Scam Prevention

Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contact

Be wary of unexpected emails, phone calls, texts, or visitors claiming to be from companies or organizations. Legitimate businesses typically don't contact you out of the blue asking for personal information. Be cautious of an email that just has an image in the body containing the text content usually in the body, this is a tactic to circumvent scam/spam email detection systems.

Protect Your Personal Information

Never share sensitive details like your Social Security number, bank account information, or passwords with someone who contacts you unsolicited. Reputable organizations won't ask for this information via unsecured methods.

Avoid Pressure Tactics

Be cautious of anyone pushing you to make an immediate decision or payment. Scammers often use urgency to prevent you from thinking things through.

Use Secure Payment Methods

Never send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards to someone you haven't met. These payment methods are difficult to trace and are favored by scammers.

Verify Before You Trust

Research companies and offers before engaging. Look up contact information independently rather than using what's provided. For online purchases, ensure websites are secure (look for "https" and a lock icon). A lock and "https" does not mean the site is safe, it just means your connection to the site is secure you always want to verify that the website is safe and legit before interacting with it.

Be Cautious Online

Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments in unsolicited emails. Use strong, unique passwords and keep your devices' security software updated.

Trust Your Instincts

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be especially wary of "guaranteed" loans, prizes, or investments promising unusually high returns.

Seek Advice

If you're unsure about an offer or request, consult with trusted friends, family members, or professionals before taking action.

Claims of Authority

Scammers may impersonate representatives from government agencies or reputable companies, using official-sounding language to gain your trust. Always verify their identity independently.

Emotional Manipulation

Many scams exploit emotions by claiming that a loved one is in trouble or that you have won a prize but must pay fees upfront. If someone plays on your feelings to elicit money or information, be cautious.

Fake Alerts, Popups, and Notifications

Be suspicious of pop-up messages on your computer claiming your device is infected with malware and instructing you to call a support number. These are often traps set by scammers. Be suspicious of websites claiming you need to verify you're not a robot by clicking a button, however, this is actually a site request to send notifications and can lead to fake notifications masquerading as the computer OS or something else.

Requests for Money Upfront 

If an offer requires you to pay fees before receiving a promised prize or service, it's likely a scam.

Inconsistencies in Communication 

Look for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or generic greetings in emails and messages. Professional organizations typically maintain high communication standards, but with the advent of AI many scam emails are now being written by AI and this scam-spotting tip is no longer so effective.

Educate Yourself About Common Scams

Stay informed about prevalent scams and their tactics. Knowledge is one of the best defenses against falling victim to fraud.

Limit Social Media Sharing

Be mindful of what you post online, as scammers can use personal information gleaned from social media to target you more effectively. Adjust your privacy settings to restrict access to your personal information.

Be Wary of Online Interactions

Exercise caution when engaging with people met online, especially on dating sites or social media. Scammers often build trust over time to exploit their victims.

Specific Payment Methods: 

If you're asked to pay using unconventional methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, this is a red flag. Scammers prefer these methods because they are hard to trace and recover stolen funds.

By following these guidelines and staying informed about common scam tactics, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to fraud. Remember, it's always better to be cautious and take your time when making decisions involving your personal information or finances.

1. 

Never Download remote access software like Ultraviewer, Teamviewer, Supremo Control, Screen Connect, and Anydesk for an unknown person even if they claim to be Microsoft, Amazon, Paypal, or whatever (a legit company would not need you to download remote access software.

2. 

Never buy gift cards for people you don't know even if they claim to be Microsoft, Amazon, Paypal, or whatever.

3. 

Never send money through the mail because

      A. It is illegal

      B. If they tell you to put money in the pages of a book and wrap it in aluminum foil it is most definitely a scam (they sometimes ask you to wrap bubble wrap over the aluminum foil-covered book, they ask you to do this so authorities cannot scan the package).

4. 

Call your bank or Amazon or whatever if someone over the phone says there is an order placed that you didn't order or if they say they have sent too much money to your bank account.

5. 

Scammers may also use a website called Geek typer (https://geektyper.com/) to pretend that someone has hacked you, scammers will also often edit your HTML to make it look like they have transferred money to you if you reload the browser everything should go back to normal.

6. 

Never click on links from emails from unknown people even if they claim to be Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Paypal, or whatever, it may contain malicious malware.

7. 

Refund scammers (like the one in the videos below) say that they over-refunded you and they start pressing on your emotions, saying they will lose their jobs if you don't give them back their money.

8. 

Never trust emails that say they will give you money or other valuable things

9. Never trust people who email you and say they work for the government but are using free email providers like Gmail.

10. 

If an unknown person is pressuring you to act fast on the phone or email do not trust them, it is a big red flag.

11. 

If someone claiming to be from your bank asks for your password for your bank account or bank account details or asks for your name this is a big red flag, your actual bank would never do this over the phone.

12. 

How to tell a website is actually a government website according to the FBI:

Official websites use (.gov)

A (.gov) website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure (.gov) websites use (https://)

A lock (🔒) or (https://) means you've safely connected to the (.gov) website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.