Job scams are surging — how to avoid getting duped
Employment scams are nothing new — but they’re becoming more common, especially in the wake of mass layoffs from the Department of Government Efficiency. With thousands of federal workers suddenly out of a job, scammers are seizing the opportunity. They often create fake job listings by mimicking legitimate employer websites, hoping to trick desperate job seekers into handing over sensitive personal and financial information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, job and fake employment agency scams have nearly tripled since 2020. Americans lost $501 million to these schemes in 2024 — up from $90 million four years ago. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that victims of job scams lose nearly $3,000 on average. If you're currently job hunting, there are a few red flags worth knowing about — and avoiding them could save you serious money and a major headache.
Employment scams are nothing new — but they’re becoming more common, especially in the wake of mass layoffs from the Department of Government Efficiency. With thousands of federal workers suddenly out of a job, scammers are seizing the opportunity. They often create fake job listings by mimicking legitimate employer websites, hoping to trick desperate job seekers into handing over sensitive personal and financial information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, job and fake employment agency scams have nearly tripled since 2020. Americans lost $501 million to these schemes in 2024 — up from $90 million four years ago. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that victims of job scams lose nearly $3,000 on average. If you're currently job hunting, there are a few red flags worth knowing about — and avoiding them could save you serious money and a major headache.
Trooper crashes into car, state denies $1K claim
A shocking crash involving a rookie Minnesota state trooper has left a family reeling. The incident happened last June along Highway 23, near Marshall, Minnesota. Jamie Krueger was driving behind a State Patrol trooper when, without warning or flashing lights, the officer attempted a sudden U-turn to chase a speeding driver. He hit Krueger’s car and the impact sent the vehicle swerving off the road. While the Kruegers were treated for minor injuries, their car was deemed a total loss and Krueger was left to cover the $1,000 deductible. The shocker? The Minnesota Department of Administration refused to cover the costs, citing “immunity” — a legal shield protecting government workers from liability.
A shocking crash involving a rookie Minnesota state trooper has left a family reeling. The incident happened last June along Highway 23, near Marshall, Minnesota. Jamie Krueger was driving behind a State Patrol trooper when, without warning or flashing lights, the officer attempted a sudden U-turn to chase a speeding driver. He hit Krueger’s car and the impact sent the vehicle swerving off the road. While the Kruegers were treated for minor injuries, their car was deemed a total loss and Krueger was left to cover the $1,000 deductible. The shocker? The Minnesota Department of Administration refused to cover the costs, citing “immunity” — a legal shield protecting government workers from liability.
Economy drives high-income families to Dollar Tree
The CEO of Dollar Tree believes tough times are driving sales at the discount giant — which operates both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. Reporting on the quarter that ended in February, CEO Michael Creedon noted a year-over-year increase in both foot traffic (0.7%) and average transaction (up 1.3%). He said while lower-income and middle-income families continue to be the stores’ “bread and butter,” there’s been an uptick in business from higher-income households. “It doesn't matter how much money you make, everybody's hurting right now,” Creedon said in an earnings call in late March.
The CEO of Dollar Tree believes tough times are driving sales at the discount giant — which operates both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. Reporting on the quarter that ended in February, CEO Michael Creedon noted a year-over-year increase in both foot traffic (0.7%) and average transaction (up 1.3%). He said while lower-income and middle-income families continue to be the stores’ “bread and butter,” there’s been an uptick in business from higher-income households. “It doesn't matter how much money you make, everybody's hurting right now,” Creedon said in an earnings call in late March.
Trump Freezes Government Credit Cards
President Donald Trump has ordered a 30-day freeze on 4.6 million government-issued credit cards as part of a larger effort to tighten federal spending. “This order commences a transformation in Federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans to ensure Government spending is transparent and Government employees are accountable to the American public,” the order states. The directive falls under the administration’s Cost Efficiency Initiative, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, which tweeted that nearly $40 billion was charged to government-issued credit cards last year. By late March, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program led by Elon Musk had fully cancelled 315,000 federal credit cards.
