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I think I speak for all when I say that unsolicited text messages can be annoying. Who are these people?
Well, in a word, they are most likely scammers trying to entrap you into giving up some sensitive personal information. One way they accomplish that is through a method called “smishing”
Smishing is basically when you receive a text message appearing to be legitimate, only to find out that it is from a fraudster. Usually, you find this out when it’s too late.
Why Am I Getting Spam Text Messages?
The reasons why you could be getting spam text messages are many: You could have shared your phone number on an unsecure website or to someone shiesty.
Another reason why you may be getting a lot of spam text messages may be because there’s an upcoming election in your area. Many political campaigns pay for phone lists so that volunteers can text and call potential voters.
When someone uses SMS methods, they may try to lure you into divulging your information by posing to be someone they’re not. This is called smishing.
The practice of smishing has been around for quite some time, but crooks continue to apply new twists to it.
How To Report Spam Texts
To report spam texts, all you have to do is copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). You can also alert the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How To Protect Yourself
Here’s how to avoid smishing if you have one of the major wireless providers.
Verizon
Verizon says smishing, phishing, spam text messages and text scams are increasing. “Typically, smishing scammers will send you text messages that attempt to get you to click a link and then provide personal or financial information about yourself. Smishing is serious and can lead to identity theft,” the carrier says.
If you get a suspicious text message, Verizon wants you to forward it right away to S-P-A-M (7726).
T-Mobile
T-Mobile says if you download its Scam Shield app, you can you can take advantage of the wireless provider’s free mobile scam protection tools like:
- Scam Block and Caller ID
- Voicemail-to-text
- xxxx
T-Mobile says on its website. You can activate Scam Block and Caller ID, see the calls T-Mobile has blocked on your behalf, mark favorites, and report likely scam calls.
With the app, you can report likely scam calls as well as enable voicemail-to-text, providing voicemail transcripts in the Visual Voicemail app or via text.
AT&T
Here’s what AT&T calls this scam, “This is called SMiShing because texts are SMS or “short message system” messages.
AT&T says if you receive a suspicious text message, alert AT&T by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM). Messages forwarded to this number are free and will not count toward your text plan. If you get a suspicious email or text, do not reply. If you suspect you are a target of fraud on your AT&T mobile phone account, you can report it to our Fraud team here. If you suspect fraud on another account, call the customer service number on your bill for help.
Final Word
Criminals are always trying to get some money out of you, so you have to stay vigilant. If you get a text message from someone you don’t know, instead of clicking on the link, see if you can do a Google search to find the company and click there.
- Don’t trust text messages from strangers.
- Never send someone who only know through text messaging your personal information.
- Never click on a link sent to you from a suspicious number.
Any U.S. citizen who believes they are a victim of smishing, spam texts or even caller ID spoofing can file a report with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center. The FCC imposes a fine of up to $10,000 per violation.
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Ifi you happen to use your credit card a lot, especially when online shopping, you should be aware of what can happen if you’re not careful.
Thieves can access your credit card information and make numerous fraudulent charges on your account. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This article will show you how you can safeguard yourself against being victimized by credit card fraud. But first, let’s go over everything you need to know.
What Is Credit Card Fraud?
Credit card fraud is when someone accesses your credit card, the numbers on your card or your PIN and is able to make unauthorized charges to your account.
Credit card fraud is a felony offense that can result in real jail time for thieves who are caught.
How To Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud
Now let’s go over some ways you can safeguard your credit card information.
Keep an Eye on Your Credit Card
Make sure you’re always aware of who has your credit card. When you give it to a cashier or salesperson to pay for an item, make sure they give it back.
Guard Your Credit Card Numbers
Don’t give anyone access to your credit card numbers. Don’t make it easy for someone to photograph the front or back of your bank card.
Don’t Buy From Sketchy Websites
Another way to prevent fraudulent charges is to avoid websites that look suspicious. If you find an item you really want to buy on a website you haven’t heard of before, do some research first.
See if the site is legit by doing the following:
- Look for a padlock in the web address bar to indicate the site is secure.
- Look for misspelled words on the site.
- Give the company a call.
- Check out the site’s social media accounts.
