Every 14 seconds, someone becomes a victim of identity theft.1 These fraudsters can usually trigger warning signs of identity theft — and prevention is key, helping you catch the thief before you find out they inflicted thousands of dollars in damage. To help ensure you don’t pay this price, review our list of identity theft warning signs and our tips to help you avoid becoming a victim.

10 warning signs of identity theft

1. Unfamiliar transactions you didn’t make appear on your bank or credit card statements. (Even small $1 or $2 charges can be the sign of a problem.)
2. Receive a statement for credit card or other account you never opened, or they appear on your credit report.
3. Missing bills you’ve been expecting by mail or email. The fraudster could have changed the mail or email address to ensure you don’t see their fraudulent charges.
4. You’re unexpectedly denied for a loan, credit card, checking account or healthcare coverage.
5. Bills for medical services you didn’t have performed appear, you are told you’ve mysteriously reached your benefits limit, or your records suddenly show a condition you don’t have.
6. Start getting debt collection calls, even though you regularly pay your bills.
7. Your employer or former employer tells you someone is trying to collect unemployment benefits under your name.
8. You receive a two-factor authentication notice you didn’t trigger.
9. Your credit report contains obviously fraudulent information, such as an incorrect name, address, employer or Social Security number.
10. You get notices from the IRS that your e-filed tax return was rejected or a second return was filed in your name.

This is just a short list of triggers that if not caught early could become a larger issue. If you’re worried you might be a victim, contact us to file a report and recover your funds.. With today’s technology, it can be easier for fraudsters to get our Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Here are some easy ways to keep your PII safe:

10 ways to help prevent identity theft

1. Keep your smartphone, computer, wallet and checkbook safe — more than 40% of identity thefts are tied to their loss.
2. Shop only on secure sites (look for “https” in the URL, or for a lock or unbroken key icon) — 21% of identity thefts occur when the victim is shopping online during the holidays.
3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi unless you can connect securely, such as over a virtual private network (VPN). When you’re done, disable the connection.
4. Use strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Password-protect any device that connects to the internet or saves your personal information. Don’t use the same password across multiple sites, update your password often, and always log out when you’re done.
5. Keep your devices current on anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software, and keep firewalls active.
6. Only give personal information to trusted sources and always ask why it’s needed.
7. If you don’t know the sender of an email, don’t open it. Even if you do open it, don’t click any links or download attachments.
8. Use credit cards rather than debit cards for shopping — they typically offer more fraud protection.
9. Routinely review your financial accounts and check your credit report. You can request one free from each credit bureau every 12 months.
10. Consider signing up for fraud alerts and freezing your credit files.

At the end of the day, this can be a lot to manage. At Bridge Pioneers, we recognize that managing your identity is more important than ever.
If you’re ever worried that your accounts have been compromised, contact us to start recovery process.

The post 10 Identity Theft warning signs and prevention tips. first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Watch Out for Catfishing

Catfishing is when someone presents themselves online as someone else to trick people into befriending them and giving them money. They may take months to establish a friendship or an online dating relationship. Then they’ll make innocent requests, like asking for help covering a medical bill, or telling you they’re having a hard time making some other type of payment. They’ll ask if they can pay you and have you make a payment on their behalf, but their payment to you will be fraudulent and you’ll be out the money.
I have spent time helping our customers with fraud cases, knowing that they don’t want to believe it’s real. The scammers have played to their emotions, or they pretend to be in romantic relationships. Whatever it is that person needs, the scammer will figure it out. The fraudsters are so good at earning trust, but in the end things never end up well.

Know the Red Flags

There are usually some consistent warning signs when someone is being defrauded. Here are a few things I tell my customers to look for:

• If you are doing a job or doing someone a favor for a lot of money and it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
• We’re seeing a lot of scams that involve emotional decisions, like a request for help with medical bills, a family member in trouble or buying a puppy. Be careful not to let your heart get in the way.
• Watch for elements of transferring money, such as someone asking you to pay for something, and then they’ll compensate you or transfer your reimbursement.
• Be very cautious if someone warns you not to tell your friends or your banker about any financial arrangement they are requesting, That’s a huge signal that they’re up to something fraudulent.
• Do not give your banking information to anyone, this includes your online banking credentials.

If you think you could be dealing with fraudulent activity, please reach out to us, we are happy to help.

