Scam of the Day
Scam of the day – May 2, 2026 – Cryptocurrency Scammer Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison
Robert Dunlap was recently sentenced to 23 years in prison for operating a cryptocurrency scam that stole more than $20 million from close to 1,000 investors. Between 2018 and 2023 Dunlap sold a digital asset he called Meta-1 Coin which he marketed through social media, seminars and an Internet radio show. Dunlap told the investor victims of his scam that the token was secured by $44 billion in gold and a $1 billion art collection featuring works of Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh. He also told investors that the cryptocurrency was guaranteed and capable of generating returns of as much as 224,923% . He told investors that his coin offering was independently audited and provided his victims with phony records and insurance documents to make his scam appear believable. All of it was a lie. There was no gold or art and the website he created for the cryptocurrency, Meta Exchange used automated trading bots to make it appear that the Meta-1 coin was profitable when it was not.
The SEC instituted a civil fraud action against Dunlap in 2020, obtaining temporary orders against Dunlap, but this did little to slow down his actions as he continued to operate his scam on hundreds more investors before he was finally stopped when the criminal case against him proceeded.
TIPS
While it is never appropriate to blame victims for being scammed, there are a number of basic steps that his victims could have taken that would have indicated that Dunlap’s enterprise was a scam. No one should ever invest in anything until they have independently investigated both the investment and the person offering the investment. A first step in looking into any investment advisor is to search the FINRA BrokerCheck data base which will tell you if the person touting the investment is a registered investment advisor and whether there are any legal actions against the advisor. If anyone had looked up Dunlap they would have learned that he was not a registered broker or a licensed investment advisor. Anyone investing with him after 2020 could have found the SEC civil charges against him for selling unregistered securities and making phony audit documents.
In regard to the Meta-1 Coin investment, anyone looking into it would have found that it was not being traded on any public exchanges. They also would have found that there was no independent verification of any art ownership.
Perhaps the biggest red flag was guaranteed returns of the ridiculously high 224,923%.
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Scam of the day – May 1, 2026 – Meta Sued Again Over Scam Ads
Last June i told you that the Wall Street Journal did a scathing story that said that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram had become the “cornerstone of the internet fraud economy.” According to the story Meta accounted for nearly half of all reported scams involving Zelle at major banks. The story also reported that 70% of new advertisers on Meta’s platforms promote scams or low quality products. Many of the scammers placing these ads, according to the Journal, were Southeast Asian crime networks. The article went on to say that Meta did a poor job of taking down fraudulent ads because it prioritized its 16 billion dollar profit from scam ads over protecting its users from being scammed. For its part, Meta says that according to federal law it is not responsible for scam ads on their sites.
Recently the Consumer Federation of America sued Meta alleging “Meta has adopted policies and practices that it knows allow scam advertisements to proliferate on its platforms while simultaneously profiting off those ads at is users’ expense.” The complaint also accuses Meta of downplaying the scale of fraud on Facebook and Instagram and creating a false impression of safety.
TIPS
So how do you protect yourself from these phony ads?
You can start off by checking the profile page of the poster to see if it has many followers. Also, legitimate businesses will have websites. Check out these websites to see if they are legitimate.
Asking for payments to be made by wired funds, gift cards, Venmo or Zelle is also a good indication that it is a scam. Venmo and Zelle should never be used for commercial transactions and gift cards are not an accepted method of payment for goods to anyone other than scammers.
Look for customer feedback and review sites such as Trustpilot.
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Scam of the day – April 30, 2026 – Virginia Sheriff Warns About Dangers of Check Washing
What is old is new again. Many people continue to pay their household bills by paper checks rather than electronic banking and even when shopping, some people prefer paying by check instead of using a credit card or cash. While there has been much discussion in the news about data breaches involving credit cards, the problems encountered through check washing are still substantial costing consumers and banks more than a billion dollars each year and the problem is getting worse.
