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Stay Safe from These Common ScamsProtect yourself from criminals who may try to steal your personal or financial information by being aware of these trending scams. Prize ScamA prize scam is a specific type of scam where individuals are contacted and informed that they won a prize, such as a lottery or sweepstakes, but to claim the prize, they are asked to pay fees or provide personal information. This is a deceptive tactic used to defraud people by promising a prize that doesn't actually exist.
Gift Card ScamGift card scams start with a call, text, email or social media message. Scammers will say almost anything to get you to buy gift cards from stores like Google Play, Apple, Walmart or Amazon - and hand over the card number and PIN codes. Often times they will say it's urgent that you pay them right away, and threaten that something bad will happen if you don't. They will usually tell you which gift cards to buy and what stores to buy them from.
Imposter ScamThese scammers will contact you pretending to be your financial institution, a government agency such as the IRS, Medicare or even a charitable organization and trick you into sending money or providing personal or account information. These scams can be very sophisticated and seem quite real. Urgency ScamUrgency scams trick you into taking advantage of an unbelievable deal or collecting a prize, giving you a tight time frame in which to act. Their tone is urgent, and they want to steal your personal or financial information by asking you to do things like create an account or verify a password.
Phishing ScamPhishing scams are official-looking emails, text messages or social ads meant to trick you into giving your personal or financial information. Because these appear to be from your bank or other known companies, they can be very effective in tricking you into sharing information.
Utility ScamThese scammers will call you pretending to be a service provider such as an electric company and attempt to pressure you into sending a payment to avoid having your service turned off. These scams can appear very real and are effective because the urgent tone may pressure you into acting quickly.
Support Specialist ScamScammers pretending to be a Technology Specialist from a known company try to steal your information by gaining access to your account or device. These scammers want to trick you into thinking that your computer or device is damaged and ask for remote access or for your account information to help you resolve the issue.
Pay Yourself ScamThis scam is often a text or an email that looks like a fraud alert from your bank asking if you authorized a transaction. If you respond, they’ll call as a bank representative offering to help you stop the alleged fraud and ask you to send money to yourself via transfer or person-to-person payment. Because they look like a real bank fraud alert and the incoming call can seem legitimate, these types of scams seem very convincing.
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Learn More About Scams Targeting
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Youth Bankers: Age 17 and YoungerSocial Media ScamsSocial media is used by scammers to steal information through fake surveys, events or contests. They may also try posing as an unknown person trying to befriend teens with the intention of stealing personal information or taking their money.
Cellphone FreebiesScammers will lure teens through social media with "free" ring tones, wallpapers, gift cards or other items so that they opt into their services. These services often have hidden, expensive monthly subscriptions that youth bankers oftentimes don’t realize they’re subscribing to.
Online AuctionsTeens are tricked into bidding and paying for items that never arrive. Alternatively, scammers trick teens into sending items to sell but never receive their payment, or the auction never takes place.
Students and Young Adults: Age 18-29Online Income ScamsScammers hook their victims with the promise that they’ll earn quick and easy money right from their home. To apply, they must either send payment for the application or they’re sent a fraudulent check and required to transfer a portion of the check to the company. Debt-Related ScamsScammers reach out to individuals who may be enticed by the promise that they can get their debts reduced or forgiven – for a one-time fee.
Fake Sale Listing ScamsGoods, services and housing are listed on job or community boards for very low prices that seem too good to be true. Once the victim sends payment, what was promised never arrives or never existed.
Adults and Parents: Age 30-59Property Foreclosure Rescue scamsPosing as lenders, loan servicers, etc., scammers will promise to refinance property at a better rate or stop a foreclosure. However, they’ll ask for a steep upfront payment or trick victims into signing documents that transfer the property to predatory companies.
Debt Collection ScamsScammers posing as law enforcement or debt collectors try to collect a debt that’s not actually owed. They may go as far as threatening jail or even violence to receive payment but refuse to show any written proof of the debt.
Lending ScamsLike an upfront fee scam, lending scams happen when a victim thinks they’re applying for a loan through an online lender or lender app. Scammers entice victims with guaranteed approval even with bad or no credit but require paying upfront fees as "insurance" or for "processing fees."
Older adults and grandparents: Age 60+Government Impersonation ScamsScammers use scare tactics to force individuals to wire money, send a prepaid credit card, gift cards or cashier’s check by pretending that they’re a trusted individual from a government agency like the Social Security Administration or the IRS.
The Grandparent ScamScammers trick the victim by pretending to be family, a bail bondsman or an emergency service, notifying that their grandchildren are in dire need of money. They ask for funds to be sent through person-to-person payments or wire transfers.
Counterfeit Prescription Drug ScamScammers entice the elderly with promises of prescription drugs or “miracle” drugs that can cure certain ailments at a majorly discounted rate but oftentimes the medication never arrives.
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Helpful Tips to Keep Your Personal Information SafeIn an era of digital connectivity, the security of your personal information has never been more critical. |
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