Fraud
Articles & Publications About Fraud
- ADDICTION-RELATED FRAUD: Spotting The Signs And Successfully Confronting Your Loved One
One of the scariest things about addiction is that it can make a person do things they never thought they would — and for some, that means committing fraud.
- Common Energy Scams (Center Point Energy)
Energy bill scammers often pretend to be representatives of public utilities so they can steal your money or identity. It’s a growing problem, as imposter scams are the second-most common type of consumer complaint made to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Don't Be Fooled by Bogus Phone Calls (Michigan Supreme Court – Oct. 2007)
Warning re: Scammers posing as court officials seeking confidential information.
- Eight Ways to Help Protect Yourself From Insurance Fraud (10/1/2013)
Common frauds including padding or inflating actual claims, misrepresenting facts on insurance applications, and submitting claims for injuries or damage that never occurred.
- Gratiot County Commission Warns About Scam (Caregiving.com – Nov. 2007)
Retirees are receiving telephone calls from people misrepresenting themselves as agents of the Social Security Administration asking for banking account information.
- How to Report Consumer Fraud (AARP – 1/2017)
If you think you've been targeted by scammers, there are federal watchdog agencies you should contact to stay protected.
- In case you think tax frauds are going away (2/21/17)
“With the tremendous amount of personal and financial information available online, tax season is paradise for cybercriminals,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance.
- Preventing Home Improvement Fraud (Home Advisor)
A home improvement project can be overwhelming, and hiring a contractor often helps to ease the tension. However, scammers sometimes appear and offer their services for what sounds like a good deal, only to take the money and run.
- Protect Yourself From the Three Biggest Types of Homebuyer Fraud (10/28/2016)
Purchasing a home that you can call your own is both an exciting and nerve-wracking step in life. Because it’s a complicated process involving many steps and the exchanging of money, it is ripe for complications and, unfortunately, even fraud.
- Simple Ways to Avoid Credit Card Fraud (8/15/16)
Your credit card information is always at risk for theft. You can avoid credit card fraud by taking steps to keep your credit card details safe.
- Stop calling me! (elm – Elder Law of Michigan)
If bill collectors are bugging you remember: you do not have to talk to them. Federal law lets you demand that a bill collector stop calling you.
- Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors
Financial scams targeting seniors have become so prevalent that they’re now considered “the crime of the 21st century.”
- Untangling a robocaller web (FTC – 6/5/18)
Sick of getting robocalls and other unwanted calls? You can learn more about how to block them at ftc.gov/calls. You also might know that the FTC continues to go after the people and companies behind these calls.
- Working Well with Contractors: 15 Questions that Prevent Fraud and Ensure Satisfaction
Knowing there are plenty of important questions you need to ask potential contractors isn’t a startling revelation to homeowners, but exactly which ones are crucial to the hiring process might be a bigger mystery.
Organizations & Services About Fraud
- Fraud.org
Mission is to give consumers the information they need to avoid becoming victims of telemarketing and Internet fraud and to help them get their complaints to law enforcement agencies quickly and easily.
- How to File a Complaint With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC video)
If you spot a scam, don't keep it to yourself. File a complaint with the nation's consumer protection agency.
- National Association of Consumer Advocates
A nationwide organization of more than 1,500 attorneys who represent and have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by fraudulent, abusive and predatory business practices.
- OnGuard Online
Provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
- Report Fraud (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services – Office of Inspector General)
All HHS and contractor employees have a responsibility to assist in combating fraud, waste and abuse in all departmental programs. As such you are encouraged to report matters involving fraud, waste and mismanagement in any departmental program(s) to OIG.
- Who's Calling? Can You Recognize a Phone Scam? (FTC)
Explains several deceptive telemarketing schemes, and how you can protect yourself against them.
More PEKD pages about Fraud:
