current phishing scams for bank of america

You can’t legally play a foreign lottery in the United States, so those pitches are always scams. Once the money is wired, the victim never sees their prize. You’re told to keep some of the money and send a wire transfer to cover a “processing fee” or vague taxes.

Fake lotteries and sweepstakes: You receive a certificate indicating you’ve won a big prize and a check.

Question any seller who insists on using a particular form of payment and refuse requests to wire money.

How to protect yourself: Deal with local sellers.

Other times, they may suggest use of a phony escrow company.

Classified ad purchases – fake sellers: Cons post bogus advertisements for cars or other high-ticket items then ask for payment via wire transfer.

Don’t relinquish your car or other valuables until the issuing bank (the one listed on the check) has verified that the check has cleared. If you accept a check, ask for one drawn on a local bank that you can visit to determine conclusively that the check is good. Only accept payment for the actual purchase price.

How to protect yourself: Deal with local buyers.

Other times, they may send a check for the correct amount, then back out of the deal and ask for a refund. Typically, cons claim the wired money is payment for an intermediary to ship the item. You are instructed to wire the extra amount to a third party or reimburse the difference. Payment arrives as a counterfeit check – often for more than the sale price.

They contact those advertising cars, electronics or just about anything of value, pretending to be an interested buyer. Classified ad purchases – fake buyers: Swindlers browse online classifieds, auto sales journals and newspapers for potential victims.Cons prefer the service because it disguises thick accents and makes calls untraceable. The person communicates via TTY service.The email message may be full of typing errors. A caller or email appears to originate from overseas.Once you wire money, it can be picked up immediately. The contact indicates a confirmation code or money transfer control number (MTCN) is needed before your money can be withdrawn.This is a blatant lie.They instruct the victim to cash the check or money order and send them a portion of the money by wire.

It may be a cashier’s check, personal check or money order. Con artists often win their victims’ confidence by sending a fake check for more than the amount of purchase or to cover so-called processing fees, shipping costs or other expenses. You are sent a check in connection with a payment request.Any of the following “red flags” should signal a scam:

Current phishing scams for bank of america