LET ABC15 KNOW SCAMBUSTER ALERTS

August 2025

Here are some of the issues we've been working on and how to protect yourself:

1. STEALING FROM COLLEGE STUDENTS — Hello parents and students! There's an important new consumer alert regarding federal student aid applications as the U.S. Department of Education is ramping up efforts to combat financial aid fraud. Starting this fall, they will require first-time FAFSA applicants to provide a valid government-issued photo ID in person or via video to ensure that your identity is protected from scammers who are trying to take advantage of the system. This rise in fraud has led to some shocking figures—nearly 150,000 aid applications were flagged recently for suspected fraud. To help safeguard your student, consider implementing a credit freeze, keep an eye on online accounts, and have a chat with them about the importance of protecting their personal information online. Together, we can help them navigate the student aid process safely!

2. BEWARE OF ACCIDENTAL BIDDING ON POSHMARK — An Arizona woman reached out to Let ABC15 Know after she says she spent over $500 on Poshmark by accidentally bidding in a live auction. After getting the run around from Poshmark customer support, she let us know. Our team reached out to Poshmark and we were able to get her a full refund. Now, she hopes by sharing her story, she can help save others from the stress and hassle she experienced. So, be cautious and mindful when you're checking your notifications or navigating the app because bids are binding!  

3. OLD SCAM HITTING MAILBOXES — We've got an important warning for you— an old scam is resurfacing, and it could be lurking in your mailbox. Recently, a viewer named Steve contacted us about a suspicious check for nearly $10,000 that he received, claiming to be from Publisher’s Clearing House (PCH). Upon closer inspection, we noticed glaring red flags: misspellings, grammatical errors, and the fact that PCH never contacts winners via mail, phone, or social media to claim prizes. If you receive something similar, don’t be fooled! Cashing that check could lead to serious trouble, and scammers may try to get your personal information. If you’ve encountered this scam or a similar one, we urge you to report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Stay safe out there and spread the word!

CHRISTEL'S CORNER: During our interesting economic times, it was important for me and the Let ABC15 Know team to really help those who might be struggling financially. Financial stress can take a toll on the mental and physical health of a person, and I wanted our viewers to know that there is help available if they are dealing with financial hard times. We began a partnership with Money Management International, a nonprofit organization that has been providing debt management and solutions for Americans for more than 20 years. Many people have heard of debt relief or debt consolidation programs, but it has a cost, and in many cases, a lot. MMI is a non-profit, so there’s no room to pay for advertising, but they offer a string of services, like counseling and management, for free or at an extremely lost cost. We held a live phone bank with the debt counselors for the first time back in June, and we were blown away by the number of calls the team received. Nearly 150 people called in and received assistance! What a great accomplishment for a first-time live phone bank partnership! We’re glad we could help the great people of Arizona! We’re keeping it going!

PRODUCER BRITTNEY'S TOP PICK: What are your rights as a renter? When there's an issue with your home or apartment and you don't own the place, it can feel like you don’t have a lot of control over the situation. We want you to know, you have options. If your landlord or property management company isn’t taking care of you, there are protections to help you hold them accountable. Arizona has a Residential Landlord and Tenant Act that lays out the rules for responding to repairs and maintaining the property. If you are having problems with your landlord or property management company, we want to hear about it! Email consumer@abc15.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Let ABC15 Know’s semiannual ‘On the Road’ event is coming to Tempe Marketplace on Wednesday, November 5th. Our team of Better Business Bureau volunteers and more than a dozen attorneys and consumer experts will be there to offer people free, one-on-one help. You don’t want to miss it!  

If you're a problem solver, we could use your help to help others. Please go to abc15.com/letabc15know, fill out the volunteer form and help us solve problems in the community!

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