Author: Danielle Antosz

Posiey Brown of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was floored when she opened her PECO energy bill in April — totaling $11,723.93 in charges.

“There’s no way,” she recalled thinking to CBS News Philadelphia in a story published May 30. It was the first utility bill she had seen in months and much higher than anticipated.

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Brown says she called PECO after not receiving a statement in August and was told the company had trouble accessing her bill. She continued to seek answers and tried to make partial payments in the meantime, but felt her concerns weren’t being taken seriously.

As it turns out, Brown wasn’t the only PECO customer to experience billing problems.

Bizarre billing errors

Ann Palladino of Whitemarsh Township also reached out to CBS News Philadelphia about her PECO billing problems, and says she’d gone nearly a year without receiving a bill.

“My daughter told me to contact you because she was tired of me complaining about it,” Palladino told the local broadcaster. “For people who are used to having their bills fully paid and on time, it’s disconcerting”

PECO confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that up to 8,000 customers have been impacted by billing glitches since last year after the utility company transitioned to a new billing system. PECO admitted it has not been able to explain why certain accounts were affected, but says it has taken steps to fix the problem, including hiring more staff and setting up an email address dedicated to billing complaints.

“Many of these issues have been resolved, and we continue working daily to address remaining concerns,” a company spokesperson told the broadcaster.

Even so, frustration is mounting. The Southeast Delegation of Pennsylvania House Democrats sent an open letter to PECO accusing the utility of not acting quickly enough to solve these problems.

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CBS News Philadelphia reports, after it got involved, that PECO determined Brown’s shocking balance was caused by a meter programming error that calculated her usage incorrectly. The company corrected her bill and waived late fees, reducing the total balance to around $900. Brown is now on a payment plan. Palladino told the broadcaster she started receiving statements for previous months, but her bills were not yet current.

Brown says PECO should have been more proactive and forthcoming about its billing problems.

“They should’ve notified the customers they were having a billing issue,” she said.

How to navigate billing issues

If you’re a PECO customer — or dealing with a billing error from any utility — here are steps to protect yourself:

Document everything: Save your bills, note when they stop arriving or if you feel there’s a major error, and keep a log of your payment history and any communication with the utility company. Write down the time and what you discussed in phone calls, and try to reach out by email so there’s a paper trail.

Contact the utility right away: For PECO customers, use the dedicated email ([email protected]) and ask for a written explanation. Make sure to document any attempts at communication, whether you reach someone or not.

File a complaint: If you’re not getting a resolution, file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or your state’s equivalent.

Contact your local representative: Sometimes outside pressure makes a difference. Your county commissioner, mayor or other lawmakers may be able to help. Local media might also be interested in telling your story.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A group of international gamblers legally purchased nearly every number combination in a Texas state lottery drawing — a scheme designed to guarantee a win. It worked — and it may be why another woman is now suing the Texas Lottery Commission after being denied her own $83.5 million prize.

“I’m being treated as the bad guy,” the anonymous winner said in April, before filing the lawsuit.

The group’s $95 million win, which the New York Post described as “something out of a heist movie,” was spearheaded by London-based trader Bernard Marantelli and bankrolled by Zeljko Ranogajec, an Australian professional gambler known as “the Joker.”

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Together, they exploited a simple math trick: when the jackpot is large enough, you can make a profit by buying almost every possible ticket. According to the Wall Street Journal, the group teamed up with Lottery.com and used warehouses packed with printing terminals to produce 99.3% of those combinations in just three days.

The team won a lump-sum prize of $57.8 million, but lottery officials are closing loopholes so that they may keep other winners from collecting.

International scheme could cost another winner their jackpot

Buying every ticket wasn’t illegal under Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) rules at the time. As the Post reports, “nothing in the Texas state lottery code says a person can’t buy every number combination.”

Winners are also allowed to remain anonymous, so the group initially claimed their prize through a local company called Rook TX. But the victory didn’t stay quiet for long.

When the aforementioned Texas woman won an $83.5 million jackpot this past February, after buying her ticket through the Jackpocket app, she was told she couldn’t collect her winnings. State officials are now cracking down on anything that falls outside of tightly controlled, in-person lottery purchases — especially when foreign actors are involved or the ticket-buying process becomes hard to regulate.

