The FBI warned about courier services being used to collect money and valuables from victims of tech support and government impersonation scams.
There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives.
The golden rule of scam detection is this: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Check out the advice offered by these websites to learn more.
Stay vigilant, protect your assets, and avoid scammers
Financial scams are on the rise and collectively cost investors billions of dollars every year. You can avoid being exploited by knowing what to look for and being alert.
Who's at risk?
Anyone. But adults in—or nearing retirement—are often targeted because of their accumulated wealth. Scams can happen on the internet or by phone, mail, email, or text. They can also occur in person, at home or even at work.
Spotting common scams
One common threat is the sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam. Here's an example of how it can work:
A scammer informs their target that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes of some kind. The scammer then informs the target that they need to make some sort of payment to unlock the supposed prize.
The scammer sends a check to the target to be deposited in their bank account. However, the scammer knows that while the money will show up in the target's account immediately, it'll take a few days before the fake check is rejected.
During that time, the scammer receives money from the target for the supposed fees or taxes on the prize, which they immediately pocket. Shortly after, the "prize money" is removed from the victim’s account as soon as the check bounces.
For the most up-to-date scam alerts, visit the Federal Trade Commission website.
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DO NOT throw batteries in the garbage or in your curbside recycling bin!
Batteries can cause fires and harm the environment, people, and property.
Avoid the Spark – responsibly recycle them when they reach their end-of-life.
Computer Ministry does not accept batteries for recycling.
Recycling used batteries through the Call2Recycle® program is easy and convenient.
You can use the Click here for locator to find a drop-off location near you.
What can you Recycle?
Not sure what type of battery you have?
Click Here to download the Call2Recycle Battery Guide.
Recycling or Donating Old Computers
Recycling old computers is a year round activity, but spring is a time when people are cleaning out their closets, attics and garages. It is also a great time to think about responsible recycling of computer equipment. If you have recently upgraded your old computer or laptop, you probably need a computer recycling service. If your computer or laptop is in working condition, you should consider donating it to a good cause.
The Computer Ministry offers two drop off locations Mechanicsburg, Pa & State College, Pa ,where people can recycle their unwanted computer equipment. Our program is set up to refurbish and repair the computers, which we sell for a small fee, to fund our charitable programs. We will take laptops and desktops, plus people can drop off computer flat screen monitors, printers, scanners, and other computer accessories. View the list of acceptable items that the Computer Ministry will accept.
You should remove all of your personal or sensitive data before donating, or recycling your old computer. View our Hard Drive Policy concerning how the Computer Ministry maintains your privacy.
We do not accept televisions for recycling. In addition, our drop off location cannot accept large flat screen televisions. If you need to recycle these items, visit the Cumberland County Electronics Recycling Center for more information.