The post Warning Signs of Financial Fraud first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

You might be able to get your money back after you’ve been scammed.
What you should do, and whether you’ll get a refund, depends on what happened.

If there’s an unknown payment from your account

Contact your bank immediately if:

• there’s a payment from your bank account you don’t recognise – this is known as an ‘unauthorised transaction’
• you’ve used your debit card and more money was taken than you expected

Explain what’s happened and ask if you can get a refund. If you’re not happy with how the bank deals with your claim, you can complain to them. Find out how to do this by checking their website.
If it’s been 8 weeks since you complained, and you haven’t got your money back, contact the Bridge Pioneers. You can also contact Bridge Pioneers if you’ve had a letter from the bank saying it’s not going to take any action. This is sometimes known as a final response letter.
If Bridge Pioneers decides you’ve been treated unfairly, it’s got legal powers to put things right.

If you can’t get your money back

Find out how to get emotional support after a scam.
If you need help with debt, reach out to us to help you recover your stolen funds.

Report the scam

It’s a good idea to report the scam – even if you haven’t got your money back yet. Find out how to report a scam.

The post Check if you can get your money back after a scam first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Scamming is rampant. More than 40,000 people filed scam reports with the Better Business Bureau in 2022, and the median reported dollar loss was $171, according to that year’s BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. A lot of those scams are targeting your bank accounts.
And though federal law limits liability for credit card fraud, it’s not the same for bank scams, such as being given a fake check you deposit and then send part of the amount to a fraudster.
“You are responsible for any deposits made to your account,” says Liz Cackowski, a certified financial crimes investigator and senior fraud investigator for Republic Bank.
Luckily, you can protect yourself and your bank account by learning how to identify six common bank scams.

Check Overpayment Scams

Check overpayment fraud is a popular scam that targets sellers from online auctions and classified advertisement websites. During a transaction, the scammer will pay the seller with a bogus check for more than the amount of the item. The scammer will then ask the seller to wire the difference back after making the deposit. The seller will be out not only a returned item fee from the bank, but also whatever cash the supposed buyer received.
How to avoid this scam: Independently verify a buyer’s name, address and phone number. A check that comes from an unknown party should be a red flag, Cackowski says. If you are selling an item to someone in Ohio, but the check lists the name of a dental office in the District of Columbia, the payment may not be legitimate. Regardless of how insistent a buyer may be, never cash a check and immediately wire money from it. Talk to your bank if you have any concerns about a payment you receive.

Credit Card and Bank Account Scams

You may get emails or calls from someone who claims to be from your credit card issuer or bank. The messages may ask you to call back to discuss a problem or to click on a link to update your account information. In some cases, scammers may even claim they are investigating possible fraud on your account and ask for details such as your account number or Social Security number to investigate further. These are all attempts to get you to hand over sensitive information.

How to avoid this scam: Do not click on any email links or attachments. Scam phone messages may include a callback number, but you should ignore that. “Don’t call the number they gave you. Call the number you have,” says Michael Foguth, president and founder of advisory firm Foguth Financial Group in Brighton, Michigan. Otherwise, you could find yourself on the phone with the scammer rather than a bank representative.

Charity Scams

Not everyone asking for a charitable donation may be on the up and up. “Fraudsters are out there, and they do prey on people’s good intentions,” says Caleb Barnum of Sydney-based Integrated Research. For example, you could receive a call asking for donations to the local police department or to military families. The crooks elicit information about your bank account or debit card to make the donation over the phone, giving them full access to your checking account.
How to avoid this scam: To make sure your good intentions don’t go to waste, the safest way to give to a charity is by choosing an organization you know and trust. Also, be careful about sharing your personal information with people who reach out by telephone or email.

Online Lending Scams

Victims of these scams are often those who have trouble obtaining a bank loan. They may receive an email from a supposed lender or find a website offering easy access to money. “Because the victim thinks they are applying for a loan, they don’t think twice about providing sensitive information,” Cackowski says. After the scammer obtains bank account details, the victim may send a loan payment or direct deposit. The victim may also be asked to make an immediate good-faith payment, but as with the check overpayment scam, the “loan” is fraudulent.

How to avoid this scam: Always check reviews and the Better Business Bureau rating of any company offering a loan. If you can’t find reviews or ratings, the business may not be real.