“Sometimes there are reasons to investigate things, but I don’t think mine is one of them.” the winner told Nexstar in April, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Dawn Nettles, a longtime lottery watchdog, disagrees.

“It doesn’t matter that the courier apps weren’t officially banned in Texas when she bought her ticket, because she purchased it over the internet and paid an added fee — and those things are against the law,” she told the Post in April.

Even so, Nettles admits that others have gotten away with similar purchases in the past. She is now part of a class action lawsuit targeting the original $95 million payout to Rook TX and says that it should never have been allowed.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called the team’s win “the biggest theft from the people of Texas in the history of Texas,” reports the Post. Others have raised concerns that international groups are siphoning off winnings that should benefit Texas residents.

“If you win $50 million in the lottery, you are probably going to buy a new car, new home, buy things for friends — all that is going to assist [the state’s] economy. But not if the money is leaving the state,” said Nettles.

The TLC formally banned lottery courier services in February 2025. In a press release, the commission said it would revoke the licenses of any retailer working with such services. The new policy became effective immediately and is expected to be written into official rules.

In a recent statement to KVUB ABC News, lawyers respsenting the woman now suing the TLC said, "When you win, the Lottery should pay you – not stall, not waffle, not haw, not try and change the rules and not try to back out of the deal."

In a request for comment on the lawsuit, the TLC told KVUB that it does not comment on pending litigation.

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How to play the lottery legally

If you’re trying your luck with the lottery, make sure you follow Texas law to avoid trouble, especially now that enforcement is tightening. Here are a few guidelines:

• Buy in person. Texas law prohibits the sale of lottery tickets by mail, phone or internet. You must buy tickets from a licensed retailer within the state.
• Avoid courier apps. As of February 2025, services like Jackpocket are no longer permitted in Texas. Even if they’re still operating, your ticket may not be valid.
• Read the rules. Each state has different regulations. Before purchasing a ticket, check with your state’s lottery commission for the latest guidelines.
• Keep your receipt. Whether claiming a prize or disputing a decision, having proof of your purchase can help your case.

With rule changes underway, lottery players should take care to avoid any missteps. That means you’ll need to play the lottery in both the letter and the spirit of the law.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Tamia Sims-Irby says she was pistol-whipped and stabbed while being robbed in Atlanta back in 2022. She was 18 years old at the time. Today, at 21, she says the physical wounds have mostly healed — but she’s still fighting to get back the $20,000 that was stolen from her.

“It’s definitely a nightmare,” she told Fox Carolina in a story published May 20. “I’ve been dealing with this for three years.”

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According to the local broadcaster, that money is sitting in a police evidence locker — not in Georgia, where the crime happened, but in Greenville, South Carolina, where the suspects were later arrested. Despite a guilty plea from one of the men, Sims-Irby says the Greenville Police Department still hasn’t returned her money. Now, she’s filed a civil lawsuit to get it back.

Caught in legal limbo?

The Atlanta Black Star, reports that court records state Sims-Irby and a female friend drove from Greenville to Atlanta to work at a strip club, which is apparently how she gained the large sum of cash. The two women later met with four male acquaintances, who also drove in from Greenville, at a hotel parking lot. That’s when the robbery occurred.

Greenville police arrested one of the men, Tyjailon Smith, who had the money in his possession reports the Black Star. He was extradited to Georgia and in 2023 pleaded guilty to theft by taking. According to the lawsuit obtained by the Black Star, he admitted in court the money belonged to Sims-Irby.

So why hasn’t she gotten it back? Sims-Irby told Fox Carolina she’s spent years demanding answers from the Greenville Police Department with little results.

“All they’re doing is sending me out with a little card and phone numbers on the back,” she said. “I’m calling and it’s hard to reach out and I have to wait days later to get a phone call.”

But the case may not be as simple as it seems.

“It’s a unique case,” Fox Carolina’s legal analyst Grant Varner said. “The city of Greenville has an issue. Who do they return this cash to, and how do they get it back in the hands of the rightful owner? That’s difficult to determine, and certainly the city doesn’t want to be liable if they give the money back to Ms. Sims-Irby only for a couple of weeks later that someone comes along and says ‘that’s my money and I can prove it.’”

