I am sharing some information I received from Fastweb.com
Scam Warning Signs
- You have to pay a fee
- Money-back offers or guarantees
- Credit card or bank information required
- Provides "exclusive" information
Common Scams
"Phishing"
- Unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card
- Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving our your personal or account information
NEVER give out social security, credit card, or bank account numbers to unsolicited emails or calls.
"Pharming"
- Unsolicited emails that encourage you to visit a website or click on suspicious links
- Make sure your inbox spam filters are up to date
BE CAREFUL about giving out your contact information or email address.
Reporting Scams
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
File an online complaint
Call 202.326.2222
Write to Federal Trade Commission Consumer
Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20580
National Fraud Information Center
File an online complaint
File a complaint with the State Attorney General's Office
File an online complaint at US Postal Inspection Service
Call the Crime Hotline at 877.876.2455
Write to: Criminal Investigations Service Center
222 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste 1250
Chicago, IL 60606-6100
File and online complaint at Better Business Bureau
or call 703.276.0100
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From the US Department of Education
Student loan borrowers have reported receiving phone calls, texts, and other communications offering relief from their federal student loans or warning them that student loan forgiveness programs would end soon. Usually, the companies offering these types of services don't offer any relief at all.
Federal Student Aid (FSA) has taken several steps to raise awareness of such scams. They have posted descriptions of typical claims made by student loan debt relief companies, as well as tips on avoiding scams and getting help with loans for free.
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