- See if you can find a return policy on the site.
If You Happen To Become a Victim Of Credit Card Fraud
If you happen to fall victim to credit card fraud, you need to report it to your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. If you don’t you could be on the hook for the charges incurred.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, here is the timetable for reporting credit card fraud and who pays if you wait in reporting it.
If you report: Your maximum loss: Before any unauthorized charges are made. $0 Within 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft. $50 More than 2 business days after you learn about the loss or theft, but less than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you, $500 More than 60 calendar days after your statement is sent to you. All the money taken from
your ATM/debit card acount, and possibly more; for example, money in accounts linked to your debit account.Final Word
The key to beating fraudulent charges on your account is to act fast when you notice sketchy charges on your credit card account.
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Buying and selling a home is not as easy as it sounds, but it can be done. One way to do so quickly is to take part in a short sale, which is a very valuable transaction in real estate.
A lot of people confuse a short sale, with a foreclosure sale, but they are very different.
In this article, we’re going to tell you what you need to know about a short sale in real estate.
What Is A Short Sale?
A short sale is one in which a motivated seller, typically someone in financial trouble, sells their home for less than what it’s worth.
Because of the complexities involved, a short sale will typically involve a lender who approves the transaction. Another difference from a traditional real estate transaction is that in a short sale, the seller doesn’t pay for closing costs. Those fees are split between the lender and buyer.
As you can imagine, a short sale is a good deal for the buyer, but can be a terrible thing for the seller, at least in one sense.
Is A Short Sale Good Or Bad?
A short sale is good for the buyer because they get to buy a home for far cheaper than it normally would be listed for.
On the other hand, for the seller, a short sale may get them out of a mortgage, but their credit will take a major hit in the process.The seller will typically look to do a short sale of a home as a way to avoid a foreclosure, which would hurt their credit even more.
Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Short Sale House?
You may be weighing whether buying a short sale house is a good idea. While the price will likely be reduced, you should know that there may be some issues with the home that require quite a lot of time or money. For that reason, short sales are usually purchased by seasoned real estate investors, who have the time and money to invest. Let’s talk about what’s required.
The Time
The time you be spent not only repairing the home and getting it into shape for someone to live there, but securing the necessary paperwork and permits from the appropriate government agencies.
The Money
You can bet that it’s going to also cost you a pretty penny to turn the home into something that attracts a buyer. Let’s just not hope that there’s no foundation or roof problems, which will be quite expensive.
Where Can I Find Short Sales In Louisiana?
You can get a list of short sales in your area by reaching out to your local Realtor, who would be familiar with the process as well.
You can also find short sales on the following real estate websites:
Final Word
Real estate prices are on the rise around the state, but you can find a good deal if you’re patient.
Contrary to its name, a short sale may take several months before it is finally approved. You can use that time to secure a contractor to do some of the jobs that need to be completed once the home becomes yours.
You may need a plumber, electrician and carpenter for starters.
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If you’re a prolific online shopper, you’re going to want to protect yourself. Crooks are prowling the internet to get you to make one false move online — then they attack! But it doesn’t have to be like that.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to safeguard your credit card from fraud.
Every time you swipe your credit card, that data is stored by several entities, including retailers, banks and merchants in between.
Even if you haven’t used your card in a while, you can still fall victim to a data breach or the crimes of an individual hacker.
What To Do If Credit Card Fraud Happens To You
f you happen to fall victim to fraud using a debit card, you’re out of your money. In contrast, if you get swindled and you used your credit card, you have a good change of recouping all of your cash.
Here are some guidelines from the FTC on how fraudulent charges are handled by card issuers:
- You pay $0, if you report before any fraudulent charges are made.
- You pay $50 if you report within two business days of fraudulent charges.
- You pay $500 if you report after two business days but less than 60 calendar days.
How To Report Credit Card Fraud
You can report credit card fraud in a number of ways.
- Contact your card issuer to inform them that you think you were the victim of fraud. …
- Ask for your account(s) to be suspended or closed.
Final Word
Crooks are always looking for new ways to rob you of your credit card numbers and the PINs associated with them. Stay safe and never give your credit card information to anyone over the phone that calls you for anything.
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