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Another open question is why the money is in Greenville PD’s custody in the first place. The suspects were arrested in Greenville, but sent back to Atlanta to face charges.

“It’s possible Georgia said, ‘we don’t need it as evidence in the case,’” Varner explained. “But it could be the old colloquial ‘hot potato’ — where nobody wants to deal with it, there’s too many questions, and it’s somebody else’s problem.”

Despite the legal questions, Sims-Irby says she’s not backing down.

“I’m not going to stop until I get my money because I don’t feel like I should be funding a police department,” she said.

Fox Carolina says it reached out to the Greenville police, but the agency declined to comment due to the lawsuit.

What to do if police are holding your property

Civil forfeiture is a tool used by law enforcement to seize assets they suspect to be tied to criminal activity. Proponents say it’s an effective way to cut off criminals’ resources, while critics argue it can leave innocents empty-handed. There’s no indication in the reporting of Sims-Irby’s case the police have tried to formally keep the money under forfeiture laws. But under the circumstances, she felt her best option was to file a lawsuit.

If you believe law enforcement is improperly holding your property, here’s what you can do:

• Ask for documentation: Request written confirmation of why your property is being held.
• Check court records: Find out if a forfeiture petition has been filed. If it has, you may have no legal recourse.
• Hire an attorney: Especially if the value is high, a civil lawsuit may be your only path to recovery.
• Know your rights: Timelines and procedures for returning property may vary by state.

As for Sims-Irby, the next step seems to be a court hearing. The lawsuit was filed on April 23 and Greenville police were served on May 13. They have 30 days to reply, and there has yet to be any follow-up reporting.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A dollar store in the Bronx has gone viral after a TikTok video showcased its $4 “mystery packages.”

The boxes, which contain returned merchandise from retailers like Amazon, Walmart and others, can hold anything from brand-new sandals to toilet plungers. The thrill of the unknown is part of the appeal — and business is booming.

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“Just hope and pray, let’s see what happens,” said one shopper outside Dollar Universe.

Store manager Luis Almonte sources the boxes from liquidators in Brooklyn and New Jersey, paying around $600 for pallets of roughly 400 items. The goods are customer returns from across the country, many originally sold by Amazon or Walmart, and resold in bulk through liquidation channels.

But as the store’s popularity grows, so do the questions.

Are these sales legal?

Almonte insisted to WABC 7 Eyewitness News that he’s just trying to run a fun, affordable business. Still, he’s aware there may be legal or ethical lines he doesn’t want to cross.

“I’m going to do an investigation to see, because I don’t want to do anything illegal that hurts myself,” Almonte said.

To test the process, reporter Kemberly Richardson purchased one of the returned items and discovered the original buyer’s full name, phone number and home address were still on the box.

She called the phone number, and the stunned buyer confirmed they had returned what was supposed to be a yoga mat. They were shocked to hear their personal information was still floating around on a resold package.

Almonte said he normally uses a marker to obscure personal information and is willing to go further if needed.

“I scratch the name dark that way nobody sees,” he said, adding that if that’s not enough, he’ll remove items from the packaging altogether.

Walmart told Eyewitness News it requires all its liquidators to remove personal customer information before resale. Amazon said it’s now investigating the matter, including “the possibility that these products may have been delivered to customer addresses, were stolen and are now being resold by unauthorized third parties.”

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What happens to those Amazon packages you return?

Returned Amazon packages don’t always go back on the digital shelves. Many are routed to liquidation warehouses where they’re bundled into pallets and auctioned off to resellers. These buyers — like Almonte — often have no idea what’s in each box until it’s opened.

While this resale model isn’t new, the viral popularity of $4 “mystery boxes” is raising fresh concerns about data privacy and consumer protection.

If you return items online, you might assume your personal data is wiped — but that’s not always the case. In rare instances, as this story highlights, packaging labels with full names, phone numbers and addresses can end up in the hands of strangers.

