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The tactics used to fight credit card scams are getting more sophisticated all the time. Unfortunately, so are the tactics used by credit card scammers.More than 2.3 million cases of fraud and identity theft were reported in 2019, according to the Federal Trade Commission — an increase of 26% from five years earlier and 138% in a decade. Credit card-related scams accounted for a significant chunk of those cases, including more than 40% of identity theft reports. And those were just the cases that were reported to law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.Whether they’re putting a new spin on an old scam or inventing a new scheme, calling on the phone or reaching out over the internet, credit card scammers are always lurking and looking to strike. Knowing how the most common scams work and how to avoid falling for them can keep your money and your identity safe.Here are six common credit card scams to watch out for.1. The charity scamThis credit card scam is a particularly cruel violation of people’s good-hearted instincts to help.Right after a tragedy like a hurricane, flood or wildfire, scammers get to work, calling or emailing and appealing to people to help victims with a donation. They’ll often pretend to be from a reputable charity like the Red Cross or the Salvation Army.When a “charity worker” calls with a detailed, sad story and asks for help, it can be hard to say no. The pleas for funds are often presented as urgent, too, to get people to cough up their credit card numbers quickly.HOW TO AVOID THE CHARITY SCAMIf you’re inclined to give money to help after a disaster, it’s best to do it proactively by contacting a charity yourself. You can check whether a charity is legitimate by using the IRS’ tax-exempt organization search or a resource like Charity Navigator.If someone calls you seeking a donation, don’t give your credit card information, even if it seems legitimate. Write down any information they give you, then politely hang up. Search the web for the phone number and put quotation marks around the number in your search. Often, you’ll find that the number that called you has been previously been identified as a scam caller. If the charity is legitimate and you want to help, donate directly through its website.2. The hotspot scamIt’s common advice to be careful when using a public Wi-Fi network, since crooks could be monitoring these networks. But sometimes the network itself is a trap, carefully laid by credit card scammers who are waiting to pounce on your information.In this credit card scam, your smartphone or laptop finds a “public Wi-Fi hotspot,” and when you connect to it, you’re prompted for credit card information to pay for internet access. The hotspot is fake, and you’re actually giving your credit card information directly to the scammers. In other cases, the hotspot is free and does offer internet access, but the scammers watch your every move. They record passwords you enter, peek into your bank account when you check it and capture your data in other ways.HOW TO AVOID THE HOTSPOT SCAMIf you need to access public Wi-Fi at a restaurant or store, ask an employee for the correct network name and password information. Be wary of generic-sounding names like “Free Public Wi-Fi.” Avoid logging into your bank account or providing any sensitive information if you can.Another way to protect yourself is to use a VPN or virtual private network. This creates a secure connection you can use even on unsecured public networks.3. The credit card ‘sign-up farm’ scamVictims of this credit card scam are often willing participants, duped by the promise of easy money for helping generate what they’re told are legitimate credit card rewards. In reality, it’s a scam to rip off card issuers, often on a massive scale. In May, federal prosecutors in New Jersey charged two men with running an elaborate “sign-up farm” that cost American Express more than million.People running these scams recruit people with good credit and offer to pay them for the use of their Social Security numbers to open credit card accounts. The scammers rack up huge balances on the cards to generate rewards points, convert the points to cash, then cancel the purchases. In some cases, they don’t even bother canceling, and the victim is left on the hook.Victims are typically promised payments of ,000 to ,000 for the use of their information, although some never get paid. And they’re usually told that the spending on the cards will be legitimate, even though the whole point is to defraud the issuer. Victims can wind up responsible for huge balances, see their credit trashed and have their own credit card and airline rewards accounts frozen.HOW TO AVOID THE SIGN-UP FARM SCAMThe lure of easy money can be hard for anyone to resist, and even more so for those who are struggling financially. But it’s wise to assume that easy money doesn’t exist.The simplest way to avoid falling victim to credit card farming scams is to never give or sell your Social Security number or any personally