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Disputing Claims of Philadelphia Internet Scams and Phishing
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Getting Scammed Online? How to Dispute Fraudulent Charges in Philadelphia
The internet can be a scary place, and online scams are on the rise. As more of our lives move online, scammers have taken notice. They create fake websites, send phishing emails, and make fraudulent charges to steal your money and personal information. If you’ve been the victim of an online scam or fraud in Philadelphia, don’t panic. You have options to dispute the charges and get your money back. This article will walk you through the process.
How Online Scams Work
Scammers use clever psychological tricks and technology to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Some of the most common online scam tactics include:
- Phishing – This is when scammers send fake emails pretending to be from a trusted source like your bank. The email will urge you to click a link to “verify your account” which sends you to a fake lookalike website designed to steal your login credentials. Sneaky!
- Fake websites – Scammers create convincing imposter websites for banks, online stores, charities, or government agencies. These sites look legit but are designed to collect your personal info and money.
- Romance scams – Scammers take advantage of people looking for love by creating fake dating profiles. Once they have you hooked, they ask for money for emergencies, travel, or other made-up reasons.
- Tech support scams – You get a call claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple tech support saying your computer is infected. They ask to remotely access your computer to “fix” it but end up installing malware.
- Fraudulent charges – Scammers get ahold of your credit card number then make unauthorized purchases or drain your bank account. It could be from a data breach, skimming device, or a scam website.
The Dangers of Online Scams
Falling for an online scam can have devastating financial and emotional consequences. Victims often feel ashamed and violated. Beyond losing money, identity theft can destroy your credit and allow scammers to open accounts in your name.
Some victims have lost their life savings or gone into deep debt from these scams. The average loss is around $500 but losses can be as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars in more complex frauds. It pays to act quickly to limit the damage.
How to Spot Online Scams
The first line of defense is learning how to identify the signs of a scam:
- It seems too good to be true – Crazy returns, guaranteed income, hot stock tips, prizes you didn’t enter, free money. If it seems unrealistic, it probably is.
- They ask for unusual payment types – Scammers often insist on gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate companies don’t demand these hard-to-trace payment methods.
- Aggressive sales tactics – Scammers try to rush you into acting now before you have time to think. Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics.
- You didn’t initiate contact – Out-of-the-blue calls, emails, texts, or DMs claiming you have a problem are almost always scams.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes – Sloppy writing is a red flag. Legitimate businesses proofread.
- Only available online – Scam companies avoid physical offices and face-to-face interactions. Their websites and profiles often have limited information.
- Requests your personal information – No legitimate business needs your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or other sensitive info right away.
Trust your gut. If something seems sketchy, walk away. Don’t let scammers rush or intimidate you into making a bad decision.
What To Do If You Get Scammed Online in Philadelphia
If you realize you’ve been the victim of fraud, take action right away to limit the damage. Here are the steps to take:
Notify Your Bank and Creditors
The instant you confirm unauthorized charges or suspicious activity, call your bank and credit card companies. Report the fraud and request replacement cards with new card numbers. This will prevent scammers from making additional charges.
Ask the bank to reverse any fraudulent transactions and refund your money. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your maximum liability for unauthorized credit card charges is only $50. For debit cards, you must report the fraud within 2 business days to limit your losses to just $50. The sooner you report, the better.
Place a Fraud Alert
Contact one of the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, TransUnion – to place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file. This requires creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Once you place an alert with one bureau, they notify the other two.
You can also place an extended 7-year fraud alert if you provide an identity theft report. This is wise if scammers have your Social Security number or other personal information.
Freeze Your Credit
Take it a step further by freezing your credit with all three bureaus to block scammers from opening any new accounts. This locks down your credit until you unfreeze it. Freezing credit is free and doesn’t impact your existing accounts.
Report Identity Theft
File an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. This important step generates an official report to help fix your credit and recover from identity theft. It includes a recovery plan and pre-filled letters to send to merchants.
You can also file a police report about the scam in your local precinct. Get a copy of the report to submit to creditors.
Dispute Fraudulent Charges
Submit disputes to merchants and banks for any unauthorized charges. Include copies of your police report, FTC report, and any other evidence like emails or screenshots. Escalate disputes to billing error notices if the company doesn’t cooperate.
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days after receiving the first fraudulent bill to dispute errors. The company must investigate within 90 days. If they rule against you, appeal! Don’t give up.
Watch For Identity Theft
Unfortunately, identity theft can continue long after a scam. Monitor your credit reports and financial accounts closely for at least a year for signs of fraudulent activity. Extended fraud alerts can help protect you. Immediately dispute any errors you spot.
Seek Legal Help
For large losses, you may need to get legal help disputing the charges and recovering lost funds. An attorney can help file civil suits or guide you through small claims court. They may be able to locate where the stolen money went and have a court force repayment.
How to Avoid Scams in Philadelphia
While you can take steps to recover once scammed, your best defense is avoiding fraud in the first place. Here are smart tips to protect yourself online:
- Never click links or call numbers in unsolicited emails/texts. Type URLs directly into your browser and find companies’ real numbers.
- Don’t enter sensitive information on websites unless you’re 100% sure of their legitimacy. Look for https, lock icons, and real contact info.
- Shred financial documents and watch your mail for stolen cards or info. Consider a credit freeze if you suspect identity theft.
- Never pay upfront for loans, prizes, jobs, rentals, or shopping items. Research before you send money.
- Hang up on aggressive sales calls. Don’t trust caller ID.
- Use strong unique passwords on each financial account. Enable two-factor authentication when possible.
- Keep device software updated and use antivirus protection. Don’t download anything from sketchy sites or emails.
- Avoid oversharing personal info on social media that could help scammers steal your identity.
- When in doubt, trust your instincts! Don’t get pressured into anything.
Scams evolve quickly as technology changes but awareness is your best protection. Being cautious and taking prompt action if scammed can help limit the impact on your finances and credit. Don’t hesitate to get police and legal professionals involved for large losses. With vigilance and persistence, you can recover from fraud.
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/ftc-data-shows-big-increase-in-losses-to-scams.html
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0219-disputing-credit-card-charges
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts#fraud
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-freeze-credit