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Online and phone scams are on the rise. Thanks to the advent of new technological tools, scammers are getting more sophisticated with their methods of taking advantage of vulnerable populations.
Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
• You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
• You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
• You’ve won one of five valu- able prizes.
• You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
• This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.
• You have to make up your mind right away.
• You trust me, right?
• You don’t need to check our company with anyone.
• We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Many scammers target deaf and hard-of-hearing individu- als who use a video relay ser- vice. Placing a video phone call, the scammers claim to be
from the IRS and provide fake names and badges. Scammers get creative with their calls, addressing their victims in their native language, if applicable, or even threatening them with arrest or deportation if they don’t supply specific informa-
tion, usually bank account numbers or Social Security numbers scammers can use to defraud victims.
HOW TO REPORT PHONE SCAMS
You can play a big part in
shutting down future phone scans by reporting them to the FTC or Federal Communications Commission.
Here’s how:
Report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission, either online at www.ftc.gov or
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by phone at (877) 382-4357. • Report all robocalls and
unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry.
• Report caller ID spoofing to the FCC either online at www. fcc.gov or by phone at 888-225- 5322.
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Avoid these Scams