Tech Tip Tuesday: How to Recognize a Scam

The first ever recorded scam dates back to 300 BC when two Greek sea merchants engaged in insurance fraud on their ship and cargo. After sinking their own ship with intentions to keep the insurance money, both tried to escape – and both failed.

While the first recorded scam was not successful, many others are. Most scams are designed to target regular people. This means you’re their main target. The best way to avoid being scammed is by staying aware of what kinds of scams are out there. Let’s take a look at the different types of scams.

Kinds of Scams

• Technical Support Scams: If you quickly Google tech support or Microsoft, sometimes a bogus phone number will appear at the top of the search results. This happens because Google allows anyone to pay to be at the top of the search. If you call the phone number and it is fraudulent, you’re likely letting a scammer remote into your computer to “fix it” while really, they’re just stealing your information and maintaining access to your system from then on. Always go directly to the website of the company you’re searching for instead of clicking the top search result.
• IRS or Government Scams: You’ve probably received a call before claiming to be the Government or IRS. This increased in popularity during the pandemic while stimulus checks were being released. These calls can be very scary because often they come with threats of jail time if you do not comply. The moment they begin asking for personal information, know that it is a scam call and hang up. If it really was a government entity, they would already have that information.
• Bogus Debt Scams: Debt scams can come in mail form and by phone. However, if you receive notice of a debt you aren’t aware of, always check with your bank. While it might be a scammer, it’s also possible your identity was stolen. Your bank will be able to tell you if it is a scam or otherwise.
• Employment Scams: Employment scams also increased over the pandemic. Jobs that seem too good to be true might just be that. They often require little and pay well (especially work-from-home jobs) and will usually ask for payment for training upfront. Often, they will overpay you to get their hands on a cashier’s check or money wire with your information on it. If you deposit a forged check, you could be held accountable, so be very careful!
• Contest Winner Scams: If you ever see a popup, email, or receive a phone call announcing you’re a winner, chances are you are not. Unless you have entered a contest with a reputable company, you haven’t been selected to win, you have been selected to scam. Scams like this will wave the prize in front of you to try and get you to give up personal information and more. Don’t fall for it!
• Arrest Warrant Scams: This scam uses fear to bully people into paying money to avoid jail time. A caller will often impersonate the sheriff’s department and tell the victim there is a warrant for their arrest, but if they pay their fine over the phone, they can avoid being taken in by force. This is not how warrants work and no one from the sheriff’s department will ever ask for payment or personal information over the phone.
  To learn about even more types of scams, visit the Texas Attorney General’s website here.

What to Do if You Have Been Scammed

If you have been scammed, first, don’t beat yourself up. It can happen to anyone. The next step is to contact your bank and let them know what has happened. They will tell you what they can do to help and sometimes even get your money back.

Next, report the scam to the Texas Attorney General here and to Federal Trade Commission here. By doing this, you can help stop others from falling victim to scammers.

The Bottom Line

The best thing you can do to avoid being scammed is to never give out your personal information to a stranger and never send money to anyone who has contacted you out of the blue. Scammers may have moved on from the Nigerian Prince Scheme, but the intention is still to get your information and your money. If you can identify that’s what they’re after, you’ll know it’s a scam.

For more information on avoiding scammers, contact your local IT company. That’s all for this week, we’ll see you next time!

Click or tap the link to return to the homepage.