Guard Against Scams and Fraud
March 2019 Newsletter
From health care scams to shady business practices, there are a host of problems to watch out for, and ways to protect yourself. Here are some common scams and tips to protect yourself.
Phishing: Phishing involves casting a wide net of emails trying to obtain personal data, credit card info or passwords, seeing who will bite. Phishing scams appear as if they come from a legitimate company. An email might ask you to click on a link to verify your account information. Malware is then installed on your device, putting your sensitive data at risk.
Spear-phishing: This is a targeted attempt to steal sensitive information. A front man mines personal details on a victim in advance, such as their friends’ names, hometown, employer, locations they frequent and what they have recently bought online. Attackers then contact the victim, disguising themselves as a trustworthy friend or entity to gain sensitive information.
Avoid phishing by limiting the information you post online. On social media, for example, don’t publicly post anything you don’t want a scammer to see. If you receive a request for personal information, check directly with the company where you have an account.
Social security phone fraud: In this instance, phone numbers are spoofed to look like a legitimate 800 number. The caller identifies as a Social Security employee and says your file lacks necessary information, such as your Social Security number. The caller might claim to need additional information to increase your benefit payment, or will threaten to terminate your Medicare benefits if you don’t confirm the information he or she has. If you get such a call, hang up and call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
Tech support fraud: In these cases, users might receive a pop-up message on their screen that looks like a routine update. When activated, the fake update infects the computer system.
Another form involves a “virus” script that appears on a victim’s computer screen prompting the user to call a fake company for support. If called, a scammer claims they work with a well-known company. Using fear tactics, the “agent” offers to fix the problem, remotely connects to the victim’s computer, identifies a fake problem, collects payment and removes the script, “fixing” the computer.
Do not call a number that pops up on your screen in a warning about a computer problem—it is not legitimate. Never share passwords or give control of your computer to anyone who contacts you.
Research and a little common sense go a long way to avoid being taken in by scams and fraud. If something seems too good to be true, it is cause to be suspicious.