Scams got a big boost during the pandemic and we’ve been hearing about more folks (even very tech-savvy ones) getting caught up.
We wanted to share some tips so you and your loved ones can stay safe.
You might think your friends, family, and elders would be too smart to get caught, but the wider we spread awareness of the latest info, the better. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who could use a refresher on the latest scams, as saving even one person from falling victim to these would be worth it.
The goal of scams is to steal your money, steal your accounts, or steal your identity.
Here’s what you need to know:
Phishing emails and texts mimic legitimate communications to trick you into giving up account logins, credit card or bank details, or other sensitive data so scammers can use or sell them.
What do they look like? Scammers send you an email or text message asking you to verify your account or payment info, track a package, or unfreeze your account. Inside is a link to a (very convincing) fake website that steals your info.
Scammers might also send you a file attachment or document link to get you to click and install malware on your computer or phone.
Here’s how to avoid getting scammed:
Here’s a phishing email in action. Can you identify the red flags? (Answers in the P.S.)
How many did you see? Did you catch the fake number at the bottom? Sneaky!
Spoofing calls are another scam that’s on the rise. Scammers “spoof” the info on your caller ID to make it look like they’re calling from a legitimate organization.
What do they look like? Scammers may claim to be from your bank, the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or other organizations to trick you into sending money or giving up sensitive information.
They may claim you owe money or threaten you with the police if you don’t take action right away.
In other cases, they will impersonate a financial institution, claim your account is locked, and attempt to gain your account credentials to “unlock” it.
They might even call about an unexpected refund or windfall that you can only receive right now by handing over your personal information.
How to avoid getting scammed:
Want to report a scammer who targeted you? The FTC collects reports here.
Folks, stay safe out there.
And never be afraid to contact a company through its official phone number or website to ask for clarification about a message or call. Better safe than sorry.
P.S. How many red flags did you spot in the phishing email?
Advisory services offered through Wilon Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Adviser Firm.