Oct 21, 2021 | Blog
Amazon Impersonators Target Consumers, Take Advantage Of Amazon’s Name – Thousands Have Been Targeted In A “Runaway Favorite For Scammers”
The FTC recently reported that “Amazon tops [the] list of impersonated businesses.” According to the FTC, reports to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel point to Amazon as a runaway favorite for scammers. From July 2020 through June 2021, about one in three people who reported a business impersonator said the scammer claimed to be Amazon. About 96,000 people reported being targeted, and nearly 6,000 said they lost money. Reported losses totaled more than $27 million, and the reported median individual loss was $1,000.
These impersonators, according to the FTC, get your attention with messages to call about suspicious activity or unauthorized purchases on your Amazon account. When you call the number, a phony Amazon representative tricks you into giving them remote access to your computer or phone to supposedly fix the problem and give you a refund. But then—whoops—a couple of extra zeros are keyed in and too much money is (supposedly) refunded. They tell you to return the difference. In fact, some people have reported that the “representative” even begged for help, saying Amazon would fire them if the money wasn’t returned.
To make their lies about refunding that so-called overpayment more believable, scammers, reportedly, have accessed people’s online banking. Scammers, according to the FTC, move money from one account to another—say, from savings to checking. Then, when people see a large deposit in their checking account, they think it’s the refund, but it’s all fake. If they send money, as requested, they end up sending their own (very real) money.
Scammers also tell people to buy gift cards and send pictures of the numbers on the back. The scammers may call these numbers “blocking codes” or “security codes,” and explain that sharing them can block the hackers who, supposedly, took over the Amazon account in question. But the only thing those numbers are good for is getting (or stealing) the money on the card. After people send pictures of the gift cards, they often report getting texts confirming a supposed account credit in the amount of each gift card purchase. That’s just another trick scammers use to get their targets to buy more cards.
Another scam involves text messages saying you won a raffle for a free product from Amazon. Consumers who click the link to claim their free prize then have to enter credit card information to pay for “shipping.” Before long, they see charges to which they never agreed.
The FTC reports that the data suggests that Amazon impersonation scams may be disproportionately harming older adults. Over the past year, people ages 60 and older were over four times more likely than younger people to report losing money to an Amazon impersonator. Older adults also reported losing more money—their median reported loss was $1,500, compared to $814 for people under age 60.
The FTC has provided the following guidance to avoid some common tricks business impersonators use:
- Never call phone numbers given in unexpected calls, texts, emails, or messages on social media. And don’t click any links. Those are scams.
- If you’re worried, check it out. Go directly to the company’s website to find out how to reach them. Don’t trust the phone numbers or links that come up in search results.
- Never give anyone remote access to your devices unless you contacted the company first (using its real number). If someone tells you to give remote access to get a refund, it’s a scam.
- Never pay by gift card. Nobody legit will ever require you to. And never send pictures of gift cards. If someone tells you they need the numbers on the back of a gift card, it’s a scam.
- Talk about it. If you’re getting these messages, so are people you know. Help them avoid the scam by sharing what you know.
Source: FTC.gov
Oct 20, 2021 | Blog
Securities Class Action Investigation On Behalf Of Investors Of Höegh LNG Partners LP
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether Höegh LNG Partners LP (“Höegh” or the “Company”) (NYSE: HMLP) violated federal securities laws.
The investigation concerns whether Höegh made false and/or misleading statements to investors about its financial condition.
On July 27, 2021, Höegh “. . . announced that its Board of Directors . . . reduced [Höegh’s] quarterly cash distribution to $0.01 per common unit, down from a distribution of $0.44 per common unit in the first quarter of 2021, commencing with the distribution for the second quarter of 2021 payable on August 13, 2021 to common unitholders of record as of the close of business on August 6, 2021.”
The Company stated that it “. . . needs to conserve its internally generated cash flows to resolve issues related to the ongoing refinancing of the PGN FSRU Lampung credit facility as described below. [Höegh] thereafter expects to use its internally generated cash flow to reduce debt levels and strengthen its balance sheet.”
Höegh also reported that it “. . . received notice from Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd that the revolving credit line of $85 million will not be extended when it matures on January 1, 2023, and that Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd will have very limited capacity to extend any additional advances to [Höegh] beyond what is currently drawn under the facility. In addition, following the consummation of an amalgamation by Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd which closed on May 4, 2021, some provisions of the omnibus agreement entered into in connection with the IPO, terminated in accordance with their terms. With these recent changes, [Höegh’s] liquidity and financial flexibility will be reduced. In light of these factors, as well as current conditions in the FSRU market, which may heighten re-contracting risk, the Board of Directors believes that [Höegh] should use its internally generated cash flow to reduce debt levels and strengthen its balance sheet.” [Emphasis added.]
