Most fraudsters fall under two broad categories. Always be cautious when someone contacts you out of the blue and asks for your personal information.
Legitimate organizations will not call or text to ask for such information. Don’t click on links in emails that you don’t know the sender.
Don’t give out personal information
Many scams such as the Monzo scam text ask for personal information which can be used to steal money or your identity. They can come in the form a phone, text message or email. It is best not to give out personal information unless the conversation is initiated by you. If you do give out your information, ask what it will be used for and how it will be protected. You should also not carry around your Social Security number or leave any paperwork with it lying around.
It is also a good idea to use secure websites and avoid using public wifi when making online purchases or accessing sites that have personal information such as your bank account or credit card. It is important to use privacy settings when using public wifi.
Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people into sending them money or giving them their personal information. They may pretend that they are someone you know or a government agency. They could also pretend to be a charity. They may also try and pressure you to act quickly.
Some scammers will also try to spoof your caller ID number or send you a fake link with a fake website. Searching for the domain name in an Internet search engine will help you determine if a site is legitimate. You can also hover over a link and see where it takes you.
Scammers are known to target seniors. They may even pretend to be their family or friends. They can be very intimidating and threatening, claiming that they have information about a loved-one who is sick or hurt, or that he or she is in danger of being sued, arrested, or losing their license. They may also try and convince you to send them a cashier’s check or wire money. They may also try to get you to open attachments on emails, some of which contain viruses that can harm your computer or expose your personal information.
Don’t give out money
As personal information is shared more online, scammers are more targeted. They are able to identify people, places, and dates to tailor phony demands for payment or gain access to financial accounts. Scams can affect anyone, but certain groups are more susceptible, such as seniors, people with debt, consumers with limited English proficiency, and those with a mental illness or addiction history.
Many scammers pretend to be an official organization or business like the IRS or a bank. They may even change the name that appears on your caller ID to make it seem more legitimate. Some scammers will send emails that look like legitimate coupons or rebates, but contain malware to steal your personal information or lock your computer so you can’t use it until you pay a ransom.
It is never a wise idea to give money out to strangers. If someone asks you to pay via cryptocurrency, wire transfers such as Western Union, MoneyGram, and prepaid cards like Vanilla, it’s probably a scam. No legitimate company or government agency would request these forms.
Some scammers even go so far as to ask that you act as a’money mule’ and send them stolen payments from other victims. This is a dangerous and illegal act, so be cautious of anyone who asks for you to perform this.
Scammers are more successful if they can convince you that you need to act immediately. Resist the pressure to take action right away. Don’t let them get your guard down by demonstrating trust or being too friendly and familiar. If you have any doubts, do a quick Google search or talk to a trusted friend about what they are asking for before acting. This will help you spot a scam before it’s too late. Charity scams are very common around holidays and in response to natural disasters or emergencies, so be wary of any charities that contact you requesting donations. If you are unsure of a charity’s legitimacy, you can always do an online search or contact their headquarters directly to learn more.
Don’t give out your credit card numbers
Scammers are constantly trying to find new ways to steal personal information and money. One of the most common is to ask for your credit card number, which they can then use to make unauthorized purchases on your account. Never give out your credit card numbers over the phone or in email, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact. Call or visit the website of the company requesting your credit card information to verify the information.
You should also be cautious about giving out your credit card number if you are shopping or paying for services online, even if the site offers to save your card information on file. In data breaches, major websites have leaked millions of credit card details. Hackers also search the internet to find credit card numbers for identity theft. Finally, be wary of revealing your credit card number if you’re using public wifi to make purchases or log in to financial accounts. For these types of activities, it’s best to use only the encrypted “https version” of websites.
Many scams are perpetrated by pretending to be a government agency or company you know. This could be the FTC or the Social Security Administration, IRS, Medicare or a utility. They may claim you owe a lot of money or that a member of your family is in a dire situation, and then they will pressurize you to take action. They may also try to trick you into giving them your information by changing the name and number that appears on caller ID or email.
In some cases, the scammers will ask you to wire them money or send them a check in a specific way. They might require that you use cryptocurrency, a wire service like MoneyGram or Western Union, or a payment app. You may be asked to receive or send packages containing goods or cash. These scams can be particularly dangerous for people who have limited resources, like seniors or consumers with a lot of debt; those who are not fluent in English; or those who live in rural areas. These groups will be more likely to fall victim to scams that involve coercion and emotional abuse.
Don’t donate money
Scammers take advantage of the generosity of charitable donations. Scammers will often impersonate charity and use social networking sites or crowdfunding websites in order to solicit money. They may also call or text unwitting victims in an attempt to steal their personal data. Stop the interaction if you receive a request for donations from someone who doesn’t seem trustworthy or makes you feel pressed to donate. Do not donate until you have verified the legitimacy of an organization using a charity evaluator website or by calling its direct phone number.
Charity scams are especially prevalent during times of disaster or crisis, when legitimate organizations have a hard time getting donations to victims. Fake charities may be created in response to current events or natural catastrophes, and claim that they can help families affected by hurricanes or wildfires. However, these groups often don’t have the infrastructure to get the funds directly to those in need.
Other warning signs can include vague sentimental statements and limited information about how the money donated will be used. Scammers also may urge you to make a donation with wire transfer or gift cards, which are harder to trace. They may also promise you sweepstakes prizes in exchange for your donation.
Scammers can also send emails or text messages containing links to websites that look like the real thing, but have fake donation pages that allow them to collect your financial and personal information. If you receive a message like this, do not click the links. Instead, open a new window and navigate to the official charity website.
You should also be cautious of celebrity or athlete fundraisers. In many cases, these are actually tax-exempt dodges that allow celebrities to skirt paying their fair share of taxes while posing as noble humanitarians. In addition, these fundraising efforts can be used to promote other illegitimate businesses that don’t benefit the community. These types of charitable endeavors often involve family members and close friends of the celebrities who are involved, so accountability and oversight is not possible. When it comes to donating, it’s best to stick to traditional and well-established charities.
