Scammers often contact people unexpectedly, either by phone, email, text messages, or even through messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. They might impersonate trusted institutions like banks, tech support, or government agencies, asking for sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, passwords, or payment details.
Red Flags:
- Unsolicited Contact: Any unexpected message, call, or email claiming to be from a reputable organization requesting personal information or money.
- Pressure Tactics: Scammers often use urgency, threatening legal action, account closure, or financial penalties to pressure you into making a hasty decision.
- Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrencies. These methods are difficult to trace and recover.
- Spoofed Caller IDs: Scammers may use caller ID spoofing to make their phone numbers appear legitimate.
- Request for Remote Access: Tech support scams may ask you to give remote access to your computer to "fix" an issue, often leading to malware or data theft.
What to Do:
- Don’t Engage: If contacted unexpectedly, don’t share any personal or financial information. Hang up, delete the message, and avoid engaging.
- Verify with Official Channels: Contact the organization directly using an official phone number or email from their verified website—not the contact details provided in the suspicious message.
- Never Share Personal Information via Messaging Apps: Reputable organizations won’t ask for your Social Security number, banking details, or passwords through WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging platforms.
- End Communication Immediately: If you are pressured into making payments or sharing information, hang up or stop responding to messages. Scammers rely on fast reactions.
- Report the Scam: Contact the FTC or your local consumer protection office to report suspicious activity.