The Internet is a useful way to reach a mass audience without spending a lot of time or money. A website, online message, or "spam" e-mails can reach large numbers with minimum effort. It is easy for fraudsters to make their messages look real and credible and sometimes hard for Emeritus to tell the difference between fact and fiction. That is why you should think twice before you invest your money in any opportunity you find online. Below is list of frauds that fellow Emeritus has reported to Federal Bureau of Investigations recently.

Phishing-When internet fraudsters impersonate a business to trick you into giving out your personal information, it's called phishing. You open an email or text, and see a message like this:

• "We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity."
• "During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information."
• "Our records indicate that your account was overcharged. You must call us within 7 days to receive your refund."

The senders are phishing for your information so they can use it to commit fraud using your personal information.

Tips for Avoiding Phishing

• Do not reply to email, text, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information.
• Do not click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It is not. Legitimate businesses do not ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels.
• Do not reply, and do not click on links or call phone numbers provided in the message, either. These messages direct you to spoof sites – sites that look real but whose purpose is to steal your information so a scammer can run up bills or commit crimes in your name.
• Area codes can mislead, too. Some scammers ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." But a local area code doesn't guarantee that the caller is local.
• If you are concerned about your account or need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card.

Internet Auction Fraud - There is a variety of auction frauds, but here are some of the more common ones to watch out for:

• Overpayment fraud targets the seller. A seller advertises a high-value item—like a car or a computer—on the Internet. A scammer contacts the seller to purchase the item, and then sends the seller a counterfeit check or money order for an amount greater than the price of the item. The purchaser asks the seller to deposit the payment, deduct the actual sale price, and then return the difference to the purchaser.
• Wire transfer schemes start with fraudulent and misleading ads for the sale of high-value items being posted on well-known online auction sites. When buyers take the bait, they are directed to wire money to the crooks using a money transfer company. Once the money changes hands, the buyer never hears from them again.
• Second-chance schemes involve scammers who offer losing bidders of legitimate auctions the opportunity to buy the item(s) they wanted at reduced prices. They usually require that victims send payment through money transfer companies, but then do not follow through on delivery.

Tips for Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud

• Understand as much as possible about how the auction works, what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller's obligations are before you bid.
• Find out what actions the website/company takes if a problem occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
• Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business, check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is located.
• Examine the feedback on the seller.
• Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
• If possible, purchase items online using your credit card, because you can often dispute the charges if something goes wrong.
• Be cautious when dealing with sellers outside the United States. If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be much more difficult to rectify.
• Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and whether the merchandise is covered by a warranty or can be exchanged if there is a problem.
• Make sure there are no unexpected costs, including whether shipping and handling is included in the auction price.
• There should be no reason to give out your social security number or driver's license number to the seller.

Credit Card Fraud - Theft, the most obvious form of credit card fraud, can happen in a variety of ways, from low tech dumpster diving to high tech hacking. A retail or bank website might get hacked, and your card number could be stolen and shared. Perhaps a dishonest clerk or waiter takes a photo of your credit card and uses your account to buy items or create another account. The next thing you know, charges you did not make are on your bill, and the trip promoters who called you are nowhere to be found.

Tips for Avoiding Credit Card Fraud

• Do not give out your credit card number online unless the site is a secure and reputable. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but provides some assurance.
• Do not trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
• Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
• Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
• Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
• Obtain a physical address rather than simply a post office box and a telephone number, and call the seller to see if the telephone number is correct and working.
• Send an e-mail to the seller to make sure the e-mail address is active, and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card was not required to open the account.
• Consider not purchasing from sellers who will not provide you with this type of information.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area.
• Check out other websites regarding this person/company.
• Do not judge a person or company by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly.
• Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
• If possible, purchase items online using your credit card, because you can often dispute the charges if something goes wrong.
• Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card number.
• Keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer's contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s), contact the card issuer immediately.

Investment Fraud - Deceptive pitches for investments from a broker often misrepresent or leave out facts in order to promote fantastic profits with little risk. No investment is risk-free and a high rate of return means greater risk. There is a variety of investment frauds, but here are some of the more common ones to watch out for:

• Online Investment Newsletters - Some companies pay online newsletters to "tout" or recommend their stocks. Touting is not illegal as long as the newsletters disclose who paid them, how much they are getting paid, and the form of the payment, usually cash or stock. But fraudsters often lie about the payments they receive and their track records in recommending stocks.
• Online Bulletin Boards - Online bulletin boards are a way for investors to share information. While some messages may be true, many turn out to be bogus – or even scams. Fraudsters may use online discussions to pump up a company or pretend to reveal "inside" information about upcoming announcements, new products, or lucrative contracts.
• Pump and Dump Schemes - These schemes often occur on the Internet where it is common to see messages urging readers to buy a stock quickly. Often, the promoters will claim to have "inside" information about a development that will be positive for the stock. After these fraudsters dump their shares and stop hyping the stock, the price typically falls, and investors lose their money.
• Spam - junk e-mail – often is used to promote bogus investment schemes or to spread false information about a company. With a bulk e-mail program, spammers can send personalized messages to millions of people at once for much less than the cost of cold calling or traditional mail. Many scams, including advance fee frauds, use spam to reach potential victims.

Tips for Avoiding Investment Fraud

• Do not judge a person or company by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly.
• Do not invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment and the company to ensure that they are legitimate.
• Check out other websites regarding this person/company.
• Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
• Inquire about all the terms and conditions.

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media. Please visit FTC site at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/or call them at 1-877-FTC-HELP. For more tips on how to protect yourself from various fraud schemes, we invite you to visit our Fraudsection.