Fraud Types
Card Skimming
Happens when devices are illegally placed on or inside ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or gas pumps to capture card information and record PIN numbers. Criminals use this stolen data to create counterfeit cards, make unauthorized purchases, or drain victims’ accounts. Whenever possible, use the tap feature on your card instead of swiping or inserting it, and always keep your PIN secure.
Charity Fraud Schemes
Target generous individuals by soliciting donations for organizations that do little or no actual work. Instead, the money goes directly to the scammers behind the fake charity. While these scams can occur at any time, they are particularly common following high-profile disasters. Charity fraud can take many forms, including emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, and more.
Check Fraud
Occurs when a counterfeit, altered, forged, or unauthorized check is processed through an account. One common method is when a fraudster steals mail from a mailbox or the postal service, alters the check, and attempts to deposit it. Always remember, never deposit a check made out to someone else, as this could be part of a fraudulent scheme.
Crypto Scam
Crypto scams involve fraudsters tricking individuals into investing in fake cryptocurrencies or fraudulent crypto-related schemes. Scammers often promise high returns on investment or claim to have insider knowledge, luring victims to send money or cryptocurrency. These scams can happen through social media, fake websites, or even unsolicited messages. Always be cautious and do thorough research before investing in any cryptocurrency. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Elder Financial Abuse
Improper use of an elderly person's funds, assets, or property. It can be perpetrated by a trusted individual, such as a family member, caregiver, or financial advisor, or by strangers. This type of abuse can take many forms, such as stealing money, forging signatures, coercing the elder into financial decisions, or mismanaging their financial resources. If you suspect elder financial abuse, immediately report it to local authorities, adult protective services, or the bank wher the abuse is taking place.
Grandparent Scam
Scammers trick people by pretending to be a family member, bail bond agent, or emergency service, saying their grandchild is in urgent need of money. They ask the victim to send money through methods like peer-to-peer payments, wire transfers, or gift cards, which are hard to trace. These scams can seem very real because scammers use information they find online to make their story convincing.
Mobile Payment Scam
Apps like Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal allow you to send and receive money through your smartphone or online. However, some scammers may try to deceive you into sending them money through these mobile payment apps.
Phishing
Phishing scams involve fake emails, text messages, or social media/voice messages that appear to be from trusted companies like banks. The goal is to trick victims into sharing personal or financial information to steal their money or identity. These scams often come in the form of messages claiming there’s an issue with your account and urging you to click a link to fix it. These links are fraudulent and designed to steal your login details. Carver will never send a link or request personal information through messages or emails.
Smishing
Smishing is a type of social engineering scam that uses fraudulent text messages to deceive you into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and 2-factor authentication codes. These fake texts may include links that take you to imitation websites designed to look like legitimate ones, aiming to steal your personal details.
Social Media Scam
Scammers often create fake profiles to pretend they are someone else, trying to befriend people in order to steal their personal information or money. They may also post fake surveys or contests to trick users into sharing sensitive details.
Urgency Scam
An urgency scam is a type of scam that pressures victims into making quick decisions, such as taking advantage of a limited-time offer or sending a payment within a short deadline. Scammers may impersonate hospitals, bail bondsmen, the IRS, or even family members to create a sense of urgency, convincing victims to share personal information or send money.
Wire Transfer Scam
In a wire transfer scam, fraudsters trick victims into sending money through wire transfers, often by pretending to be a trusted person or organization. Scammers may claim they need money urgently for an emergency, such as a relative in trouble or a business deal that requires immediate payment. Once the victim sends the money, it’s nearly impossible to recover. Always verify the request with a trusted source before making any wire transfers.