SB Collectiv’s Post

If you hear employees or co-workers talking about harassing phone calls from the IRS, make sure they know that it's in all likelihood a scam. The IRS, as a matter of practice, notifies taxpayers of account issues/balances by letter mailed to the address on their most recently filed tax return, NOT a phone call. Also, if anyone contacts you for payment and suggests a gift card, whether they say they're with the IRS, a credit card company, or a charity, HANG UP! These scams, by design, prey on people who are less technically savvy, easily intimidated by the prospect of owing money, and elderly. Make sure you're talking about these scams with an emphasis on their predatory nature, not by stigmatizing people who get caught in the crosshairs.

💰 GIFT CARDS 💰 These gift cards were seized from two individuals. 👀  Wrong comments only! What are your guesses of 1) how much money the gift cards had on them and 2) what you think they were doing with the gift cards? #TNORCA #OrganizedRetailCrime #ORC #lossprevention #assetprotection #lawenforcement #fraud #TennesseeOrganizedRetailCrimeAlliance #puttingbadguysinjail

If someone asks you to pay with a gift card, it’s likely a scam. Scammers ask their victims to pay them with gift cards because they’re a convenient way to steal money and they’re difficult to trace or recover. Remember: if anyone asks you to pay them with a gift card, don’t do it. It’s a scam. Do your part. Shop Smart. Learn more at BBB.org/ShopSmart #GiftCardScams

Have you sent or received a cash gift card? Chances are you have, seeing as gift cards are Americans’ preferred gift — much more so than cash or physical gifts. My boomer relatives keep sending these things...with no money left on them. The problem is they’re ripe for scams. No one tracks this stuff officially, but an industry expert told me anywhere from 1%-5% of the $305 billion (so $3-$15 billion) put on non-reloadable gift cards each year has likely been defrauded, meaning someone else has spent them first. The process, known as draining, goes like this: Fraudsters open up the gift card wrapping at the story, copy the codes, seal them back up, then monitor them online until they’re purchased, at which point they spend the money — either online or through mobile wallets in stores — before you do. My thing is I think they’re a scam even before others steal the money. https://lnkd.in/eW_GhD4P

Like this content? Follow us at: https://lnkd.in/gmm46hRq Mismanagement and overspending but no fraud in SC school district, inspector general finds COLUMBIA — A Laurens County school district spent nearly $1 million more than it should have on expenses like food, travel and gift cards over the past four years, according to a report from the state Office of Inspector General. The investigation into Laurens County School District 55, which includes schools in the city of Laurens, did not uncover anything criminal or fraudulent. However, the district did waste as much as $973,000 on unnecessary expenses, often originating from questionable record-keeping and policy loopholes, according to the report. read more at : https://lnkd.in/gRDACU4G

Fraudsters know how convenient gift cards are as gifts, which makes them a perfect target. Scammers will steal money from gift cards before your loved one gets a chance to use it. Learn more about gift card scams here: https://ow.ly/Vx0R50U9abF #InternationalFraudAwarenessWeek

It’s about time we get our money back that we deserve as we spent on gift cards that is unclaimed. it’s about time to corporations quit taking money from consumers and give it back to us as these times are hard because of lawmakers and the high rates of inflation. As we all know, corporations make millions of dollars off consumers and spend millions of dollars in their lobbying To make money for their investors and board members to fatten their pockets while Americans are struggling. This is a time when we need money to support our communities and support people struggling to make ends meet To feed and house their families. So many people struggling to make their rent, struggling to put food on their table with groceries prices, skyrocketing and corporate greed, taking full advantage of the consumer and reporting record number. Profits while Americans are struggling paycheck to paycheck. It’s time that corporate wealth and large bonuses for CEOs and other board members take a backseat to contributing to society instead of fattening their own pockets.

Stay Scam-Savvy This Holiday Season! 🎄 As the holidays approach, the Eldercare Locator’s "Home for the Holidays" campaign is here to help protect older adults from financial scams and fraud. 📊 Did you know? - Scams targeting people 60+ resulted in $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, according to the FBI. - Fraud is more common during the holidays due to increased online shopping and donation requests. - Common scams include fake Medicare representatives asking for personal information or fraudsters requesting gift card purchases. 💡 How to help: - Stay informed about scams and share tips with older adults in your life. - Report suspected fraud or financial exploitation immediately. - Utilize resources like the Eldercare Locator and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for assistance. 📲 Learn more about how to prevent and report scams by visiting the campaign webpage: buff.ly/4gqHETD Together, we can protect our loved ones and ensure a safe, joyous holiday season! 🎁💙 #H4H2024 #HomeForTheHolidays

❓ ❓ What term refers to the transfer of assets and properties to heirs or beneficiaries upon the death of the owner? ❓ ❓ 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘹 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸! Whether you know the answer or not, we can explain in easy terms what you need to know about estate planning. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄.☕ Call 321-844-8694 for a FREE consultation or use this link to schedule == > bit.ly/3xNpmuJ. Don’t forget to “LIKE” or “LOVE” this post and share it with your friends. #LegacyBuilders #FamilyFirst #sibleylawandassociates #legacy #family #assetprotection #generationalwealth #legacybuilding #FLmom #FLdad #estateplanning #estateplanningattorney #estateplanninglawyer #estateplan #estateplanningflorida #estateplanningmom #willsandtrusts #generationalwealth #realestate #wholesale #financialplanning #FloridaLawyer #FamilyWealth #realestateinvestor

🚨 Beware of Gift Card Scams! 🚨 Standing in line with a gift card? Pause and think: Is it truly a gift, or is a scammer dictating your purchase? Remember, gift cards are for gifting only—anything else is a scam. Scammers are crafty, using calls, texts, emails, or even AI voice cloning to trick you with urgent, fake stories. Don’t fall for it! If you suspect you’ve been scammed: 1. Report immediately to the gift card company. 2. Request a refund—some companies may reimburse you. 3. Inform the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help safeguard your community. Gift cards are a delight when used right. Don’t let scammers spoil the joy. Learn more at ftc.gov/giftcards and spread the word to keep your loved ones safe! #GiftCardScams #ConsumerProtection #StayAlert