Typically, the scam starts when someone pays a bill with a check, mails the envelope containing the check and then somewhere in transit the check is stolen and washed. Check washing is a process by which someone steals a check you have already written and “washes” or removes the name of the payee, often using simple bleach, and also changes the amount as well as the name of the payee. The criminal then cashes your altered check and steals your money.
It is a very simple thing for identity thieves to steal your check from your mailbox if you put it in an envelope to pay a bill and leave it in your mailbox outside your home for your mail carrier to pick up. Identity thieves also break into USPS mail collection boxes and steal mail with checks as well. Finally, rogue clerks at stores may steal your checks. It is then a simple thing to take ordinary bleach, acetone or other similar liquids to wash clean the name of the person to whom the check is made out as well as the amount of the check and insert the identity thief’s name and a new amount.
Recently, the Dinwiddie County Virginia Sheriff’s Office warned the public about a dramatic increase in mail theft from both residential and U.S. Postal Service mailboxes and resulting check washing. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office said, “Beyond the money, they can use bank routing/account numbers for further identity theft, such as creating counterfeit checks or opening new account.”
TIPS
While businesses can protect themselves from check washing quite readily by using higher technology checks such as those containing three dimensional reflective metallic holograms or checks treated with chemicals that will make the world “void” appear if the check is attempted to be altered, these are costly alternatives for individuals. Fortunately however, you are not powerless and the solution, in fact is quite simple. Instead of writing your checks using a common ball point pen, switch to a gel pen which is a commonly available type of pen whose ink will not vanish under chemical washes. Fountain pens also do not use the type of ink that can be readily washed, but the gel pen is simpler and easier to use (and also less messy).
Unfortunately, more sophisticated criminals will scan your check into their computers and use readily available software to keep the signature from the original check, but delete the amount and the name of the payee on the check thereby allowing them to make perfect counterfeit checks which they can make payable to themselves for any amount they choose thereby defeating the gel pen as a defense so electronic banking is still your best bet.
Another important thing to remember is to cross shred your personal documents including checks that you no longer need and are discarding. Identity thieves go through your trash for their treasure including checks that they can use to make counterfeit checks using your account.
Finally, check your banks statements promptly after receiving them for signs of theft. If you do report checking account fraud more than thirty days after receiving your bank statement, the bank does not have to reimburse you for fraudulent, counterfeit checks. Finally, if you already aren’t doing so, you should consider paying your bills electronically which can be done in an extremely safe manner.
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Scam of the day – April 29, 2026 – ADT Suffers Massive Data Breach (Again)
ADT, the country’s largest home security company in the United States became aware on April 20th that it had suffered a data breach which, according to Have I Been Pwned, a terrific website that tracks data breaches, resulted in person information of 5.5 million people being compromised. According to Have I Been Pwned, the sensitive data included email addresses, names, dates of birth, phone numbers, physical addresses and partial government0-issued IDs. This information can readily lead to identity theft. ADT also acknowledged that in some instances the last four digits of Social Security numbers were also compromised. Some people might mistakenly believe that having only the last four digits of their Social Security number in the possession of scammers does not put them in jeopardy. It most certainly does. The first three digits of your Social Security number relate to where you live and is easily determined; the second two digits are group numbers that until 2011 were based on when you obtained your Social Security number and are even available on the Social Security website for years up till 2011, but even for numbers issued after that date, there are only 99 possibilities so it is not particularly difficult for an identity thief to determine your Social Security number with just the last four digits. Armed with your Social Security number, a criminal can make you a victim of costly identity theft quite readily.
ADT had previously suffered data breaches in August and October of 2024.
TIPS
One important lesson is to limit the amount of personal information that you provide to companies and websites whenever possible. For example, your doctor doesn’t need your Social Security number for his or her records and neither do home security companies.
You should make sure that you have a unique password for each of your online accounts so that if one of your passwords is compromised in a data breach, all of your accounts will not be in danger. If your information is compromised in a data breach, you should immediately change the password for that account.
