scams
Wed Apr 1 14:04:17 EDT 2015
Sound advice for spotting imposter scams:
Don't trust a name or number: Con artists use official-sounding names and they can "spoof" their phone numbers to make you trust them. They can make the caller ID display any number they want - a local police department, government agency, bank, credit card company or other trusted business.
Don't let anyone rush you: Scammers try to pressure their victims into action before they have had time to think. Always be wary of emails, texts, phone calls or phone messages that threaten serious consequences, such as arrest, deportation, shutting off your utilities, if you do not act immediately.
Don't wire money or use a prepaid debit card unless you personally know the recipient: Criminals prefer prepaid debit cards and wire transfers because it's like giving them cash. These transactions are difficult, if not impossible, to trace and once the money is gone, you can't get it back.
Watch for typos, strange phrasing and bad grammar: Scammers can easily copy a government seal, but awkward wording and poor grammar should be a red flag that the message is a scam.
When in doubt, make a call: Before you do anything, call the company or government agency that's supposedly contacting you. Use a phone number you know and trust, not one provided on the email or by the caller.
More from the Federal Trade Commission:
Don't wire money.
Don't pay for a prize.
Don't give the caller your financial or other personal information.
Don't trust a name or number.
Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry - donotcall.gov.
[This entry was originally posted as https://syntonic-comma.dreamwidth.org/730749.html on Dreamwidth (where there are
comments).]
Sound advice for spotting imposter scams:
Don't trust a name or number: Con artists use official-sounding names and they can "spoof" their phone numbers to make you trust them. They can make the caller ID display any number they want - a local police department, government agency, bank, credit card company or other trusted business.
Don't let anyone rush you: Scammers try to pressure their victims into action before they have had time to think. Always be wary of emails, texts, phone calls or phone messages that threaten serious consequences, such as arrest, deportation, shutting off your utilities, if you do not act immediately.
Don't wire money or use a prepaid debit card unless you personally know the recipient: Criminals prefer prepaid debit cards and wire transfers because it's like giving them cash. These transactions are difficult, if not impossible, to trace and once the money is gone, you can't get it back.
Watch for typos, strange phrasing and bad grammar: Scammers can easily copy a government seal, but awkward wording and poor grammar should be a red flag that the message is a scam.
When in doubt, make a call: Before you do anything, call the company or government agency that's supposedly contacting you. Use a phone number you know and trust, not one provided on the email or by the caller.
More from the Federal Trade Commission:
Don't wire money.
Don't pay for a prize.
Don't give the caller your financial or other personal information.
Don't trust a name or number.
Put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry - donotcall.gov.
[This entry was originally posted as https://syntonic-comma.dreamwidth.org/730749.html on Dreamwidth (where there are
comments).]