How to protect yourself from scams
Scammers will always tell you they are a company, person, or entity and that the issue they are having is related to you. For example, “this is your bank calling to notify you that we noticed some potentially fraudulent activity on your account…” That is all we need to safely verify the accusation. DO NOT reply to that email or phone call. End the conversation and follow these tips below.
How do i protect myself?
Email Scams :
Practice the S.T.O.P. method. Ask yourself, is this email…
- S = suspicious?
- Check the email address.
- Examples:
- S = suspicious?
- In the address of jOhn@email.com is that an “O” or a zero?
- In 1isa@email.com, is that a lowercase “L” or a 1?
- In Sam@email.com, is that a “S” or a 5?
- Are you looking that closely?
- In the narrative, are there mis-spelled words or poor grammar?
- Signature lines missing a person’s name
- T = Telling you to click a link/attachment?
- Only open links/attachments that you know are 100% safe
- NOTHING LESS THAN 100%
- O = Offering something amazing?
- If it’s too good to be true, it is a scam
- Give money to get money, Free trips, Publishers Clearing House, etc.
- P = Pushing you to act fast?
- No email is an urgency to act now, you have time
- A scammers tactic to have you miss the “red flags”
If any of those questions are “yes”, slow down and find another way to communicate if you feel the need to verify the email. To verify, DO NOT use the link, website, or phone number within the email. Google, ask a trusted friend/loved one, or call your local law enforcement to find accurate numbers/contact information. Again, FIND ANOTHER WAY TO COMMUNICATE.
Phone Scams :
- Think about answering the phone, let it go to voicemail.
- Two tips to follow
- 1) NEVER give your information to someone who CALLS YOU
- 2) NEVER CALL THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU
- Know the correct numbers for ALL companies you do business with
- A phone call from any company is NEVER AN EMERGENCY
- If you feel the need to verify the phone call, find another way to communicate. Google, ask a trusted friend/loved one, or call your local law enforcement to find accurate numbers/ contact information. Again, FIND ANOTHER WAY TO COMMUNICATE.