If you have not already done so, set up dual factor authentication for each of you accounts where it is available. This will protect you from having those accounts stolen by someone who may have access to your password. However it should be noted that the malware responsible for this particular data breach is able to bypass password requirements and dual factor authentication.
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
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Scam of the day – April 28, 2026 – South Carolina Woman Victimized by Jury Duty Scam
I have been warning you about the jury duty scam for thirteen years, but it continues to snare many unwary victims. Recently Suzzane Wilson lost $18,000 to a jury duty scam that began with a phone call from a scammer posing as a Sheriff’s Deputy telling her that she had missed jury duty and had to pay $13,000 to avoid being arrested. She was instructed to withdraw the money from her bank and not to tell anyone why she was getting the money. She was further instructed to to to a cryptocurrency ATM to send the money to the scammer.
Often in these scams you are told that you can pay the fine through gift cards And now more frequently, as in this case, you are told to pay the “fine” through a cryptocurrency ATM. Other times they ask for your Social Security number to confirm your identity. Of course, the phone call is a scam. Even if you have missed jury duty, you will never be called by legitimate court officers and shaken down for a payment.
Often, as in this case, the scammers will use a technique called “spoofing” to make the call appear on your Caller ID as if it is coming from a legitimate law enforcement agency or court. In some instances of the scam you are asked to confirm your identity by providing your Social Security number which will then be used to make you a victim of identity theft. Recently the scam has evolved to where people are also being contacted by text messages or emails from scammers posing as a representative of the local court system.
TIPS
Initial contacts from courts regarding jury duty are always in writing through the mail although some systems will permit you to receive future notices through email. Under no circumstances will you receive telephone calls or text messages indicating that you have failed to report for jury duty. No court will demand payment over the phone for failing to appear for jury duty and no court ever requires a payment be made via gift cards or cryptocurrencies. If you do receive such a call and you think that there is even the possibility that you might have forgotten to report for jury duty, merely call the local clerk of courts in order to get accurate information. Of course anyone calling you and telling you that you can pay your fine to them over the phone using a gift card is a scammer.
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Scam of the day – April 27, 2026 – Target Gift Card Class Action Update
Scammers are big fans of gift cards because they are easy to purchase, easy to send to the scammer and impossible to trace to the scammer. It is not even necessary for the scammer to be in possession of the actual gift card to use it. Sending the gift card numbers or taking a picture on your phone and transmitting it to the scammer is sufficient for the scammer to use the gift card to buy things that can then be sold and converted into cash.
In many instances the scams involved scammers posing as large companies or government agencies such as the IRS demanding payments. This is called an “impersonator scam.” It is important to remember that no legitimate company and no government agencies asks for or accepts gift cards as a payment method so anytime you are asked for a payment by gift card, you can be confident it is a scam.
In an interesting development, the FTC noted that Target gift cards were the most popular choice for scammers with scammers asking specifically for Target gift cards in twice as many instances as the next most popular gift card and even when the gift card requested by the scammers was not a Target gift card, the scammers asked their victims to purchase the particular gift cards at a Target store. Last summer, I told you that four victims of an impersonator scam In Pennsylvania sued Target alleging that Target failed to use its own security algorithms and real-time tracking software to prevent these scams. The plaintiffs further alleged that Target benefited financially from these scams and did not take proper steps to stop it. Presently the case is still in the early stages of discovery where evidence is gathered by both sides. As developments in the case occur, I will let you know.
TIPS
Fortunately, scams requiring payment through gift cards are easy to avoid. Anytime anyone approaches you with a business transaction in which you are asked to pay through gift cards, you can be confident that it is a scam. The IRS has even had to post on its website that it does not accept gift cards as payments. An important thing to remember is that gift cards are gifts, they are not used as a payment method for any legitimate transaction so if you are asked to pay for any business transaction through a gift card, you can be sure it is a scam
It would be helpful if more companies that sell gift cards would routinely train their employees to recognize scams and require them to ask their customers when larger gift cards are being purchased as to the reason for purchasing the gift cards. The FTC has recently created new posters for retailers to put up near where they sell gift cards to warn consumers about gift card related scams.
