During these uncertain times, there is still an influx of people who are using illegal tactics to attempt to scam others out of their money. Not only is this despicable, but it’s done in such a clever way that oftentimes people don’t realize they are being tricked until it’s too late. The following are some tips and information to look out for that can keep you (and your funds) safe:
Emails
Check the email address of the sender
Oftentimes an email can look like it’s coming from your boss, or you friend, or your mother, but in reality, it’s a scammer. A good way to check is to ignore the message (which will usually ask for your cell phone number, or for you to “run a quick errand”) and examine the sender. Nine times out of ten you will realize that the email address isn’t legit; it’s coming from a jumble of numbers and letters. This is one way you can tell that the message isn’t coming from the person you think it is.
Be suspicious of what they’re asking
Most of these messages will ask for personal information, such as your credit card number, phone number, or address. In some cases, scammers will pretend to be someone else and ask you to buy gift cards for a client or something like that, asking for you to send them the info on the back of the gift cards. If you receive any messages along those lines, STOP, and reevaluate. When you dig a little deeper, you might realize it’s a scam.
Never input your personal information
Another way scammers get you to part with your money is by pretending to be from a company like Verizon or Google, and linking you to another website where they will ask you to put in your personal information. Make sure you do NOT click on these links. If you do, absolutely do not provide the information they are asking for, even if the site looks legit. Always remember to check the URL in the web bar – just like the email address, it will usually show you that it’s fake.
Phone
Don’t be afraid to double-check
Even if the company seems reputable. Oftentimes scammers will call you up, pretending to be from the energy company or the phone company. They will be pushy and use scary words to try to frighten you into paying immediately. Real companies don’t operate like that. Tell the person on the phone you will hang up and reach out to them again through the number provided on the official company website. Don’t listen if they try to convince you otherwise. It’s a scam.
Be wary of spoof cards
Scammers can also use “spoof cards” to trick you into thinking your employer or your acquaintance is calling. These cards will allow them to manipulate their phones into mimicking the caller ID, number, and even ringtone of someone you already know. Be highly suspicious if you get any random, or strange texts from someone in your phonebook. Again, never give out sensitive information until you have confirmed without a doubt that the person is who they say they are.
Don’t give out your credit card info
Do not give out your financial information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and you are calling from a number you have gotten from a valid website. This includes bank information, routing numbers, credit card numbers, and gift cards. Scammers are smart about being just pushy and impatient enough to get what they want from you in a short period of time.
All in all, make sure that you are on high alert when you receive any kind of email or phone call that asks you for money in any way. It’s good to be suspicious of situations like the ones detailed above. Make sure that you, your friends, your company, and any elderly people in your life are aware of these common scammer tactics.