Fraud in Retail Settings: Gift Cards and Returns Schemes

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Fraud in Retail Settings: Gift Cards and Returns Schemes

While it may seem like a lower-level scam, gift card fraud has real consequences for retailers. An analysis of data drawn from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel database found that gift card scams have led to a consumer loss of $148 million. Both the Federal Trade Commission and the 2023 National Retail Security Survey have reported increases in gift card scams in recent years. More specifically, 57% of the 177 retail brands responding to the National Retail Security Survey reported an increase in gift card scams from 2022 to 2023. 

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HOA Fraud is a Hardly Detected and Thriving Cancer of Our Society

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HOA Fraud is a Hardly Detected and Thriving Cancer of Our Society

For most people, one of the main goals in life is buying your own home. It is rewarding when effort goes into career growth, diligent savings routines and work-life balance sacrifice, for this single goal of purchasing your first home. The most affordable homes can be the ones built as part of a homeowner’s association (HOA) – nothing wrong with that. The surroundings are always maintained through the HOA and the only thing homeowners need to worry about is the interior of the house, as well as paying regular monthly dues to the HOA. But after settling in, it may quickly become apparent that living under an HOA involves a level of oversight that can be surprising.

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Too Good to be True? 4 Ways to Avoid Vacation Rental Scams

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Too Good to be True? 4 Ways to Avoid Vacation Rental Scams

Booking a vacation rental online comes with the convenience of browsing listings from the comfort of home. But it also opens the door to scammers trying to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers. Vacation rental fraud often involves fake property listings, compromised accounts, bait-and-switch tactics, double bookings and other deceptive practices targeting short-term rental guests. Being aware of the common types of vacation rental scams and red flags can help you identify fraudulent behavior and even avoid becoming the victim.

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Why the Mandatory Five-Day Approach to Reimbursing APP Fraud Victims Should Be Welcomed

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Why the Mandatory Five-Day Approach to Reimbursing APP Fraud Victims Should Be Welcomed

When I joined the Merseyside Police fraud squad back in 1998, the banks had what amounted to a “Gentleman’s agreement” (now referred to as the voluntary “Contingent Reimbursement Model”) to reimburse most victims of fraud within a few days. Over time, this “agreement” was adhered to less and less frequently, as the fight for banking profitability took greater hold of the sector.

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Audiophiles File Suit: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Faces Fraud Allegations 

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Audiophiles File Suit: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Faces Fraud Allegations 

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) is best known by audiophiles and hipsters alike as a record label specializing in the production of reissued vinyl LP records, compact discs and Super Audio CDs that, even in our digital era, remain a popular and sought-after commodity. As anti-fraud professionals know, however, what you see is not always what you get. The same goes for what you hear. On July 14, 2022, Mike Esposito, owner of The ‘In’ Groove record store in Phoenix, Ariz., posted a YouTube video that sent the audiophile world spinning. Citing an unknown but “reliable” source, Mike stated that MoFi has been using digital files in its production of so-called original master tape albums despite marketing the reissues as authentic.

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