NO-SCAMScams are getting harder to spot. Here’s a quick review of the most common scams to avoid.

Possible Red Flags

  • Sense of urgency. No time to ask questions. I’m the only one who can help you.
  • It’s a deal that is almost too good to be true.
  • An unusual or unique request that you didn’t initiate.
  • Misspellings, bad grammar, some text in ALL CAPS.

Common Scams

Scam: There’s a problem with your account or payment information. You need to confirm or update personal information. Click this link to make a payment.

What to do: Hover over the sender’s name to see the actual email address it came from. Your bank will never send you an email from bob@gmail.com. Also look for typos in the name. Amazonproducts.com is not Amazon. Nor is email-amazon.com. NEVER click the link. Instead, go to the company’s website, log in, and find the information you need. If you can’t find the information you need, go back to the email and click the link. Since you’re already logged in to the right website, it should not ask you to log in again.

Scam: You’re eligible for a free gift, refund, or grant. You get an 80% discount offer.

What to do: Offers too good to be true usually aren’t true. See if there is a comparable product on Amazon or a company you know that you can trust.

Scam: Microsoft or Apple calls to fix a problem with your computer.

What to do: Microsoft or Apple will never reach out to you about your computer. NEVER download software and don’t let anyone take remote control of your computer. Instead, call the company or go to their website and chat.

Scam: This is your grandson and I need money now because of an accident or I’m in jail.

What to do: Artificial intelligence (AI) can impersonate their voice. Call them back on a number you know belongs to them.

Scam: This is your mom. I’m sending a man named Tom to pick you up from school.

What to do: AI can impersonate your mom’s voice. Teach your kids a secret word or phrase that you’ll always use to let them know it’s you.

Scam: We need your donation to help with a disaster.

What to do: Don’t click the link. Go to the agency’s website and make a donation. Make sure the agency is legit and doesn’t keep a significant portion of the donation.

Scam: Browsing the web, a message pops up “Warning! Your device is infected with a virus!”

What to do: Many of these are ads. Become familiar with which are legitimate warnings from your antivirus software. If you can’t get the message to close, it is most likely a scam. Restart your computer.

Scam: You need to pay us with a gift card.

What to do: This is ALWAYS a scam.

Good Practices

  • Make sure your antivirus software is working.
  • Keep your documents backed up.
  • Check spelling of the website. You may have mistyped the name, such as chuchofjesuschrist.org.
  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication everywhere you can.
  • Use strong passwords (16+ characters, random).
  • Use a password manager. Google and Microsoft offer convenient and secure password management, LastPass provides advanced features.
  • Ensure all your devices have the latest software updates.
  • Ensure your home network is secured with WPA3 encryption. Change the default administrator password of your router to a strong, unique password. Change the default network name (SSID) to something unique but not personally identifiable. Regularly update your router’s firmware to ensure you have the latest security patches. Enable network firewalls and device firewalls.
  • Sign up for alerts when credit card charges are made.
  • Review monthly statements to verify charges.
  • Check your credit reports yearly at AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • Get help if you need it. Don’t ignore a problem
  • Use filtering and parental controls on devices your children use.

 

 

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