President Donald Trump has ordered a 30-day freeze on 4.6 million government-issued credit cards as part of a larger effort to tighten federal spending. “This order commences a transformation in Federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans to ensure Government spending is transparent and Government employees are accountable to the American public,” the order states. The directive falls under the administration’s Cost Efficiency Initiative, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, which tweeted that nearly $40 billion was charged to government-issued credit cards last year. By late March, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program led by Elon Musk had fully cancelled 315,000 federal credit cards.
California wineries slammed by tariffs, high costs
California wineries, which produce about 80% of American wine, are being slammed by tariffs. Canada has issued retaliatory tariffs of 25% in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, and a number of the country’s provinces have pulled U.S. liquor off the shelves. Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards is one of the impacted California wineries. They import the blue glass bottles that their wine is bottled in from China, which is currently subject to a 20% tariff. Although California’s wine industry hasn’t fully felt the impact of the tariffs yet, it's already facing major struggles. When asked by ABC News, the owner of the winery shared that they don’t want to have to raise the prices to their consumers, even though their costs are increasing. Additionally, the U.S. government’s proposed 200% tariff on European wines, Champagnes, and spirits has sent shockwaves through the beverage industry, affecting both importers and domestic producers.
California wineries, which produce about 80% of American wine, are being slammed by tariffs. Canada has issued retaliatory tariffs of 25% in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, and a number of the country’s provinces have pulled U.S. liquor off the shelves. Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards is one of the impacted California wineries. They import the blue glass bottles that their wine is bottled in from China, which is currently subject to a 20% tariff. Although California’s wine industry hasn’t fully felt the impact of the tariffs yet, it's already facing major struggles. When asked by ABC News, the owner of the winery shared that they don’t want to have to raise the prices to their consumers, even though their costs are increasing. Additionally, the U.S. government’s proposed 200% tariff on European wines, Champagnes, and spirits has sent shockwaves through the beverage industry, affecting both importers and domestic producers.
SSA clears the air on erroneous death reports
Amid widespread confusion and accusations from Elon Musk suggesting “millions of dead people” are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration has issued a clarification. In a recent press release, the SSA says it receives more than three million death notices every year. The release offers a glimpse behind the curtain to explain how deaths are reported to the agency and why the SSA believes that, contrary to Musk's claims, the records on file are “highly accurate.” “Of these millions of death reports received each year, less than one-third of 1 percent are erroneously reported deaths that need to be corrected,” the SSA states in its press release. By being transparent, the SSA hopes to correct false narratives spreading on social media while reducing the “devastating” consequences of someone reported as deceased by mistake.
Amid widespread confusion and accusations from Elon Musk suggesting “millions of dead people” are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration has issued a clarification. In a recent press release, the SSA says it receives more than three million death notices every year. The release offers a glimpse behind the curtain to explain how deaths are reported to the agency and why the SSA believes that, contrary to Musk's claims, the records on file are “highly accurate.” “Of these millions of death reports received each year, less than one-third of 1 percent are erroneously reported deaths that need to be corrected,” the SSA states in its press release. By being transparent, the SSA hopes to correct false narratives spreading on social media while reducing the “devastating” consequences of someone reported as deceased by mistake.
Millions in snap benefits stolen in Illinois
Scammers have left many Illinois residents unable to feed their families after stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reports CBS News Chicago. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to low-income households to help fund groceries, but over the past two years, criminals have siphoned off millions. From October 2022 to December 2024, scammers stole nearly $21 million in SNAP benefits from more than 38,000 households across Illinois through almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions. "My family and I can't buy groceries this month," one victim wrote to CBS News. Another Chicago victim said they checked their balance and found $1,039 was stolen from their EBT card in six separate transactions after someone used their benefits hundreds of miles away at a deli and grocery store in New York. “I am not the only victim," she wrote. "When the clerk gave me the report to file she said this has been severe since 2022." But how are thieves getting away with it?
Scammers have left many Illinois residents unable to feed their families after stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, reports CBS News Chicago. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to low-income households to help fund groceries, but over the past two years, criminals have siphoned off millions. From October 2022 to December 2024, scammers stole nearly $21 million in SNAP benefits from more than 38,000 households across Illinois through almost 124,000 fraudulent transactions. "My family and I can't buy groceries this month," one victim wrote to CBS News. Another Chicago victim said they checked their balance and found $1,039 was stolen from their EBT card in six separate transactions after someone used their benefits hundreds of miles away at a deli and grocery store in New York. “I am not the only victim," she wrote. "When the clerk gave me the report to file she said this has been severe since 2022." But how are thieves getting away with it?