Employment Scams

Younger adults are more likely to be the victims of employment scams than other age groups, the Better Business Bureau reports. In most of these scenarios, the crooks offer a job but request personal information or money for “training” or “equipment.”
How to avoid this scam: Never send money to a potential employer. You should not have to pay for equipment, background screening or, generally, the promise of work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Award Scams

In these scams, you are typically told you’ve won a foreign lottery. Crooks will send you a large check to deposit into your personal checking account. You will then be asked to immediately wire a portion of the funds to pay for government taxes and administrative fees.
How to avoid this scam: If you didn’t enter the contest, then you didn’t win it. Note that if you participate in a foreign lottery via mail or phone, you are violating federal law. Also, U.S. lottery winners typically pay taxes on a lump-sum payment in the year the money was received or each year on installment payments.

Protecting Yourself From Bank Scams

Keep common scams in mind, and remember how to avoid them before you put your funds at risk. Most important, “Do not pay something (you didn’t initiate) over the phone,” Foguth says. “Just don’t do it.”

Scammers will continue to come up with creative ways to get into people’s bank accounts.
“They go after easy targets,” Barnum says. Criminals often look for people who are searching for jobs, dating, selling products and even do-gooders looking to help the needy.
What’s more, seniors are in the bull’s-eye for scams. “Unfortunately, that generation tends to be a very trusting generation,” Barnum notes.

Do Banks Refund Scammed Money?

Your bank may refund money from a scam depending on the type of scam and bank policies.
Contact your bank immediately if you suspect unauthorized transactions or money missing from your account, advises the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. You’ll need to notify your bank within 60 days after your bank sends your statement showing the unauthorized transactions. If you wait longer, you could owe the full amount of any transactions that occurred after the 60-day period and before notifying your bank, according to the CFPB.
Once you notify the bank, it has 10 business days to investigate the issue, and the bank has three business days to report its findings to you. If the bank can’t complete the investigation within 10 business days, it may issue a temporary credit to your account while it continues to investigate. The bank must then resolve the issue in 45 days, but in certain cases, you could wait up to 90 days.
With fraudulent checks, deposits could later be reversed, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. You’ll need to pursue the person who gave you the check if you want to be reimbursed.

If you think you have been the target of a scam or you have been scammed, you should Contact Us NOW!!!

The post 6 Scams That Target Your Bank Account first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Online businesses are quickly becoming easy targets for cybercriminals as fraud in e-commerce continues to rise. The era of digitalisation has presented fraudsters with a massive opportunity, especially with millions of personal credentials easily available on the dark web. It’s now far easier for fraudsters to hide behind false details and cover up their tracks.
And e-commerce fraud shows no signs of slowing down. According to a recent Experian report, in 2017, there was a 30% increase in e-commerce fraud attacks compared to 2016.
Additionally, “there were 16.7 million reported victims of identity fraud the same year, proving to be another record year for the number of fraud victims,” according to the report.

So what types of fraud do e-commerce retailers face?

Although stealing bank cards and account details to make payments are the most common types of e-commerce fraud, cybercriminals are notoriously creative. They also target phones, tablets, computers, and even gift cards. Here are some methods of fraud that are used to target e-commerce businesses.

1. <

   Payment fraud: also known as Identity Theft

   This is the most common form of e-commerce fraud, comprising a tremendous 71% of all attacks. Identity fraud is part of the majority of the methods used by cybercriminals, either as the end goal or the precursor to another attack.
   This type of fraud doesn’t always involve stolen card details however. Fraudsters will also use email accounts, user accounts, names, addresses, IP addresses and personal devices to make them seem like a real customer. This can lead to fraudulent purchases, the creation of fake accounts and the manipulation of traffic.

2. Friendly fraud

   Friendly fraud can occur by design or by mistake. The basic premise is that a customer (legitimate or otherwise) will pay for a service or product which they claim is never delivered or was damaged on delivery. The merchant then has to issue a refund, re-deliver the item, or face a chargeback. Chargebacks involve the retrieval of funds from the merchant by the issuing bank, which are then given back to the customer. Chargebacks are a common point of contention for e-commerce retailers.

3. Clean fraud

   Clean fraud refers to fraudulent transactions that appear to be legitimate. This type of fraud is increasingly problem for retailers as the usually the transaction doesn’t get flagged up or blocked by blacklisted fraud accounts. This involves using stolen credit card information to impersonate the card holder.
   Fraudsters can get hold of these details through convincing account holders to make a purchase on a fake website, intercepting messages between transaction parties and even by buying them on the dark web, which can only be accessed by using certain browsers.
   According to Chargebacks911, clean fraud is one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous challenges faced by retailers.

