New Year, New Habits

Get in the know. The best way to combat fraud and scams from happening to you is to be aware of what the scammers are up to now. Just like the world of fashion, scammers are constantly changing their look, hoping to catch you off guard. So being vigilant to what is going on in the world around you can make all the difference. Knowledge is power! Informed minds don’t get conned. Taking a little bit of time and educating yourself could be the difference between detection or disaster. Here are some of the known scams that occur at this time of year. Remember, when in doubt, reach out! 

1. Tax Scams 

  • Fake IRS communications: Scammers impersonate the IRS via email, phone, or text, demanding payment or personal info. 

  • W-2 phishing: Fraudsters target HR departments or individuals to steal W-2 forms for identity theft. 

  • Early refund fraud: Criminals file fake tax returns before the real taxpayer does. 

2. New Year’s Resolution Scams 

  • Fitness app fraud: Fake or malicious apps promise weight loss or fitness tracking but steal data or charge hidden fees. 

  • Subscription traps: “Free trials” for wellness products or services that auto-renew with high fees and are hard to cancel. 

  • Self-improvement scams: Courses, coaching, or investment programs that overpromise and underdeliver. 

3. Post-Holiday Shopping Scams 

  • Fake return/refund emails: Phishing emails pretending to be from retailers asking for login or payment info. 

  • Gift card scams: Scammers trick people into buying gift cards and sharing codes under false pretenses. 

4. Credit and Financial Scams 

  • Credit report phishing: Fraudsters pose as credit bureaus offering “free credit checks” to steal personal data. 

  • Debt relief scams: Fake companies offer to consolidate or eliminate debt for upfront fees. 

5. AI-Enhanced Impersonation Scams 

  • Voice cloning and deepfake fraud: Scammers use AI to mimic voices or faces of trusted individuals to request money or sensitive info.

New Years is traditionally a time to make new resolutions for the upcoming year. So why not make one and invest in the safety of your future? Let us work together with you to learn, educate, and help yourselves as well as others to build a community that stands against fraud.  

Vianey PaulComment