I have the “Shame Warning Flags” up for a scam that’s circulating around Social Media: Bogus Grant Applications…..”CFDA/CDFA” Scams. (Community Development Finance Authority)
A long-time Facebook friend was targeted and fortunately realized it was bogus.
Investigators say it’s an ID Theft Attempt…or attempt to get you to mail them “taxes” as part of getting your application funds.
They try to copy your friends list to use your name..or a friends name to convince you it’s legit.
Social Media may be fairly new to you, but the same old scams are turning up over and over again trying to trick anyone they can find. It’s often an international ring with digital “boiler rooms” and groups of cyber fraud criminals working all day trying to catch online victims….and their personal ID’s and financial data.
Remember the “Nigerian Prince”?
Here’s some background from the Community Development Finance Authority:
If you have been contacted over Facebook or by text from someone claiming to be from CDFA or another government agency, be advised that this is a scam. The criminals may also use the identities of one of your friends to trick you into thinking they’ve received money and you can too. Some potential victims are targeted through Facebook Instant Messenger; others received text messages.
CDFA, a quasi-state agency which operates only within New Hampshire, does not make financial awards to individuals anywhere in the country. Nor would we ask you to send us money for any reason.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from con artists while online. http://www.nhcdfa.org/resources/news/163
By Al Sunshine, SouthFloridaReporter.com, Consumer Investigator,April 28, 2016