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Scam of the day – April 26, 2026 – Missing Dog Scam Uses AI
In the Scam of the day for August 29, 2023 I told you about, scammers posing as local humane societies or animal control officers calling pet owners who have lost pets telling them that they have found the pet and asking for an immediate payment over the phone in order to retrieve their lost pet. Often pet owners who have lost their pets will post posters with photos and information about the lost pet which the scammers use to harvest information they can use to make their call appear legitimate. Additionally, through a technique called “spoofing” it is a simple matter for the scammer to manipulate your Caller ID so that the call appears to have come from your local humane society or animal control officer.
Today people are even more likely to post on social media about missing pets and scammers are using AI to perpetrate missing pet scams more convincingly. Recently in Deltona, Florida, Bill Cosens posted photos of his dog Archer who had been missing for a day on social media. They soon got a call that appeared to come from a local animal control shelter veterinary service telling Cosens that Archer had been hit by a car and needed emergency surgery and that the cost was $2,746 which should be paid by gift cards.. When Bill Cosens and his wife asked to come see Archer they were told there was no time for that, but the phony vet service would send a photo of Archer being prepared for surgery which they promptly received. Fortunately, the Cosens were skeptical, particularly about the vet demanding payment by gift cards which is something only scammers do and they did not fall for the scam although the AI created photo was very convincing.
The story has a happy ending, however, as Archer turned up a few days later. Investigators determined that the call from the vet that appeared to come from Deltona actually came from India. This scam has been reported in other states as well as scammers are able to get photos of missing dogs from social media and use AI to make convincing demands for payments.
TIPS
Neither humane societies nor animal control officers demand payment for returning lost pets. If you do get such a call and think that it may be legitimate, you should merely hang up and call the real local humane society or local animal control officer at a phone number that you have confirmed is the correct one and not from what the scammer may appear to use.
As for the version of this scam targeting the Cosens, it can be hard to tell if a AI deepfake photo is legitimate, but demanding payment by gift cards is always an indication of a scam.
As a rule you should never give personal information or make a payment over the phone to anyone you have not called. You can never be sure as to who is really calling.
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Scam of the day – April 25, 2026 – Class Actions Filed Against Citizens Bank Over Data Breach
Data breaches have become an all-too-common feature of life today and they pose a significant threat to all of us because regardless of how careful we are at protecting our personal data, we are only as secure as the companies and governmental agencies that hold our information. This week two separate lawsuits seeking class action status were filed against Citizens Bank alleging lax security which led to a recent data breach According to the lawsuits the ransomware group Everest claimed responsibility for a cyberattack against Citizens systems that compromised sensitive personal information of as many as millions of Citizens current and former customers. Citizens acknowledges that they suffered a data breach, but assert that their own networks were not breached and that the data breach involved a third party vendor of Citizens affecting a “limited set of information for a small number of customers.” However, the limited set of information included names and checking account numbers which when joined with the bank’s routing number, which is publicly available information, would enable a criminal to create counterfeit checks posing a serious threat to the affected customers.
TIPS
Victims of the data breach should monitor their checking accounts to look for checks that may have been drawn on their accounts. They also should freeze their credit if they have not already done so. Freezing your credit is actually something everyone should do. It is free and easy to do. In addition, it protects you from someone using your identity to obtain loans or make large purchases even if they have your Social Security number. If you have not already done so, put a credit freeze on your credit reports at all of the major credit reporting agencies. Here are links to each of them with instructions about how to get a credit freeze:
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
If you are not a subscriber to Scamicide.com and would like to receive daily emails with the Scam of the day, all you need to do is sign up for free using this link. https://scamicide.com/scam-of-the-day/
Scam of the day – April 24, 2026 – Amazon Recall Scam
Whatever is popular with the public is popular with scammers which is why it is not surprising that scammers are sending out text messages that appear to come from Amazon informing their targeted victims that there is a recall of a product that the targeted victim purchased through Amazon Prime. The text message looks legitimate and may even appear to come from a legitimate Amazon telephone number, but it is a simple matter for a scammer to “spoof” a legitimate number to make it appear that the call is originating from Amazon while actually coming from the scammer. The bogus text message informing you of the product recall provides a link that will take you to what appears to be the Amazon website and prompts you to provide your account information and your password. Using AI it is simple for a scammer to create a very legitimate appearing counterfeit Amazon website.
