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9 Ways You're Putting Your Identity or Devices at Risk When Traveling 08/21/2016 08:00pm • Dodge these common data safeguarding pitfalls on your next trip. If you're preparing for an international trip, you're likely crossing tasks off your vacation checklist, such as packing essential items and ensuring your flight is on time. The last thing you want to do is contemplate how a skilled ha Md., Va. authorities warn of scam phone calls that appear to come from State Police 08/19/2016 07:27pm • WASHINGTON — State police are warning Maryland and Virginia residents about a new scam involving calls that appear to come from legitimate state police phone numbers. The callers threaten citizens with arrest and demand hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars for fines or what they claim to be 3 Ways Scammers Find You 08/15/2016 08:00pm • Con artists, scammers, predatory companies -- whatever you call them -- they're out there, and they would be happy to make you their next "customer," if they can find you. Eric Friedman, director of the Office of Consumer Protection in Rockville, Maryland, says some of the scams his office has encou IRS tax cons, phishing and how to avoid getting scammed 08/11/2016 01:19pm • WASHINGTON — You just returned from a busy day at the office, when you receive a threatening voicemail.  Your caller ID says it’s the IRS, and someone filed a fake tax return on your behalf, wanting to claim your refund. They ask you to call back with your Social Security number to verify y 6 Sneaky Travel Scams to Watch Out For 06/29/2016 08:00pm • In the summertime, when the temperatures sizzle, there are few things as alluring as skipping town to enjoy a cool breeze and enticing outdoor attractions in an exotic locale. While deciding to plan a relaxing summer getaway is simple, pulling off a stress-free trip that dodges common pitfalls -- fr Fairfax County police: Beware of ‘abduction scam’ 05/21/2016 06:30am • Fairfax County Police are warning parents of a new trend: scammers that are telling adults their children have been kidnapped. It’s an attempt to get money — and don’t fall for it, police say. From the FCPD: Since April, police have responded to several reports of what appear to be a tren Reports of virtual kidnapping scams pop up in region 05/18/2016 06:50am • WASHINGTON — Imagine getting a phone call from someone who claims to have kidnapped someone in your family. Such calls, known as virtual kidnapping scams, have been occurring across the D.C. area in recent days. Scammers steal money by demanding a ransom, telling the victim that their family me 6 Ways to Spot an Online Scam 04/18/2016 08:00pm • The Internet has brought countless benefits into our lives. It offers instantaneous access to news and information, a forum for keeping in touch with loved ones and untold opportunities for earning an income or building a business. However, along with those benefits comes a dark side. Scammers. Th Column: Are iPhones safer than Android smartphones? 04/14/2016 05:13am • Q: I’m trying to decide on a new phone. Is it true that iPhones are safer than Android smartphones? A: The dangers associated with using a smartphone continue to grow, but the relative dangers compared to using your desktop or laptop are still pretty minimal. It’s not uncommon to see salac Will You Soon Be Logging Into Your Accounts With Emojis? 04/13/2016 08:00pm • Numbers and letters will only get you so far when it comes to keeping hackers out of your accounts, security experts say. As a result, some banks and other institutions are looking for new ways to safeguard customer data. "To my knowledge, financial institutions are testing new authentication met Column: Beware wire fraud scams 03/18/2016 06:49am • Q: Where can I report people who are sending my company fake wire transfer scam messages? A: One of the fastest-growing Internet banking scams that specifically targets businesses is a very clever form of wire transfer phishing fraud. Heartland Financial, the parent company of more than 90 c 6 Scams and Frauds to Avoid This Tax Season 03/16/2016 08:00pm • During tax season, scammers, rip-off artists and other unscrupulous people are looking to get their hands on your tax refund. According to a 2015 Government Accountability Office report, the IRS prevented or recovered a total of $24.2 billion in fraudulent refunds stemming from identity theft in 20 How to Avoid Being a Victim of Tax-Time Identity Theft 03/02/2016 07:00pm • Tax-time identity theft is a growing problem in the U.S., and has the potential to cause you a headache and tie up your tax refund well into the summer months or beyond. Thieves intercept personal data and file tax returns in the name of unsuspecting people who only discover the problem when their o 3 Signs of a Bad Moving Company 02/25/2016 07:00pm • Americans move a lot -- enough that, if you think about it, American history would be nothing without the moving industry.From the prehistoric hunters who walked across the land bridge from Asia to Alaska to the Vikings, Pilgrims and immigrants who make their way to America today, it's clear that if New scam threatens arrest for skipping jury duty in Montgomery Co. 02/11/2016 04:17pm • WASHINGTON — You get a call from someone who says he’s with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He tells you you're in trouble: You've missed jury duty and an arrest warrant will be issued unless you pay up, right now. Fifty of those calls were made in one week alone, and Sheriff’s De