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First Northern Blog

Fraud and Scams

Social Media Contests

As social media continues to become a common tool for communicating with family and friends, it is also an easy way for US consumers to connect with their favorite brands. However, the ease at which someone can create an account also means it is very easy for scammers to take advantage.

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Fraud and Scams

USPS Texted Me?

Alerts about package shipping preferences and confirming tracking data aren't from those well-known shipping companies. Learn how to spot these fake messages and avoid scams.

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Fraud and Scams

Fake Emergency Calls from Loved Ones

Receiving a phone call from a member of your family or a close friend when they are in a dangerous situation or trouble can be a stressful time. Trying to remain calm will be difficult, but scammers are hoping you'll be so panicked that you won't notice they aren't really who they claim to be.

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Fraud and Scams

Warranties and Insurance Scams

Relying on warranties and insurance policies provides us with peace of mind when facing high costs for things beyond our control. However, the necessity we have as consumers to feel protected in our homes, vehicles, and with our medical health leaves vulnerabilities that scammers can take advantage of easily.

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Fraud and Scams

Understanding Identity Fraud

Identity fraud is a serious threat and one of the most common fears people have when it comes to fraud and scams. However, understanding how identity fraud happens, how to detect it and what to do if it happens to you can help relieve those fears.

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Fraud and Scams

Transaction Verification Fraud

Have you ever received a call from a creditor or financial institution asking you to verify your recent transactions to make sure you actually were the one responsible for them? 

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Fraud and Scams

Avoiding Fake Charities

During times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, communities often come together to provide support to those in need. However, there are opportunistic scammers who take advantage of people's desire to help by setting up fake charities.

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Fraud and Scams

Debt Relief Scams Offer No Relief

By posing as a company or agency that offers debt relief, these scammers allow those in need to come to them. Scammers will promise to remove the burden of calling creditors and dealing with the hassle of customer service representatives to negotiate or elimate debt.

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Fraud and Scams

Gift Cards: Scams and Risks

Purchasing a gift card can be a simple solution for a last minute gift or something to give the person who has everything. Scammers can rely on your urgency to take advantage of your purchase.

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Fraud and Scams

Scams in Illinois: Mystery Shopper Scam

Have you received a letter in the mail notifying you that you've been selected to be a mystery shopper? Despite the official look of the letter and the appeal of the sum of money on the check included, this is a very common scam that has been showing up in Illinois recently.

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Fraud and Scams

Common Scams That Target the Elderly

Sadly, some dishonest people have focused their attention on senior citizens. Taking advantage of fear, hope, and trust, these scammers defraud thousands of older Americans each year out of much needed cash. Review these common scams targeted toward the elderly to help out your loved ones.

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Fraud and Scams

The Danger of Fraudulent Reviews

As you move through social media the knowledge that scams exist can make using the internet as a resource a difficult task. Often, as a consumer, you might want to see if a business has good reviews. Reviews on social media can be a valuable tool and because of that scammers know to utilize them for their own attempts to defraud people.

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