Latest news with #fraudalert
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Millvale business shares warning after being target of electric bill scam
A Millvale business has a warning for others after it was the target of an electricity scam. It was the middle of the Wednesday rush at Compass Point Coffee in Millvale when owner Eric Hodos said he got a call from someone claiming to be from Duquesne Light. "At that moment, I was like, oh, we have to solve this because they come and turn our power off, we're going to lose revenue for the next couple of days," said Hodos. Hodos said the person on the phone told him he owed nearly $2,000 and crews were coming to shut off service unless the remaining balance was paid immediately. He then called his business partner. "I said, look, we're on it. She is calling the billing department right now. He says here's the number, have her call this number. So, she called that number, and they answered with Duquesne Light." But something still didn't seem right. She checked the electric bill and told Hodos they were even; no money was owed. He called the number back and asked to speak to a manager. That is when the scheme was uncovered. "He said I'll transfer you to my manager, and when it went there, it was some random, it was like you've reached John," Hodos said. KDKA called both numbers. The one for billing was disconnected, and the other went to a Phoenix-based bus company. Hodos said he's heard of another Millave business experiencing the same thing. "We want to make sure people don't fall prey to this," he said. "It sounded very legitimate. It sounded very real. They [prey] on your fears, and they want you to react." Duquesne Light encourages people to always check their bill first and call it directly. The company said that before the power is shut off, multiple notices are sent.
CNET
05-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
I Put a Fraud Alert on My Credit Reports. Here's Why You Should, Too
If deleting and reporting scam texts and phone calls has become part of your daily routine, there's another simple way to protect yourself from fraud -- and it may be more effective. Placing a fraud alert on your credit reports can prevent scammers from inflicting financial harm, and it's easier to do than you think. A recent CNET survey showed that as many as 96% of Americans are targeted by scammers each week, either by email, a phone call or text. And data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that financial losses due to fraud reached $12.5 billion in 2024 -- a 25% increase from the year prior. Reporting fraud is important for helping law enforcement catch criminals and inform the public about popular scams, but may not help as much on a personal level. Fraud alerts are specific to you and your credit reports, and they can warn you quickly that someone is using your personal info. I placed fraud alerts on my credit reports with all three of the major credit reporting bureaus, and it only took about 10 minutes. Here's how you can, too. What can a fraud alert do? Placing fraud alerts on your credit reports can prevent criminals from opening new accounts in your name. By setting up alerts with the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion), you can add an extra layer of protection if a thief tries to open an account in your name. The actual fraud alert is a message that appears on your credit reports that lenders can see. It lets them know that your sensitive information could be compromised, and to take extra steps to verify your identity. It's important to alert all of the credit bureaus -- not just one -- since a new account may not necessarily be reported to all three. How credit report fraud alerts work depends on the type you set up, and there are three types to choose from. All three types of fraud alerts are free to set up, and the process only takes a few minutes from start to finish. Initial fraud alert Initial fraud alerts last for one year and alert businesses to check with you before a new account is opened in your name. For example, if you or someone else tried to open a new credit card account, the card issuer would reach out to you to verify before approval. You can renew an initial fraud alert after the first year. Anyone can set up an initial fraud alert for any reason, even if they just worry they'll be a victim of fraud. Extended fraud alert An extended fraud alert also ensures that businesses have to contact you before opening any new accounts in your name. However, these fraud alerts last for seven years instead of one, and they're only available to people who have experienced identity theft and completed an FTC identity theft report at or filed a police report. These alerts can also be renewed once the initial seven-year period ends. Active duty alert Active duty service members can use an active duty alert to protect their credit while they're away. This type of alert lasts for one year automatically, but members can renew it for the length of their deployment after year one. How to set up a fraud alert on your credit reports You'll need to set up fraud alerts with all three of the credit bureaus using the contact information below: How to contact credit bureaus Credit bureau Phone number Website Equifax 800-685-1111 Experian 888-397-3742 TransUnion 888-909-8872 When you visit each of these pages, you'll see the steps you can take to protect your credit and personal information. For example, you'll see options that let you freeze your credit reports completely or dispute incorrect information on your credit reports. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit reports. From there, the process is fairly simple. Here's what the Experian website looks like when you visit its credit help page: Step 1: Select 'fraud alerts,' then create an account When you click on "fraud alerts" on the Experian page, you'll be prompted to create an account or sign into an existing Experian account. If you create a new account, you'll need to share personal information like your full name, address, employment, date of birth and Social Security number (SSN). Step 2: Choose the type of fraud alert Once you log into your account, you can choose the type of fraud alert you want: an initial fraud alert, an extended fraud alert or an active duty alert. Since I hadn't been a victim of identity theft so far, I opted to open initial fraud alerts that last for one year on my credit reports. Step 3: Confirm your phone number This step requires you to verify your phone number, which should match the number they have on file from when you created your account. Step 4: Place the fraud alert Once you verify your phone number, the fraud alert is placed on your credit report automatically in seconds. Experian also says it will notify the other credit bureaus when a fraud alert is placed, but just in case, it's a good idea to contact Equifax and TransUnion yourself. Experian will also automatically remove your name and address from pre-screened offer lists for six months. You can remove a fraud alert with any of the credit bureaus using the same process. You'll simply head to the bureau's credit help page, navigate to the fraud alerts section, and choose the option to manage your alerts. From there, you can remove the fraud alert with just a few clicks. How to act on a fraud alert If you set up a fraud alert on your credit reports and you're notified someone else is trying to open an account in your name, this is a sign someone may have your sensitive personal information. This could be the result of a phishing scam or a criminal hacking into your accounts. Criminals