To protect yourself, make sure to:

• Remove or deface shipping labels before returning items, when possible.
• Avoid returns that include sensitive items or personal documents.
• Monitor your accounts and credit reports for unusual activity, especially if you’ve recently made several returns.

This incident doesn’t necessarily mean you need to stop shopping online, but it’s a reminder that once you send a package back, what happens next is often out of your control.

Major retailers like Walmart and Amazon allow third-party liquidation of returns, and they typically have policies in place to protect customer privacy. But as this case shows, gaps can occur — especially when items move through multiple hands.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Nick and Susan Perfido of Seminole County, Florida, were looking forward to transforming their backyard into an outdoor paradise. They hired Florida Landscape Living LLC, a company based in Maitland, to do the job.

“We’re going to have a fire bowl here — actually a fire table,” Nick told WESH 2 News while showing reporters a pile of dirt where the project was supposed to take shape.

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But shortly after writing two checks totaling $27,654.25 in January and February, the couple says everything began to unravel.

The couple is fighting to get their money back

The Perfidos were initially impressed by Florida Landscape Living’s sleek website and polished pitch.

“Everything looked really beautiful and was very glamorous,” Susan told WESH reporters. “It was all window dressing.”

According to a complaint they filed with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, reports WESH, the only work completed was the destruction of grass along their property line. Beyond that, the couple says nothing else was done. When they requested a refund, they say the company demanded a “cancellation fee” of $22,185.60.

“They were trying to do everything in their power not to answer questions,” Nick said. “That was really the big issue for us, and that’s why we pulled the plug.”

Then, in March, the landscaping business appeared to vanish. Its Maitland storefront was cleared out, signage removed and inventory was gone. That’s when the Perfidos filed the criminal complaint with the Sheriff’s Office, alleging fraud, larceny and grand theft. They also filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Now, they’re taking the company, including its five principals, to court. The couple is suing for “fraudulent misrepresentation” and “civil theft,” and is seeking $181,817 in total damages, reports WESH.

The attorney for Florida Landscape Living, who has filed a motion to dismiss the claims, called them "a hodge-podge of wild-eyed accusations."

While preparing their case, the Perfidos — working with a private investigator — say they found that the defendants were linked to dozens of inactive Florida businesses. They told WESH that they also uncovered indications that Florida Landscape Living may not have held the proper licenses.

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How to avoid hiring a scam company

The Perfidos’ story is an alarming reminder of how convincing bad actors can be. If you’re considering hiring a contractor for landscaping or home improvement work, here are steps to help protect yourself:

• Verify licensing. Always check with your city, county or state licensing board, like the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), to confirm the company has the proper credentials.

• Search for complaints. Look up the company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and your local clerk of courts. Public records may show lawsuits, liens or past business violations.

• Read reviews and ask for references. Look beyond testimonials on the company’s website and use third-party review sites and ask to speak with past customers.

• Review the contract carefully. Understand the cancellation policy and payment schedule. Be wary of large upfront payments or vague language about fees.

• Avoid cash payments. Pay by credit card, if possible, as it offers more consumer protection. At a minimum, make sure you have a paper trail of all payments, such as cancelled checks or proof of bank transfers.

If you’ve already handed over funds to a company and you suspect fraud, take action quickly. File a police report and submit a complaint to state agencies that oversee businesses. In Florida, that is the DBPR. If the amount is significant, you may be able to pursue a civil case for breach of contract.

Finally, warn others. You can file a complaint with BBB. You can also leave an online review, a post on social media or consider reaching out to local news stations to get your story heard and help others avoid being taken advantage of.

While the Perfidos have since hired a new contractor to finish their yard, their legal fight continues. “This is about bringing these people to justice,” said Nick.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A Canadian man has been arrested, sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to repay $420,000 he stole in Social Security benefits over a 30-year period, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska said in a news release May 12.

Ellis Kingsep, 77, was legally living in the U.S. and used an "elaborate scheme" to collect Social Security benefits intended for his mother, the office says. His mother would now be 103 years old, but no records of her exist past 1993 and she’s presumed dead.

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As President Donald Trump has pushed to uncover what he called "shocking levels of incompetence and probable fraud" in Social Security, this situation highlights concerns about how long-term fraud can slip through the cracks, especially when beneficiaries die and no one reports it.

