Howard County Office of Consumer Protection

Have you heard the term "shrinkflation"? Do you know how it works? Here's a @USGAO report that explains the impact on your grocery items.
www.gao.gov/blog/what-sh...

"The Phantom Hacker:" FBI Phoenix Warns Public of New Financial Scam | Federal Bureau of Investigation The FBI Phoenix Field Office is warning the public of a new scam dubbed “The Phantom Hacker.”

3/ FBI Alert: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/f...

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1. Fake tech support contact (phone/text/email/popup) tells you to download software for fake virus scan & ask you to check bank accounts
2. Fake bank agent of the biggest account calls & tells you to move money for safety
3. Fake law enforcement calls to arrange for the transfer of money

1/ ALERT: FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation warns of the "The Phantom Hacker" scam which impersonates tech companies, banks, and government officials to convince you that foreign hackers have infiltrated your accounts. The Phantom Hacker uses AI and follows three steps:👇👇👇

Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple Card, and give them the numbers off the back of the card. No matter what they say, that’s a scam. No real business or govern...

2/ For more on gift card scams see Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Advice at consumer.ftc.gov/node/77253

1/ Gift/reloadable debit cards are a favorite of criminals calling with a fake emergency (missed jury duty, sick family member etc). Once you give the numbers on the back the money is drained and virtually untraceable. Hang up on anyone demanding these cards. Gift cards are for gifts! #ScamSquad

Get answers to common rental questions. Learn about what your rights under State and County law.
Monday, October 27, 6:00-7:00pm
Howard County Library System Central Branch
Register: howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/placeh...

Online Safety Tips For Older Adults - National Cybersecurity Alliance Staying safe on the internet can be hard no matter what your age – here are some tips on how older adults can adopt cybersecurity behaviors.

#NationalCybersecurityAlliance advises that criminals spoof caller IDs, create fake websites, and even use AI voice clones. If you're suspicious that a scammer is targeting you, don’t respond immediately. Check out their online safety tips for older adults: www.staysafeonline.org/articles/onl...

ALERT: #FBI warns of an increase in gold bar & cash courier scams. FBI, Sheriff, or Police won't ask you to give them gold, cash, crypto, payment app, or gift cards for safe keeping or to pay a bill or citation. If anyone is demanding you pay this way HANG UP. 👇#ScamSquad
www.fbi.gov/contact-us/f...

Digital locks floating above a laptop and tablet with cybersecurity icons, emphasizing unlocking cybersecurity resources.

Take charge of your online safety. Cybersecurity insurance provides coverage for compromised security or privacy breaches. For cybersecurity tips, visit: https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Pages/cybersecurity.aspx #MDInsurance #Cybersecurity #BeCyberSmart #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

If you must mail a check or gift card, please take it directly to the post office and drop it in the slot *inside* the building. Fraudsters gain access to legitimate checks and other sensitive information by intercepting mail in a variety of ways.

The Maryland Insurance Administration warns of risks involved in crowd-funding healthcare payment platform CrowdHealth. Read more: https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/ConsumerAdvisory-MIA-warns-of-risks-involved-in-crowd-funding-healthcare-payment-platform-CrowdHealth.pdf

YouTube video by CBS Boston Are you paying more than your neighbors for the same item? You might be

Video demonstration youtu.be/D26q0ftefa8

Are you paying more for the same product depending on which device you use? New Report Details How Companies Use Surveillance to Charge Different Prices for the Same Item consumerwatchdog.org/privacy/new-...

Warning: These 20 Popular Apps Are Tracking Everything You Do You use them every day, but have no idea what they're collecting. Find out which apps are quietly harvesting your location, contacts, photos, and more—and what you can do about it.

Do you know just how much common apps track what you or your kids do throughout your day? Do you know what they do with all the data they gather on you? Here's a rundown on the most popular apps used by adults and kids. www.pcmag.com/explainers/w...

Scammers impersonate judges, FBI, sheriff etc with fake arrest warrants in your mail. They have fake case numbers, legalese, & a fake seal demanding money via crypto or mobile apps. Report these mailers to US Postal Inspection Service. Do not call the number on the fake warrant. #ScamSquad

Hidden Dangers in Your Website Cookies. #Scambusters describes how scammers use website cookies to steal your personal information.
scambusters.org/websitecooki...

Scam of the day – September 23, 2025 – Social Security Phishing Email Reproduced below is a very convincing phishing email sent by scammers posing as the Social Security Administration that attempts to lure you into clicking on a link that purports to provide a state…

4/ Reprint of "statement download" email by #Scamicide scamicide.com/2025/09/22/s...

New Social Security scam targets seniors over email More than 70 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits and are vulnerable to scams threatening their monthly payments.

3/ Fake claims of criminal activity: www.newsweek.com/new-social-s...

Social Security Transition to Electronic Payments—What Beneficiaries Receiving Paper Checks Need to Know | SSA Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will no longer issue paper checks for benefit payments. This change is part of a broader government-wide initiative to modernize…

2/ Phase out of paper checks: blog.ssa.gov/social-secur...

1/ ALERT: The Social Security Administration isn't suggesting to "Download Your Updated Social Security Statement Now" It isn't going to call/text/email about criminal activity. With checks phased out, scams may offer to "help" you go digital or keep checks coming. 👇👇#ScamSquad

YouTube video by HowardCountyGov Investor Insights Recognizing Crypto Other Investments Scams - OCP FINRA

Did you miss this program? Here's the recording!
youtu.be/cpxbVFfYXfM?...

Investigators wanted to craft a perfect phishing scam. AI bots were happy to help. The bots’ persuasive performance shows how AI is arming criminals for industrial-scale fraud.
www.reuters.com/investigates...

#ScamSquad

Episode 24 - Saving for Education Made Simple with my529 | America Saves Thinking about saving for education, but not sure where to start?

Thinking about saving for education, but don’t know where to start? #AmericaSaves Think Like A Saver podcast episode breaks down everything you need to know about 529 plans in a way that’s actually easy to understand! americasaves.org/resource-cen...

The #FCC warns about calls & texts offering 50% off of your Comcast, Spectrum, or Prime bills. The calls urge consumers to "call the number displayed on your caller ID immediately." Listen to the recording at www.fcc.gov/consumers/sc...

There's still time to register!

2/ Live presentation on September 12, 2025
11:00-12:00

Bain 50+ Center
5470 Ruth Keeton Way,
Columbia, MD 21044

Register at: (410) 313-7213

Never Stop Learning: Investing Basics and Fraud Prevention from the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Investing basics, including how to monitor accounts, how fees impact investments, how to research investments & professionals, and steps you can take to plan for the future. Details below.