scams are painfully real! Just ask anyone who has given their life savings to a scammer for the promise of a dream come true. Reliable statistics on the subject are hard to come by, for several reasons. Not everybody reports the scam (also for several reasons) and different agencies collect different data on different scams. Collectively, one website claims that in 2016 one in ten Americans fell victim to a phone scam to the tune of estimated $9.5 Billion overall. This was for phone scams alone, no mention of internet, social media and e-mail generated scams.
Generally, the advice is to not answer your phone if the number shown is unknown to you. However, scammers have become much more sophisticated and are now able to create caller IDs that appear to be legitimate. They can create a call, for example, showing the victim's bank as the caller or, as it has happened right here on campus, coming up as a campus number. The same goes for e-mail scammers. They can show up as someone you know. Only when you look closer may you notice that something is a tiny bit off.
This is where the next “Rule of Thumb” is crucial: NEVER give out personal information such as your Date of Birth, Social Security number, bank account/card and credit card numbers, health insurance information, passwords, security codes, etc. Instead, hang up—you do not need to provide any reason for doing so—and call back using a number you know is legitimate. Don't worry about “being rude”! Scammers count on your good upbringing and will use it against you if you give them the chance.
For the next 12 months you will see monthly Scam prevention Tips in the Roadrunner. I hope they will help you in some way. Please remember, any time you feel something doesn't sound right, go with your gut! Ask a family member, friend or one of us employees for a second opinion before taking a stranger's word for truth. You do not deserve to be taken advantage of!
Soon, you will also see announcements of a trial Scam Prevention Workshop. Korry Nelson and I are working together to create a LLL class for you with the goal of arming you with better tools to protect yourself against these criminals. Initially, there will be three classes, complete with guest speakers, scam examples, standard reply suggestions and, hopefully, even testimonials from your neighbors who became victims. If you are interested in sharing your story, please contact us right away: Korry – x18493 or Gabi – x18490.
The introduction Workshop will be held in September on Fridays, 13th, 20th and 27th, from 10—11AM in the Agelink Great Hall. We hope to see you there! In the meantime, keep reading the scam prevention tips in your Roadrunner and remember: Don't give them ANYTHING—or they will take EVERYTHING.
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