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Real names and official-looking phone numbers can give consumers false reassurance

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The FBI warns that scammers are impersonating federal agents using real employees names and spoofed government phone numbers.

• One criminal staged a video call to look like it came from an FBI office.

• Consumers should independently contact the agency and verify the actual contactnot simply whether an agent with that name exists.

The FBIs Newark field office has issued a warning about criminals posing as FBI, DEA and Secret Service agents to steal money from victims. The tactics can undermine consumers efforts to check a callers identity.

Scammers manipulate caller ID to display genuine agency phone numbers and introduce themselves using actual federal agents names. When a potential victim calls the agency, an employee may confirm that the named agent works there.

That answer establishes that the employee exists. It does not establish that the employee made the original call.

In another reported tactic, a scammer arranged a virtual meeting with a suited man, desk and FBI seal to create the appearance of a government office.

How to verify the contact

The FBI recommends finding an agencys official telephone number independently. When calling, explain that you suspect fraud and ask whether a real agent is contacting you. If the local office cannot be reached, try the agencys Washington headquarters.

Consumers can report suspicious contacts at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI. The warning also recommends preserving photos or recordings of fraudulent video meetings.

Requests to move money are a warning sign

The FBIs broader scam guidance says it will never call or email private citizens requesting that they move money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards or prepaid cards.

Anyone who has experienced an internet-enabled scam should promptly file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. The bureau says rapid reporting can help support efforts to recover lost funds.

For consumers, the practical lesson is to verify the conversation itself. A familiar agency name, a matching phone number or a realistic video background cannot establish who is asking for your money.

The latest enforcement action blocks a provider linked to fraudulent financial offers

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The FCC is targeting phone service providers that carry illegal robocalls, aiming to stop unwanted calls before they reach consumers.

• Its latest action cuts Digital Solutions off U.S. networks after the company carried prerecorded calls promoting fraudulent loans and tax relief.

• The crackdown is part of a broader effort to hold telecommunications providers responsible for following rules designed to reduce illegal calls.

For consumers tired of phones ringing with suspicious offers and recorded sales pitches, the Federal Communications Commission is taking aim at the companies that help those calls reach their destinations.

This week, the FCC announced that it was prohibiting Digital Solutions Inc. from connecting to U.S. networks for failing to comply with its robocall rules. According to the agency, the provider came to its attention by carrying illegal prerecorded calls offering fraudulent financial loans and tax relief.

The FCCs Enforcement Bureau issued a final determination ordering carriers to stop carrying the companys traffic. The action targets a route used to deliver illegal calls to consumers, with the goal of preventing those calls from reaching their phones.

Stopping calls before phones ring

The approach places responsibility on the telecommunications companies involved in moving calls through the phone system. Blocking a providers traffic can interrupt that delivery process before consumers have to decide whether to answer, hang up or block another number.

The FCC describes combating illegal robocalls, including calls using falsified caller ID information, as its top consumer protection priority. Its strategy includes enforcement throughout the calls path and requirements intended to help providers identify and limit illegal traffic.

Digital Solutions is the latest provider affected by that strategy. On Sept. 2, the FCC removed 14 companies from its Robocall Mitigation Database for failing to comply with robocall rules. It ordered U.S. voice service providers and intermediate providers to begin blocking their traffic within two days.

Those actions show how the agency is using access to U.S. phone networks as an enforcement tool. Providers that fail to meet the requirements can lose the ability to deliver calls through other carriers.

What consumers can do

The latest action targets one provider, so consumers should continue using available protections against unwanted calls.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends call-blocking tools offered by phone companies or other services. Consumers who answer an unwanted robocall should hang up rather than follow instructions or press buttons to speak with someone or get removed from a list.

Registering a number at DoNotCall.gov can reduce sales calls from legitimate businesses that follow the law. It will not stop scammers who disregard the registry, which is why blocking tools and enforcement against the providers carrying illegal calls remain important.

From coupon codes to cash back, these sites can help you stretch your holiday budget

• Different sites, different jobs: Some are better for discovering deals, while others specialize in coupon codes or cash back.

• Let the deals come to you: Setting alerts for gifts you already plan to buy can beat endlessly searching for bargains.

• Stack your savings: A sale price, coupon, cash-back offer, and credit-card reward may sometimes work together.

Holiday shoppers certainly aren't lacking websites promising to save them money.

Search for a coupon code and you'll find dozens. Search for Black Friday deals and you'll probably find hundreds more.

The problem is figuring out which ones are actually worth your time.

That's especially important during the holidays, when a giant 50% OFF banner doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the lowest price, and many coupon websites have nothing but expired promo codes.

The trick isn't finding one magical website that always has the best deal. But rather it's knowing which site or app to check for which type of savings.