4. Affiliate fraud

   Through affiliate fraud, malicious actors can manipulate traffic and sign ups to make a merchant think they are receiving consumer attention that doesn’t actually exist. Many companies are part of, or run, an affiliate marketing programme that generates commission through sharing links and content. Unfortunately, affiliate fraud can be as simple as refreshing a webpage multiple times, or sending spam emails and popups to create a false sense of high traffic.

5. Triangulation fraud

   This type of fraud is when online criminals set up a fake or replica website and entice buyers with cheap goods. Sometimes these fake websites may appear in ads, or be sent to a user’s email directing to the website through a phishing attempt.
   The catch is that these goods don’t actually exist, or of course are never shipped. If the website is an impersonation, the existing legitimate business also suffers damage to their image.
   And when the customer pays for something they don’t receive, they can also suffer the loss of their bank details. Getting hold of credit card credentials in this way and using them to make fraudulent purchases is called triangulation fraud. The name comes from the threefold process of enticing buyers, stealing their details, and using them as part of a wider scheme.

The post Types of fraud that is used to target e-commerce retailers first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Scammers can be very persuasive in convincing you to send them money. If you’ve already paid a fraudulent debt collector, your best bet is to seek recourse with the bank or financial institution you used to send the money. For example, if you paid the illegitimate collector with a credit card or debit card, contact the bank that issued the card, inform them the charge is fraudulent and ask them to reverse the charges.
You may have a reasonable expectation of getting your money back if you paid by credit card or debit card, as federal laws protect you from fraudulent charges:

• For credit cards: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), your liability is limited to $50, but most credit card companies offer zero-dollar liability protection, which means you’re not liable for fraudulent charges. Once fraud is detected, the false charges are returned to your account.
• For debit cards: The Electronic Funds Transfer Act protects your liability against fraudulent charges, but you must act fast. If you report the fraudulent payment within two business days, you may owe a maximum of $50. If you report the charge between two business days and 60 calendar days from the date of the fraud, your liability increases to $500. Once 60 days pass, your liability is unlimited, meaning your entire payment might be forfeited.

The post What happens if I Already Paid an Illegitimate Debt Collector? first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

If you think you’ve been scammed or there’s been an attempt to scam you, there are ways you can fight back.

1. Keep a paper trail

   Nitzsche recommends keeping records of all communication with the collectors. Takes notes on the date and time of every phone call, save emails and texts and gather letters and any other correspondence you receive from the company. If it is legal in your state, record any phone calls. The more information at your disposal, the stronger your complaint will be if you file a report.

2. Reach out to your state’s attorney general or Bridge Pioneers

   Your attorney general’s office is on the alert for scammers and aims to put a halt to fraud such as debt collector scams. Bridge Pioneers also aims to stop fraud and help victims of fraud.

3. Submit a complaint

   You can report a fake debt collection agency to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
   With major debt collection rule changes slated for November 30, 2021, one of the biggest changes is that debt collectors will be allowed to contact you through email, text message and social media direct messages, Nitzsche said.
   “There’s a really good chance that scams will increase with all of these new methods of communication, so be vigilant and remember your rights.”

Bottom line

If a debt collection agency contacts you, do your research before agreeing to repay what you allegedly owe. Start by confirming you owe the debt, as you could be dealing with a scammer looking to prey on innocent consumers. Also, familiarize yourself with common tactics used by scammers, and if you find that you’re dealing with a fraudster, file a report with your state attorney general’s office, the FTC and the CFPB.
But if you determine that the debt does belong to you, know your rights when dealing with debt collectors and file a complaint promptly if they’re violated.

The post How to report fake debt collectors first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Getting a call, email or letter from a company that claims to be a debt collector can be alarming. Here are six telltale signs that you’re dealing with a credit collection services scam:

1. They pressure you

   A credit collection scam might use scare tactics and threats. The scammer might also pull the emotional card, making you feel like a bad or irresponsible person. They also might try to create a sense of urgency so you move quickly and do what they want.
   “Legitimate debt collectors may sometimes be aggressive, but scammers often use fear to get you to act quickly and not ask any questions,” says Thomas Nitzsche, a financial educator at Money Management International, a nonprofit credit counseling organization. “If they’re threatening you with jail time — or worse — that’s a violation of your rights and a major red flag.”
   The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act expressly prohibits debt collector conduct meant to “harass, oppress or abuse” you to collect on a debt — regardless of whether you owe the debt or not. They can’t threaten you with jail time, bodily harm or use profanity.
   Should they call your home or workplace, they can only call between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your time zone and ask about your whereabouts. They must stop if you tell them not to call you at work. Furthermore, repeated phone calls intending to annoy you are also prohibited by federal law.

