May 03
It’s sad but true. Following major disasters and tragedies, scam artists impersonate charities to steal money or get private information from well-intentioned taxpayers. Fraudulent schemes involve solicitations by phone, social media, email or in-person. Scam artists use a variety of tactics. Some operate bogus charities that contact people by telephone to solicit money or financial …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/lone-star-state-charity-scams/
Apr 30
Although the odds of having your identity stolen remain quite low, anyone who’s ever been had their bank or credit card account compromised knows what a pain it can be to unravel the mess. Sometimes enterprising hackers just need your Social Security number, address and date of birth to start opening new accounts in your …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/freezing-your-credit-reports/
Jan 17
MAJOR LEGISLATION UNVEILED THIS WEEK Senators this week filed bills dealing with two major issues facing the Legislature this session; the budget and rising health care costs. SB 1, the preliminary budget bill authored by Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Williams of the Woodlands, was filed Monday. This starting point for the final budget the Senate …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/major-legislation-unveiled/
Jun 28
By Jason Alderman Their names may sound funny but their financial consequences are not: “Phishing,” “smishing,” “vishing” and “pharming” are just a few of the ways criminals gain access to personal information via your computer or smartphone. If you’re not careful, identity thieves can use harvested information to open fraudulent bank or credit card accounts, …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/how-to-catch-a-phish/
May 28
By Jason Alderman With summer vacation right around the corner, you’re probably busy planning itineraries, shopping for new bathing suits and finishing up work projects. But before you completely check out, take a few minutes to review a few financial safeguards that could save you a ton of grief and money – and protect your …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/make-your-vacation-security-checklist/
May 28
By Jimmy Isaac Longview Police Departmant’s Cybercrimes Unit played a key role in the investigation that led to lengthy prison sentence for at least three North Texas men convicted in a more than $20 million conspiracy. Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater called the case “a massive, complicated, multi-year scheme to defraud a …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/longview-pd-assists-in-20m-conspiracy-investigation/
Mar 07
The Internal Revenue Service has warned senior citizens and other taxpayers to beware of an emerging federal tax refund scam tempting victims to file tax returns claiming fraudulent refunds. Bogus refund claims have been identified across the nation with significant pockets of activity in at least six states, including California, Georgia, Michigan, Louisiana, Alabama and …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/college-tax-beware-of-bogus-refund-schemes/
Feb 07
By Greg Abbott Texas Attorney General With the arrival of February, many Texas taxpayers have started receiving W2 forms from their employers and thinking about the upcoming tax season. All taxpayers should be on the lookout for tax scams that seek to steal their money and identities. Tax season can be a particularly active time …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.easttexasreview.com/prime-season-for-tax-scams/