Scams are getting more rampant online, and many Americans are still falling victims. To check if you're immune to them, you can take "Google's scam spotter quiz." Here are five scams that are currently spreading on the internet. 

"The puppy is so dang cute"

Since some people are stress during the pandemic, many individuals are looking for puppies or kittens to ease their negative feelings. Frauds take advantage of their needs by disguising as breeders, posting pictures of animals on social media, Craiglist, or dedicated pet websites. 

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Once you interact with one of the scammers, you'll be asked to answer some questions via email or chat to see if you're pre-qualified as a pet owner. The frauds' main goal is to get you emotionally attached to the animal. 

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However, the pet you're looking for doesn't really exist. If you're one of the victims, here's what you need to do. 

1) You can contact "Petscams" and report the incident. However, it only investigates the scams that used their website. 

2) You can report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission

3) If you already lost an amount of money, you can file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).  

"I don't remember ordering this"

This "brushing scam" involves a mysterious package delivered in a person's mail. It contains kitchen utensils, small toys, and even jewelry. The addresses where the items are delivered are only used to create fake accounts to create fake reviews. If you're one of the victims, here's what you can do. 

1) Contact Amazon and file a security issue complaint.

2) To ensure your account's safety, change your password at the shopping site. 

The Federal Trade Commission stated that people are allowed to keep the items they've received from the scam.  

"Get $1,000 in COVID-19 relief"

Scammers use this method to send messages offering "COVID-19 relief grants" to Facebook users. They disguise as relatives or familiar contacts, offering around $1,000. 

If you accepted their offer, they'd ask you to pay for a processing fee, for you to have the money. Once you give them the payment, they'll either end the conversation or request for an additional amount. 

If you fell victim to the COVID-19 scam, here's what you need to do. 

1) Report the fake profile or the post on Facebook.

2) Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud's hotline number (866-720-5721) or send them an email at disaster@leo.gov.

For more news updates about scams or other malicious acts, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.

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Tags: Scams Internet
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