A recent news article described a scam that had bilked a scammee out of thousands of dollars. The scammer who called claimed to be law enforcement, and the targeted scammee had “missed a jury duty date”. The only way to avoid serious repercussions, according to the scammer, was through payment which consisted of a large amount of money on gift cards. The scammee was to purchase the gift cards and provide the numbers to the scammer. Unfortunately, the scammee provided those numbers and the money was lost. There was no missed jury duty date. The scammee’s fears were unfounded.
“Hello”, the mechanical voice says when you answer the phone. The voice goes on with threats about law enforcement coming to get you if you don’t rectify your tax debt. You are directed to Press 1 in that authoritative mechanical voice to avoid jail, fines, and public humiliation. The voice is matter-of-fact, firm, and the scammers hope it’s a voice that will make you pay attention. Scam. Hang up. The Internal Revenue Service doesn’t do this. If you are concerned that this may be legit, look up the number for the IRS and contact them.
The Social Security Administration is going to block my Social Security Number because of illegal activity in Somewhere, USA. That voice – also automated – warns me that I could be in deep trouble if I don’t talk to someone in their agency to get this resolved. Scam. Hang up.
An on-line retailer called to let me know that an iPhone had been charged to my account to the tune of $1100.00. That’s a lot of money but I don’t have an account with that company. Scam. Hang up.
You may get an email from your “financial institution” much like the above. Your account has been compromised. But you don’t have an account with that entity. Hit the delete key.
For the most part, the calls are automated and the voice is a robotic. I don’t know what pressing 1 does. I’ve never done it. Evidently, according to the numbers of people who were scammed, a lot of people DO press 1. Don’t be one of those people. Hang up.
Utility scams are other ways that scammees are targeted. What could be so frightening as to think that our utilities will be disconnected in the middle of winter?
I’ve written about romance scams, grandchild scams, kidnapping scams…..there are so many ways that scammers will try to get money or information.
Why do people succumb to these scams? What do the scams have in common? Check back on LEDE for Part 2.
Stay safe.