2. They won’t give you their contact information

   Real debt collectors are from reputable companies with websites and reviews, and you can contact them if necessary. Ask the caller for the debt collector’s company name, address and phone number.
   If a scammer is on the other end, they might distract away from your questions and insist that the debt needs to be resolved. If they refuse to disclose their identity and company information, that’s a telltale sign that it’s not a legitimate collection agency.

3. The debt isn’t yours

   If the supposed debt collector is trying to strong-arm you into paying a debt you don’t recognize, you might have a scammer on your hands. You can ask the debt collector for the creditor’s name and the amount you owe. By law, they must provide this information to you.
   Also, check your credit report for accounts in your name to see if it shows which debt collection agencies your defaulted accounts have gone to. You can also reach out to the original lender or creditor to see if your debt has been sold off and, if so, where your debt has been sold to.

4. You didn’t receive a letter in the mail

   If a debt has gone to a debt collector, you should receive formal, written notification in the mail. If you’re contacted by someone who you suspect is a scammer, ask them for verification of the debt. This is a letter that all debt collectors must send within five days of first contact with a consumer.
   The letter from the collection agency should disclose:

   • The debt amount in question
   • The creditor who is owed the debt
   • A disclosure statement giving the consumer 30 days to dispute the debt.

   When you do receive such letters, hold on to them. You can refer to them should a scammer contact you.

5. You’re asked to pay by prepaid card or money transfer

   Scammers almost always prefer non-reversible payment — think a prepaid card, money order or money transfer, Nitzsche says. These forms of payment can’t be traced, and scammers take off with your money with very slim chances of getting caught. Be alert if they ask for payment methods that seem out of the norm.
   If you go to pay a legitimate debt collector, pay in a way that you can use to verify that you have paid and the amount you paid.

6. They threaten to tell your co-workers, friends and employers about your debt

   By law, debt collection agencies typically aren’t allowed to share details about your debt with most people. For example, they can’t threaten to collect payment from your parents to coerce you into making an immediate payment.
   Any suggestion they might tell your employer or family members that you have debt to get you to pay is illegal. Federal law only allows them to inquire about your whereabouts.

The post 6 ways to spot collection scams first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Scams involving Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies are rapidly increasing in frequency.  
If you have been scammed, you may feel angry, embarrassed and unsure of where to turn to recover your funds. This article lays out the best practices for attempting to recover your funds.
Please note: broadoak-capital.com offers a service to help you trace crypto assets implicated in scams. However, while we can provide a clear trail and uncover real-world identities linked to suspicious transactions (in some cases). Nonetheless, the information gained can be valuable for legal proceedings and can contribute to broader efforts against cybercrime.

How likely is it that you can recover your funds?

There is a 60% chance that your stolen funds would be recovered,
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t recover (emotionally) from the situation that you’re currently in.  You also have the power to help the government bring them to justice, and to help other people avoid the same fate.
And, in some very specific situations, it appears that the government has returned some portion of recovered funds to their victims.
These suggestions represent best practices:

• Don’t make the situation worse
• Protect your credit
• Document the situation while it’s all still fresh in your mind
• Help the authorities cause pain to the scammers
• Help others avoid making the mistakes that you made

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Working with a Professional Tracing Service

Crypto Asset Recovery is here to assist you in tracing your lost assets. Using advanced blockchain forensics, we can track suspicious transactions and link pseudonymous blockchain activities to real-world entities. This can help you gain insight into the scam and provide valuable information for legal proceedings.
We offer a robust tracing service but It is important to have realistic expectations while dealing with the aftermath of crypto scams. Our primary goal is to provide transparency and clarity in a situation that may otherwise seem hopeless and provide recovery system for your lost funds.
You can reach out about a trace here: Contact Us

The post Best Practices in Attempting to Recover Funds from Crypto Scams first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.