How did Kingsep keep receiving payments?

Kingsep’s fraud, the office says, relied on a complex system of mail forwarding that helped him receive and send mail in his mother’s name. Citing court documents, it says he used multiple private mailbox accounts in California, Vancouver and Alaska to intercept and reroute mail.

It’s estimated the scheme was devised in 1995 and continued undetected until 2023, when a federal investigator uncovered the deception. At this point, the payments were stopped.

Kingsep was arrested in July 2024 and in December pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. In addition to the prison sentence and restitution, the court also imposed a $50,000 criminal fine and ordered him to serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

How common is Social Security fraud?

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly made unverified claims about widespread fraud in the Social Security system. During a joint session of Congress, Trump claimed, "1.3 million people from ages 150 to 159 and over 130,000 people, according to the Social Security databases, are age over 160 years old." He even said that one person was listed as being 360 years old.

While the numbers sound alarming, these statements reflect a misunderstanding of the data rather than actual fraud. Millions of people in the Social Security database appear to be over 100, but that’s largely because they died before death records were digitized, and their deaths were never formally recorded. Nearly all of those individuals are no longer receiving benefits. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that just 0.1% of Social Security retirement beneficiaries are over the age of 100. SSA policy also halts payments for beneficiaries over the age of 115.

In terms of financial errors, the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General reported nearly $72 billion in improper payments in 2024. But that number included overpayments and underpayments to beneficiaries.

The Inspector General’s office has made several recommendations to improve payment accuracy, though many remained to be implemented as of August. Still, fraud itself appears to be rare. Kathleen Romig, Director of Social Security and Disability Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, noted that Social Security maintains a payment accuracy rate of nearly 99%.

The Kingsep case is a rare example, but it highlights the importance of keeping records up to date. When a loved one who receives benefits passes away, the funeral home usually notifies the SSA. If no funeral home is involved, you can report the death directly by calling 1-800-772-1213.

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• This is how American car dealers use the ‘4-square method’ to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs
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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Parking near some of San Diego’s most popular destinations may soon come at a higher cost. The San Diego City Council recently approved a series of changes to the city’s parking rules, paving the way for potential rate increases and expanded paid parking zones, reports CBS8.

The new measures don’t raise prices immediately, but the update to the municipal code will allow the city to charge for parking in previously free areas, including Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.

The changes also open the door for paid parking on Sundays in neighborhoods where parking is currently free on this day.

“It definitely sucks,” says resident Davis Glass. “The zoo is a hard place to start charging for, it already costs enough to go to the zoo.”

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What San Diegans can expect

The newly approved code update follows a February change that already raised parking meter rates in some areas from $1.25 to $2.50 an hour.

Residents in the city already have mixed feelings about the changes.

“I think it’s a total bummer,” says a local La Mesa resident, Mary Alice Chocas. “I hate to see more and more fees come to San Diego. San Diego is pretty expensive already.”

Others, however, support the changes if the revenue helps improve the city. Proponents of the changes say more structured parking rules and rate adjustments could help reduce congestion near busy areas. Some residents also hope the changes will encourage alternatives to driving.

"I think charging for parking will hopefully encourage people to take more alternate routes like buses or bikes," says Deanna Abrams, a San Diego resident.

City Council member Sean Elo-Rivera proposed only charging non-residents for parking at the zoo, estimating the city could raise $15 to $20 million annually by only charging tourists.

"At a certain point, I don’t think it’s unfair to ask folks who are coming to this city as visitors to chip in and contribute," he says.

The city is also considering other parking reforms, including updating valet parking permit fees and creating a new policy for managing city-owned lots. Additionally, the city’s existing by-laws ensure that parking meter revenues "must be reinvested to benefit parking and mobility-related needs within the meter zone where they were collected," according to the city’s statement. This may have positive longterm effects for the city, down to the specific neighborhoods where these fees are enacted.

