Lesson 19: Don't be Scammed

Tip #7

Review your credit card and bank account statements. Promptly compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.

What makes a scam?

A convincing website, sounds professional, being persuasive. Scammers are attempting to deceive or trick individuals and dishonestly gain information and money.

Scam

A dishonest way to make money or gain information by deceiving people can occur online, over the phone, by mail, or in person.

Overpayment Scam

Description: You are sent a counterfeit check that looks real. The scammer tells you to deposit the check and wire a portion back to you. Because the check is fake, you will have to pay the bank the full amount of the check.

Tip #3

Collect mail promptly. Place a hold on your mail when you are away from home for several days by contacting the US postal service at https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/.

Tip #11

Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess easily. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases. The Federal Trade Commission has helpful suggestions at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2015/07 /advanced-passwordtips-and-tricks.

Charity

Description: A scammer sets up a fake organization, especially after disasters. They play on your generosity, encourage you to act quickly, and use names that are similar to well'known charities. Where to Report: Contact your state consumer protection office. File a complaint with the FTC. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Check out the charity and verify the name. Don't give in to pressure to donate quickly. Don't send cash.

Tip #2

Don't respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, Social Security Number, or bank account number) by phone, mail, or online.

Tip #5

Enable the security features on mobile devices, especially if you have contacts, banking websites and applications saved.

Tip #13

Freeze your credit files with Equifax, Experian, lnnovis, TransUnion, and the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange, for free. This prevents someone from using your· personal information to open a credit account or get utility services.

Tip #7

Guard your personal information, such as Social Security Number, birthdate, and credit card information. Never give this information to anyone who contacts you unsolicited. Scammers attempt to obtain this information over the phone, by email, on social media, or by knocking on your door.

Tip #6

Be careful when using dating websites. Scammers reach potential targets using a variety of online sites. You may feel the individual you are communicating with is a friend or romantic partner. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Tip #2

Be distrustful of links or attachments in unsolicited emails. Emails may look legitimate but may be fake. Scammers are good at making websites and emails look official.

Tip #10

Be sure to use privacy settings on social media and online accounts. Be careful of what you share on social media. Scammers gain and use information about you from these accounts.

Banking

Description: Attempt to access your banking account. Where to Report: Contact your bank. Report counterfeit checks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Forward phishing emails to the FTC. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Be suspicious. Verify authenticity of check with your bank. Don't deposit checks or money orders from strangers. Never give out your bank account information to someone who calls you. Don't click on emails that ask you to verify your bank account information.

Internet

Description: Either by phone or email, the scammer appears to be representing a well-known company and tells you your computer is infected with a virus. He tries to get you to pay for fake tech support or asks to gain access to your computer to clean up the virus. Phishing is another scam. The scammer uses fake emails, texts or web-sites that look legitimate, attempting to get you to provide your personal information such as passwords, login IDs, Social Security Number, and bank account numbers. They use this to steal your identity or your money. Where to Report: Forward phishing emails to spam@ uce.gov and the organization that is being impersonated in the email. File a report with the FTC. Report internet fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center or by using the FBl's online tip form. Ways to Being a Victim: Don't_ give out your personal information to anyone you don't trust. Don't keep your computer on all the time. Update your antivirus software and anti-spyware programs. Only download spyware from a reputable source. Don't share your passwords and don't use the same password for multiple accounts..

Dating

Description: Scammers pretend to be interested in you. They seem nice online. They may want to use email to communicate. Once the scammer has established a connection with you, he/she may ask for financial help to come visit you, pay for a sick relative or some other need and ask you to wire money. Where to Report: Report the scam to the online website, the FTC, the FBl's Internet Crime Complaint Center and your state attorney general. Ways to Being a Victim: Don't send money or agree to help by buying things online for the individual. Don't wire money to cover travel, emergencies, bills, or visas or to help financially in any way.

Lottery or Sweepstake

Description: Scammers use fake lotteries. Some claim you have won a prize but require a fee to collect it. Some require to give personal information to enter the contest or lottery. Scammers may contact you by phone, mail, or email. Where to Report: Contact FTC, or US Postal Service if scammer used email. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Don't pay a fee or charge, provide your bank or credit card or personal information, be pressured to a ct, or wire money. If mail uses bulk rate, it is likely a scam. If you didn't enter a lottery or contest, then the prize is fake.

