F
R
A
U
D

Scam artists in the U.S. and around the world defraud millions of people each year. They use the phone, email, postal mail, and the internet to trick you into sending money or giving out personal information.

Below are a list of the more common frauds/scams out there and suggestions on how to protect yourself.



Call to action!


Types of Fraud




Telemarketing Fraud

When you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.




Links More Info

Identity
Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform a fraud or other criminal act. Criminals can get the information they need to assume your identity by stealing your wallet, rifling through your trash, or by compromising your credit or bank information.


LinksMore Info

Advance Fee Schemes

An advance fee scheme occurs when the victim pays money to someone in anticipation of receiving something of greater value—such as a loan, contract, investment, or gift—and then receives little or nothing in return.



Links More Info

Health Care / Health Insurance Fraud

Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. 


Health Insurance



Internet Fraud

For information on the most common complaints and scams, see the annual reports of the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3. Also see its information on Internet Crime Schemes and its Internet Crime Prevention Tips.


Links More Info

Senior Citizen
Fraud/Scams

Elder fraud is an act targeting older adults in which attempts are made to deceive with promises of goods, services, or financial benefits that do not exist, were never intended to be provided, or were misrepresented.



LinksMore Info

Home Improvement Fraud

Home improvement fraud occurs when: A contractor intentially provides false or misleading information to convince a consumer to enter into an agreement for home improvements or the contractor receives payment and fails to provide the services or materials

Links More Info

Tax Fraud



Someone Filed a False Tax Return in Your Name. What Now?

Act quickly, since criminals will often try to use your personal information again.



State TaxFederal tax