Here are six worth bookmarking today before holiday shopping gets into full swing.

1. Slickdeals: Best for letting others find the deals for you

If I were going to bookmark only one deal-hunting site before Black Friday, Slickdeals would be high on my list.

Users post deals they find, then other members vote and comment on them. Popular offers can eventually make Slickdeals' Frontpage, where Deal Editors also evaluate factors such as price history, reviews, and availability.

That's very useful during Black Friday, when every retailer is telling you everything is an amazing deal. At the very least, its worth installing their browser extension so youll be notified of any deals or coupons when youre shopping online on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

But the feature I'd use before Black Friday is their Deal Alerts. Instead of repeatedly checking whether AirPods or a particular LEGO set has gone on sale, simply create an alert for a product, brand, or store and let the deals come to you.

Pro tip: Be specific. If you know the exact model of the TV, laptop, or headphones you want, create an alert for the model number rather than something broad like Samsung TV. You'll get fewer irrelevant deals and way fewer temptations.

Also, be sure to read the comments. Slickdeals users frequently point out when an item has been cheaper before or when there's a better version available for only a few dollars more.

2. RetailMeNot: Best when you're staring at the promo-code box

You've found the gift. The price looks good. Then you see it at checkout: Enter promo code.

That's when I'd check out RetailMeNot.

RetailMeNot collects coupons, promo codes, sales, and cash-back offers from thousands of retailers, making it particularly useful when you already know the store you're shopping at and simply want another discount to add at checkout.

Instead of Googling Macy's coupon code and dredging through multiple coupon websites, search RetailMeNot directly from their homepage and see what's available.

I particularly like how they tell you if the coupon code has been verified and if its currently working. So many coupon sites add codes until their blue in the face but never bother to actually check if its a working coupon.

3. Rakuten: Best for getting money back

Rakuten works differently. Rather than primarily helping you find the lowest advertised price, Rakuten can give you cash back on purchases you're already planning to make.

The important part for holiday shoppers is that cash back can sometimes be layered on top of an existing sale.

Imagine you've found a $200 gift marked down to $150. If there's also an eligible retailer coupon, Rakuten cash back, and rewards from your credit card, you may be able to squeeze additional savings out of an already-good price.

You'll need to start your online shopping trip through Rakuten's website, app, or browser extension and activate the offer before purchasing.

Pro tip: Check the cash-back percentage immediately before buying, particularly around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Rates can change, so don't assume the percentage you saw earlier in the week still applies.

4. Brad's Deals: Best for curated deals

Sometimes you know exactly what you want. Other times you're thinking, "I still need something for Dad."

That's where Brad's Deals can help.

Rather than simply compiling coupon codes, Brad's Deals relies heavily on editors who scour retailers and curate offers they believe represent strong prices. That makes it particularly useful for deal discovery.

During the holidays, check its newest deals and Black Friday coverage. It's also useful when you know your budget but not the gift.

Maybe you want to spend around $50 on a kitchen gift but don't particularly care whether it's an air fryer, Dutch oven, or coffee maker. A curated deal site can surface opportunities you wouldn't necessarily find searching for one specific product.

Pro tip: Set your budget before you browse. Deal sites are very good at showing you things you suddenly think you need. Decide beforehand that you're looking for a $50 gift rather than letting a $99 normally $179! deal determine your budget.

A product you weren't going to buy doesn't become savings just because it's 60% off.

5. CouponCabin: Best for coupons and cash back in one stop

CouponCabin sits somewhere between a traditional coupon site and a cash-back service.

You can search for coupon codes and retailer offers, while participating stores can also offer cash back when you start your purchase through CouponCabin.

That makes it worth checking when you've already decided where you want to shop.

Say you're ordering shoes from a particular retailer. Just search for the retailer on CouponCabin rather than the specific shoes.

Don't forget to add their Sidekick browser extension. Once installed, it will notify you of any coupon codes available while shopping at a particular online retailer, as well as any cash back available. The extension works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

6. DealNews: Best for vetting sales

DealNews also uses human editors to find and evaluate deals.

Its Editors' Choice designation (Staff Picks) is reserved for offers that at least two-thirds of its editors agree are particularly noteworthy.

But there's another reason I'd use DealNews around the holidays, and that's buying guidance. The site has years of deal data and publishes guides about what tends to go on sale and when.

Sometimes the smartest holiday-shopping move isn't finding another coupon.

It's waiting.

If you're shopping in October for something that historically gets much cheaper around Black Friday, knowing that could save you more than a 10% promo code.

Pro tip: When you're overwhelmed by sales, look for the Editors' Choice designation. It doesn't mean the product is right for you, but it can help distinguish an unusually strong offer from an ordinary sale dressed up as one.

