Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting people of all ages. But with some knowledge, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
Common Scams
Preventing a scam is easier than getting money back after a scam. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common scams out there today:
Family Member Scams
This scam often targets the elderly by impersonating a grandchild or relative in distress, often claiming to be in legal trouble or an emergency. Scammers ask for money urgently, usually through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
This scam often targets the elderly by impersonating a grandchild or relative in distress, often claiming to be in legal trouble or an emergency. Scammers ask for money urgently, usually through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
Romance Scams
Targeting people on dating platforms, scammers create fake profiles, build emotional connections, and ask for financial help, claiming emergencies, the need for airline tickets, or investment opportunities.
Targeting people on dating platforms, scammers create fake profiles, build emotional connections, and ask for financial help, claiming emergencies, the need for airline tickets, or investment opportunities.
Accidental Deposit Scams
Scammers pretend to mistakenly send you money via payment apps (like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal) and then contact you to request it back. However, the original payment was made with a stolen or fake account, and returning it means you lose real money
Scammers pretend to mistakenly send you money via payment apps (like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal) and then contact you to request it back. However, the original payment was made with a stolen or fake account, and returning it means you lose real money
Tech Support Scams
You get a call or pop-up alert claiming your computer is infected. The scammer, pretending to be from tech support, requests remote access to your device to “fix” the issue, stealing personal info or demanding payment for non-existent services. Many scammers will spoof the number for the actual business so the call looks like it is coming from a legitimate company representative.
You get a call or pop-up alert claiming your computer is infected. The scammer, pretending to be from tech support, requests remote access to your device to “fix” the issue, stealing personal info or demanding payment for non-existent services. Many scammers will spoof the number for the actual business so the call looks like it is coming from a legitimate company representative.
UPS or Delivery Text Scams
Scammers send a fake text message pretending to be from a delivery company like UPS, FedEx, or DHL, or the United States Postal Service. The message usually claims there’s an issue with your package and includes a link to “resolve” it. Clicking the link leads to a phishing site that tries to steal personal information or payment details.
Scammers send a fake text message pretending to be from a delivery company like UPS, FedEx, or DHL, or the United States Postal Service. The message usually claims there’s an issue with your package and includes a link to “resolve” it. Clicking the link leads to a phishing site that tries to steal personal information or payment details.
How to Avoid Scams
These scams follow different playbooks, but if you watch out for red flags, you can avoid these scams and new ones that pop up!
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- Never text back if the message was unexpected. Don’t even tell them they have the wrong number.
- Hang up and call back. If you receive an unexpected phone call from a loved one, law enforcement, or someone else claiming authority, hang up and call back through a number from your contacts list or verified through a web search.
- Have a safe word. Talk to your family and agree to a safe word or phrase that could be used if someone is distressed during a phone call. If you get an unsettling phone call from a loved one, ask for the safe word. Never post this information online or send it through text or email.
- Refuse to pay the suspicious way. Scammers generally request payment in forms like gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, so any request to pay these ways is a red flag.
- Be wary on social media and dating apps. Know that scammers pose as genuine users on these platforms to connect with potential victims.
Getting Out
If you suspect that you or someone you know is the victim of a scam, stop sending money immediately and end contact. The scammer might become threatening, angry, or attempt to make you feel guilty, but this is a persuasion technique and you have the power.
Don’t delete messages – take screenshots for evidence.
Think you may have been scammed? Take action now:
- Contact MAX at 334.260.2600 (local) or 800.776.6776 (toll-free).
- Change your online banking username and password and set online banking account alerts.
- Use card controls in online banking to turn off/on debit and credit cards and set alerts.
- Consider putting a fraud alert on your credit with the three credit bureaus. Equifax | Experian | TransUnion
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- If you lost money, file a police report.
Source: National Cybersecurity Alliance