How many times can we say that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will NOT email or telephone you? We will say it again. If you receive a telephone call, email or text from someone saying they are from the IRS, it is A SCAM. It’s that simple. If you don’t believe me, check out
Federal Trade Commission
Privacy Tip #277 – Beware of Vaccine Surveys
Criminals use current events to launch new schemes designed to prey on victims’ vulnerabilities or fears. Throughout the pandemic, criminals have used fear of COVID-19, or the anticipation of a cure or a vaccine, to lure victims and persuade them to provide information they can use for fraudulent purposes.
The most recent scam being reported…
Privacy Tip #274 – COVID Vaccine Scams Rampant
The news is full of stories about crashing vaccination scheduling websites, seniors who are unable to get their vaccine appointment, and how different states are rolling out their limited supplies of COVID vaccines.
People are becoming desperate in the scramble to get vaccinated during or even before their allotted time, and scammers know that and…
FTC Warns of COVID-19 Scam Targeted at Small Businesses
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning small businesses that they are being targeted by scammers through a new coronavirus-related scam. The scam “starts with an email that claims to come from the ‘Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance.’ It says you’re eligible for a loan of up to $250,000 and asks for personal…
Privacy Tip #267 – Fertility Tracking App Settles with FTC
Flo Health, Inc., (Flo) which offers a fertility-tracking app (Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker) used by more than 100 million customers, has agreed to settle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to dismiss the FTC’s claims that Flo shared the health information of its users with data analytics firms despite promising users that it would…
Everalbum Settles with FTC over Facial Recognition Technology in its Ever App
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its settlement with Everalbum Inc. (Everalbum) for its Ever app, a photo and video storage app, due to its alleged deception of consumers related to the app’s use of facial recognition technology and its retention practices around deactivated accounts.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Everalbum must delete models and…
The Effect of a Biden-Harris Presidency on Privacy in the U.S.
How will a Biden-Harris presidency affect the U.S. privacy landscape? Let’s take a look.
Federal Privacy Legislation
On both sides of the political aisle there have been draft proposals in the last 18 months on federal privacy legislation. In September, movement actually happened on federal privacy legislation with the U.S. Setting an American Framework to…
Privacy Tip #259 – On Veterans Day: Tips for Veterans to Avoid Scams
Today on Veterans Day, we thank all veterans for their service and dedication to our democracy.
Unfortunately, it is well-known that veterans are targeted with scams, so providing tips today to help prevent scams against them is timely.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided such tips for veterans, which can be read here.
The…
Privacy Tip #244 – Beware of Scammers Posing as Utility Company Employees
The coronavirus pandemic has caused millions of people to lose their jobs and many are struggling to make ends meet, including paying their utility bills. With economic turmoil comes scammers ready to take advantage of heightened anxiety and to prey on individuals when they are the most vulnerable.
Recently, scammers have been posing as employees…
Privacy Tip #233 – Be Wary of Coronavirus Telemarketing Calls
The scammers know that most of us are working from home and are trying to use this to their advantage. The robocalls have increased, and telemarketers are calling more frequently, but with a new twist—preying on fears of consumers about coronavirus.
I am on the Do-Not-Call list, yet I am still getting many unwanted robocalls.…