The real trick: Stack the savings

Don't open all six websites every time you buy a $20 gift. But for an expensive purchase, use them at different stages.

Say you're buying a $300 pair of headphones:

• Start with Slickdeals to see whether there's already a strong deal or set an alert if you're willing to wait.

• Then check Brad's Deals or DealNews to see whether editors have spotted a noteworthy offer.

• Once you've picked a retailer, check RetailMeNot or CouponCabin for a coupon or additional discount.

• Finally, check Rakuten or another cash-back service before purchasing.

And don't forget your credit card. Some cards have rotating rewards or merchant-specific offers that could potentially add another layer of savings. Just verify that the offers can actually be combined before counting on them.

Scammers may use fake delivery alerts, order updates and account notices to target shoppers after the deals are over

• Scammers may target shoppers after Prime Day with fake delivery alerts, order updates and account notices.

• Unexpected requests to update payment information, confirm an address or pay a fee are major red flags.

• If you click a suspicious link, act quickly by contacting your bank or changing compromised passwords.

Prime Day may be all about finding a good deal, but the shopping event doesnt necessarily end when you click place order. In fact, some of the biggest can come afterward, when shoppers are expecting updates about their purchases.

Amazon says phishing texts tend to spike after Prime Day, as scammers take advantage of shoppers waiting for deliveries, tracking orders, or dealing with refunds. And with artificial intelligence making fake messages and websites more convincing, it can be harder to tell a legitimate notification from a scam.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Tom Clayton, President and COO of family online safety company Aura, who explained shoppers should be especially cautious about unexpected delivery alerts, order confirmations, and account notices that look like the real thing.

Red flags to look out for

Clayton shared some of the biggest risks that consumers should keep their eyes peeled for during Prime Day and after the sale ends.

One thing I always tell people to look at is what the message actually wants you to do, he said. A normal delivery update is usually just that: an update. A scam is much more likely to suddenly give you a problem you need to fix, whether thats updating your address, confirming a payment or paying a small fee to get a package released.

Another clue: the sender.

Its easy to see a familiar company name and not think twice, especially when youre busy or waiting on a few different orders, but take an extra second to look at the actual email address or domain, Clayton recommended.

He explained that scammers are very good at making something look legitimate at a glance, and AI helps them mimic the polished language and familiar tone youd expect from a trusted brand.

His final red flag that should raise alarm bells for consumers: getting a message about an order you dont remember placing.

Dont click the link to figure out whats going on, Clayton said. Go directly to the retailer or shipping company instead. It takes a few extra seconds and keeps you from potentially handing information over to a scammer.

Security hygiene

While it may seem like there are risks around every corner, Clayton has some good news for shoppers: you dont need to completely change the way you shop online. However, a few basic habits can go a long way.

Here are some of his best security hygiene tips:

• Use different passwords across your accounts.

• Turn on two-factor authentication.

• Pay particular attention to your email If someone gets into your email, they may also have a way into password resets and other sensitive information.

• Turn on notifications in the retailers app, so you know where legitimate order and delivery updates should be coming from and can more easily spot a suspicious text or email.

• Use a credit card instead of a debit card, as that can give you added fraud protection.

If youre using an AI assistant to shop, the same basic rules apply, Clayton said. Pay attention to what youre giving it access to, require your approval before a purchase goes through, and limit how much personal or financial information it can access.

What to if you click a suspicious link

With AI and other advanced tools, it can be harder than ever to spot a scam in your inbox. So, if you do end up clicking a link thats not legitimate, dont beat yourself up!

However, there are some steps to take to mitigate the fallout.

Its easy to think, I only clicked the link, maybe nothing will happen, or even feel a little embarrassed that you fell for something, but thats exactly when you want to act quickly, Clayton said.

As soon as you realize something is wrong, stop engaging with the message or whoever sent it. If you shared payment information, contact your bank or card issuer directly, and if you entered a password, change it right away, especially if it was your email password.

When you contact your bank or the company, Clayton recommends searching for the number or website yourself, or use the number on the back of your card, rather than anything included in the original message. The same goes for anyone who reaches out afterward claiming to be from a fraud department or offering to help, too.

dont end when sales do

One of the biggest things that Clayton wants to get across to shoppers is that scammers dont call it quits just because a sale ends. Its especially important for consumers to stay vigilant when the big sale is over.

One thing people sometimes forget is that holiday dont stop when the big sales do, Clayton said. They can follow the entire shopping cycle, from October sales and holiday deliveries to returns, refunds, and gift cards later in the season.

The biggest thing is to slow down when something suddenly feels urgent. If a message has you worried that a package wont arrive or that someone just spent hundreds of dollars on your account, thats often exactly what the scammer wants. Take a minute and figure out what's actually happening before you act.