Never Be the Intermediary for Funds:

Even if you know the person, being a money intermediary can be a really bad idea, but it is even riskier if you don’t know the person. A Laramie citizen reported an email with the subject line of “Contract” from imranhassan010@zuetiniaoil.com or imranhassan010@zuetiniaoil.xyz asking you to be the stand-in contractor to facilitate payment for an oil contract. (The FTC calls these money mule scams. To read more about it, visit the FTC’s blog at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/12/avoiding-money-mule-scam.)

Tis the Season for e-Gift Scams:

A Sheridan citizen reported an email with the subject line of “Confirm Your Information! You just received a Gift…” from getxzwjapmam@oldiesrising.com (when checked, the website was located in France). The email claims that you registered for a free reward on their website and you have been selected, but need to confirm.

Abandoned Package Scam:

A scam email from Aros Alaro at info@watanabeten.com (a website that looks to be in Asia) claims that he found an abandoned consignment box that belongs to you from a diplomat in London or Africa. Don’t reply with your personal information. Reported by a Casper citizen.

FedEx Impersonation Email:

A scam email from Philip Macos, impersonating as a Director at FedEx, was reported by a Sheridan citizen. The email says that FedEx has a package that contains your clothes and jewelry, but needs $99 and your personal information to receive it.

Students Beware:

If you receive an email from Mr. Larry at nmercado403@students.deltacollege.edu with the subject line of “Loan Offer” asking you to reply to office@larryelitefunding.com if you need a loan, it is a scam reported by a Laramie citizen. Larry Elite Funding doesn’t exist and has been reported as scams by other websites. loanscams.blog/tag/loan-scam

Powerball Winner Isn’t Contacting You to Donate:

While Manuel Franco did win the Powerball in 2019, he is not contacting you to donate his winnings to you. A Laramie citizen reported two emails with the subject line of “Claim Your Donation” that were supposedly from Mr. Franco but really from the following email addresses: johnnydeepx182@gmail.com (Azim Premji), francomauel.dnd@gmail.com, or pessinastefano121@gmail.com. Each of the emails had the link from ABC News with the story about Franco winning the lottery.

Department of Labor Issues Unemployment Identity Theft Warning:

States have experienced a surge in fraudulent unemployment claims filed by organized crime rings using stolen identities that were accessed or purchased from past data breaches. For more information read the article at the Department of Labor’s website. www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/UIIDtheft

FTC Alert for Medicare Open Enrollment and Healthcare Marketplace Open Enrollment:

With the Medicare Open Enrollment deadline of December 7 and the Healthcare Marketplace Open Enrollment deadline of January 15, beware of scammers!

Scambusters.org Unsubscribe Call Alert:

If you get a call claiming they will help you unsubscribe to a product or service where the free trial is over and you will now be billed, it is a scam to install malware on your computer. It is highly unlikely that a genuine company would chase you to unsubscribe.

Scambusters.org Facebook Alert:

Scammers are hijacking Facebook accounts and then using them to contact victims' friends with "news" of grants for which they have to pay a fee. In the latest trick, they tell victims to mail the fee as cash to a PO Box. Do your research and don't pay to get a grant.

Scambusters.org Update Your Router Alert:

A newly discovered malware hack attack is threatening home network Wi-Fi routers, so make sure you update the firmware on your router.

MS-ISAC Patch Now Alert:

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) has published a patch now (update your software) alert for HP Printer Products (HP Futuresmart 3,4 & 5) and Mozilla’s Network Security Services (cryptography libraries used to handle signatures and certification validation). If you use these products, make sure the software (or firmware) is updated.

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Please report scams you may experience to phishing@cyberwyoming.org to alert your friends and neighbors.

Other ways to report a scam:

• Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker/us/reportscam
• Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection 307-777-6397, 800-438-5799 or ag.consumer@wyo.gov
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftccomplaintassistant.gov
• Report your scam to the FBI at www.ic3.gov/complaint
• Reported unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registration. Online at donotcall.gov/report.html or call 1-888-382-1222, option 3
• Office of the Inspector General: oig.ssa.gov
• AARP Fraud Watch Network (any age welcome) Helpline 877-908-3360
• IRS: report email scams impersonating the IRS to phishing@irs.gov
• Call the Wyoming Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for assistance with potential Medicare fraud, abuse, or errors at 1 800 856-4398
• Victim Support: The AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America (VOA) created a new, free program to provide emotional support for people impacted by a scam or fraud, called ReST. Visit www.aarp.org/fraudsupport to learn more about the free program and register