Ticket

Description: Ticket scams occur when there is a high demand for a concert, sporting event, plays, etc. Scammers create counterfeit tickets that include a barcode and legitimate logos, sell duplicates of tickets, use hard luck stories to get you to buy a ticket, pretend to sell tickets online to obtain your credit card information or identity. Where to Report: Contact state consumer protection office or FTC. File a report with your local police. Contact your credit card company if you paid using a credit card. File a complaint about the ticket company to the Better Business Bureau. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Buy tickets from authorized brokers or at the venue box office. If buying from an individual, examine the ticket before you buy it. Meet the seller to get the ticket. Check out the web address and be sure the website has an "s" after the "http" if you pay by credit card. Don't wire money or use a prepaid debit card.

Government Grant

Description: You are guaranteed a free grant. Scammer asks for your checking account number to deposit the money or withdraw a one-time processing fee. Where to Report: Contact the FTC. If you've paid a fee, contact your state consumer protection office. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Don't pay money for any government grant. Get information online at grants.gov, or at your public library. Don't give your bank account information.

Telephone Scams

Description: You receive a call from someone you don't know who is trying to sell you something. If you ask for more information they may send you to a fake website or give you names of satisfied customers who are fake. They pressure you to make a decision. There are many types of phone scams; you won money, get a bonus if you make the purchase immediately, and free or low cost vacations are just a few. Where to Report: Report scam to the FTC. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Don't share your social security, bank or credit card numbers even if the caller asks you to.confirm them. Get information in writing before you agree to pay. Don't send cash or use a money transfer. Don't agree to a free gift if you have to pay a shipping fee or registration fee. Don't be pressured into making a decision.

Identity Theft

Description: a thief steals you personal information, such as name or Social Security Number to commit fraud. This information is used to file taxes, apply for credit, and get medical services. Individuals are often unaware of the theft until they receive bills, are notified by a collection agency, or are denied loans. There are many types of identity thefts: Child, Tax ID, Medical, Senior, and Social Security, Where to Report: Report identity theft online to the FTC. You will receive a report and a recovery plan. Also report theft to credit reporting agencies, state consumer protection office, financial institutions, and retailers where accounts were opened. Ways to Avoid Being a Victim: Don't carry your Social Security card on you. Collect your mail promptly. Review your credit card and bank statements. Shred anything with your personal information before placing in the trash. Use complex passwords. Review your credit report once a year.

Tip #9

Do not accept and deposit a check at your bank and then agree to wire money to the caller. If the check you deposit turns out to be a fake, you are responsible for repaying the bank.

Tip #1:

Do not send money using a wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or a gift card. Do not send money to someone you have not met.

Tip #4

Do not use a wire transfer, prepaid money card, gift card or any method to pay for goods, services, taxes or debts. These can't be traced and are like paying with cash.

Tip #3

Don't be pressured to make a decision or take action. Scammers try to pressure you and make you think that an action must be taken immediately.

How are the scammers attempting to obtain information and money?

IRS and officials.

Tip #8

If you win a prize, a contest or the lottery, you will not be asked to send money to cover the cost of shipping or other expenses.

Tip #10

Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer.

Tip #4

Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.

Tip #12

Review your credit report once a year to be certain that it doesn't include accounts that you have not opened. You can order it for free from annualcreditreport.com.

Tip #8

Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired credit cards, to prevent "dumpster divers" from getting your personal information.

Tip #9

Store personal information in a safe place.

How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft:

Tip #1:Secure your Social Security Number (SSN). Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your SSN when absolutely necessary.

Tip #6

Update sharing and firewall settings when you're on a public wi-fi network. Consider using a virtual private network, which can give you the privacy of a secured private network.

Tip #5

Use secure websites. Make sure the website has "https" in the URL. The "s" stands for secure. Pay for purchases on line using a credit card but check out the company to make sure it is a reputable business.

Phishing

You receive an email message asking to verify your banking account or credit card numbers.