Have you seen the crazy deepfakes of “Barbie” star Margot Robbie? There’s one of her scrubbing a floor that looks so real, it’s shocking. 

If that one was new to you, I’m sure you’re familiar with the infamous deepfake Tom Cruise that took the internet by storm. That one was so successful it spawned an entire deepfake company. Or maybe you remember when the Pope was walking around in a hip puffer jacket. Nah, wasn’t him.

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There’s one holiday tradition nobody likes: Fruitcake. Even worse, somehow, are all the scam and fraud attempts. Like clockwork, they pop up yearly as we shop for gifts.

The most ambitious scammers have started creating massive shopping websites where everything is fake. The site looks real, professional and filled with products at low prices. Get to the checkout, your online cart vanishes and now hackers have access to your bank account or card.

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If you’re still mailing checks, now would be a good time to go paperless. New reports show that check fraud has doubled in the past year, thanks to organized crime. Things are so concerning that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) warns Americans to stop mailing checks completely.

Need a reason or two to start paying bills online? Keep reading to catch up on the latest stats and steps to protect yourself. 

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Are there certain numbers you never answer? If I see one that starts with the same few digits as mine, I know it’s likely a scam. That’s one of the tricks they use to get you since you’re most likely to answer if the number is vaguely familiar.

By now, you have a good idea what the scams are: Failed package delivery, you won a prize, there’s trouble with your student loan! But what about the numbers themselves? Here are a dozen you should never answer calls or texts from.

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Cybercriminals often use sophisticated technology to trick people into giving up their personal details or banking information. But some crooks prefer using older, less technologically advanced methods that still work. Tap or click for more information about an Amazon phishing scheme stealing passwords.

Instead of sending malicious text messages or phishing emails, these criminals take a pen-and-paper approach. According to law enforcement, stealing checks from mailboxes is increasing, and nobody is safe.

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People always say there are only two certainties in life: Death and taxes. I’d like to propose a third item on the list: Scams. I get so many cons over text and email that I wanted to share them with you in a most creative scams roundup.

You can use this list to recognize fraud in the wild better. I’ll break down all you need to know, from glaring red flags to subtle signs you’re being scammed. Even if you think you already know what to look for, it’s always good to keep up to date with the latest scam trends.

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You might not know it, but not all celebrity endorsements are legitimate. Scammers often use false claims or a well-known person’s image in advertising to create the illusion of association. This happens without the knowledge of the celebrity.

Some shady sellers now claim their products have been endorsed by “Shark Tank” judges when they are not. Read on for ways to avoid falling for this tricky ruse.

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If you or a loved one is on Medicare, we urge you to remain cautious if anybody calling for your information gives you trouble. An unscrupulous scam is making the rounds that you need to be aware of. Thieves are making phone calls pretending to be Medicare representatives. In reality, they’re trying to rip you off.

Check out one of the worst robocaller recordings we’ve ever heard below.

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In 2021, Americans handed more than $337 million over to scammers while shopping online. The holidays are some of the most dangerous weeks to be buying. What should you be on the lookout for this year? Tap or click here for three of the most viral holiday scams circulating.

Shockingly, one of the biggest scams on our radar concerns one of our favorite online marketplaces, Amazon.

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How often do you go over your credit card or banking statements? If you don’t do it regularly, there is a chance that you’ll miss some suspicious transactions. It might not be enough to trigger a warning, but repeated charges can amount to a large sum. Tap or click here for 10 accounts more valuable than your credit card.

Checking your financial statements is more important than ever. A cybersecurity research team found a global credit card scam stealing millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.

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There shouldn’t be a reason for your bank to call you unless a critical issue needs correcting. Many might be reluctant to pick up the call, and for good reason. Scammers wiggle their way into different communication methods, and you can never be sure if the call is legitimate.

The widespread spoofing of banking communications is again in the spotlight as the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) warns about fraudulent calls.

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Every day, it seems like there’s a new scam you need to watch out for. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, which is why some folks go on digital detoxes. In other words, they stop using tech devices like smartphones, computers and TVs for a little while.

Do you feel like you need a break from tech? Tap or click here to find out how to do it. When you come back from your break, though, make sure to do some research on new scamming trends.

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Bad credit comes with many problems, like higher interest rates and rejected home and vehicle loans. That’s why you should look out for the one threat that can tank your credit score: identity theft. If a scammer steals your identity, they can drain your accounts and obliterate your financial security.

Since anyone can buy your private data on the black market, identity theft is easier than ever before. If you suspect someone has stolen your identity, place a fraud alert, change your passwords and let your bank know what’s going on. Tap or click here to freeze your credit and stop the criminals in their tracks.

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Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have been around for some time, and many have been able to cash in on the craze. As the price of each unit increases, it naturally creates an interest in the currency which was unheard of about 15 years ago.

Bitcoin has become one of the most popular cryptocurrencies in the world. If you don’t know where to begin, tap or click here for five tips for buying cryptocurrency the safe way. As with most popular online activities, scammers are now looking to fleece would-be investors.

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It is a sad reality that scams are a part of our everyday life. With so many to watch out for, it can become confusing to track the latest tricks or fraud attempts. Unfortunately, there is one group being targeted more than others: the elderly.

Between scammers showing up at seniors’ doors and a recent scam targeting grandparents’ coronavirus fears, it seems that criminals will stop at nothing to fleece them of their money.

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Online marketplace Etsy has come under fire over the last few months, as a significant number of products sold there have turned out to be fake. The hugely popular site is a place where creators can sell their handmade products.

But after several reports from buyers, it has come to light that the platform has an authenticity problem. Most handmade and customized products are genuine, but unscrupulous sellers have tried to trick their way into profits. Tap or click here for examples of fake coronavirus gear being sold.

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Insurance for your vehicle is important on today’s busy roads. When you are in an accident, having protection can mean the difference between paying a small deductible or having to fork out thousands of dollars for repairs and medical bills.

Accidents are enough of a worry, but if you are a customer of Geico, there is more to be concerned about. An undisclosed number of customers’ driver’s license numbers recently made it into the hands of cybercriminals. Data from another social media site leaked – Watch out for scams.

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There’s nothing hackers love more than when you make their job easy. One of the best ways to expose private information is to snap a picture of your home office and tag it as #WorkFromHome. Sure, it’s a fun trend that connects you with others while working in isolation…but it’s also the perfect opportunity for bad guys to snatch personal details.

It’s easy to make this critical mistake when you’ve just started working from home. After all, we’re all adjusting to the new normal, staying productive and turning on the camera for online meetings. Tap or click here for some helpful tips on working from home.

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Tax season is in full swing. Like every tax season, scammers are on the hunt for unwitting victims. File too late and, whoops, someone already did in your name.

This year is set to be even more dangerous, with brand-new schemes already taking people for a ride. We have some warnings you can’t miss below on the biggest scams the IRS has spotted and what you can do about them.

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Imagine buying a pet that doesn’t even exist. Unfortunately, that’s happening more often than ever before.

Pet fraud has skyrocketed since COVID-19 began. The Better Business Bureau says people lost $3 million to puppy scams in 2020.

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