How to Protect Yourself From A Scam
THE MODERN WORLD OF A SCAM
Technology has put our lives on our phones. We can order food, a ride, movie tickets, merchandise, etc., with a few clicks. We can deposit checks and pay our bills using our banking app. All of which leaves us susceptible to a scam. We can protect ourselves by ensuring we get notifications for everything, such as when our bank balance is low; a purchase above a certain limit has been made, an item you were viewing at Macy’s is now at a lower price, new deals are available on your rewards credit card, car registration is due, etc.
ALL OF WHICH SAY “CLICK HERE!”
THE PREDICAMENT
Fraudsters have also continued to follow technology and have learned that the public relies on these notifications and the ease of hitting the “CLICK HERE” button. If you need to pay a bill, “CLICK HERE” we’re happy to take your money!
Although many of the notifications you receive are legitimate – some are not and it only takes one click to wreak havoc on your financial future. The latest text notification I received is “CLICK HERE” to pay my E-Z Pass bill, which is past due. I have my E-Z pass account set up to automatically refill my account, there is no way I can be overdue – A SCAM!
I have also received texts from Fedex/UPS telling me my delivery is stuck at the warehouse and I should “CLICK HERE” to get it released. A SCAM!
An email that my CVS account has been hacked “CLICK HERE” to fix it. A SCAM!
A text from my Facebook friend, they need me to send them the security code as they have been locked out. The text looks like it came from my friend. NOPE IT DIDN’T – MY FACEBOOK ACCOUNT WAS HACKED.
And the worst one I just heard about. A person received a call from their bank, where the person indicated that the bank has been hacked and they are helping all of their customers wire their money to a safer location. NOOOOO – SCAM!
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
I know it is easy to click on the link provided, it seems so convenient, but it takes one click for imposters to infiltrate your life and make it at least irritating to at worst a nightmare!
You can protect yourself. It might not be as convenient, but it will keep you nightmare-free! NEVER CLICK THE LINK. If you are receiving notifications, you have signed up for an account online. Whatever that notification is telling you, you can confirm by signing onto your account and reviewing it.
In addition, never give passcodes or personal information over email or text. Call the person, we all have phones that still work for talking to one another, if you are still unsure, ask the person on the other end to verify they are who they say they are, ask them something only you and they know.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
New York State Scam Prevention – New York State has an excellent website where you can learn more about the most common scams in our area. This website offers the following information to help you prevent being scammed
- Avoiding Advance Loan Scams
- Avoiding Charity Scams
- Avoiding Door-to-Door Sales Fraud
- Avoiding Employment Scams
- Avoiding Fraudulent “Anti-Aging” or Health Products
- Avoiding Health Insurance Fraud
- Avoiding Home Improvement Scams
- Avoiding Home Loan Modification and Mortgage Scams
- Avoiding Investment Fraud
- Avoiding Nigerian Money Offer Scams
- Avoiding Phishing Scams
- Avoiding Scams Targeting the Military
- Avoiding Scams Targeting Seniors
- Avoiding “Secret” Shopper Scams
- Avoiding Social Networking Scams
- Avoiding Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams
- Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud
- Avoiding Work-at-Home Scams
AARP is always an excellent resource for researching prevalent scams. I am not paid to tell you I find AARP an extremely helpful resource in my business and personally, and I believe it is worth the money to join. Here is a link to their Scams & Fraud section.