{"id":944,"date":"2021-08-09T16:21:02","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T16:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirefcustg.wpengine.com\/?p=944"},"modified":"2022-08-26T21:01:46","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T21:01:46","slug":"6-popular-types-of-phishing-and-phone-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirefcu.org\/business\/6-popular-types-of-phishing-and-phone-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Popular Types of Phishing and Phone Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Don\u2019t Be The Next Victim: Protect Yourself From Today\u2019s Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online scams can be hard to spot and difficult to avoid. They are enticing. They are subtle. They are high-tech, and they are more and more common. Last year, 2.2 million cases of fraud were reported and the victims lost $3.3 billion to these sophisticated scams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scammers and fraudsters are attacking in a number of ways: Over the phone, through email and even via text messages. The best way to reduce the risk of being lured in by a scam is to understand how they operate. Know what types of scams are working their way across the country and how to spot a scam before it\u2019s too late. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Popular Types Of Online And Phone Scams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How are modern scammers attacking victims? How do these elaborate scams work? This list shows the various ways criminals use deception to steal millions of dollars from victims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Romance Scams<\/strong> – Scammers will use fake online dating profiles and accounts to lure the lonely. Once they make contact with a victim, the criminal will tell a sob story and explain that they need money to get through a rough situation. The victim is asked to share their bank account logins, and the scammers set up sophisticated money exchange accounts to fool the victim into thinking any money they lend is safely returned. By the time the victim realizes money was swiped from their account, it\u2019s too late. Sadly, romance scams are often unreported because the victims are embarrassed. <\/li>
  2. Employment Scams<\/strong> – If a job sounds too good to be true, it is. A fraudulent job posting may advertise an immediate opening for a secret shopper. The scammer sends the victim a check (usually around  $2,000) and asks them to quickly deposit or cash the check. The victim is instructed to immediately use the money to buy gift cards and then send the gift card codes back to the scammer. The victim is told they will get a percentage of the check as payment. However, the check never clears, and now the victim is out all of the money. <\/li>
  3. Advance Fee Scams<\/strong> – Chances are, you\u2019re not an instant winner, especially if it\u2019s for a contest you never entered. The scammer claims you\u2019ve won a big prize or will receive an inheritance from a long lost relative. The only catch: You must pay for taxes and fees before you can get the prize. Once the victim pays the taxes and fees, the scammer vanishes.<\/li>
  4. Grandparent \/ Elderly Scams<\/strong> – Who wouldn\u2019t want to hear from a grandchild? These scams target the elderly by impersonating one of their relatives. Posing as a grandchild, they tell their beloved grandparent that they\u2019ve been arrested or are stuck in another country. Fraudsters may also pose as a representative of the grandchild. The scammer will beg for help and say the only way to save them is to send money right away. Of course, this is all a lie. But an elderly person may act quickly to help a relative, without realizing it\u2019s a fraud. <\/li>
  5. IRS\/Social Security Scams<\/strong> – Getting a call from the government can be scary. Scammers posing as government officials or collection agencies call the victim and demand payment for back taxes or penalties. Sometimes they don\u2019t want money, just your personal information. They will be aggressive and intimidating, and they can sound very official and authoritative. <\/li>
  6. Tech Support Scams<\/strong> – The victim gets a call or sees a pop-up window on the computer claiming their computer has been infected with a virus. The scammer will promise to fix the problem, but asks for remote access to your computer so they can look for the problem. Once they have access to your computer, they can track down banking information or hold your computer for ransom, demanding money if you want to use your computer again. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How To Avoid Scams And Fraud<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Knowing what types of scams are common is the first step to avoiding them. The second step is to treat all phone and internet communication carefully. The most effective piece of advice: Don\u2019t trust unknown people and businesses. If an offer sounds too good to be true, chances are it\u2019s a scam. Be wary of any free prizes, free gift cards or free money. Always remember to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n