identifiable information to someone else. To make sure no one is using your identity to open accounts without your knowledge, check your credit report for any irregularities.4. The interest rate scamMillions of people are familiar with this classic robocall scam. You answer a phone call, often from an unknown number, and a recorded message gives you the great news that you’re eligible to negotiate significantly lower interest rates on your credit card balances. The message claims to have inside connections to credit card companies and can work on your behalf to reduce your payments by thousands of dollars. There are no such connections — the whole thing is a setup to get you to reveal your credit card information.If your interest is piqued enough to continue listening, you’ll be taken to a live operator. The “helpful” representative will quickly ask you sensitive questions to harvest your personal data and credit card information.In a slightly more legitimate — but still costly — variation of this scheme, the caller contacts the credit card company and successfully lowers your rate, and you get charged hundreds or thousands of dollars for the service. The problem is that they aren’t doing anything you couldn’t have done yourself for free. You have just as much clout with the credit card company as a third party when it comes to lowering your interest rate. Your issuer may give you the option to transfer your balance to a different card that offers a lower APR.“If you’re looking to reduce the interest rate you’re paying on your credit card purchases, your best bet is to handle it yourself for free,” says the Federal Trade Commission. “Call the customer service phone number on the back of your credit card and ask for a reduced rate.”HOW TO AVOID THE INTEREST RATE SCAMIf you want to lower your credit card interest rate, reach out to the issuer directly. It won’t hurt you to ask, even if they say no.If you do get a robocall promising to cut your rates — or any other offer that sounds too good to be true — just hang up. Never give out or confirm sensitive information to someone who calls out of the blue. To reduce sales calls, put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, then keep in mind that legitimate businesses adhere to the registry while scammers don’t.5. The overcharge scamThis credit card scam is gaining ground as fewer transactions are handled in cash and more shopping moves online. It goes like this: You get a call or a text telling you that your credit card was overcharged on a recent purchase. How helpful! The problem is that it isn’t true. The scammer will ask a bunch of questions intended to get at your personal information.According to the Better Business Bureau, this scam is especially convincing because the scammers will often address the target by name. And with more and more small, everyday purchases being put on credit cards, the vague “recent purchase” angle becomes more convincing.HOW TO AVOID THE OVERCHARGE SCAMDon’t give sensitive personal information over the phone. Hang up. Check your credit card statement. If something there seems out of whack, contact your credit card issuer yourself by calling the number on the back of your card.6. The skim scamIt was hoped that the widespread adoption of EMV chip technology would wipe out skimming, but it has proved persistent. In fact, the latest data from the credit scoring company FICO found that the number of payment cards compromised at merchant card readers and ATMs increased 10% in 2017.A skimmer is a small electronic device installed by crooks on card readers on gas pumps, ATMs and elsewhere. The skimmer reads the information from the magnetic stripe on your credit or debit card when you swipe or insert the card. They can be hard to detect, and some of the newer ones are all but impossible to see with the naked eye.Skimmers are especially prevalent in tourist-heavy areas during high season. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “it’s critical that people are aware of exactly what to look out for because each skimmer can defraud consumers up to a million dollars.”HOW TO AVOID THE SKIM SCAMThough skimmers are often well-concealed, sometimes you can tell that something looks off. Look for signs of tampering on ATM or gas station card readers, including devices attached on top of or beside the card slot. Move toward using a mobile wallet and contactless payments to avoid using your physical card.Check your account balances and transactions often. If you see something amiss, notify your credit card issuer right away to report the fraud.More From NerdWalletCan a Credit Card Company Lower My Credit Limit?Is It OK to Never Have a Credit Card?Today’s Definition of Financial Adulthood Is More Flexible Than EverErin Hurd is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: ehurd@nerdwallet.com. 9936

