An unfortunate side effect of a recession is that it provides easy pickings for opportunistic scammers. Thieves earn their bread and butter when people are in a panic over their finances, so it’s important to recognize the warning signs of a deal that’s too good to be true.
The FBI recently compiled this list of nine new scams that are brewing these days. We’ll give the scam artists this much: They’re creative.
Popular targets include stay-at-home moms, Asian business owners, and the elderly. There’s even a con afoot where victims think they’re helping a U.S. soldier out by buying his or her car before deployment, only to have their money disappear or receive a stolen or salvaged vehicle in return.
Protect yourself using the Federal Trade Commission’s Scam Watch online resources and keep an eye out for red flags (especially any time a famous face promises fast riches).
