Recent news both online and through media outlets is that Scammers are at an all-time high! Never assume the caller ID is correct for any call you receive. Scammers can easily spoof their caller ID.
Scammers use a variety of tactics:
- They will give you a sense of urgency. For example, you will lose your utilities or services if you don’t act now, or what they are offering is for a limited time
- Scammers may ask you to help someone in need or a loved one
- A scammer may offer some kind of incentive or something of value in return for your personal information
- Scammers impersonate government agencies. The scam may include saying your taxes are past due, or you are violating some law
- Scammers commonly reference computer vulnerabilities. They may say things like, “your device needs new software”, or “your computer has a virus” Scammers have two main goals, they try to persuade you to:
- Make a payment by providing a credit card number or bank account number. Typically, these payment methods are different from your normal payment method
- Give up a piece of information: password, PIN, date of birth, social security number, account number or a device number – like a number from your receiver, computer or
telephone
If you receive a suspicious call:
- Do not give out any information
- Do not make any payments or give out any of your banking information
- If you were left a voice message, don’t return the call
- If you have doubts, contact the company you’re doing business with directly. Get the company’s contact information from a separate source. Don’t use any number or
email was given to you by the caller