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• Tax return scammers steal IDs and billions

  March 20, 2012 5:31 PM

  Tax return fraud is a growing problem, with more than two million bogus returns filed last year with the Internal Revenue Service - returns filed by thieves who had stolen people's identities. This type of crime is exploding because of two factors: online companies like Turbo Tax make filing... more »

• Polson woman encounters phone scam, warns others Play Video

  February 1, 2012 11:56 PM

  POLSON- Authorities frequently warn people never to give out personal information over the phone or the computer and a Polson woman recently took that lesson to heart when she received a very disturbing phone call. A telephone scam that has been sweeping Europe has made its way to Montana... more »

• Texting scam warning issued in Kalispell Play Video

  January 6, 2012 7:40 PM

  KALISPELL- A new text message scam is circulating through the Kalispell area and the Flathead County Sheriff is warning residents not to respond. Several of our reporters received these text messages in which a lawyer claims to represent a man named Craig, who has passed away. The message indicates... more »

• FBI warns Montanans of fake FBI e-mail scam

  November 29, 2011 6:14 PM

  The FBI is warning Montana residents of an e-mail scam claiming to be from the FBI, and threatening the recipient with arrest if they don't respond to it. The FBI Salt Lake City Division, which oversees Montana, issued an alert Tuesday afternoon saying that e-mail recipients are being led to... more »

• Phone scam targeting Montanans

  October 20, 2011 10:01 PM

  KPAX sister station, KRTV in Great Falls, has heard from several people within the last few hours about an apparent phone scam making the rounds. KRTV friend Sara tells us: "Caller ID showed 718-683-3104, automated message said my Visa was deactivated due to fraud, (and) press # to be... more »

• Scammers target unemployment benefits

  September 28, 2011 7:20 PM

  Helena- The Montana Department of Labor and Industry warns a new "phishing" scam targets Montanans receiving unemployment benefits. "We have received tips that callers may be saying they are Unemployment Insurance staff and asking Montanans for confidential information," said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "These calls are coming from outside... more »

• Driveway repair scams start early this year

  June 2, 2011 11:40 AM

  HELENA- The Montana Department of Justice is already hearing complaints from people who have been targeted by door-to-door driveway repair scams. Attorney General, Steve Bullock said these salespeople usually turn up when the weather gets nice and he warned consumers to be wary of these scams. Montana's Office of... more »

• FBI: e-mail virus claims to have bin Laden death pictures

  May 3, 2011 8:04 PM

  The FBI is warning people to be careful when opening e-mails claiming to have pictures or videos of Osama bin Laden's death, because it could be a computer virus. This malicious software, or "malware," can embed itself in computers and spread to users' contact lists, infecting other people's computers as... more »

• New scam making the rounds in Missoula

  April 28, 2011 7:24 PM

  MISSOULA - The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is issuing a warning about a new scam where someone calls and tells the victim they owe court fees and need to pay them to avoid being arrested. Authorities say a scammer calls a victim telling them they're with the "Department of... more »

• NorthWestern Energy warns of check scam

  April 13, 2011 6:28 PM

  NorthWestern Energy is warning customers and others of a check-cashing scam using the company's name. The company reported on Wednesday that several people in other states have reported receiving a check from NorthWestern Energy, LLC in the amount of $2,650 delivered via FedEx with a letter indicating that they have... more »

• Scam artist sent to prison for stealing $1.7M

  March 10, 2011 6:11 PM

  MISSOULA - A Connecticut man who was convicted of stealing over $1.7 million from 130 people in 34 states, including Montana, will spend more than five years in a federal prison. Prosecutors had said that for seven years Kenneth Schneider's only income came from defrauding people. During Thursday's sentencing... more »

• Buyers, renters cautioned about online scams Play Video

  March 3, 2011 11:40 PM

  HELENA- Buyers and renters beware: the newest scam to hit Helena involves false advertising of rentals and homes on the Craigslist classified advertising website. Twice in the past week, people have learned that their properties they are trying to sell or rent are being listed on other websites. When... more »

• MT officials warn of scams targeting veterans

  July 2, 2010 12:20 PM

  GREAT FALLS - Several Montana officials gathered in Great Falls on Thursday to warn of scams that target veterans. They also announced the creation of an inter-agency working group to focus on preventing the financial exploitation of aging and disabled veterans. Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen, Attorney... more »

• Medicare rebate-check scam warning issued

  June 16, 2010 2:05 PM

  HELENA - Montanans are being warned about healthcare scams targeting Medicare recipients. People who are covered by Medicare will be receiving a $250 rebate check when their prescription drug costs reach the coverage gap, often called the "donut hole." The $250 rebate is automatic once prescription costs reach... more »

• Great Falls businesses react to copy machine scare

  May 28, 2010 12:10 PM

  GREAT FALLS - CBS News recently reported that almost every copy machine made after the year 2002 contains a hard drive - a hard drive that holds images of documents, including personal information. Wayne Olson, president of Preferred Office Equipment, noted, "Once you've scanned something, printed something, or copied something,... more »

• Missoula woman victim of "Grandparent Scam"

  May 7, 2010 5:29 PM

  MISSOULA - The Missoula Police Department is warning people to watch out for a scam that recently victimized one Missoula woman. Thursday the woman told police a caller pretending to be her grandson asked her to send money because he was in jail in Canada. She followed the... more »

• Scam making the rounds in Great Falls

  April 9, 2010 11:51 AM

  GREAT FALLS - Scammers posing as police officers are targeting restaurants in Great Falls. At least five local restaurants have received calls from unknown males who claim to be members of the Great Falls Police Department. The suspects say they are investigating a credit card fraud case and ask for... more »

• Great Falls man falsely cited in Craigslist scheme

  March 24, 2010 11:28 AM

  GREAT FALLS - A advertisement on Craigslist.org had people from different states calling a Great Falls business owner for sports tickets. An ad selling tickets to major-league sporting events in other cities was posted to the online site, and those interested in buying the tickets were urged to contact Dave... more »

• Alleged pyramid scheme shutdown

  March 16, 2010 8:17 AM

  HELENA - Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen announced on Monday the issuance of a cease and desist order and notice of proposed agency action against Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. for allegedly operating a pyramid scheme. The actions allege that Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) recruited thousands of Montanans... more »

• BBB warns of Montana scam

  February 17, 2010 11:48 PM

  The Better Business Bureau is urging Montana residents to beware of an online scam involving a former legitimate Billings business that is no longer operating. The website involved is www.OutletFurniture.us, and it purports to be a clearance furniture liquidator that supposedly purchased items from auctions and clearance/liquidation sales for... more »