MEMPHIS, TN—The FBI Memphis Field Office reminds Tennesseans to look out for scams designed to steal your money and personal information.
“According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), in 2020, Tennesseans lost over $40,191,616 due to a variety of scams,” said Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI Memphis Field Office. “Remain vigilant and if you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report it to the FBI at IC3.gov.”
Enjoy a scam-free holiday season by following tips to avoid being a victim. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Tips to Avoid Being Victimized:
Practice good cybersecurity hygiene.
- Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Phishing scams and similar crimes get you to click on links and give up personal information like your name, password, and bank account number. In some cases, you may unknowingly download malware to your device.
- Be especially wary if a company asks you to update your password or account information. Look up the company’s phone number on your own and call the company.
Know who you’re buying from or selling to.
- Check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure. A site you’re buying from should have https in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t enter your information on that site.
- If you’re purchasing from a company for the first time, do your research and check reviews.
- Verify the…
