Scammers are taking advantage of the fears and vulnerability surrounding the Coronavirus and to even more so because it’s also tax season. There has been an increase in reported scams via robocalls, texts, emails, and through social media.
So we’ve pulled information and tips from several major sources and want to make sure you are aware. Please share this information with any friends, family and especially senior citizens, because they are even more susceptible targets for these scams.
Here are some simple tips to prevent from being scammed:
1. Keep your personal details secure! Your bank, the IRS, and Social Security Administration, will never contact you for personal information! They already have it on file, so NEVER give anyone your bank PIN, SSN, Medicaid account numbers, etc.!
2. Be cautious about unsolicited emails. Don’t open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or click on links or attachments in emails – delete them!
3. Keep your mobile devices and computers secure. Always use password protection, update security software and back up content. Protect your Wi-Fi network and avoid using public computers or Wi-Fi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.
4. If you don’t have direct deposit, NEVER allow someone to set it up over the phone!
5. Never agree to transfer money (i.e. PayPal, etc.) or goods for someone you don’t know personally.
6. You should NEVER be threatened or feel pressured! Scammers use serious fear tactics in order to get payments and even threaten to arrest and file charges if you don’t comply or act quickly.
7. Be wary of unusual payment requests! Scammers will often ask you to pay via preloaded debit cards, gift cards, iTunes cards or virtual currency such as Bitcoin.
8. Use secure, traceable transactions when making payments for goods, services, taxes, and debts. Pay by credit card because there is significant fraud protection built in.
9. Be aware of shopping online. Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers, either with a fake website or fake ad on a genuine retailer site. Make sure the website has a secure URL “https” (the s means it’s “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar.
10. If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is!
Bottom line is, if you think you have been scammed…REPORT IT!
Don’t be “Spoofed”: Spoofing is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Scammers often use neighbor spoofing so it appears that an incoming call is coming from a local number, or spoof a number from a company or a government agency that you may already know and trust. If you answer, they use scam scripts to try to steal your money or valuable personal information, which can be used in fraudulent activity.
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id
IRS issues warning about Coronavirus-related scams; watch out for schemes tied to economic impact payments:
https://www.irs.gov/…/irs-issues-warning-about-coronavirus-
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts
The Federal Trade Commission (FCC) offers these tips on how to Spot, Avoid and Report Coronavirus Scams:
FBI-Financial Crimes Section discusses scams and crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and offers tips on how to protect yourself.
https://www.fbi.gov/…/protect-yourself-from-covid-19-scams-
What should I do if I get a call claiming there’s a problem with my Social Security number or account?