Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Keep Yourself Safe: Coronavirus Scams

Scams are happening all around us at any given time. When a disaster happens like a hurricane or a national pandemic new scams start to emerge due to the circumstance. With the onset of Coronavirus, new scams have started specific to the pandemic. Here are some to watch out for. Calls from the Emergency Management […]

WRITTEN BY: Katie Schlagheck, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ottawa & Sandusky Counties

REVIEWED BY: Roseanne Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Darke County

Personal Safety: Protecting Yourself From Scams

From an early age we are taught to focus on personal safety, learning to protect ourselves from danger whenever possible.  In time, we learn that personal safety includes many areas of our lives, and should also include maintaining and protecting our financial wellness.  One way that we can maintain our financial wellness is to be vigilant about […]

WRITTEN BY: Amanda Woods, M.Ed. Healthy Finances Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension

REVIEWED BY: Melanie S. Hart, M.S. Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension & Shawna Hite, Healthy People Program Specialist, OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

SOURCES:

  • https://www.ftc.gov
  • http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Consumer-Tips/Consumer-Tips-Scams
  • http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers
  • https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-ways-avoid-fraud
  • https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing
  • http://ftc.gov/idtheft
  • http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Scams
  • http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/File-A-Complaint.aspx

What Should I Do If I Think I’ve Been Scammed?

As we know from the last blog in this series, How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams? , foreclosure scams take all shapes and sizes and are constantly evolving to evade the authorities. However, they all have one thing in common: the perpetrators are criminals who specifically target honest homeowners that are trying to […]

WRITTEN BY: Patricia Holmes, CFCS, M.S.

REVIEWED BY: Carlie Boos, Ohio Housing Finance Agency

SOURCES:

  • Annual Credit Report http://www.annualcreditreport.com
  • Better Business Bureau. http://www.bbb.org/
  • Consumer Fraud Protection Bureau. http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
  • Equifax. http://www.equifax.com
  • Experian. http://www.experian.com
  • Federal Citizen Information Center, Consumer Action Handbook. https://www.usa.gov/handbook
  • Federal Trade Commission. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-ways-avoid-fraud
  • TransUnion. http://www.transunion.com
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor
  • Live Smart Ohio. How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams? http://livesmartohio.osu.edu/uncategorized/holmes-86osu-edu/how-can-i-spot-and-avoid-foreclosure-scams/
  • Ohio Attorney General. http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/
  • Ohio Attorney General, Consumer Advocate e-newsletter. http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/consumeradvocate
  • Ohio Legal Services. http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_problem
  • United States Department of Justice http://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/victim-witness/victim-info/financial-fraud
  • United States Securities and Exchange Commission, How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams. http://sec.gov/investor/pubs/cyberfraud.htm

How Can I Spot and Avoid Foreclosure Scams?

If you have trouble making payments on your home, be careful so you do not become the victim of a home foreclosure scam. Scammers may target you through publications, on-line advertising, flyers, or by phone. HOW TO SPOT FORECLOSURE SCAMS Here are some warning signs that may help you prevent foreclosure scams: • A request […]

WRITTEN BY: Pat Holmes, CFCS, M.S.

REVIEWED BY: Carlie Boos, Ohio Housing Finance Agency

SOURCES:

  • Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/fivetips_foreclosure.htm
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
  • Federal Trade Commission http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0100-mortgage-relief-scams
  • Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Individuals-and-Families/Consumers/Foreclosure/Foreclosure-Rescue-Scams
  • Ohio Housing Finance Agency https://ohiohome.org/
  • Save the Dream http://www.savethedream.ohio.gov/
  • USA.gov https://www.usa.gov/housing-scams
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure
  • http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/
  • http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/i_want_to/talk_to_a_housing_counselor

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