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Navigating the rising costs of parking

The city has no immediate plans to change the parking rates and says any changes to the fees will occur over time, with residents being notified beforehand. Still, San Diegans should be prepared. Here are some ways to stay ahead of the changes:

• Check signs before parking: Areas that were once free may soon require payment, especially around Balboa Park and other high-traffic destinations.
• Use parking apps: Tools like ParkMobile or the city’s own parking app, called Park Smarter, can help residents track rate changes and pay digitally.
• Carpool or take public transit: Reducing your reliance on paid parking is one of the best ways to cut costs, though it isn’t an option for everyone.
• Plan ahead: If you’re planning a trip to the zoo or a park, check online first to confirm parking details and consider alternative transportation options if prices rise.
• Stay informed: To stay informed about upcoming changes, check the San Diego parking website or subscribe to neighborhood newsletters.

While no one enjoys paying more to park, city leaders say the changes are designed to keep streets less congested and ensure parking resources are managed more effectively.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

In just the first four months of 2025, people in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have lost at least $1 million to scams, according to police.

One person lost $700,000. Another area resident lost $40,000 after being tricked by fraudsters who posed variously as a Microsoft tech support agent, a rep from his bank and even a federal agent.

“I was dealing with people I would call evil geniuses,” he told WTOP, asking not to be named. “At the time, I thought I was actually safeguarding the money.”

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While he may not get his $40,000 back, he’s sharing his story in the hope that he can protect other people from falling for the same con.

Rehearsed responses and fake credentials

It started when the man saw a pop-up on his computer saying his computer had been hacked. The pop-up message included a phone number to call for tech support.

He called the number and was soon speaking with someone he thought was a Microsoft employee. He was then transferred to a woman who claimed to be from his bank. Then he was connected with another person impersonating a federal official.

Despite his skepticism, each of the imposters had rehearsed responses and fake credentials.

He recalled actually saying to one of them, “This is exactly what a scammer would do.”

“But something about her polished rhetoric came back and convinced me otherwise,” he said.

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The scammers warned him not to use his phone, laptop, or email, claiming that all his devices were compromised. He was told not to speak to friends or even Google the word ‘scams’— as that could be a red flag.

Believing his accounts were at risk, he handed over $40,000 to someone he thought was a legitimate carrier. That’s when the Prince George’s County Police Department stepped in.

So when Gyoung Lee, 47, of Flushing, New York, arrived at the victim’s home expecting more cash, officers with the Financial Crimes Unit (FCU) arrested him on the scene.

Officers also arrested Parmveer Parmveer, 25, of Grove City, Ohio, in connection with the case involving a $700,000 loss.

Sgt. John Quarless of the Prince George’s County FCU said it’s important for victims not to be embarrassed because these kinds of tech scams are so common.

“What I encourage, no matter how much information you have, is to call the police and report it,” he told WTOP. “Let us do our due diligence.”

The tech scam and red flags

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost $1.4 billion to tech support scams in 2024, with more than 36,000 reported incidents.

While most victims of such scams are over 60, scammers target people of all backgrounds: young and old, rich and poor, highly educated or not.

What is consistent is the con artists’ approach.

“They’re going to create a sense of urgency, a sense of privacy and don’t want you to talk to anybody about it,” Sgt. Quarless said.

It’s how scammers gain control. Don’t let them. Here are red flags to watch out for.

A sense of urgency

Scammers often claim your money is in immediate danger or your account has been compromised. They’ll push you to act fast, hoping you don’t slow down and think it through. Don’t fall for it. Instead, hang up the phone and talk to someone you trust. Visit the bank in person if you’re worried about calling in.

Isolation tactics

Victims are frequently told not to talk to anyone — not friends, not family, not even their bank. That’s a major red flag. They’re worried that if you ask for help, someone will stop their scam in its tracks. Instead, make sure you ask for help. Talk to a trusted friend, financial advisor, or bank employee.

Demands for untraceable payments

Any request for money through cash couriers, wire transfers, crypto or gift cards is a giveaway. Real businesses and agencies don’t work this way. Never send money to someone you don’t know through these methods.

Offering to protect your money

Federal regulations already protect most bank accounts. Pulling the money from your account won’t protect it in most cases. If someone offers to protect your money from a scam, there’s an excellent chance they are the scammers. They’ll say you’re moving the money to a ‘safe account,’ but that account belongs to them.

