SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S MARCH 2025 FRAUD ALERT: NEVER-ENDING TOLL SCAMS
They seemingly arrive daily. “You have unpaid tolls.” Many of us are now aware of this fraudulent message, but have questions regarding the content. We presented some questions to Joshua Hanchey, Senior Technology Specialist at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Question: “Is merely visiting the listed web site damaging in any way?” Answer: “If you […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S FEBRUARY 2025 FRAUD ALERT: TRIANGULATION FRAUD
In years past, the concept of making purchases via the internet was somewhat new and online shoppers carefully scrutinized websites and social media sites prior to providing personal information. Online shopping has become the norm and many consumers have become somewhat lackadaisical when making online purchases. With the introduction of technology associated with artificial intelligence, […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JANUARY 2025 FRAUD ALERT: L.A. FIRE RELIEF SCAMS
Currently, the fires raging in California have claimed the lives of a minimum of 27 people, have burned approximately 40,000 acres of land and have caused unimaginable suffering and loss. With an ominous forecast for increased Santa Ana winds, the worst is far from over. Before all else, it is paramount that we recognize the […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S DECEMBER 2024 FRAUD ALERT: “GONE PHISHING”
The number of text and email messages indicating that you missed a delivery, that the postal service is holding a parcel addressed to you, that one of your streaming service accounts has been violated or that a financial account, belonging to you, has had “unusual activity” are growing on a daily basis. They arrive with […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S NOVEMBER 2024 FRAUD ALERT: “WE’VE SPOTTED FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY…”
On a personal note, few things trouble me more than hard working individuals…especially seniors…losing their life savings to fraudulent activity. Individuals toil for decades, scrimping and saving, hoping to gather savings for their retirement. Decades of savings can be lost in a matter of minutes. While there are variations to this criminal act, it generally […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S OCTOBER 2024 FRAUD ALERT: AVOIDING CONTRACTOR FRAUD AND UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS
Lee County has suffered significant storm damage over the course of two years. Compounding the sadness and frustration felt when one’s home is damaged or destroyed is attempting to repair and rebuild quickly and efficiently. Our county is extremely fortunate to be home to some of the finest contractors in the nation; many of whom […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S SEPTEMBER 2024 FRAUD ALERT: QR CODE SCAMS
QR codes, “Quick Response Codes,” are all around us. These square, black and white boxes allow businesses to quickly direct you to their web site, can track product information in a supply chain, link us to applications as well as store financial information. The uses for these codes are nearly limitless as they store a […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S AUGUST 2024 FRAUD ALERT: FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERINGS
Following the pandemic, an enormous segment of the workforce was offered an opportunity to work from home…many never wishing to return to the office environment. “Work from home” opportunities began to appear nearly everywhere…online, via text and in print. Many of these job offerings were legitimate opportunities to generate income from home. Many were opportunities […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JULY 2024 FRAUD ALERT: PREVENTING OTHERS FROM APPLYING FOR CREDIT CARDS IN YOUR NAME
Protecting one’s personal identity and avoiding falling victim to credit card fraud has become challenging for the average individual. While credit card fraud often involves the theft of an individual’s personal information and creation of duplicate credit cards, a trend appears to have become popular where criminals steal credit card applications from a victim’s mailbox, […]
SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S JUNE 2024 FRAUD ALERT: AVOIDING IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE SCAMS
Many of those immigrating to the United States are unfamiliar with official titles, government websites and procedures as well as immigration law. As a result, criminals prey upon these individuals in an effort to steal and defraud. These practices are disheartening and disgraceful and they make an already difficult procedure even more tedious. Often referring […]