We are most vulnerable when we have heightened emotions such as fear, anxiety, or excitement.
To avoid falling for scams:
- be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, and text messages
- never provide personal or financial information to someone you don’t know
- stay informed about the latest scams and
- seek help from trusted family members or professionals if you’re unsure about something.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States:
- they receive over 2.2 million reports of fraud annually and it’s growing
- In one year people reporting losing more than $3.3 billion to fraud
- these estimates likely represent only a fraction of the total amount lost to scams, as many victims do not report the fraud to authorities.
Some of the most sophisticated and common scams that have stolen millions of dollars from people include:
- Phishing Scams
- Investment Scams
- Tech Support Scams
- Online Dating Scams
- Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams
Scammers use a variety of tactics to gain their victim’s trust, including:
- Offering something for free
- Creating a sense of urgency
- Posing as an authority figure
- Appealing to emotions
To recognize and avoid these scams, you should:
- Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages from unknown sources.
- Never give out your personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you unsolicited.
- Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, such as high investment returns or large cash prizes.
- Verify the identity of the person or company contacting you by checking their website or contacting them directly.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your online accounts.
- Keep your computer and antivirus software up to date
If you suspect that you have been the victim of a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as your bank, the Federal Trade Commission, or the local police.
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