Anyone providing their account information and password would end up having their account taken over by the scammers who would quickly run up purchases and charges to the account.
Last year Amazon took down more than 55,000 phony Amazon websites, but it is a never ending battle because as soon as one is taken down, scammers create a new counterfeit site.
TIPS
Rather than only use a password for your Amazon account, you should either use dual factor authentication or an Amazon Passkey for your account. This will provide added security to your account to prevent your becoming a victim of this type of scam. To set up dual factor authentication on your account, use this link.https://www.amazon.ca/gp/help/customer/display.html%3FnodeId%3DGE6SLZ5J9GCNRW44
Passkeys enable you to use Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello or a device PIN rather than a password. In order to set this go to your Amazon account and then click on Login & security, then go to Passkeys and then click Set up.
As I always say, trust me, you can’t trust anyone so if you get a text message about a recall from Amazon, your best course of action is to either contact Amazon Customer Service at 1‑888‑280‑4331 or login to your account online or on the app and you will be able to see if there was a recall.
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Scam of the day – April 23, 2026 – Comcast Settles Data Breach Class Action
In the Scam of the day for December 22, 2023 I first told you about the data breach affecting all thirty-six million customers of Internet service provider Comcast Cable Communications which occurred between October 16, 2023 and October 19, 2023 in which usernames, hashed (encrypted) passwords, birth dates, security questions and answers as well as the last four digits of the Social Security numbers of its customers were compromised. Some people might mistakenly believe that having only the last four digits of their Social Security number in the possession of scammers does not put them in jeopardy. It most certainly does. The first three digits of your Social Security number relate to where you live and is easily determined; the second two digits are group numbers that until 2011 were based on when you obtained your Social Security number and are even available on the Social Security website for years up till 2011, but even for numbers issued after that date, there are only 99 possibilities so it is not particularly difficult for an identity thief to determine your Social Security number with just the last four digits. Armed with your Social Security number, a criminal can make you a victim of costly identity theft quite readily.
A class action against Comcast alleging negligence in protecting the personal information of its customers was filed shortly after the data breach and the case has now settled with Comcast agreeing to pay $117.5 million. As is common in such settlements, Comcast did not admit liability. Class members can receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and lost time. Alternatively, class members can choose a cash payment of $50. In addition to the cash payments, Comcast is also offering class members three years of credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, authentication alerts, high-risk transaction monitoring, identity theft insurance and monthly credit score tracking. The deadline for filing a claim is August 14, 2026. Here is the link to where you can file a claim. https://forms.ksacms.com/efiling/fr/eform/comcastbreachsettlement_claimform/new?form-version=1&fr-wizard-page=section-1
Regardless of whether you were affected by this particular data breach, we are all likely to be victims of future data breaches. So what can you do to protect yourself from data breaches that will be occurring?
TIPS
One important lesson is to limit the amount of personal information that you provide to companies and websites whenever possible. For example, your doctor doesn’t need your Social Security number for his or her records.
You should make sure that you have a unique password for each of your online accounts so that if one of your passwords is compromised in a data breach, all of your accounts will not be in danger. If your information is compromised in a data breach, you should immediately change the password for that account.
If you have not already done so, set up dual factor authentication for each of you accounts where it is available. This will protect you from having those accounts stolen by someone who may have access to your password. However it should be noted that the malware responsible for this particular data breach is able to bypass password requirements and dual factor authentication.
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html
If you are not a subscriber to Scamicide.com and would like to receive daily emails with the Scam of the day, all you need to do is sign up for free using this link. https://scamicide.com/scam-of-the-day/