Category Archives: Scams

Smishing: Package Tracking Text Scams

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Have you received unsolicited mobile text messages with an unfamiliar or strange web link that indicates a USPS delivery requires a response from you? If you never signed up for a USPS tracking request for a specific package, then don’t … Continue reading →

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Scam Alert

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Jim Van Olst whose daughter is in charge of the King Co Senior Abuse Section. New reports show that scammers are reviving an old tactic to gain trust. Scammers are emailing and texting pictures of real and doctored … Continue reading →

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Scam protection presentations from AARP

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Protect Yourself from Fraud and Identity Theft Wednesday, August 17, 2 – 3 PM An inside look at how scammers think, and how you can safeguard yourself against identity theft and fraud. Hear first-hand accounts from victims, and find out … Continue reading →

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John Oliver exposes Dr. Oz

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Ed. note: The NYT today has an Opinion piece on Dr. Oz’s entry into the US Senate race in Pennsylvania. For a bit of history of his involvement with the dietary supplement industry, please view this serious/hilarious somewhat off-color monologue … Continue reading →

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The misinformation landscape from AARP

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. Senior Planet from AARP hosts two insightful webinars about why peoplebelieve false information and how to spot fake news. The Misinformation LandscapeWednesday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET Identify types of misleading, inaccurate and false information online and explore the different … Continue reading →

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Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. It seems the scammers are gaining the upper hand in the fight for our hard-earned dollars. Washington consumers lost nearly $69 million to fraud in 2020. Con-artists are becoming ever more sophisticated in their tactics, and … Continue reading →

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X–FINITY.COM is a source of phishing emails

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Jim deMaine

How can I tell an email is fishy The entity sending you the email is fishy. Two recent ones are from “bertleen@msn” and “mudflowman60@gmail.” Obviously these are computer generated email addresses. The English is weird The company does not communicate … Continue reading →

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Have you been a victim of fraud or a scam?

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. AARP launches fraud and scam support group for victims and family members The AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America (VOA) created a new, free program to help you. It’s VOA | ReST, which stands … Continue reading →

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Beware of phone calls from “Becky with Medicare” scam

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. We’re getting reports from AARP Washington that over 600,000 robocalls were recently made to Washington state residents from “Becky with Medicare.” Call recipients are asked to “press 1 to speak to a representative.” The representative then … Continue reading →

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Vaccination card scammers

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. After you get your COVID-19 vaccine, keep your vaccination card safe — scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your personal information. Don’t share a photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card online or … Continue reading →

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What can Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme teach us?

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Jim deMaine
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Don’t get Smished!

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M. From: “AARP Fraud Watch Network” <AARP@email.aarp.org> Subject: First Came Phishing, Now There’s … Smishing A fraud alert from Doug Shadel, Washington State Director | View email online   First Came Phishing, Now There’s … Smishing   Dear Mary, Most of … Continue reading →

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Trump Sent a Warning. Let’s Take It Seriously.

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Jim deMaine

By Thomas L. Friedman in the New York Times President Trump has made it unmistakably clear in recent weeks — and even more crystal clear at the Tuesday debate —that there are only two choices before voters on Nov. 3 — … Continue reading →

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Fraud alert from AARP

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary M. and AARP

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Coronavirus Donation Scams

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Jim Tanner

Two residents have reported receiving phone calls inquiring about Coronavirus donations. Here are two links with information on scams associated with the current outbreak. From the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/coronavirus-scammers-follow-headlines From MSN.com: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/coronavirus-6-scams-to-watch-out-for/ar-BB10UF96

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New twist on Social Security phone scam

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Barb W. for sending this along. The Inspector General of Social Security is warning the public that phone scammers may email faked letters or reports that appear to be from Social Security or Social Security’s Inspector General to … Continue reading →

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Help with Medicare Scams – Senior Medicare Patrols

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. Click the above to see info about the latest scams – such as the nationwide brace … Continue reading →

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Office Depot settles tech support scam FTC complaint

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Jim deMaine

From KIRO news: “Office Depot agreed yesterday to pay $25 million in a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission as part of a lawsuit accusing the company of tricking customers into buying unneeded tech support services –akin to a real-world version … Continue reading →

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Social Security Scam Alert

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Social Security Scam AlertThe Social Security Administration (SSA) is reporting scammers are impersonating SSA employees and calling citizens. The scammers use threatening language to warn unknown victims that they’ll face arrest or other legal action if they fail to call … Continue reading →

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Operation InfeKtion: How Russia Perfected the Art of War

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: This is a superb piece of investigative journalism by the NYT: “Russia’s meddling in the United States’ elections is not a hoax. It’s the culmination of Moscow’s decades-long campaign to tear the West apart. “Operation InfeKtion” reveals the ways … Continue reading →

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Opioid Crisis: The lawsuits that could bankrupt manufacturers and distributors

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: It looks like the opioid manufacturers and distributors are going to be taken to court by a “county lawyer” who successfully took on big tobacco and enron. This segment on 60 minutes is worth watching. Click here to … Continue reading →

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How to identify BS – innovative course at the University of Washington

Posted on November 3, 2018 by Jim deMaine

How can we sort out the fake news and all the BS that is thrown our way. Well, the UW has now put together a one credit course. The s… word might annoy you but the academic approach to sorting … Continue reading →

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Common scams – a primer

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Jim deMaine

From The Skyliner, December 2015 by Dr. Jerry Lewis, Skyline Resident Although the Federal Trade Commission is the focal point for collecting data on scams, most scams are never reported because of embarrassment from falling for one or lack of … Continue reading →

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The danger of conspiracy theories in the age of social media

Posted on August 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

“Q” is a secret anonymous deep state individual with the highest security clearance. He (or she) is sending cryptic messages to his followers – the adherents to the Qanon conspiracy theory. According to him the Mueller investigation is fake and … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Law, Media, Politics, Scams | 1 Comment

Phone call – the IRS is bringing a lawsuit against you

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Jim deMaine

This morning I received a call with a local prefix. The recording said that the IRS is bringing a lawsuit against me for unpaid taxes. Of course they offered to help me out and began to ask for identifying data. … Continue reading →

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