WEATHER ALERT
Consumer alert: Scammers targeting relatives of COVID-19 victims
Read full article: Consumer alert: Scammers targeting relatives of COVID-19 victimsScammers are targeting the relatives of people who died from covid-19. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the con artists are claiming to offer help with funeral expenses, reaching out to people by phone, email and text message.
FTC says Amazon took away $62 million in tips from drivers
Read full article: FTC says Amazon took away $62 million in tips from driversNEW YORK – Amazon is paying nearly $62 million to settle charges that it took tips from its delivery drivers. The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday that for more than two years, Amazon didn’t pass on tips to drivers, even though it promised shoppers and drivers it would do so. “Rather than passing along 100% of customers’ tips to drivers, as it had promised to do, Amazon used the money itself,” said Daniel Kaufman, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our action today returns to drivers the tens of millions of dollars in tips that Amazon misappropriated, and requires Amazon to get drivers’ permission before changing its treatment of tips in the future.”The FTC said Amazon didn’t stop taking the money until 2019, when the company found out about the FTC’s investigation. AdThe online shopping giant will pay $61.7 million to settle the charges, which the FTC said will go back to drivers.
COVID-19 scam alert for small business owners
Read full article: COVID-19 scam alert for small business ownersHOUSTON – The Federal Trade Commission is warning small business owners about the latest COVID-19 scam. With a new round of Payroll Protection Program loans now available, scammers are impersonating Small Business Administration employees, calling owners to trick them into giving up information. The FTC says real lenders will never call you and solicit you for a loan you haven’t even applied for. The feds say these are likely phishing attempts from criminals who could illegally apply for loans using your information. You should also never fill out loan applications online from lenders you don’t know to be legitimate.
Dont fall for this old scam with a coronavirus twist
Read full article: Dont fall for this old scam with a coronavirus twistTheyre trying out an old scam but this time around, it has a new coronavirus twist. The old mystery shopper job offer is at least 15 years old. The high unemployment rate makes the scam particularly enticing now because it promises good money for a flexible job almost anyone can do. Deer Park residents Richard Summers received a letter in the mail that said it was from the Secret Shopper Evaluation PLC. There is no COVID-19 mystery shopping job.
Old scam targeting seniors making the rounds again
Read full article: Old scam targeting seniors making the rounds againThe caller claims to be a grandchild or relative in some sort of trouble. They make a plea for money, but ask you to keep it quiet. The ScriptDebbie Kerschen’s 82-year-old mother received a phone call from a man who said he was her grandson, Joshua. The fake Joshua told the grandmother that he was in jail and needed bail money. If you follow this advice from the Federal Trade Commission, you won't either.