderful ways to obtain a healthy happy pet.  Sometimes, we take to social media or the internet for pet purchases.  Not everyone who sells animals online are reputable.  Some

With Spring Break upon us and vacation season getting underway, travel scams are going to be on the rise.  Whether you are vacationing somewhere in the USA or traveling abroad, the potential to fall for a scam remains the same.  From fake websites to digital pickpocketing, fake event tickets to taxi overcharging, scammers love to

Have you or someone you know received a text saying you owe unpaid tolls?  More than likely, it is a scam.  Even though Alabama does have several toll roads, chances are that if you live around here (unless you travel some) you probably have not driven through one recently.  Quite simply, a toll road is