How to Prevent Falling Victim
to Scams
Know the RED FLAGS

Bogus Information
Scammers use apps and other technology
to mask their names and numbers. Do not
assume that your caller ID is accurate.
For example, from your caller ID it may look like
someone is calling from your local area code,
but they are actually in another state, or even
another country.
Scammers target thousands of people in
the United States via cold calls, robo calls,
text messages, emails, social media/online
sites (like Facebook™), and fake propaganda
mailed to you.

Sense of Urgency
Someone will call and urge you to send money
immediately to collect a prize, or act quickly to
help a family member in distress.
They will threaten you with dire consequences
— arrest, or government action against you.
Threats may even include unsolicited deliveries
to your home, such as pizza deliveries or other
unwanted services.

Requests for Payment
They ask that you send cash, checks,
or money orders via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or
other overnight or express delivery services.
The addresses are often private homes,
not legitimate business addresses.
Scammers request that you purchase gift cards and
provide them with the numbers on the back of the cards.
They ask for your bank, debit, or credit card
information. They may ask you to send your debit
or credit card to them.
They ask you to deposit checks from a fake sponsor
into your personal bank account. They may encourage
you to open new accounts to receive your prize money.

Tips to Prevent Falling Victim to Scams
1. Screen your calls. The best way to avoid
falling victim to scammers is to not give them
an opportunity to talk to you.
* Do not answer calls from phone numbers you do not recognize.
* Set up your voicemail. Most scammers will not
leave a message and will simply hang up.
Someone who is trying to legitimately contact
you (like a doctor’s office) will leave a voicemail
with their information.
* Block unwanted calls and text messages,
especially from numbers you do not recognize
or people who are promising something in
exchange for money.
* Do not feel obligated to listen to a caller —
you can simply HANG UP.

2. Be extremely cautious about sharing personal
information like your Social Security number or
bank account information with an unsolicited
caller. Scammers need only a few pieces of
information to take control of your accounts.
* Be skeptical whenever someone asks for
money via cash, check, gift card, money order,
or wire transfers.
* Do not deposit checks from people you
do not know or have never met in person. If
a bank or check-cashing institution deems a
check fraudulent, it is your responsibility to
repay the funds.

3. Do your own independent research.
Scammers want to have as much control over you
as possible. Before sending any money or providing
personal information, research companies, names,
and phone numbers online. Do not trust that a
phone number someone provides you is legitimate
even if it is a (800) or (888) area code.
4.Do not give in to pressure to pay or take
immediate action. Legitimate businesses and
government entities provide ample opportunity for
you to think things through.

5. Be smart about the payments.
* Protect your money and take the time to assess
the risk of losing money. Be aware that once
scammers have your money, it’s not likely you will
ever recover it.
* No purchase is necessary to participate and
win legitimate sweepstakes. Winning is
always FREE.

6. Confide in someone close to you before making
a decision. Scammers will often request that you
not share your conversation with anyone.
Tell someone about it.

7. Review your accounts regularly for any suspicious
activity or transaction that you did not authorize.
Report it immediately to your financial institution.
Trust your instincts.
If it’s too good to be true … it probably is.

Resources
USPIS
1-877-876-2455

uspis.gov
FTC

1-877-382-4357 or 1-877-FTC-HELP
ftc.gov

AARP
1-888-687-2277 or 1-888-OUR-AARP
aarp.org