How international relations can affect your wallet
As political tensions rise between the U.S. and Canada, partly fueled by President Donald Trump's tariff policies, some people are caught in the middle. Denise Amato, who currently lives in Tonawanda, New York, is a dual citizen of both countries. She says the current political climate has been challenging to navigate with her family and friends. "I've noticed there's some strain," Amato told WKBW TV in a story published March 24. "I'm a little concerned with that because we've been allies for so long." Born in Niagara Falls, New York, and raised in Welland, Ontario, she has deep roots on both sides of the border. She says recent conversations with family and friends increasingly revolve around politics.
As political tensions rise between the U.S. and Canada, partly fueled by President Donald Trump's tariff policies, some people are caught in the middle. Denise Amato, who currently lives in Tonawanda, New York, is a dual citizen of both countries. She says the current political climate has been challenging to navigate with her family and friends. "I've noticed there's some strain," Amato told WKBW TV in a story published March 24. "I'm a little concerned with that because we've been allies for so long." Born in Niagara Falls, New York, and raised in Welland, Ontario, she has deep roots on both sides of the border. She says recent conversations with family and friends increasingly revolve around politics.
Dip in US tourism spells bad news for retirees
Though President Trump has been in office for a little over two months, sweeping changes in his international relations policies have created huge economic impacts, not least of which is the impact on the tourism industry in the United States. With both heavy tariffs and the threat of invasion impacting relations with our north-of-the-border neighbors, Canadian travelers are opting to spend their tourism dollars elsewhere. Aviation analytics company OAG reported that travel to the US from Canada is down 70% year over year. Comparing flight bookings from March 2024 to March 2025, the firm noted that the decline is a concern for the airline industry. But it’s also bound to impact the tourism industry as a whole in the US. This may be more bleak news for retirement savers. Combined with the shaky stock market, those with significant investments in short-term rental properties and other retirement assets tied to the travel industry may see their nest eggs shrink as tourism numbers continue to fall.
Though President Trump has been in office for a little over two months, sweeping changes in his international relations policies have created huge economic impacts, not least of which is the impact on the tourism industry in the United States. With both heavy tariffs and the threat of invasion impacting relations with our north-of-the-border neighbors, Canadian travelers are opting to spend their tourism dollars elsewhere. Aviation analytics company OAG reported that travel to the US from Canada is down 70% year over year. Comparing flight bookings from March 2024 to March 2025, the firm noted that the decline is a concern for the airline industry. But it’s also bound to impact the tourism industry as a whole in the US. This may be more bleak news for retirement savers. Combined with the shaky stock market, those with significant investments in short-term rental properties and other retirement assets tied to the travel industry may see their nest eggs shrink as tourism numbers continue to fall.
How to recession-proof your finances for 2025
Recession fears have dogged Americans since the Covid years, and they’re showing no signs of stopping. In March, J.P. Morgan's chief economist said there's a 40% chance the U.S. will face a recession in 2025. Veronica Willis, global investment strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, says that whether a recession is coming or not, the economy is already in a “slow patch.” Now, with a rocky stock market, President Trump’s tariffs and weakened tourism, the U.S. may be on the verge of an economic downturn. And while many Americans may find this concerning, there are ways to protect yourself and your investments from volatility. Below are three strategies for keeping your bank balance in the black and ensuring your investments are stable.
Recession fears have dogged Americans since the Covid years, and they’re showing no signs of stopping. In March, J.P. Morgan's chief economist said there's a 40% chance the U.S. will face a recession in 2025. Veronica Willis, global investment strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, says that whether a recession is coming or not, the economy is already in a “slow patch.” Now, with a rocky stock market, President Trump’s tariffs and weakened tourism, the U.S. may be on the verge of an economic downturn. And while many Americans may find this concerning, there are ways to protect yourself and your investments from volatility. Below are three strategies for keeping your bank balance in the black and ensuring your investments are stable.
Moneywise Digest