A deceptive practice where individuals create fake online personas to manipulate or deceive others. Motivations behind catfishing can vary, ranging from curiosity to forming emotional connections to possible financial fraud. Catfishing can occur in various contexts, including social media, online dating, and online gaming. Be cautious when interacting with people online to avoid falling victim to catfishing.

As non-regulated and non-tracked currencies gain popularity, new scams are emerging. They range from impostors posing as federal agents seeking crypto or gift card payments through QR codes and ATMs to fake Bitcoin retirement accounts and deceptive crypto trading schemes.

It's important to be very careful and watch out for these scams, especially if you're unfamiliar with digital money. If someone asks for money this way, it's a good idea to ask someone you trust for help before doing anything.

Device Servicing and Maintenance scams are deceptive schemes where scammers pose as IT professionals from well-known tech giants like Apple, Samsung, or Microsoft. They aim to gain your trust and extract sensitive login information and passwords. They often reach out via phone calls or emails, insisting on the urgent need for your device's attention. Sometimes, they may even request remote access to your device, potentially locking it down and demanding a ransom for control restoration.

Furthermore, these scams aim to deceive victims into providing financial information or logging into their accounts while surreptitiously recording these details. Scammers later exploit this information to access your bank accounts or credit card data, enabling them to steal your money. To safeguard yourself, exercise vigilance, treat unsolicited requests for personal information with skepticism, and verify the authenticity of service claims. Legitimate tech companies typically do not require sensitive information or initiate uninvited remote access to your devices.

If you have encountered any interactions matching the descriptions above, please don't hesitate to contact us promptly and update all your login information and passwords. There's no reason to feel embarrassed, as these scams are exceptionally convincing. Your security is our priority.

This scheme is designed to steal financial and personal information, impacting car owners and vehicle loan holders. Typically initiated through automated phone messages, this scam preys on individuals by offering fake vehicle warranty extensions and exploiting their personal and financial data for malicious purposes.

Caution is crucial; refrain from sharing sensitive information in response to these calls. If you receive an automated message like this, do not call the number back. Avoid engaging, as it could potentially place you at risk.

Federal Credit Union scams try to trick you by pretending to be your bank with the intention of stealing your account credentials. These scams are commonly distributed through text messages, phone calls, or emails.

We will never contact you to ask for your Password, PIN, Secure Access Code (SAC), or personal information. If you receive a text message, phone call, or email asking for your First Commonwealth account information, do not respond to it and/or hang up immediately.

Text messaging has become a staple in our daily communications, linking us with friends, family, and businesses. However, this convenience also brings with it the risk of text message scams, or "smishing," where fraudsters send deceptive messages to steal personal information like bank details, passwords, or Social Security numbers. These scams often disguise themselves as urgent bank alerts, contest winnings, or unauthorized account activity warnings, exploiting trust and urgency to trick individuals.

To protect yourself, it's crucial to recognize the signs of a scam: urgent requests at odd hours, messages from unknown numbers, spelling errors, and suspicious links are major red flags. Always verify suspicious texts by contacting the organization directly through official channels and not through the contact details provided in the message. Utilize official apps for account notifications, enable two-factor authentication for added security, and keep informed about the latest scam trends through reliable resources like the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, never share personal information via SMS, install security software on your devices, and ensure your phone's software is regularly updated to guard against vulnerabilities.

If you suspect that you've received a scam text message, do not respond. Report it to your mobile carrier and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. By reporting, you help fight back against these threats and protect others from falling victim.

Federal student loan scams target individuals seeking educational loans. They often request sensitive information and make false promises of loan forgiveness or low-interest rates. They might charge upfront fees and impersonate government agencies.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, borrowers should be cautious, verify the legitimacy of offers, and report suspicious activities to authorities while seeking accurate information from official government sources and their loan servicer. Legitimate federal student loan services do not charge upfront fees.

The fraudulent practice of sending emails or other messages that falsely claim to be from trusted companies, aiming to manipulate individuals into disclosing their personal information.

Verify the authenticity of such messages, and don't click on links or download attachments unless you're sure they are safe. Use reputable security software and regularly update your passwords to add an extra layer of protection against phishing attempts.

Also known as sweetheart scams, this deceitful practice targets individuals' emotions. Scammers often use catfishing tactics by assuming a false identity. They typically pretend to be in love with the victim, creating a deep emotional connection and then tricking the victim into sending money or valuable assets under the pretense of various financial needs, such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or investments. Romance scams are primarily motivated by financial fraud.

To safeguard yourself from a romance scam, exercise caution. Never send money to someone you've met online. Verify their identity and the authenticity of their story. Use reputable dating sites. If something feels suspicious, report it and seek advice from a trusted friend or family member.

This scam is a common advance-fee fraud, usually via email or letter. Scammers pretend to be wealthy individuals, often claiming royal Nigerian titles, seeking financial help to access a large sum of money. The scammer promises the victims a big reward or a share of the fortune. To make it convincing, scammers use elaborate stories involving politics, family crises, or legal troubles, adding urgency and secrecy.

This scam is notorious for requesting an upfront payment or a series of fees to cover various fictional expenses, such as legal fees, taxes, or bribes. Victims are often told that these costs are necessary to facilitate the release of the supposed fortune. Unfortunately, once the victim sends money, the scammer disappears, and the promised riches never materialize.

It would help if you exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited emails or letters that make extravagant claims and request upfront payments. Awareness and skepticism are the best defenses against falling prey to these scams.

Tax season often brings an increase in scam calls, with criminals impersonating federal IRS agents. They may use intimidation tactics to coerce taxpayers into revealing their social security numbers and personal information or solicit "gift cards" as a fake solution for tax issues.

It's essential to remember that the IRS will not employ unrealistic time pressure or threats in their communications. To protect yourself, stay vigilant, verify the caller's authenticity, and refrain from sharing sensitive information over the phone.