Latest Scams & Rip-Offs

spam call on phone
Here’s Clark’s #1 Rule for Avoiding Phone Scams Scams & Rip-Offs March 15th, 2024
If you’ve got a smartphone like most of us, you know that nuisance calls are one thing, but phone scams…
spam text messages
New Report: The Top 5 Spam Text Messages in America Scams & Rip-Offs March 15th, 2024
It seems like nearly everyone has a cell phone -- and the spam text messages that go along with them.…
online scams
How To Spot a Fake Online Store in 6 Easy Steps Scams & Rip-Offs February 29th, 2024
Online shopping can be a convenience and a curse. If you happen to interact with a fake online store, you…
Visa gift card
Warning: Why You Should Never Buy Visa Gift Cards Scams & Rip-Offs February 27th, 2024
Gift cards emblazoned with the Visa logo may add some authority to the card, but they are just as susceptible…
funeral home phone scam
Alert: Funeral Home Scam Targets Grieving Families Scams & Rip-Offs February 21st, 2024
Few things are worse than falling victim to a criminal during one of the most vulnerable times in your life:…
Warning: How to Avoid Romance Scams
Warning: How To Spot and Report Romance Scams Scams & Rip-Offs February 8th, 2024
Love is in the air, but so are romance scams, a cruel type of ruse that preys on the hearts…
Robocall phone
New Report: The #1 Phone Scam in America Scams & Rip-Offs January 15th, 2024
Scammers are using our cell phones to access our wallets -- and they're having a lot of success. Anti-spam call…
Mailbox with Publishers Clearing House mail
Is Publishers Clearing House a Scam? Scams & Rip-Offs January 12th, 2024
Publishers Clearing House is a household name when it comes to direct marketing. Unfortunately, its name has also been attached…
puppy sale
How To Spot a Puppy Scam Online Scams & Rip-Offs December 8th, 2023
The holiday season is rife with scammers trying to separate people from their money, including prospective puppy owners looking for…
gift card scams
How To Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams Scams & Rip-Offs December 6th, 2023
‘Tis the season for gift cards -- and that means it's a good time to be on the watch for…
email phishing scam
Report: Top 5 Email Scam Subject Lines Right Now Scams & Rip-Offs December 4th, 2023
If you’re not careful, criminals can rob you via your email inbox. In many cases, unsuspecting victims get lured in…
12 Common Amazon Scams To Avoid
12 Common Amazon Scams To Avoid Scams & Rip-Offs October 31st, 2023
Amazon can be a convenient way to shop, but it can be an increasingly risky proposition. According to a report…
Ask Clark Howard and Team Clark
Am I Wasting My Time Reporting Spam Emails To My Email Service Provider? Scams & Rip-Offs October 30th, 2023
Even if you never get caught in their trap, email spam -- especially malicious emails attempting to scam you --…
email scams
Clark Howard’s #1 Rule To Avoid Email Scams Scams & Rip-Offs October 24th, 2023
Scams involving email were among the top three most reported internet crimes last year, according to a Federal Bureau of…
post office mailbox
Why You Should Never Mail a Check Scams & Rip-Offs October 19th, 2023
Although money expert Clark Howard wants you to receive paper statements for particular bills, he doesn’t want you to mail…
senior scams
These Are the Biggest Scams That Cost Seniors the Most Money Scams & Rip-Offs October 18th, 2023
Senior citizens continue to be prime targets of scammers and criminals. In a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report, Protecting…
How To Get a Patent on Your Invention Without Getting Scammed
How To Get a Patent on Your Invention Without Getting Scammed Scams & Rip-Offs October 13th, 2023
If you're a would-be inventor, you've probably seen ads on TV promising patent help and offering to take your invention…
Cell phone public charging station in airport
Warning for Cell Phone Users: Do Not Use Public Charging Stations Scams & Rip-Offs October 5th, 2023
Your cell phone can be a valuable traveling companion. But if you need to charge it on the go, there’s…
Medicare scam
Watch Out for Medicare Scams Right Now Scams & Rip-Offs October 3rd, 2023
With Medicare’s annual enrollment period approaching, it’s a good time to be reminded of the many tricks scammers use to…
scam text message
Why You Should Never Click on Random Text Messages Scams & Rip-Offs August 30th, 2023
Have you ever received a random text message with a link in it? If the sender is unknown, money expert…
How to spot financial abuse of an elderly relative or friend
How To Spot Financial Abuse of an Elderly Relative or Friend Scams & Rip-Offs June 15th, 2023
Using a variety of ruses and common scams, criminals are steadily trying to trick America’s oldest citizens out of their…
Fake PayPal invoice scam
Scam Alert: Watch Out for Fake PayPal Invoices Scams & Rip-Offs April 18th, 2023
There’s a scam going around involving one of the most popular payment apps – PayPal. It arrives in your email…
Fraud alert
How To Find the Biggest Scams in Your Area Scams & Rip-Offs April 6th, 2023
Falling victim to a common scam can rob you of a sense of peace as well as your money. Fortunately,…
top scams
Most Common Financial Scams and How To Avoid Them Scams & Rip-Offs March 17th, 2023
Swindlers and scam artists have been busy over the past 12 months trying to separate as many people from their…
Ask Clark money column
What Do I Do If Someone Stole My Social Security Number To Get a Job? Scams & Rip-Offs February 27th, 2023
Data breaches are unfortunately a common part of our modern digital life. However, Hackers grabbing one of your old passwords…
How to stop and report spam emails.
How To Stop and Report Spam Emails Scams & Rip-Offs February 16th, 2023
When you get a random spam email, perhaps the first thing you ask yourself is “how do spammers get my…
common IRS phone scams
6 Common Phone Scams and How To Recognize Them Scams & Rip-Offs February 1st, 2023
Scam calls continue to be a major problem in the United States. According to a report by spam fighting technology…
OfferUp scams-What you need to know about OfferUp scams
OfferUp Scams: Everything You Need To Know Scams & Rip-Offs December 2nd, 2022
With inflation hitting everyone’s wallet, it's not surprising if you're seeking ways to stretch your budget. Extra income doesn’t need…
Facebook Marketplace Scams: Everything You Need to Know
Facebook Marketplace Scams: Everything You Need to Know Scams & Rip-Offs November 23rd, 2022
Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to sell unwanted items without all the haggling you often have to endure…
Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places
Do Not Give Your Social Security Number at These Places Protect Your Rights & Identity November 11th, 2022
When should you give your Social Security number and when should you not? Giving out your Social Security number is…