BEWARE – scams are on the rise again! There are thousands of new SCAMS every year and there is no way to keep up with them all (we know, we try!). 2020 has been a most challenging year and scammers are looking to capitalize on every opportunity it presents. Elections, Social security, IRS, Sweepstakes, Romance, Computer Hacking, Spoofing, Identity Theft, Golden Opportunity, Charity, medical… the list of potential SCAMS goes on and on.
So how do you protect yourself? By being aware, alert, informed and prepared. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. This saying still holds true and we are all well served to remember it. Here are some tips to help yourself:
1. Never send money to someone you have never met face-to-face. Seriously, just don't ever do it. And really, really don't do it if they ask you to use wire transfer, a prepaid debit card, or a gift card (those cannot be traced and are as good as cash).
2. Don't click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email. Links can download malware onto your computer and/or steal your identity. Be cautious even with email that looks familiar; it could be fake.
3. Don't respond to emails from someone you do not personally know. Delete the email. Responding can open Pandora's Box. If you accidentally delete an important email from someone you do know, it will surely come up in conversation the next time you talk.
4. Don't believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is. Even Caller ID can be faked.
5. Don't buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Even then, the site could be shady. Check out the company first at bbb.org. Read reviews about the quality of the merchandise, and make sure you are not buying cheap and/or counterfeit goods.
6. Be extremely cautious when dealing with anyone you've met online. Scammers use dating websites, Craigslist, social media, and many other sites to reach potential targets. They can quickly feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but that is part of the con to get you to trust them.
7. Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it's over the phone, by email, on social media, even at your front door. This includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate, and Social Security/Social Insurance numbers.
8. Don't be pressured to act immediately. Scammers typically try to make you think something is scarce or a limited time offer. They want to push you into action before you have time to think or to discuss it with a family member, friend, or financial advisor. High-pressure sales tactics are also used by some legitimate businesses, but it's never a good idea to make an important decision quickly.
9. Do not engage in conversation with Solicitors. If you happen to answer the phone and the person on the other line turns out to be a stranger, simply hang up. The less conversation/interaction you have with them, the harder it is for them to con you.
10. Don't respond to emails from someone you do not personally know. Delete the email. Responding can open Pandora's Box. If you accidentally delete an important email from someone you do know, it will surely come up in conversation the next time you talk.
These are but a few words of advice that can help avoid a detrimental situation. Whether you have been the victim of SCAM or successfully avoided a con, reporting these incidents is important. True, the chances of scammers being caught are quite slim, but by reporting you, at the very least, help create awareness. And Authorities do investigate, even if we don't “see” it. Reporting can be done by going online to any or all of these:
A) Federal Communications Commission (for Spoofing) – https://www.fcc.gov/spoofing
B) Federal Trade Commission (Bureau of Consumer protection – CPS) – https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection
C) Arizona Attorney General (Office of Consumer Complaints) – https://consumer-complaint.azag.gov
D) FBI (Cyber Crime and more) – https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber
E) BBB SCAM Tracker (Better Business Bureau, report SCAMS, Search, SCAM Alerts, SCAM Research) – https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us
F) beatitudes Campus SCAM Reporting – https://bcampus.org/scams
Stay on your toes and don't make it easy for scammers to steal your money; because truly, that is ALL they are interested in. If you ever have any questions about SCAMS, please call me at x18490 — Gabi Holberg
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