SCAMS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM
AND WHAT TO DO
Scams are on the uprise. There was a time when the only thing we had to worry about were emails from Nigeria promising us millions of dollars while emptying our bank accounts.
Well, the scammers have gotten more sophisticated. Not only are we receiving new scams by email, but now we receive text messages on our mobile phones. And, scammers are placing credit card devices in stores and gas stations that collect our credit card information and passwords! So, here is information about the latest scams and how to avoid potential problems:
So many people shop online with Amazon prime, and the hackers have cashed in on this trend. Over the last year, I have not only received text messages, but also emails and phone calls related to Amazon. The texts and emails may be something like this:
Thank you for your purchase of a MacBook Pro for $1799. If this order was not placed by you, please click on the link to be connected with Amazon. The item and price may vary, but you will recognize that it is NOT something you purchased. Whatever you do, DO NOT click on the link OR call the phone number that is in the message! Links will take you to web pages that look IDENTICAL to Amazon's site. However, once you log in to this "spoofed" site, your username and password is now available to the hackers. They can immediately change the password and/or username and lock you out of your own account.
What to do? If in doubt, to your web browser or phone app that you KNOW is genuinely run by Amazon and login to check your recent purchases. This is how you can determine if it was a scam message.
If the message was by SMS to your mobile phone, you can click HERE and you will be taken to Amazon's reporting for phone and SMS message scams. You can also call Amazon customer service directly (USA) at 866-216-1072.
If the message was through your email address, you can forward the message to: stop-spoofing@amazon.com
Now to credit card fraud.... First of all, I encourage people to NOT use their ATM Debit card for purchases. Even though the majority of them carry the VISA or MC logo which offers some protection, you still may be dealing with a drained bank account while the problem is resolved.
If you can, always get a major credit card for purchases.
Many major card companies now offer "virtual numbers" for online purchases. Some, like CapitalOne have tools that you include in your web browser that automatically open a virtual number app where you can assign this virtual number for each vendor. It is attached internally to your "REAL" credit card, but the seller only sees the number you created. Also, some companies offer SMS notifications when a purchase is made over a certain limit. I recommend setting that bottom limit to $1.00. Many thieves will make a small purchase online of say, $1.50 to see if the transaction goes through. If successful, they then go to town racking up thousands of dollars.
The advantage of a credit card is that you are NOT responsible for charges made without your authorization. It is always a good idea to immediately report any suspicious activity to the credit card issuer to shut down that card and issue you a new one.
If your credit is not so good to obtain a credit card, then consider using a "fillable" card. These cards are just as valid for purchases as VISA/MC/AMEX, but are limited to only what amount you "recharge" the card.
When using service stations for filling your gas tank, if it's not the station you normally use, take the time to go INTO the store and ask the clerk to swipe your card for the purchase. I personally have had a credit card number stolen twice when filling up at a station not near my home. I learned my lesson.
Finally, if you DO use your ATM card to get cash, be aware that ATM machines (other than the ones inside your bank) are vulnerable to thieves attaching small cameras aimed at the keypad. These cameras record your PIN number and they also may have attached a device over the slot where you enter your ATM card. When you are inputting your PIN number, always use your other hand to cover the keypad. That way, the camera can't see what you have input.
This scam has been going on for quite a while. You may receive a phone call, SMS message, or email regarding your Social Security account. NEVER click on any link, or give any personal information. Even if the phone call has a live person. Politely tell them that you are hanging up and will call the Social Security Administration directly. If you need to check anything online, simply go to http://www.ssa.gov where you can create an online account and login. If you prefer, you can call (800) 772-1213.
Here is another government scam that keeps surfacing from time to time. You'll get a recorded phone call, email or SMS message telling you that the IRS is either investigating you, or sending agents to your home for arrest due to tax fraud.
The IRS will NEVER do this! If there is a problem, you will receive an official letter from them through the USPS mail. NEVER give any personal information if you are contacted any other way.
Finally, scammers are using public utility company scams. Several times over the last year, I've received either phone call or SMS message from, supposedly, Florida Power & Light telling me that my bill is seriously overdue and my power will be cut within 2 hours. I'm encouraged to click on a link or phone number to "speak with an agent immediately". When I actually login to the utility website, my bill is current and nothing is due. NEVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK!
My final suggestion is to subscribe to LifeLock by Norton. Yes, it's a paid service. However, they constantly monitor credit cards, bank accounts, and other critical information sources and alert you with anything suspicious. In addition, if your identity is stolen, they cover up to $1,000,000 in legal fees to recover your identity and restore your credit.
About a year ago, I receive a phone call, SMS message, and email from LifeLock that a bank account was opened in my name.
Some time ago, AT&T had stopping hosting their email accounts and given the data to be managed by Yahoo. Unfortunately, millions of customers had their email addresses, DOB, and other critical information stolen and spread over the dark web.
In my case, this thief had opened a savings, checking, and credit card account in a credit union in a different state. Because of the dark web, they had my SSN, email and DOB. Had I not had LifeLock, I would never have known about this, and would have had a serious problem as the individual posing as me attempted to get a car loan!
I contacted the credit union immediately. They placed locks on all of those accounts and began an internal and federal investigation on the thief (as this was a credit union associated with a branch of the armed services).
Yes, LifeLock is a paid service, but well worth the money - my identity and credit could have been destroyed had prompt action not been taken.
FINAL WORDS
Over the years, I have serviced computers for friends and paid clients. The one common problem that I found in 99% of the time with computer problems was the fact that the individual either had NO antivirus protection, or had not bothered to keep it up to date.
This is dangerous, especially if you have computers in a business setting.
Ransomware has become a problem of epidemic proportions for businesses! The virus attacks networked computers and the hacker then steals critical information files, wipes the hard drives, and then charges a ransom to get those files returned. This could all have been avoided if the business had used up-to-date virus protection and well-crafted passwords.
The days of using your child or dog's name as a password have long passed. Most business and banking sites are now requiring hefty passwords and/or 2-step authentication (sends a text message or email with a code to verify your identity).
Yes, it's a problem trying to keep track of all those passwords and it's easier to use the same one for everything. CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE!
There are many password managers available for free or
for a small charge. I have found LastPass to work reliably
with my mobile phone and home PCs. When you login
to a new website, you can have LastPass create a very
secure password and will save it to the database, so that the
next time you login, it will complete the username and password fields automatically. The only thing that you need to remember with LastPass is the "Master Password". Create a hefty password that you can remember for your Master Password and don't lose it or you will not gain access to your password database.
NEVER use the same password for multiple banks OR the same password for bank accounts as you use for other sites. When one is compromised, everything else is vulnerable.
Final words:
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Buy, maintain and update a good antivirus program on ALL devices. Most companies allow you to buy a license for multiple devices. Use it!
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Be suspicious of any unsolicited SMS message, phone call or email pretending to be a major company, bank, government entity, or utility company. When in doubt, go directly to their website or call them. NEVER give out personal information to these scammers!
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Use a credit card or "rechargeable card" for all of your purchases. If offered, take advantage of "virtual card numbers" for all purchases online.
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Activate 2-step verification for important accounts. Every time you login, you will receive and email or SMS message with a code to verify that it's you.
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Consider LifeLock subscriptions. I have had two personal friends who had their identities stolen and it cost them THOUSANDS of dollars in legal fees and their credit was destroyed for years.
I hope these tips have been helpful. It is sad that in today's world we have to be so mistrusting, but the Internet has not only been a useful tool in everyday life, but also a tool for those who wish to do harm to us. Stay vigilant!
