Outsmart sophisticated  phishing scams

Watch out for social media scams and protect your data.  Be alert for phishing scams.  Scammers try new methods to trick you all the time.  But if you know the signs to look for, you may avoid becoming a victim.  Phishing emails and smishing texts via SMS or social media chats are among the most common types of fraud.  Scammers may promise you some kind of benefit: a loan, a prize like a foreign lottery, a government grant, an inheritance, an opportunity to work from home, or more.

Common Scams:

Beware of any requests for your information or money.  Don't give out personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers.  Spam Text Messages and Phishing Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information.  If someone calls, texts, emails, or mails you asking for your personal information -- e.g., social security number, credit card number, bank account information, passwords -- do not give it to them.

Scammers create fake social media accounts by the thousands every day.  Fake social media accounts are profiles that are either not associated with a real person or are created with an actual person’s personal information without their consent.  These accounts are extremely harmful.  They download your pictures from social media, create a duplicate fake account, and contact your friends on social media.  It looks like it's coming from someone you know or trust.  Once they gain your trust, they want your account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards.

Older people are often assumed to be the main targets of financial fraudsters, but younger generations may actually be more at risk of falling victim to scams.  A good general rule of thumb for a text from someone you don't know is to just ignore it or delete it.


To report Crime and Fraud

Trying to scam your scammer to get "revenge" is a terrible idea.  Don't do it.  You won't fool them, and you may end up getting scammed after all.  One of the best ways to track down a scammer is by reporting them to authorities.

The Federal Trade Commission  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint

Office of Inspector General    https://consumer.ftc.gov

            

We live on such a beautiful planet, but in such an ugly world.