How do scammers get your information?

Scammers are always looking for ways to obtain personal or financial information. Because once they have it they have access to your money. Here are some common methods used by the fraudsters:

• Spoofing – the scammers utilize an app to disguise a phone call to look as though it is coming from a known, trusted source. Victims claim to have received a phone call from what appeared to be a legitimate company regarding activity on their account. They are asked to “verify” or reveal personal or financial information.

• Phishing – scammers send an email which appears to be from a known, reputable source; they seek passwords, card numbers and other sensitive information.

• Vishing – a verbal form of phishing; using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), calls are made through a computer rather than a phone line and appear to come from a trusted source.

• Smishing – a text-message form of phishing. Scammers will send a text message (SMS) that appears to be legitimate. People are directed to click on the link in the text, which leads them to a phishing website that looks like the legitimate source.

How to protect your information from scammers.

Scammers can do a good job of making things look legitimate. Keep this in mind if you get an email, text, letter, or call that requires you to do something. Hop onto Google and check for any information confirming its validity. If the IRS texts you requesting additional information, a quick search reveals this to be a scam. (Note: the IRS will never contact you via text or social media and ask for information. In fact, their first point of contact is almost always via mail.)

• Don’t click on links from anyone unless you are sure of the sender.

• Treat your personal information and login credentials like the most valuable things you own. Don’t share them with anyone – no matter how convincing or scary they sound.

• If it’s a call, simply hang up. A text or email, delete it. Even if it’s someone who claims to be from your own bank, it’s ok to verify if it’s legitimate before proceeding.

• If someone tells you they are sending a “security” or a “verification” code to your phone and then ask you to read that code back to them, do not give them that information.

What to do if you are a victim of a scam.

Keep in mind that it’s easy to recognize these as scams when you read about them. In the moment, though, your emotions will be firing, and you may not be thinking clearly. The fraudsters are counting on that. Keep informed of common scams so you recognize and avoid them.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud, notify your financial institution right away. They will assist you with filing a claim. Some financial institutions and credit card companies may require you to file a police report. Also, change your online banking password immediately. And if you use that password for anything else (email, memberships) change it for those as well.