By Shannin Prather
April 2022 | 2022 Spring Newsletter
Trust is a powerful and valuable commodity. While most people are good and will not cheat or take advantage of others, there are those who seek opportunities to do just that. Scammers are individuals who lie and take advantage of people whom they consider easy targets. These smooth-talking swindlers cheat and steal from unsuspecting consumers.
Know how to protect yourself from scammers by recognizing possible scams when you see them. Below is a list of some of the most common scams and how to avoid becoming a victim.
Telemarketing
Perhaps the most common scheme; scammers use fake telemarketing calls to prey on unsuspecting victims.
Tips: Do not give out your social security number, credit card information, or shopping account login information—such as an Amazon account. If you receive a call, text, or email claiming an account has been frozen or there has been a false charge on an account, do not respond or click on any links. Contact the company using verified contact information to investigate the claims yourself.
Email scams
Email messages may appear to be from a real company or institution, asking
targets to “update” or “verify” their personal information. For instance, an email can appear to be from the IRS, a bank, or an online shopping account.
Tips: The IRS does not email you to ask for personal information. Do not click on any links in a suspicious email. Instead, contact the company or organization yourself to investigate the claims.
Sweepstakes & lottery scams
Scammers inform their mark that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes but need to make some form of payment to access the prize money. The target mails a check to pay the “fee”, which is cashed by the scammers. The target is sent a check for the “prize”, making it seem real. However, the fake “prize” check is eventually rejected by the bank.
Tips: If you win a prize, you do not have to pay for it. Also, you cannot win a lottery or sweepstakes if you did not enter one.
Consider putting your name and phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This is a free service and will help stop telemarketers from contacting you. Visit donotcall.gov.
If you suspect that you are being targeted for a scam you can call the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) toll-free helpline at (877) 908-3360. Learn more about common scams by visiting aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/.
You can also receive guidance on scams by visiting the Protection & Security webpage by Sourcewise at mysourcewise.com/category/protection-security/.
Trust is a powerful and valuable commodity. While most people are good and will not cheat or take advantage of others, there are those who seek opportunities to do just that. Scammers are individuals who lie and take advantage of people whom they consider easy targets. These smooth-talking swindlers cheat and steal from unsuspecting consumers.
Know how to protect yourself from scammers by recognizing possible scams when you see them. Below is a list of some of the most common scams and how to avoid becoming a victim.
Telemarketing
Perhaps the most common scheme; scammers use fake telemarketing calls to prey on unsuspecting victims.
Tips: Do not give out your social security number, credit card information, or shopping account login information—such as an Amazon account. If you receive a call, text, or email claiming an account has been frozen or there has been a false charge on an account, do not respond or click on any links. Contact the company using verified contact information to investigate the claims yourself.
Email scams
Email messages may appear to be from a real company or institution, asking targets to “update” or “verify” their personal information. For instance, an email can appear to be from the IRS, a bank, or an online shopping account.
Tips: The IRS does not email you to ask for personal information. Do not click on any links in a suspicious email. Instead, contact the company or organization yourself to investigate the claims.
Sweepstakes & lottery scams
Scammers inform their mark that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes but need to make some form of payment to access the prize money. The target mails a check to pay the “fee”, which is cashed by the scammers. The target is sent a check for the “prize”, making it seem real. However, the fake “prize” check is eventually rejected by the bank.
Tips: If you win a prize, you do not have to pay for it. Also, you cannot win a lottery or sweepstakes if you did not enter one.
Consider putting your name and phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. This is a free service and will help stop telemarketers from contacting you. Visit donotcall.gov.
If you suspect that you are being targeted for a scam you can call the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) toll-free helpline at (877) 908-3360. Learn more about common scams by visiting aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/.
You can also receive guidance on scams by visiting the Protection & Security webpage by Sourcewise at mysourcewise.com/category/protection-security/.