Recently, there has been an increase in the number of different scams that target both residents and visitors in the state of Florida. The following are five common schemes that you should be aware of:
1. Grandparents Scams
In order to commit fraud, con artists pose as solicitors or legal agents and contact elderly people with bogus stories about their grandchildren being engaged in major accidents and requiring bail money.
In one incident, six people were taken into custody for stealing approximately two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from senior citizens in the state of Florida using such dishonest methods.
2. Smishing Attacks
“Smishing” attacks, also known as SMS phishing, are on the rise, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued warnings about this trend. Scammers send bogus text messages to recipients in an attempt to trick them into giving personal information.
Toll authorities or delivery agencies are frequently impersonated in these messages, which encourage users to click on links that lead to dangerous websites.
3. Fake Toll Road Texts
Text messages that appear to be from toll road operators like SunPass are the subject of a new scam. These messages suggest that the recipients have unpaid fees and are at risk of receiving fines.
Individuals are prompted to give payment information on phoney websites via these messages, which ultimately results in the theft of financial information.
4. Phishing Scams Targeting Municipalities
Even the governments of the municipal level are not immune. A phishing fraud was perpetrated on the City of Fort Lauderdale, which resulted in a loss of $1.2 million because of the scam. Scammers issued fake payment requests that seemed to be real, demonstrating the level of complexity that is associated with scams of this nature.
5. Deed Fraud Using AI
Scammers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence in order to execute deed or title fraud. This gives them the ability to transfer ownership of property without the owner being aware of it.
Unsuspecting homeowners have been forced to engage in expensive and difficult legal fights as a result of this rising problem, which has affected properties all throughout the country, including in Florida.
When it comes to protecting themselves from these ever-evolving frauds, residents are strongly encouraged to remain watchful, verify any contacts that are not solicited, and report any suspicious actions to the authorities in their area.
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