If you’re being scammed, officials recommend slowing down, hanging up the phone and calling your bank. Look on the back of your debit or credit card for the legitimate customer service number; don’t trust online pop-up ads.

Many victims stay silent, feeling ashamed that they were fooled. But speaking up like this victim did helps law enforcement track down suspects and potentially warn others before they’re targeted.

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Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has suspended Medicaid payments to Leo Human Services, a housing assistance company accused of fraudulently billing Medicaid for services that several clients say they never received.

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Leo Human Services, led by Asad Adow, reportedly billed Medicaid for $1.2 million in 2024 for Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) — a taxpayer-funded program designed to help vulnerable Minnesotans, including unhoused individuals and those with disabilities, find and keep housing. But according to a KARE 11 investigation, several people say they never got the help the company claimed to have provided.

Steven Smith, for example, says he was stunned to find Medicaid had been billed for services he never received. When he requested records, the company sent a document bearing a signature he insists he never provided. Metadata showed the electronic signature was created a day after the document was allegedly signed — and by someone else. “I’ve never got an hour of help,” Smith told KARE 11.

Now, that investigation has revealed an entire web of related companies — and new clients are coming forward with similar stories.

New investigations

Julie Quiroz was homeless in the winter of 2024 when she saw a flyer for housing assistance in a gas station bathroom. She called the provider, Liberty Plus, and the man on the phone promised help. She gave them her Medicaid insurance information but no one followed through. Quiroz and her dog spent that winter in her car.

“To be just filled with hope … and you’re sitting there in the cold thinking, ‘Any day now, any day now.’ And that ‘any day’ never comes,” she told KARE 11.

Only after she was quoted in a news article about her frustration with HSS services, Liberty Plus reached out to her.

KARE 11 has a Liberty Plus document with her signature on it, but Quiroz says she never signed anything.

“They didn’t do s—,” she told KARE 11. “Sorry for swearing.”

Quiroz requested her records. Instead, she received a voicemail from Liberty Plus informing her, “It would be best to part ways.” She never got documentation for the services they claimed to have delivered.

According to KARE 11, HSS providers — Leo Human Services, North Home Health Care, South Home Health Care, and Liberty Plus — are tied to Adow and his "partner" Muhammad Omar. State records also list a separate company, Motto Express, run by Omar and registered to the Adow’s Blaine home.

North Home Health Care, operated by Omar, billed the state more than $1.6 million in 2024, per DHS data. Omar is also listed as running South Home Health Care, which billed nearly $393,000. Liberty Plus, registered to Anwar Adow, billed more than $772,000 — yet its website features stock images and placeholder text like “Caregiver Name” on its “Meet Our Team” page.

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Leo Human Services, North Home Health Care, South Home Health Care, and Liberty Plus are now under active investigation by DHS. The agency told KARE 11 that when one provider is suspended, they also investigate associated individuals and entities: “We take swift action to suspend payments to any provider or individual that is associated with credible allegations of fraud.”

A federal investigation into HSS fraud in Minnesota is also underway, and state lawmakers are now pushing for reforms, according to the report.

What to do if you’ve been targeted by a fraudulent housing assistance company

Medicaid fraud is mostly committed by providers, not beneficiaries, according to KFF.

If you suspect a provider has billed Medicaid or any health plan fraudulently in your name, you can take these steps:

• Request your records: Ask the provider in writing for a copy of your service records and any signed documents.
• Check your insurance explanation of benefits (EOB): Look for services billed that you don’t recognize.
• Contact the DHS Office of Inspector General: Call the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603 or submit a complaint online. You can also contact the state DHS on a fraud hotline.
• File a police report: If you believe your identity or signature was used without your permission, notify law enforcement.
• Avoid unverified providers: When seeking services, check that the provider is licensed through DHS or another state authority. Be cautious of providers advertising in non-traditional spaces, like gas station bathrooms or social media, without clear credentials.

These programs are meant to offer stability to vulnerable Minnesotans. But as stories like Quiroz’s show, a lack of oversight can allow bad actors to take advantage of the situation. As investigations continue, clients, advocates, and lawmakers are demanding that public dollars serve the people they’re meant to help.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.