SCAM ALERT

Four Red Flags It’s a Scam

1. Scammers PRETEND to be from a reputable company.

Scammers frequently pretend to contact you on behalf of the government. They may use a legitimate name, such as the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or they may invent a name that seems official. Some pretend to be from a familiar company, such as a utility company, a technology company, or even a charity soliciting donations.

They employ technology to modify the phone number that shows on your caller ID. As a result, the name and phone number you see may not be genuine.

2. Scammers claim that there is a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.

They may claim that you are in problems with the government. Alternatively, you owe money. Or perhaps someone in your family experienced a medical emergency. Or that your computer has a virus.

Some con artists claim that there is a problem with one of your accounts and that you must verify some information.

Others will tell you that you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but must pay a fee to receive it.

3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act right away.

Scammers want you to behave quickly and without thinking. If you’re on the phone, they may tell you not to hang up so you don’t miss their story.

They could arrest you, sue you, revoke your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They may inform you that your computer is likely to be corrupted.

4. Scammers instruct you to PAY in a specific manner.

They frequently insist on payment via a money transfer business or by placing money on a gift card and then providing them the number on the reverse.

Some will send you a check (which will subsequently be discovered to be a forgery), instruct you to deposit it, and then ask you to wire them money.

What You Can Do to Avoid Being a Victim of a Scam

Unwanted phone calls and text messages should be blocked. Take efforts to screen and block unsolicited calls and text messages.

Don’t provide personal or financial information in response to an unexpected request. Legitimate companies will not contact, email, or text you asking for personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number.

If you receive an email or text message from a company with which you do business and believe it is legitimate, do not click on any links. Instead, contact them through a reputable website. Alternatively, look up their phone number. Call the number they gave you or the number that appears on your caller ID.

Resist the need to act right away. Legitimate firms will give you enough time to decide. Anyone who puts you under pressure to pay or provide personal information is a fraudster.

Understand how scammers ask you to pay. Never pay someone who insists on receiving payment by gift card or money transfer service. Also, never deposit a check and then wire money to someone else.

Stop and consult with someone you trust. Tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbour — what happened before you do anything else. Talking about it may help you recognize that it is a fraud.

5 Ways on How to Protect Your Password

Passwords serve as the keys to your account’s doors. You maintain a lot of sensitive information in your online accounts, such as your email, bank account, and tax returns, therefore you want adequate security. Here’s a checklist to ensure the security of your passwords.

1 Make your password both long and strong. That translates to at least 12 characters. Making a password longer is usually the simplest approach to strengthen it. Use a passphrase made up of random words to make your password more memorable, but avoid using familiar terms or phrases. If your service does not allow long passwords, you can make your password more secure by combining uppercase and lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols.

2 When multi-factor authentication is available, use it. Some accounts provide additional protection by needing anything other than a password to log in. This is referred to as multi-factor authentication. There are two types of “something additional” required to log in to your account:

Something you have, such as a passcode obtained through an authentication program or a security key.

Something you are, such as a scan of your fingerprint, retina, or face.

3 Consider utilizing a password manager. Most people struggle to remember all of their passwords. The longer and more sophisticated a password, the stronger it is, but it can also be more difficult to remember. Consider using a trustworthy password manager to store your passwords and security questions. Search independent review sites for credible password managers, and ask friends and family for recommendations. To keep the information in your password manager secure, choose a strong password.

4 Choose security questions that only you can answer. If a site requires you to answer security questions, avoid supplying answers that are publicly available or easily found online, such as your zip code, birthplace, or mother’s maiden name. Also, avoid questions with a restricted number of answers that attackers may easily guess, such as the colour of your first car. You can even use nonsense responses to make guessing harder — just make sure you remember what you use.

5 If there is a breach, change your passwords as soon as possible. If a company informs you that there was a data breach in which a hacker could have obtained your password, change your password with that company immediately, as well as any other accounts that use a similar password.

Passwords from other accounts should not be reused. Use unique passwords for each account. If a hacker obtains your password for one account, they will be unable to access your other accounts.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Scammed?

If a Scammer has gained access to your computer or phone and account.

• Is a fraudster able to access your computer remotely?

Update your computer’s security software, run a scan, and remove anything that appears to be an issue. Then take additional precautions to safeguard your personal information.

• Did a scammer take control of your cell phone number and account

?

To regain ownership of your phone number, contact your service provider. After that, change your account password.

Check your credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes as well. If you see any, notify the firm or institution. Then visit IdentityTheft.gov to determine the next actions.

• Did you use a credit or debit card to make your purchase?

Contact the credit card or debit card company or bank that issued the card. Inform them that the charge was bogus. Request that they reverse the transaction and refund your money.

• Was an unlawful transfer made from your bank account by a scammer?

Inform your bank that there was an unlawful debit or withdrawal. Request that they reverse the transaction and refund your money.

• Did you use a money transfer app to send money?

Report the fraudulent transaction to the firm behind the money transfer app and request that the payment be reversed. If you linked the app to a credit or debit card, notify your credit card company or bank of the scam. Request that the charge be reversed.