Be Aware of Current Scams
Outsmart The Fraudster
Outsmart the fraudster by being proactive and keeping up to date with scams. Knowledge is the key to prevention. Educate yourself about current scams to individuals and businesses in your area and understand the ways to protect yourself here.
Remember…..
- IRS – The IRS Does Not Call - If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, hang up! The IRS will send you a letter. The IRS will not request payment be made by gift cards, prepaid cards, or store cards or over-the-phone.
- Business email compromises – this will involve a spoofed email address (address is similar but off by one letter or digit) and it will request funds to be sent immediately. Never send funds requested via email, always verify either via phone call or in person with the person you received the email from. If verification by phone, always look up the company phone number from reliable source.
- Fake emails or calls from tech, utility companies or law enforcement where they want you to send money – they will tell you to act quickly or something bad will happen, and they request you purchase gift cards. The first sign that this is fraud is the request for gift cards. You don’t pay your bills or debts with gift cards. Good example of this type of scam is the grandparent/grandchild scam. Always verify with known sources and trusted people if what is being said is true.
- Never trust incoming text messages, emails or phone calls where they are asking you to provide personal information or banking information. Don’t give your personal information to a person you have never meant in person and who you do not have a trusting relationship with. Additionally, don’t click on any links unless it is something you have requested, know the person or company that sent it, and understand what the link is for. Beware of links: links are used by the fraudsters to download malware onto your system.
Keep Up-To Date on Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides scam alerts that monitor the current scams out there, in real time. Have a suspicious feeling about a phone call you received from an unknown number? Confused by an odd email from a business or financial institution? Before you respond, check with the FTC at Scams | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) to see if you are a target of a current scam tactic. Stay educated and trust your gut feelings! If it doesn’t feel right, check before clicking.
Be Proactive
Knowledge is the key to prevention. Educate yourself about scams to individuals and businesses and ways to protect yourself with the provided links above or articles below.