Fraud Prevention
Financial scams can happen to anyone. However, scammers often single out older and retired individuals due to their regular income and potentially substantial savings. In this article, we’ll explore some common scams and provide tips on how to protect yourself and your savings from these schemes.
Phishing scams are emails or text messages designed to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details. Scammers will often pose as trusted institutions, like banks or government agencies in order to win your trust.
- Always verify the source of an email or message. Legitimate organizations won’t ask for sensitive information through email.
- If you are on a desktop, hover your mouse pointer over links in emails to see the actual web address and make sure it matches the official website of the supposed sender.
- Regularly update your computer’s anti-virus and anti-malware software to help detect phishing attempts.
Tech support scams start when scammers call you, claiming to be from a tech company, and implying that there’s a problem with your computer. They will often ask you to install software so they can remotely access your computer. If they obtain access, they can steal your personal information or install malware.
- Never give out your personal information over the phone to someone you don’t know.
- If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from a tech company, hang up and call the company directly at the number listed on their website.
Impersonation scams rely on manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information or making payments. Scammers may impersonate family members, friends, law enforcement officers, or government employees.
- If someone contacts you asking for money or personal information, independently verify their identity. If the message is supposedly from a friend or family member, contact that person using contact info you already have, not those provided in the message.
- Always ask for identification if someone claims to be an official. Legitimate officials will provide it.
- Scammers often use emotional stories to elicit sympathy and prompt hasty decisions. Take your time to consider before acting.
Impersonation scams rely on manipulating individuals into revealing confidential information or making payments. Scammers may impersonate family members, friends, law enforcement officers, or government employees.
- Do not provide any personal information until you can verify the debt is legitimate.
Investment scams promise a potentially lucrative deal with high returns and little to no risk. These types of scams prey on individuals’ desire to grow their savings.
- Investigate any investment opportunity thoroughly. Verify the legitimacy of the company and check for complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or your local regulatory body.
- Consult with a certified financial advisor before making any significant investments.
In lottery or prize scams, scammers will claim you’ve won a prize, but before you can be rewarded, they require a fee or personal information.
- If you didn’t enter a contest or lottery, it’s unlikely you’ve won anything.
- Legitimate winnings shouldn’t require upfront fees. Avoid sending money or personal information.
In charity scams, scammers will often pose as a real charity, or set up fake charities in the name of popular causes, such as cancer research or disaster relief. These scams often pop up before the holidays as well as after newsworthy natural disasters and emergencies.
- Look for details about the charity, including physical address and contact number.
- You can verify a charity’s legitimacy through their official website or a reputable third-party source.
