List of Online Scams, Cons, Frauds and Offline Rip-offs*
It’s one thing to get junk mail in your mailbox. But, when it comes to getting screwed over by a predator in this day and age, it usually means there will be an influx of garbage flowing through your email inbox. Rather than trying to duplicate the efforts of so many before me, I figure one of the best sources I could give you for protecting yourself from online frauds would be none other than the FBI.
Over the years, the FBI has been keeping track of all of those tricksters that like to take advantage of the common folk and senior citizens by playing on their emotions, money problems, job insecurity and unemployment. These con artists make almost unbelievable claims or give grandiose promises of quick money or inherited riches, all the while attempting to gather personal information that anyone is usually uncomfortable giving up to a stranger.
Even though the following list of potential frauds includes offline topics that aren’t in the wheelhouse of Megabit Affiliate, I felt it was important that you, who thanks to the internet is a global consumer of goods and services, should be well informed as to just what length some of these criminals are willing to go. This FBI scam list comes to you directly from the FBI’s Official Website under the page heading of
Scams & Safety – Frauds from A to Z:
The following list provides links to information on many of the common and emerging frauds—both specific schemes and larger categories of crime—investigated by the FBI and its partners. We will be adding more links and information as time goes on, so check back often. ~ FBI
- Adoption Scams
- Advance Fee Schemes
- Anti-Aging Product Fraud
- ATM Skimming
- Bankruptcy Fraud
- Corporate Fraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- Financial Institution Fraud
- Foreclosure Fraud
- Funeral Fraud | Prepaid Funeral Scams
- Gameover Malware
- Grandparent Scam
- Health Care Fraud
- Hedge Fund Fraud
- House Stealing
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Insurance Fraud
- Internet Fraud
- Internet Pharmacy Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Jury Duty Scam
- Letter of Credit Fraud
- Lottery Scams
- Mass Marketing Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Natural Disaster Fraud
- Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud
- Online Auction Fraud
- Online Auto Auction Fraud
- Online Dating Scams
- Online Rental Housing Scheme
- Phishing
- Ponzi Schemes
- Prime Bank Note Fraud
- Pump-and-Dump Stock Scheme
- Pyramid Schemes
- Ransomware
- Redemption/Strawman/Bond Fraud
- Reverse Mortgage Scams
- Scareware
- Securities and Commodities Fraud
- Senior Citizen Fraud
- Smishing
- Social Security Card Fraud
- Spear Phishing
- Sports Memorabilia Fraud
- Staged Auto Accident Fraud
- Stock Options Backdating
- Surrogacy Scam
- Swatting
- Telemarketing Fraud
- Telephone Denial of Service Fraud
- Timeshare Schemes
- Vishing
- Work-at-Home Scams
*This is certainly not an “all-inclusive” list of scams and frauds. I will be highlighting on certain aspects in the online world where these methodologies come into play in future articles. Stay Tuned.
I truly hope that this information reaches your browser before you, or your loved ones, are ever found on the receiving end of one of these systematic ploys to rob you of your hard-earned savings. If you, or someone you know is considering, has ever received an “invitation” to participate in, or have been the victim of any other type of “scam”, please take a moment and SHARE THIS POST IMMEDIATELY with those you believe it may help. When it comes to online fraud, damage can be done in a matter of seconds and can do irreparable harm to anyone caught up in the web of lies and deceit.
You can report any incident anonymously to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).
If you’re not comfortable with reporting this type of situation or abuse, contact me directly and I’ll be happy to walk you through the process, or even do it for you.
Keep in Touch.