On this news, Höegh’s stock price dropped $11.57 per share, or approximately 65%, thereby injuring investors.
IF YOU INVESTED IN HÖEGH LNG PARTNERS LP AND WISH TO DISCUSS KEHOE LAW FIRM’S CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS, PLEASE COMPLETE KEHOE LAW FIRM’S SECURITIES CLASS ACTION QUESTIONNAIRE OR CONTACT EITHER JOHN KEHOE, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 801, [email protected], OR MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, [email protected], [email protected].
Sep 23, 2021 | Blog
Eargo Investors With Financial Losses Greater Than $50,000 Encouraged To Contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether Eargo, Inc. (“Eargo” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EAR) violated federal securities laws.
Post-market on September 22, 2021, Eargo disclosed that the Company “ . . . was informed that it is the target of a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice . . . related to insurance reimbursement claims the Company has submitted on behalf of its customers covered by federal employee health plans.” [Emphasis added.]
On this news, shares of Eargo were down over 70% during intraday trading on September 23, 2021, thereby injuring EAR investors.
EARGO INVESTORS WITH LOSSES GREATER THAN $50,000 WHO WISH TO DISCUSS KEHOE LAW FIRM’S SECURITIES CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS SHOULD CONTACT EITHER JOHN KEHOE, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 801, [email protected], OR MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, [email protected], [email protected].
Sep 15, 2021 | Blog
Boston Beer Company Investors Who Acquired Boston Beer Company Securities Between April 22, 2021 And September 8, 2021, Both Dates Inclusive (the “Class Period”), And Suffered Financial Losses Greater Than $100,000 Encouraged To Contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making investors of The Boston Beer Company (“Boston Beer” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SAM) that on September 14, 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Company in United States District Court, Southern District of New York, on behalf of persons and entities that purchased, or otherwise acquired, Boston Beer securities between April 22, 2021 and September 8, 2021, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The class action Plaintiff is pursuing claims against the Boston Beer Defendants under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
According to the class action complaint, throughout the Class Period, the Boston Beer Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects.
The Boston Beer Defendants, allegedly, failed to disclose to investors that (1) Boston Beer’s hard seltzer sales were decelerating; (2) as a result, Boston Beer was reasonably likely to incur inventory write-offs; (3) the Company was reasonably likely to incur shortfall fees payable to third party brewers; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Boston Beer’s financial results would be adversely impacted; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, the Boston Beer Defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
BOSTON BEER INVESTORS WHO ACQUIRED THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES DURING THE CLASS PERIOD AND SUFFERED LOSSES GREATER THAN $100,000 ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE KEHOE LAW FIRM’S SECURITIES CLASS ACTION QUESTIONNAIRE OR CONTACT JOHN KEHOE, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 801, [email protected], [email protected], TO DISCUSS THE CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION OR POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
Sep 13, 2021 | Blog
PaySign, Inc. Investors Who Have Held PAYS Stock Continuously Since At Least March 12, 2019 Encouraged To Contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether certain officers and/or directors of PaySign, Inc. (“PaySign” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PAYS) breached their fiduciary duties to PaySign and the Company’s shareholders.
The investigation concerns, among other things, whether PaySign made false and/or misleading statements to investors, resulting in a significant decline in PaySign’s common stock price.
IF YOU HAVE HELD PAYSIGN (NASDAQ: PAYS) STOCK CONTINUOUSLY SINCE AT LEAST MARCH 2019 AND WISH TO DISCUSS KEHOE LAW FIRM’S INVESTIGATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR POTENTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER JOHN KEHOE, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 801, [email protected], OR MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, [email protected], [email protected], TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OR POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
Sep 10, 2021 | Blog
Merger Investigation On Behalf Of Investors Of Finance of America Companies Who Were Replay Acquisition Corp Shareholders
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether certain officers and/or directors of Replay Acquisition Corp (“Replay” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RPLA) received greater benefits than Replay investors, as a result of the Company’s merger with Finance of America Companies Inc. (“Finance of America”) (NYSE: FOA).
The investigation concerns whether Replay’s board of directors or senior management failed to manage Replay in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to the Company’s shareholders, and whether Replay’s shareholders suffered damages as a result.
On October 12, 2020, Replay executed a merger agreement with the predecessor to Finance of America, with a January 28, 2021, record date for the shareholder vote. On April 1, 2021, the merger transaction closed, with Finance of America continuing as the successor entity.
On August 12, 2021, Finance of America announced quarterly earnings, including a drop in mortgage originations and a narrower gain on sale margins, dropping the stock price to $5.33/share.
IF YOU WERE A REPLAY ACQUISITION SHAREHOLDER AND WISH TO DISCUSS KEHOE LAW FIRM’S INVESTIGATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR POTENTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, [email protected], [email protected], TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OR POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS.
