Keep Yourself Safe from Predators and Scammers
There is no denying technology is integral to our day-to-day life. What would we do without our smart phones, laptops, tablets, WI-FI and the ability to use apps for a wide range of things from banking to paying for, well, pretty much anything with a tap. With all inventions intended for good there is always someone a step ahead with malicious intent. Below you will learn some of the language pertaining to Cyber Scams and how you can better protect yourself.
What is a Cyber Scam, exactly?
Simply put, it is using technology to trick someone into giving something of worth. It is the modern day “fly by night”, “grifter”, “snake oil salesman” except their access to you is worldwide. As in worldwide web. What are these deviants after? Money, Money, Money and they get it by obtaining your personal information, and access to secure account information. Their primary method is manipulation, with high pressure “now” decision-making a close second, and they are getting more brazen. Below are the most common scams and tips to protect yourself.
Identity Theft: Stealing your identity to open credit accounts or to commit fraud.
Tips:
- Strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Keep personal information off social media. Tip: the Facebook 20 question shares are a treasure trove of information for criminals.
- Regularly monitor your financial statements and shred, any and, all sensitive information.
- Carry only necessary personal documentation with you.
- Report lost or stolen ID and anything suspicious immediately!
Technology Support: “Pop-Up” messages on your computer claiming a virus has infected your computer. They offer a way to contact tech support and then they ask for payment or remote access to your computer.
Tips:
- Unsolicited support calls just don’t happen.
- Do not click anything popping up claiming your computer has been infected with a virus or pornography
- NEVER allow remote access or provide your IP address unless to someone you trust and have initiated contact.
- Keep your software and any security programs up to date.
Lottery and Sweepstakes: Being advised you have won a prize but asking you to pay in order to collect.
Tips:
- Upfront payment is NEVER required nor is providing banking information.
- Report it
Door-to-Door Scams and Home Renovation: Primary target is seniors. Asking for up-front payment for unnecessary home repairs/renovations or equipment replacement and then never coming back.
Tips:
- Verify references (2-3) for any contractor, check on-line reviews, verify insurance and appropriate licenses.
- Never sign anything on the spot, EVER.
- Payments should be milestone triggered and clearly laid out in a contract. Never pay in full upfront.
- If you didn’t initiate the call or the visit, be wary. Especially if they are using high pressure tactics.
Romance: Developing an on-line relationship (primarily), it moves FAST with the love-bombing and then the request for money starts.
Tips:
- Be cautious about on-line connections, especially if communication is written or voice only.
- Don’t send money period, full stop!
- Trust your gut. When you’re in love you want to shout it from the rooftops not keep it a secret. BIG 🚩
- Reverse image search or ask someone to help you to ensure the photo hasn’t been stolen from socials.
Investment Fraud: Promises of huge returns for a small investment.
Tips:
- I am saying it again, IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE it usually is.
- Financial decisions, especially investments, should never be made under pressure.
- Trust a local financial advisor. Research and ask for references. Verify using government regulatory agencies.
Email Phishing: Manipulating a credible email address to get you to open the email and click the link or attachment that will give them access to steal your information.
Tips:
- Don’t ever click on links or open attachments if you don’t trust the source.
- If you receive an unsolicited email from a trusted source with attachments or links you weren’t expecting text them or call them to verify it is legitimate.
- Install antivirus software from a trusted company. Research and ask for suggestions from those you trust.
- Be sure to keep your computer software up to date.
Phone or “Grandparent” : Claiming to be a government agency, a bank or worse a grandchild in trouble to create urgency to get you to send money.
Tips:
- *Never provide your personal information over the phone.
- Ask to call them back and then call the number you know and trust.
- Block any unknown or suspicious numbers.
- Don’t fall for scare tactics. They create a sense of urgency to get you in a highly emotional state which impacts your ability to think as clearly.
- Do not provide your bank information, PIN number or anything confidential.
- Don’t be afraid to offend someone and simply hang up.
* Note: some banks and government agencies will ask you to confirm identifying details when you call them — that’s normal. The red flag is the reverse: someone calling you out of the blue and asking for that same information before you’ve verified who they are.
Additional Tips I Use
First and foremost, the adage IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE it usually is. I would strongly suggest you take a pause, quick gut check discuss it with a trusted friend or family member, and if you are asked to keep something secret DON’T!!
Social Media:
- Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know. You don’t owe them anything.
- Don’t click on links sent through messenger unless you are expecting it.
- Feel free to send a text or a DM to verify that what your friend sent is legitimate but be cautious as people sometimes forward corrupt things (viruses, a link that gives access to your computer) without thinking.
- Don’t fill out the 20 questions survey that everyone else is. Sometimes you are unknowingly sharing personal information that can be used to hack you.
Email Phishing
- If you receive an email from “someone you know” but it is written in a way that isn’t normal for that person for example, formal use of words or spelling mistakes or their greeting and/or sign-off isn’t the same be suspicious. In these instances, what I do is click reply and it will open the reply email showing you the email address in full. Inspect it and double check it. Often the scammers take a legitimate email address and create one that looks almost the same. Maybe substituting an “l” where there should be an “i” or putting two “l’s” or two “i’s”, little sneaky things that your eyes will automatically correct or skim over. Or they use your name, but the email address is clearly fake.
- The other option is to check the source email. This is another way of checking like above. You can hover over the address and right click to see the full email address to give it the once over. It may depend on the device you are using to determine how to do this.
Phone & Door-to-Door
I deal with phone calls and door-to-door solicitation in the following ways.
- Ask for their website address so I can look up the information on my own time and reach out to them if I have further interest. This usually results in some hesitation or a hang up. Easily verifies my suspicion.
- As above, I ask for their phone number and name and advise I am busy, at the moment, but will call them back. This also results in hesitation or a hang up, again verifying my suspicion.
- If I am asked to participate in a survey, I ask them to tell what the information they collect will be used for. If they can’t tell me, it’s a no-brainer and it’s a no thank you.
Final Words
Sadly, every day there are new scams being created. To be entirely cliché,
Knowledge is Power – The best way to keep your heart, your information and your finances protected is to educate yourself.
If it Seems Too Good to be True it usually is – If you get the feeling you are about to get away with something or that you need to keep it secret so no one else finds out, those are pretty good indications what you are believing may not be real.
Trust Your Gut – It speaks to you. It’s a little hesitation, a little tingle, a feeling of some heaviness, the desire to get validation. Your innate instincts are usually right. Trust it and just do a little bit more due diligence in verifying and researching before making a final decision.
Better to Be Safe than Sorry – Consider creating a secret and random word with family members you can use in the case of the scam using a family member to try to get ransom money. Call the number you know and trust and get them to use it.
Scams are getting more sophisticated every year, but so is your ability to spot them now that you know what to look for. If you ever get a call or an email that gives you that little tingle of doubt, trust it. Stay curious, stay a little skeptical, and trust your gut. It’s usually right.
And if you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out.