Scam Update: Current Scams and How to Spot Them
Today, we’re going to update you on the most popular current scams floating around out there. As you probably already know, scammers are always looking for new ways to get their hands in your pockets and steal your money, or even worse — your identity.
VPNs and identity theft protection companies cannot protect you from identity theft – regardless of their sometimesoutrageous promises. The best way to protect your money and your identity is by keeping up-to-date with all the latest scams and by using common sense while you’re using your phone or while you’re on the Web. Don’t let your guard down, stay informed, and stay safe.
Here are some of the current most common scams making the rounds right now
Impersonation Scams – Hackers can spoof numbers for government agencies, like the IRS, debt collectors, your local bank, or even people you know, asking for sensitive information.
Reactivation Scams – Scammers may send text messages asking you to reactivate your account by clicking on a link or calling a number.
Delivery Notification Scams – You may receive a text message or email saying that you have a package waiting for you and to click on the link to track it.
Prize Scams – Scammers claim that you’ve won a large prize or lottery and are required to pay an ‘administrative fee’ in order to claim it.
Family Emergency Scams – You may receive a call from someone pretending to be a loved one in distress and asking for money to help them out with an emergency.
Here are some tips on how to spot scams
Understand that scammers often pretend to be from trusted organizations. They may utilize technology to impersonate names and phone numbers. So what you see on your device may not be real. They can also create counterfeit websites that look very much like the trusted website they’re counterfeiting.
Criminals may include high pressure, urgent requests — citing a problem or prize that needs your immediate attention.
Many phishing emails or texts will contain grammatical errors in the message or sender’s email address.
Scammers very often request a specific payment method that you must use to remedy the situation. Most often they’ll ask you to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency.
They may send you a check. Really! That’s right, they may send you a check to deposit, asking you to send back a portion of the money. When it’s discovered the check is fake you’ll be out the funds.
Our dual missions are to help you with your PC and to keep you safe on the web. Stay informed as to what the latest scams are, always be alert, always use common sense, and be wary. We hope this helps you stay safe.
My husband was asked for his Medicare number the other day when a “Medical for Seniors” call was answered. Because I had recently heard an ad saying, “Never give out your Medicare number,” I quickly called the official Medicare number (they are open 24/7 for calls) and reported the incident, had them flag his file since they called him by name, and they noted it in their records. I believe they were going to sign him up for all those “advantages” he doesn’t have with the regular policy.
Great Article Thank You !
I AM A Senior But Pretty up to date on scams . Or Try to be .It’s Important To Be Aware These Days
The One I Didn’t See You Mention is the ” CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ” SCAM. Waiting for the “Yes “Reply
How They Use That Verbal Prompt Is Not Clear To Me Except To Sign You Up For Things .I’m not really sure But i hope all are aware of that scam as well ! . we get up to 20 scam calls a DAY It all goes to our Answering machine If it’s Something Important and Legit , They Will Call Back Or We Contact Them Through AN OFFICIAL NUMBER For Them . My Daughter Fell Victim TO ID Thief years ago to the point of having her Utilities TURNED OFF ! The FBI told her they get over 3000 calls a day for ID Theft ! SO Thank YOU For This Public AWARENESS Email . I HOPE EVERYONE SHAARES IT . A NON Computer scam for those looking to rent a house < the one i refer to was in a desperate state < is for the Rentee to say they forgot the Keys when they get there to see the house ! BUT She Gave Them A Deposit to hold the house for HER anyway !! ugh !!! Be safe an Thanks Once Again