In today’s digital age, scams are more sophisticated and prevalent than ever. From imposter scams to fake tech support to phony text messages, scammers are constantly devising new ways to trick you. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here’s what you need to know about common scams and staying safer from fraud.

How to spot a scam

Scammers use creative calls, texts, computer pop-ups and emails to trick you into giving them money, personal information or access to your computer. Watch out for red flags that give a scammer away, including:

• Asking for your PIN, password or security codes
• Requesting remote access to your computer
• Creating a sense of urgency through threats of arrest or other consequences
• Offering quick-fix solutions to a supposedly dire problem
• Refusing to allow you off the call to verify the information
• Insisting that you wire them money or purchase gift cards

Being aware of these common signs of fraud can help you be proactive in ensuring your banking and personal information remain secure.

Identify imposter scams

Have you heard about imposter scams? In these scams, someone pretends to be a person or entity you would typically trust — a government agency, a police officer, a business, a financial institution or even a family member or friend. The scammer’s goal is to con you out of your money or personal information.

According to the Consumer Sentinel by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), imposter scams were the second most common category among the 5.5 million scams reported in 2023.^* Available data as of September 30, 2024, show that one in five people reporting imposter scams lost money, with people aged 70 and older experiencing a much higher median loss. If you have elderly family members or friends who may not be familiar with online and phone scams, we recommend staying in regular contact with them. Take time to explain the risks of common scams and discuss the importance of keeping their personal information safe.

Tell tech support scams to scram

In this fraudulent scheme, scammers pose as technical support representatives from reputable companies, such as Microsoft^® or Apple^®, to deceive you into believing that your computer has serious issues. They often use phone calls, computer pop-ups or emails to contact you. The scammers might use technical jargon to convince you that your computer is infected or has other problems. Then, they may ask you to grant them remote access to your computer, provide personal information or pay for unnecessary services.

To protect yourself, never give remote access to your computer to unsolicited callers and always verify the legitimacy of any tech support contact. Learn more about tech support scams from the FTC.

Stop smishing scams

Text messaging scams (called smishing) are one of the most common ways in which fraudsters attempt to steal your information. Have you ever received a random message asking you to accept your sizeable contest winnings?

Another common scam message includes a request to click a link to track a package or pay an overdue toll bill, but really, those links are fraudulent and will steal your information and money. Always be skeptical of any unsolicited text messages you receive and avoid clicking on unexpected links. Learn more about protecting yourself from smishing scams.

To learn more about other common scams and how to avoid them, visit our Education Page and sort by security education.

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Posted In:

• Security Education