The March Group Learns About Recent Facebook Scam

The March Group Scam has noticed recently that Facebook has been featuring the “Dislike” button, an application that users can install into their accounts, the same way applications such as Farmville and Daily Horoscope are installed.

But beware, because the “Dislike” button is actually a scam!

This feature would enable users to flag a comment, page, or status message, just like the built-in “Like” button can give a thumbs up sign to those same things.

This phishing scam, which is a form of identity theft where a person’s personal information is illegally obtained, works when the “Dislike’ application is downloaded. Users might come across the invitation to install this feature from what may look like friends’ post. It could say a variation of the following:

“I just got the Dislike button, so now I can Dislike all of your dumb posts.lol!!!”
“Get the official Dislike button now!”

When the “Dislike” button is downloaded, it will instead install an application that will give the scammers access to the user’s Facebook account. Then, it will post a message to the user’s page inviting his friends to download the same feature, turning the scam viral.

According to a Facebook spokesperson, this scam aims to post spam messages to millions of Facebook users’ pages.

Because of the prevalence of scammers online and the threats they pose to your online information security, it is best to be wary of new links or applications, even when they come from friends.

With scam, it’s always better safe than sorry.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/08/facebook_dislike_button_scam.html#ixzz0y7YAdeZ3



The March Group Scam Prevention Gets Acquainted with Travel Scams

The March Group Scam Prevention Program considers traveling as a literally great form of escape. We look forward to weekends, holidays, the summer season, and any given time that permit us to go to another place and appreciate the change of scenery. For haggard employees, it is a chance to take a breather from work; for the family, it could be a great bonding time away from the routine embedded at home; for the young and adventurous, it is about exploring the unknown and experiencing what’s new and memorable. The need and desire to travel are innate in us, given our curiosity-seeking nature.

But the joy of travel can be significantly ruined with scammers and opportunists waiting to prey on clueless victims, as we at The March Group Scam Prevention knows. Because travel is such big business, it is no wonder that scams would not be far behind.

Consider travel packages to famous tourist destinations, or during world-famous events such as the Super Bowl, World Cup, or even Carnivale in Brazil. If the scam does not involve paying an exorbitant (or is it extortionate?) price for these, it could be in the form of additional “hidden” expenses such as undisclosed taxes and surcharges upon check out from the hotel; or worse not having the ticket or the pass for the event you traveled for in the first place.

There can also be false claims about the location being advertised. A beach-side resort is actually a kilometer or two away from the beach, or a supposed airport hotel is actually an hour’s drive away from the airport. These misleading expectations can give travelers a seriously inconvenient time, especially if the trip is business-related, considering the extra time consumed for travel. A really pissed off customer might even file a lawsuit to the travel company, or the establishment itself that advertised themselves as such.

When visiting other countries, on the other hand, it’s best to be cautious of locals who might seem too eager to be friendly, and who offer a lot of activities instantly upon meeting you. This becomes particularly tricky when you don’t speak the language and do not understand what they are telling you. Scams can be from bringing you to a restaurant whose menu is written in the local language without prices listed, leaving you to settle the expensive bill at the end of the meal, just after the scammers have left the scene. Or it could involve being sold potentially dangerous products, such as herbal supplements, or personal care items that are cheaply made with hazardous components or ingredients. These merchandise may be packaged beautifully, and as a tourist, the offer might seem too good to pass up, but be wary of the potentially hazardous effects these may have on you. As with children, be cautious when accepting anything from strangers.

When making arrangements for your trip, be thorough in checking all of the details that the trip includes, such as all the fees, taxes, and surcharges that come with it, and what the inclusions really are. If it involves a major event with a need for a ticket or pass, get a firm date of when it can be expected to be given to you, but always right before your trip. For these kinds of transactions, it would be wise to pay with a credit card rather than cash or money order because of the built-in refunds that most card companies offer if goods or services are not delivered.

The March Group Scam Prevention Program advises travelers to always be vigilant and avoid distraction. Never let valuables out of your sight and ask if you do not completely understand everything being said to you.

When traveling, it’s better safe than sorry (and scammed).

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.

The March Group Warns of the Rental Scam

The March Group Scam Blog has learned that tough economic times are not spared from the dirty tricks of scammers; instead these con men and women actually thrive with more ingenious ways of ripping people off. Take for instance the unfortunate circumstance of the housing market in America.

The housing problem plaguing America today has given rise to high incidents of interested renters being scammed out of their money.

Scammers would look up foreclosed homes information online and in the newspaper, and once identified try to break in to these houses. Or they might copy the exact information in the house-for-rent listings, but change the contact details with theirs so that when renters call or email, the scammers directly get in contact with them.

And because some of these have been broken into, they can even show the place to interested renters, making the scam totally believable. This illegal access to the property can also be used to lock the owners out of their own property when scammers change the locks in it with just that malicious intent. Some of these abandoned houses are even occupied by these con artists until they close the rental deal for the place.

The way with which scammers go through this process is quite convincing, so beware of hints that can give away that you are being conned. Usually, communication is limited to email or cell phone. The owner is said to be “out of the country,” and you only deal with the “agent” (the scammer) at all times. Another warning is how seemingly in a rush the person is to close the deal immediately.

If you did not see through the scam on that level, a few more specific hints should throw you off. Instead of a “For Rent” sign, the property or house has a “For Sale” sign on it. The “agent” has a different set of keys to the place, or you notice the lock box is broken during your visit. And the cost of the rental is significantly lower than the going market rate.

Be extra careful not to fall victim to this scam. Make a background check on the person you are dealing with, such as the legitimacy of the agency he is working for as an “agent,” and if he and his company are licensed to conduct such business. Never give money outright, or deposit, without having read fully the terms of agreement. As a renter, try to work with a recognized rental agency as an added measure. Those who lease out privately may be more difficult to verify the legitimacy of. Be aware of the prevailing rental rates in the area as a basis of comparison to the offer you are getting.

So during an unfortunate time such as this real estate crisis, always be on your guard against opportunists who think nothing of taking advantage of the situation, making it even worse for potential victims.

Avoid a scam today by subscribing to The March Group Scam Blog.

The March Group is a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm dedicated to the middle market.