“The Lady and the Dale”: This Car Runs on Fraud

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“The Lady and the Dale”: This Car Runs on Fraud

A four-part documentary series from HBO, “The Lady and the Dale,” is a fast-paced deep-dive into a web of FBI raids, manhunts and a whole lot of fraud. Directors Zackary Drucker and Nick Cammilleri treat viewers to the complex life of Elizabeth “Liz” Carmichael — a charismatic and cunning salesperson with billionaire and presidential aspirations who took the automotive industry by storm when she revealed the bright yellow prototype of a car called the Dale in the mid-1970s.

At the height of the global oil crisis, Carmichael promised interested buyers and investors that this three-wheeled vehicle could get 70 miles to the gallon, and all for the low purchase price of $2,000. Carmichael’s grandiose claims promised to revolutionize the landscape not only of the automotive industry but also of the world at large. This promise, of course, was gradually revealed to be completely empty.

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3 Common Student Loan Scams

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3 Common Student Loan Scams

With colleges and universities weighing options to conduct classes in person or virtually this fall, students no doubt already have a fair amount of stress regarding the upcoming semester. Whether classes are online or not, an estimated 70% of students will likely take out student loans to help finance their continued education. According to Student Loan Hero, 69% of 2019 graduates who took out student loans entered post-grad life with an average $29,900 accumulated in student loan debt. Nationwide, there is currently over $1.5 trillion accumulated in student loan debt. Loans and financial aid are already such great sources of anxiety, so here are three of the most common student loan scams to avoid.

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Gamblers Can Be Defrauded Too

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Gamblers Can Be Defrauded Too

If you ask any internet search engine to execute a query about “gambling” and “fraud,” almost all information returned will be addressing the fact that gamblers are typical potential fraudsters. Indeed, gambling addiction generates pressure to commit fraud and is considered a high fraud risk factor. Gamblers will try anything to continue feeding their excessive gambling habits. Most fraud examiners are aware of this risk, and organizations should be attentive to their employees’ conduct. If a gambling problem rises, the organization should assist the employee through adequate employee support programs.

However, rarely do we see anyone raise the matter that gamblers could be defrauded too. Subconsciously, we might act as if gamblers are wrongdoers and therefore have no rights to claim. This bias would prevent us from admitting that gamblers are consumers and should be considered so. And if they are victims of a fraud scheme, they deserve it. It’s a punishment “morally” deserved.

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Traveling on Business? Take Identity Protection Steps

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Traveling on Business? Take Identity Protection Steps

When traveling, you might be opening yourself up to new tactics of identity theft without even realizing it. With everything from hotel rooms to public Wi-Fi being a risk, it is important to stay on your toes when you’re away from home – whether for business or leisure. Even the most diligent of people can fall victim to a scam or make the wrong move, which can result in identity theft.

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Must Be Fraud on the Brain

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Must Be Fraud on the Brain

Have you bought your tickets for Rihanna’s 2019 tour? Trick question: though fans have speculated that the pop star will announce a new album soon, the singer has given no indication of a 2019 tour. Some entertainment industry scammers, however, recently attempted to extort millions of dollars from investors to fund fake concerts by celebrities Rihanna, Janet Jackson and Bruno Mars.

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