Snippets issue highlights unsafe padlock icons, new scam payment tactics and phony water safety check: Internet Scambusters #853 That padlock icon in your browser address bar that you used to rely on to signal website safety can no longer be trusted — because crooks are now using them as well. In this week’s Snippets issue, […]

6 psychological tricks romance scammers use: Internet Scambusters #852 Romance scams have been around for years but they still work, netting crooks their biggest haul from con tricks. Why do they succeed, costing Americans more than $143 million a year? In this week’s issue, we’ll explain the subtle (and not so subtle) psychological tricks they […]

If you believe in psychics, don’t fall for these tricksters: Internet Scambusters #851 Psychics are people who claim to see the future and the past, but sometimes all they want to see is your money. In this week’s issue, we have the opinions of investigators who identify the signs that give away a supposed psychic […]

What to do when dealers demand a higher price days after you buy a car: Internet Scambusters #850 Unless you’re a born haggler, you probably don’t look forward to negotiations when you buy a car. The experience can turn out to be even worse if the dealer later tries to get you to pay more […]

How to spot and avoid text smishing scams: Internet Scambusters #849 Smishing — using smart phone texts to phish for victims’ confidential information — is soaring, and it’s more dangerous than email phishing. In this week’s issue, we’ll tell you why and what the experts say, as well as giving you tips to avoid the […]

Diabetes and hair regrowth treatments that just don’t work: Internet Scambusters #848 The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in the US — and so are treatments and procedures for which there’s no evidence whatsoever that they work. In this week’s issue, we identify the five most common diabetes treatment scams and […]

How “overbiffing” tricks borrowers into repaying too much money: Internet Scambusters #847 Overbiffing — it’s a weird word for a nasty scam, tricking people who are behind on loan payments into paying more that their outstanding balance. In this week’s issue, we’ll explain how the scam works and what you should do if you suspect […]

How scammers trick scholarship applicants: Internet Scambusters #846 Education is an expensive business — and scholarships often can relieve a big part of the money burden. But knowing this, scammers have hatched a number of schemes that aim to take your money rather than giving you any. In this week’s issue, we’ll explain the most […]

Why those cheap Windows and Office programs don’t last: Internet Scambusters #845 When every cent counts, as it does for most of us, cheap Windows and Microsoft Office software has an undoubted appeal. But, in addition to the question of whether this software is legal or ethical, buyers also face the risk that it’ll stop […]

Vehicle history request could be a prelude to a scam: Internet Scambusters #844 Requesting a vehicle history report when buying a car is nothing unusual. In fact, it’s a wise move. But what if you’re a seller and the buyer asks for a report from an agency you’ve never heard of? It could be a […]