Last Updated on April 30, 2023
Spring break and tax time bring a rise in scams by telephone, text, email and “snail mail.” In the latest scams, bad guys seek your money, identity, and devices, according to authorities:
• Texts from friends, federal agencies, Amazon, UPS, FedEx or familiar businesses say they need money (by gift card, e-cash, bitcoin) to get out of jail, pick up a package, pay a debt you don’t have, help a relative, etc. They might contain a link or phone number.
Don’t respond. Delete the text. Do not click on the link or call the number. Though it may look legitimate, unless you’re positive it’s from someone you know and trust, assume it’s a scam. To call a company or agency, use a verified number.
• Calls threaten jail, a fine or arrest from a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, or from a bank, IRS, Social Security or a state agency. You must act immediately!
Legitimate caller IDs can be spoofed. Agencies do not call demanding immediate payment by gift card or e-cash. You do not have to pay fines without an official, written notice. Delete the email.
• A Facebook or online friend whom you’ve never met asks for money. You really like them – they are very nice, but you don’t really know them. Their need for money is urgent, even though they are supposedly well-off.
• “Romance” scams are rampant among mature age groups, even as “sexting” scams proliferate among the young. If you never met the person, how do you know they are who they claim to be? Even if you like them, do not send them money. This scam has robbed many people of thousands of dollars, and the “friends” have disappeared.
• A pop-up window says your computer needs protection from malware. You need to sign into a page using a link, call a phone number or otherwise must immediately respond. Your screen seems frozen.
Do not respond to suspicious pop-ups. Close the browser or other application. Shut down the computer, using the on/off button, if necessary. When you reboot, you’ll find the pop-up gone. To ensure computer security, scan for viruses and update your software. Only call numbers or click on links of trusted providers. Pop-ups can come from malware inserted by photos, videos and postings on trusted websites.
To avoid becoming a victim of scams, be skeptical. Charlestown Security is happy to help. To report internet scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, go to IC3.gov.