You're way too cool to be out here falling for Internet scams. But even the cool kids can use a pointer every now and then! With scammers getting smarter every day, it can be tough to keep up with their tactics.
Wanna know how to spot a scammer and steer clear? We’ve got the dirty deets on the tricks these fraudsters use, so keep reading!
As our favorite boy band once said, quit playin' games with my heart! Scammers love to go straight to the emotional jugular and will try to get you all fired up so you take immediate action.
They'll do things like call you up and tell you your power's about to get shut off. Or send you an urgent text that says you're behind on your phone bill and they're cutting your service if you don't pay within the next five minutes. And there will usually be some kind of link included, with a promise that your problems will be solved if you click and pay up - which is a YUGE mistake!
Sure, not paying your bills has consequences – but a legitimate service provider won't make any nasty, urgent threats out of nowhere. What usually happens is you’ll get about a gazillion late notices and fees before your service is actually cut. When in doubt, contact your provider's customer service line and make sure your account is up to date.
We sure hope no one out there is wiring their retirement savings to their Nigerian prince bestie! We're all familiar with those silly examples, but today's scammers are much more savvy - they are masters of disguise and won’t be as obviously scammy as the Nigerian prince was. Nowadays, scammers can even hack your family's Facebook accounts, pretend to be your sweet Uncle Carl, and ask you to send him some money to take Fido to an emergency vet visit.
But if sweet Uncle Carl's message refers to Fido as "your Aunt's stupid dog..." then you know you've got a problem, since everyone knows Uncle Carl loves that dog more than he loves his own kids. So make sure your spidey-sense is always on, even when it comes to sweet old Carl.
Other scammers like to pretend they're from your employer and create email addresses that look like the message is coming from your company. They can be tricky to spot, but chances are, there will be something about the message that just doesn't sit right. Always go with your gut and report any suspicious emails to your boss ASAP.
Phishing sounds like something you'd call a bunch of jam band addicts on shrooms, but it's actually a scammer's dream technique. Phishing is a term used to describe phone, text, or email-based scams that get you to give up your precious personal info.
You might get a text from what looks like your bank, asking you to reply with your social security number. Or an email from "ThE gOvErNmEnT", asking you to hand over your credit card info to pay up overdue taxes. They might even pretend like they're your favorite online store and send you a link to a sale you can't refuse! But if the payment link included has a weird web address you've never seen before, stop and verify that you’re actually on the right website. Or just get off line and go to the actual store…
The bottom line is: if it smells phishy, it probably is. Pay attention to email address endings to check if they're legit. For example, official government correspondence comes from a .gov email address, so anything else could be a scamalamma.
Now that you know what a scammer looks, sounds, and smells like, here are some practical tips to help you and your wallet stay safe:
1. Use (internet) protection! - Install virus scanning software on your computer and make sure you're keeping up with all security updates.
2. Block spam calls and texts - Take advantage of your phone's spam filters and contact your cell phone provider if you need assistance.
3. Use strong passwords - We know, your kitty cat's name is the easiest to remember. But it also might be an easy way for a scammer to access your accounts. Get creative and use tough-to-crack combinations that only you'll remember.
4. Run it by a friend - Before you take action on a sketchy email or text, run it by a close friend or family member. If they think it's weird too, chances are it probably is.
5. Check the locks - Before making any online purchases, check the top off the webpage and look for the cute little padlock symbol by the web address. This means the website is safe and secure and your payment info will be protected. Don't buy from sites without it!
Guess what? The President doesn't deal with scammers...but your local & state government reps do! Here’s three small things you can do that make a BIG impact:
