Scammers are everywhere. They try to reach us in person, on the phone, through email, social media, or even through signs on telephone poles. Nothing is off-limits in terms of civility or basic ethics. They will claim to be a relative, the police, a charity, a utility company, a potential lover, a prospective employer, or a government entity. They will play on your emotions. They will emphasize the immediacy of the need. They will exploit you, given the chance.
HANG UP the phone. Don’t worry about being polite. Better yet – don’t answer the phone if you don’t know the number.
Do NOT respond to emails or texts. That verifies that the scammer has a working number.
Do NOT click on links. They can lead to fake sites or direct your information to a scammer.
Do NOT let people in your home if you don’t know them or if they don’t have proper identification. If in doubt, call the company and verify that the contact is legitimate. (While the person waits outside.)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a boon to scammers. Short audio clips of a person’s voice can be converted into a conversation indicating a loved one is in need. Have a code word or phrase and ask the caller for the code. Do not be pressured. Check on the loved one in question before taking action.
AI can also help create deep fake videos and pictures. Look for irregularities in skin tone, eye focus, hands (How many fingers are there? Yes, I’m serious), or other features. Insist on a Facetime contact or other “in-person” contact.
Be aware of the scams that are making the rounds.
- “You need a new Medicare card scam”: No, you don’t. Your card does not expire. There is no new plastic or metal card. Medicare does NOT need your personal information. They have it. Medicare will not call you or email you.
- Employment scams: Employers are looking for people to work for them in every field. This is great for scammers. They may give you an application (which gives them your personal information). They tell you to buy equipment or training that they will sell you. A fake employer may send a large paycheck and ask you to send the “extra” back. It may involve receiving money and sending funds to another account, or receiving and reshipping packages. These “money mule” and “reshipping mule” jobs are often part of an illegal operation, and you could be personally liable.
- Data breaches are not scams but could lead to scams. Several data breaches have occurred in the past year including a major medical entity. There were several others including TMobile and Verizon. You may want to research companies that offer identity theft protection. AAA members are offered a basic subscription for identity theft and several insurances also cover identity theft. Check with your insurer. Obtain your credit scores through the major credit reporting companies.
Stay safe.
