scams Archives - Media City Groove

Sunday, June 30, 2024

By Public News Service Sunday, June 30, 2024

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Watch out for summertime scams

By Edwin J. Viera, producer/reporter, Connecticut News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. Amid the fun in the sun, residents everywhere should be on the alert for summertime scams. Fake utility workers Utility company impostor scams are prominent this time of year. Scammers might pose as utility company employees offering a home energy audit. Homeowners are asked […]

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

By Public News Service Tuesday, May 14, 2024

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Comic book guide helps consumers avoid used car scams

By Suzanne Potter Reporter/Producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service. Buying a used car can be a risky proposition, but a new consumer guide can help people avoid common pitfalls. The nonprofit Oregon Consumer Justice just released the first edition of its free resource called the Consumer Confidence Comics. This unique guide doubles as an interactive comic […]

Friday, June 2, 2017

By Fronnie Lewis Friday, June 2, 2017

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Bomb threat hoax targets Burbank businesses

Watch out! Scammers are targeting Burbank businesses with a bomb threat hoax. Over the past two weeks, Burbank Police say several local businesses have received the threat “via fax or email.” In an advisory, Burbank PD explained the scam this way: “The threats have involved the request for a ransom to be paid via Western Union, usually in the amount […]

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

By Fronnie Lewis Tuesday, March 15, 2016

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Consumer Alert: IRS warns of new tax scam

The IRS is sending out a warning about a new tax scam. The Internal Revenue Service says, in a news release, it has received reports of “scammers calling under the guise of verifying tax return information over the phone.” The scammer try to get the taxpayer to give up personal information like social security and credit card numbers. The swindle […]

Friday, November 6, 2015

Utility scammers target residents and business owners

By Fronnie Lewis Friday, November 6, 2015

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Utility scammers target Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena

As the holidays near, utility scammers are ramping up their schemes to get money out of residents and business owners in Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. Recently during a two-week period, Burbank Water and Power reportedly received more than 40 calls from customers complaining about phony utility workers trying to squeeze them for money. Last Wednesday, November 4, just before noon, […]

Sunday, November 9, 2014

By Fronnie Lewis Sunday, November 9, 2014

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Millions of email addresses stolen in Home Depot hack

More bad news for Home Depot shoppers. The world’s largest home improvement retailer announced last summer its payment data systems in the U.S. and Canada were hacked between April and September of 2014. In that cyber attack, thieves reportedly got away with the payment information for around “56 million credit cards.” Last, Thursday in an update on its investigation, the company disclosed […]

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

FLLewis / Media City G -- The Home Depot at 1200 Flower St, Burbank September 9, 2014

By Fronnie Lewis Wednesday, September 24, 2014

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Consumer Alert: Home Depot fraud and Southland phone scam

The Home Depot hacker attack is turning into a really bad nightmare for the nation’s largest home improvement retailer and many of its customers. Reports are circulating on the Internet about thieves using credit card information stolen from Home Depot to “… buy prepaid cards, electronics and even groceries,” according to MoneyWatch. Also, some of the stolen cards reportedly have been […]

Thursday, November 21, 2013

By Fronnie Lewis Thursday, November 21, 2013

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Burbank Police Department issue warning about new phone scam

‘Tis the season for a new scam to be making the rounds. The Burbank Police Department is sending out a warning about imposters who phone residents, pretending to be law enforcement officials, and then proceed to rip off money from the victims. Apparently it has happened several times in surrounding communities. It’s called the Moneypak Scam and this is how it […]