The two gamers shot dead at a tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, on Sunday have yet to be officially identified but their names are being shared by those who knew them.The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has confirmed that two people were killed in the shooting at the GLHF Game Bar at the Jacksonville Landing Complex, an open-air marketplace with stores, bars and restaurants along the St. Johns River. Nine other people suffered gunshot wounds and two people were injured fleeing the area. The gunman then turned his weapon on himself.While the sheriff's office has not identified the two who were killed, their names have been widely reported on social media by people who were at the bar, members of the gaming community and others.One of the victims, Taylor "spotmeplzzz" Robertson was identified by his gaming sponsor, Dot City Gaming. 850

The turnaround at SeaWorld might be real.The theme park owner reported that visitors to SeaWorld grew 5 percent for the quarter, the second consecutive quarter that attendance rose.Sales and attendance figures topped forecasts, and shares surged more than 15 percent to a four-year high. Its stock is up more than 80 percent this year.SeaWorld has struggled since a documentary called "Blackfish" aired in theaters and on CNN in 2013. The film focused on an orca that had killed people, including a trainer, and suggested that the conditions in which it was confined at SeaWorld contributed to its violent behavior. The company has disputed certain points in the documentary.Interim CEO John Reilly said new rides, discounted prices for annual passes and a new marketing strategy that focuses on animal rescue efforts helped push the good results. Reilly took over from former CEO Joel Manby in February after Manby failed to stop a long slide in visitors."We are pleased with our strong second quarter financial results and the continued momentum we see in the business," Reilly said in a statement.The rise in visitors coincided with the start of the summer, when kids are off from school and families take vacations. Some analysts had dismissed a first quarter attendance surge because it came at a slow time for amusement parks.SeaWorld also owns the Busch Gardens and Sesame Place theme parks.But its SeaWorld parks draw the most scrutiny.In addition to the "Blackfish" documentary, the company has been targeted relentlessly by the animal rights group PETA.In an attempt to rehab its corporate image, SeaWorld announced in 2016 that it would stop breeding orcas in captivity and also end its orca shows at its San Diego theme park. They continue elsewhere.But PETA is not enamored of the changes.PETA owns a tiny stake -- 339 shares -- in SeaWorld, with the hopes that it can urge other investors to put more pressure on management for bigger changes."We find that many families who recently went to SeaWorld say they'll never go back after what they saw. Shareholders should be wary," PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement to CNNMoney."This summer's events show that although the marine park may have a few upward blips, it's on a downward trajectory that won't stop until the animals are out of the tanks and in coastal sanctuaries," Reiman added.While PETA may still not be satisfied with some of the changes, SeaWorld has put another problem behind it.The company said Monday that it had reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over an investigation into certain "disclosures and public statements" made by SeaWorld.SeaWorld said it did not admit or deny any of the SEC's allegations and that it recorded a million charge in the quarter to settle the matter. 2834

The U.S. reported yet another daily high mark for newly reported cases of COVID-19 on Thursday with nearly 188,000, according to a database kept by Johns Hopkins University.The U.S. reported at least 187,833 positive COVID-19 tests on Thursday, breaking the all-time record of 177,224 that was set six days prior, on Nov. 13.Thursday marked the eighth time in November that the U.S. broke the daily record for newly reported cases as the COVID-19 continues to spread across the country. About 2.5 million people in the U.S. have contracted the virus since the start of November.The spike in cases has led to all-time highs in hospitalizations linked to the virus. The COVID Tracking Project reports that more than 80,000 people are currently hospitalized with the virus across the country — an all-time record that surpasses even the early portions of the pandemic. According to the COVID Tracking Project, 71% of those hospitalizations occur in the Midwest and South, leading to many rural hospitals running short on resources. Some states like South Dakota and Iowa say their hospitals are at their breaking points.Thursday also saw reports of 2,000 deaths linked to the virus — the first time the U.S. has seen that many reported deaths in a single day since May 6. Since Oct. 17, daily deaths linked to COVID-19 on a seven-day rolling average have nearly doubled from about 700 a day to more than 1,300 a day. The continued spike comes amid a rash of promising news in the hope for a COVID-19 vaccine. On Friday, Pfizer announced that it had filed for Emergency Use Authorization for its vaccine candidate, two days after initial studies showed it to be 95% effective in large-scale trials. Several other drugmakers have also reported that their vaccines are on the precipice of authorization.However, health experts warn that the U.S. is in for a rough few months. Vaccines will initially need to be rationed for people in high-risk populations and health care workers. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said he believes vaccines won't be widely available until April. 2075

