Is it a SCAM? It’s the most frequently asked question we address. There is no simple answer to this somewhat simple question. The response is complex, requiring a response to three questions. How did “they” make contact: phone, email, online/social media, text message, in-person, mail? Who are “they:” law enforcement, government agency, tech support, a business such as Amazon, a utility company, relative, romantic interest; and what did “they” request?
– Money – cash, gift cards, Zelle/Venmo payment, wire transfer, credit cards, crypto?
– Personal Information: account information, Social Security or Medicare number, birth date?
– Payment involving a problem (unpaid bill or taxes) or family emergency?
– Expense fees to obtain a prize
– Money due to an emergency
Let’s put the pieces together for each means of contact.
PHONE CALL: only answer the phone when you definitely know the caller. LET THE CALL GO TO VOICE MAIL. Serious callers leave messages; scammers generally don’t.
EMAIL: Criminals are adept at “spoofing,” (impersonating someone else). Hover the cursor of your device over the sender’s name to see the real address. Rarely is a company email address @gmail.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Beware of “pop-up” messages from “friends” and unrealistically priced deals that appear. Scammers, once again, are great impersonators. Verify…
