Is it a scam? It’s the most frequently asked question we address. There is no simple answer to this somewhat simple question. The response is complex, requiring a response to three questions. How did “they” make contact: phone, email, online/social media, text message, in-person, mail? Who are “they:” law enforcement, a government agency, tech support, a business such as Amazon, a utility company, a relative, romantic interest; and what did “they” request?
- Money – cash, gift cards, Zelle/Venmo payment, wire transfer, credit cards, crypto?
- Personal information: account information, Social Security or Medicare number, birth date?
- Payment involving a problem (unpaid bill or taxes) or family emergency?
- Expense fees to obtain a prize.
- Money due to an emergency.
Let’s put the pieces together for each means of contact. Phone call: only answer the phone when you definitely know the caller. Let the call go to voice mail. Serious callers leave messages; scammers generally don’t.
Criminals are adept at “spoofing” (impersonating someone else). Hover the cursor of your device over the sender’s name to see the real address. Rarely is a company email address @gmail.
Social Media
Beware of “pop-up” messages from “friends” and unrealistically priced deals that appear. Scammers, once again, are great impersonators. Verify identities before parting with money or…