The Trump administration has proposed further slashing the number of refugees the United States accepts to a new record low in the coming year.In a notice sent to Congress late Wednesday, just 34 minutes before a statutory deadline to do so, the administration said it intended to admit a maximum of 15,000 refugees in fiscal year 2021. That’s 3,000 fewer than the 18,000 ceiling the administration had set for fiscal year 2020, which expired at midnight Wednesday.The proposal will now be reviewed by Congress, where there are strong objections to the cuts, but lawmakers will be largely powerless to force changes.The more than 16.5% reduction was announced shortly after President Donald Trump vilified refugees as an unwanted burden at a campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota, where he assailed his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden. He claimed Biden wants to flood the state with foreigners.“Biden will turn Minnesota into a refugee camp, and he said that — overwhelming public resources, overcrowding schools and inundating hospitals. You know that. It’s already there. It’s a disgrace what they’ve done to your state,” Trump told supporters.Trump froze refugee admissions in March amid the coronavirus pandemic, citing a need to protect American jobs as fallout from the coronavirus crashed the economy.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration is committed to the country’s history of leading the world in providing a safe place for refugees.“We continue to be the single greatest contributor to the relief of humanitarian crisis all around the world, and we will continue to do so,” Pompeo told reporters in Rome on the sidelines of a conference on religious freedom organized by the U.S. Embassy. “Certainly so long as President Trump is in office, I can promise you this administration is deeply committed to that.”But advocates say the government’s actions do not show that. Since taking office, Trump has slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country by more than 80%, reflecting his broader efforts to drastically reduce both legal and illegal immigration.The U.S. allowed in just over 10,800 refugees — a little more than half of the 18,000 cap set by Trump for 2020 — before the State Department suspended the program because of the coronavirus.The 18,000 cap was already the lowest in the history of the program. In addition, the State Department announced last week that it would no longer provide some statistical information on refugee resettlement, sparking more concerns.Advocates say the Trump administration is dismantling a program that has long enjoyed bipartisan support and has been considered a model for protecting the world’s most vulnerable people.Scores of resettlement offices have closed because of the drop in federal funding, which is tied to the number of refugees placed in the U.S.And the damage is reverberating beyond American borders as other countries close their doors to refugees as well.“We’re talking about tens of millions of desperate families with no place to go and having no hope for protection in the near term,” said Krish Vignarajah, president of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a federally funded agency charged with resettling refugees in the United States.Bisrat Sibhatu, an Eritrean refugee, does not want to think about the possibility of another year passing without reuniting with his wife.For the past 2 1/2 years, he has called the caseworker who helped him resettle in Milwaukee every two weeks to inquire about the status of his wife’s refugee case.The answer is always the same — nothing to report.“My wife is always asking me: ‘Is there news?’” said Sibhatu, who talks to her daily over a messaging app. “It’s very tough. How would you feel if you were separated from your husband? It’s not easy. I don’t know what to say to her.”He said the couple fled Eritrea’s authoritarian government and went to neighboring Ethiopia, which hosts more than 170,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers. Between 2017 and 2019, his wife, Ruta, was interviewed, vetted and approved to be admitted to the United States as a refugee. Then everything came to a halt.Sibhatu, who works as a machine operator at a spa factory, sends her about 0 every month to cover her living expenses in Ethiopia.“I worry about her, about her life,” Sibhatu said, noting Ethiopia’s spiraling violence and the pandemic. “But there is nothing we can do.”He hopes his wife will be among the refugees who make it to the United States in 2021.___Lee reported from Washington. 4558

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