Video segment 2 of FraudSense with Dorothy, my YouTube Channel

Watch the video linked below to learn basic fraud education & prevention tips about sweepstakes scams. FraudSense with Dorothy YouTube Video

By Dorothy Riggs, CFE During my years in customer service and as a fraud investigator I’ve conducted quite a few interviews.  From those interactions I’ve gathered some significant takeaways that alone prove neither guilt nor innocence.  However, they’ve proven to be helpful hints of guidance in the right direction regarding an individual’s involvement in questionable activity.

By Dorothy Riggs, CFE Reportedly, the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel project tallied 3 million consumer complaints received in 2016.   Regarding consumer fraud, identity theft has lost its #1 position.   Impostor fraud has taken the lead.   Last year victims lost $744.5 million collectively to impostor fraud schemes. What is Impostor Fraud? Impostor fraud involves fraudsters impersonating someone else in order to carry out a fraud scheme.   They often contact consumers pretending to be family members, law enforcement, representatives of government agencies, bill collectors and so on.

By:  Dorothy Riggs, CFE Being one of the people who still have a landline, upon arriving home one evening last week I listened to messages left on my answering machine and heard an unfamiliar voice asking “Can you hear me okay?” a few times before hanging up.  I thought it was strange.  Then I remembered a recent news story warning viewers about an old phone scam with a new twist where fraudsters phone you, begin talking, then suddenly ask, Can you hear me?  If you answer ‘yes’ your response is recorded and used to make unauthorized charges on a utility or phone bill. In some cases, your recorded acknowledgement is all it takes to make you liable not only for charges on phone and utilities, but items like cruises, office supplies and business services also.  So, when answering work and personal calls beware if you don’t want to receive unwanted products and invoices to contend with.

By:  Dorothy Riggs, CFE According to a report from a fraud-fighting colleague, Lycamobile customers are being targeted by scammers.  Lycamobile is a  mobile network operator company with competitive price offerings to consumers in 21 countries worldwide.  Don’t think the information in this post doesn’t apply to you because you use a different mobile network. Fraudsters show no partiality to one group over another. This time it’s Lycamobile customers who are being targeted. The next time it could be you. The Lyca Lottery scam works as follows: Perpetrators cold call Lycamobile customers, promising a £50k lottery win, once a £500 admin fee is paid.  Of course, once the £500 fee is paid the victim’s don’t receive a penny of the supposed lottery winnings.  To give the scheme an air of legitimacy, the crooks have set up a this sham website:   www.lycamobilewinners.com

I hope 2017 is off to an amazing start for everyone.  I have so many things I want to accomplish this year, so I've been busy planning.  Among my plans for fraud sense this year is GIVEAWAYS! I'm sure you have big dreams and goals to realize also.  So, I'm thrilled to announce our first GIVEAWAY! One of my subscribers will receive a Happy Planner kit to help chart the way to success this year! If I'm not mistaken, it was Benjamin Franklin who said "Failing to plan is planning to fail."  The graphic below contains the prize contents and entry rules.  Good luck!