getting hold of your sensitive personal details can also be the result of a major data breach. Maintain the fraud alert and renew as needed . If you were notified someone else was trying to open an account in your name and had the chance to stop it due to your fraud alert, the process worked. You can continue protecting yourself by renewing your fraud alert each time it is set to expire. . If you were notified someone else was trying to open an account in your name and had the chance to stop it due to your fraud alert, the process worked. You can continue protecting yourself by renewing your fraud alert each time it is set to expire. Freeze your credit reports . Another more drastic step involves freezing your credit reports with all three credit bureaus. A freeze prevents new accounts, full stop. If you want to open a new credit card or take out a loan and your credit is frozen, you'll need to temporarily unfreeze your credit reports first. . Another more drastic step involves freezing your credit reports with all three credit bureaus. A freeze prevents new accounts, full stop. If you want to open a new credit card or take out a loan and your credit is frozen, you'll need to temporarily unfreeze your credit reports first. Sign up for identity theft monitoring . You can also sign up for identity theft protection services, which can notify you if someone tries to open an account in your name and about other changes to your credit. These services tend to offer up to $1 million in identity theft insurance as well as other perks. . You can also sign up for identity theft protection services, which can notify you if someone tries to open an account in your name and about other changes to your credit. These services tend to offer up to $1 million in identity theft insurance as well as other perks. Report the attempted fraud. You can also report attempted credit card and loan fraud to the authorities, including the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Reach out to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to report mail-related scams. Can you add a fraud alert if your credit is frozen? You can set up a fraud alert on your credit reports if your credit is already frozen, but you don't need to. Freezing your credit is more severe than setting up a fraud alert since it prevents anyone from opening a new account in your name (including you). Freezes are also indefinite, compared to fraud alerts that typically last a year. When you freeze your credit reports, you have to take steps to temporarily unfreeze your reports if you want to apply for a credit card or a loan. Fortunately, all three credit bureaus let you set a specific time for your credit to be unfrozen, such as 24 or 36 hours, so you can apply for new credit before your reports are frozen again.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- CTV News
RCMP warn public of texting scam involving speeding tickets
Next-generation 911 services — which would enable Canadians to send texts or video to emergency services — won't be implemented for another two years. A person uses a cellphone in Ottawa on July 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Strathcona County RCMP say they have received a report of a text scam circulating in the area. The text messages sent to the victim say their radar ticket is unpaid and provides a link to a website to make a payment. RCMP say to not click on the link or make any payments. '(We) would like to remind the public that government and police organizations do not issue tickets via text messaging,' said a statement from RCMP. 'If you receive any suspicious text messages, do not reply and do not click any links.' If you think you may be a victim of this scheme, you can contact Strathcona County RCMP at 780-467-7741 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or here.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Don't be fooled: DMV text scams expand to more states
More states are cautioning residents to be wary of text message scams claiming to come from DMVs. The texts scams pose as messages from state Departments of Motor Vehicles, or DMVs. As of Friday, June 6, Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan and North Carolina have warned residents about the scam. llinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia and New York previously issued advisories. The new DMV scams come hot on the tail of a string of text scams that threatened folks with unpaid toll charges. Here's what to know about the latest scam and how to report, if you receive one. More news: Over 183,000 Mazda vehicles recalled. See impacted models. While the texts vary state to state, the underlying message is the same: Residents are at risk of losing their vehicle registration and driving privileges, receive a toll booth charge increase, or see their credit score impacted, if they go not pay an outstanding traffic ticket to the state's DMV. The text message sent in Indiana includes a date penalties will begin, a fake administrative code and a list of consequences that the receiver will face if they don't pay an outstanding bill. The message also includes a link that appears to be the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website. If you receive a text message from a DMV, demanding money, the Federal Trade Commission suggests the following: Do not respond to the text or click any links. State DMVs would not ask for your information or money by text. If you think the message might be real, contact your state's DMV using a trusted phone number or website. Copy the text message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This will help your wireless provider spot and block similar messages. Report the text on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam. Report the text to the Federal Trade Commission at and/or file a compliant with the FBI's Internet Crime Compliant Center at The DMV text scam is an example of smishing. "Smishing" is a social engineering attack that uses fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information or sending money to hackers, according to IBM. The term is a combination of "SMS" or short messaging service" and "phishing," an umbrella term for social engineering attacks. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don't click that link: DMV text message scams on the rise
CTV News
05-06-2025
- CTV News
Search group warns against fake fundraiser exploiting two children missing in N.S.
Jack and Lilly Sullivan, who were reported missing from their home in Nova Scotia's Pictou County on May 2, 2025, are pictured. HALIFAX — Halifax Search and Rescue is warning against fraudsters impersonating their group who claim they'll use donated cash to search for two missing children. Paul Service, director of the volunteer organization, says a GoFundMe campaign attempted to raise $100,000 to fund a drone to search for four-year-old Jack Sullivan and six-year-old Lilly Sullivan. A large-scale search was launched for the two children after they disappeared on May 2 in Lansdowne Station, N.S., and there have been two, smaller efforts since then involving volunteer searchers. The non-profit group says it doesn't normally request donations through GoFundMe and doesn't base its campaigns on particular searches. Service says a representative from GoFundMe contacted him to say it was taking down the site and investigating after the campaign was reported on CBC. He says that it is disheartening for his group to have to cope with scams, as it may discourage the public from donating to his group's legitimate fundraising efforts. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
