Secret Sister Gift
Exchange- Facebook and Instagram users have been seeing posts for a “Secret
Sister Gift Exchange.” In this scheme, someone makes a first post inviting 6
friends to participate with a list of secret sisters. If you receive this first
post, you are supposed to send a $10 gift to sister number 1 on the list
provided by the person who invited you. Then you move sister number 2 on the
list to position number 1, place your name as number 2 and invite 6 of your
friends to take part. Theoretically, your 6 friends would invite 6 of their
friends and you could receive 36 gifts.
The problem with this scheme is that it is a “pyramid
scheme” like old chain letters that you might receive in the mail before the
internet. Pyramid schemes and chain letters are illegal according to federal
law. So, ignore any invitations to participate. For more information about this
pyramid scheme, go to:
KIRO TV:
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For example, scammers will be posing as
charitable organizations to take your money. Some may give only a small
percentage to a legitimate charity while keeping the bulk of the collected
proceeds for themselves; others will just keep all of the money for themselves.
The Fraud Watch Network recommends that before giving money that you make sure
the charity is registered with the Washington State Secretary of State’s office
at 1-800-332-GIVE or online at www.sos.wa.gov/charities/.
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A great way to for a fraudster to take your
identity is through public Wi-Fi. In middle man attacks at your local coffee
house, hotel or airport, the potential ID thief can capture your ID, passwords,
and account information if you check your bank account or purchase items online
using the available free Wi-Fi. This is true even if you connect securely by
https. The best action is to do your online banking or purchasing from your own
secure network at home.
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When making any kind of purchase use your credit
card, not your debit card. This is true if you are at a restaurant, a brick and
mortar store, or online. With your credit card, you are only liable for the
first $50 of a fraudulent transaction. With a debit card you have no recourse
and the fraudster can have unlimited access to all of the funds in your bank
account if he obtains your debit card account number. Leave your debit card in
your safe at home.
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The holidays are the time of year when we often
give gift cards to family and friends from specific stores. Often we see racks
of gift cards at grocery stores there for our convenience. Some scammers have
been known to surreptitiously collect the account numbers of these cards on the
racks and then check online to see if someone has purchased the cards and
activated them. If they have been activated, the fraudster quickly drains the
card of all of its funds. If you want to give a gift card to someone, purchase
the card directly from the restaurant or store.
AARP Fraud Watch Network:
MarketWatch.com:
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