Scam FAQ: How To Spot A Scam How Can I Tell If Something Might Be A Scam? It’S Probably A Scam If Someone: Makes an offer that sounds too good to be true; Promises that you can win money, make money, or borrow money easily; Asks for money to enter a contest, win a sweepstake or lottery, or claim a prize; Refuses to send you written information before you agree to buy or donate; Refuses to give you a physical address; Refuses to give you the details of the offer before you make any payment; Requests your bank account or credit card number when you are not making a purchase with that account; Uses scare tactics or pressure to act immediately; Insists that you wire money or have a courier pick up your payment; Refuses to stop calling after you’ve asked not to be called again; Contacts you to ask for personal information the company already has. Gives you a check or money order and asks you to send some of the money somewhere.

Scam FAQ: How To Spot Wire Transfer Fraud What Are The Warning Signs Of Wire Transfer Fraud? Know How To Recognize The Warning Signs Of Wire Transfer Fraud: Someone that you have never met in person is asking for money. This is the biggest red flag for fraud. If you’re in a long-distance relationship with someone you’ve never met in person, be wary of possible fraud, if they start asking for money. The reality is: fraudsters are professionals and they’ll do whatever it takes to get their hands on your cash. When it comes to that new love, overseas inheritance or investment opportunity, it’s worth the cost of the plane ticket to ensure it’s legit. If you can’t meet them in person, you should think twice before sending your money. You receive an email that claims you’ve won a jackpot but you have to pay fees before you can receive the prize. The reality is: the fraudsters are the ones hitting the jackpot. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You see an ad online for a great deal, but you’re required to transfer the money right away to receive the product. The reality is: the product doesn’t exist and they just want your money. While many people use wire transfers to pay for luxury items, it’s worth checking the reputation of the seller, if you’re transferring a large sum. You get a job as a mystery shopper but they send you a check for more than what you’re owed. You’re asked to send the excess funds back via wire transfer. The reality is: this is just a clever way to steal your cash, as the check is probably fake. You receive an email from someone pretending to be your bank or other service provider saying you need to update your security info. The reality is: as soon as you click the link, you’re vulnerable to malware. Phishing emails that try to steal your information or get you to wire money will often contain a lot of spelling and grammatical errors. The email might not address you by name, and it comes from a suspicious and unrecognizable source. It will probably ask you to provide financial information or to verify it, but if you hover over a URL, you’ll see that it will take you to a suspicious and unknown website. Don’t click on any links within these emails; instead, just delete them and block the sender. You receive an email or a phone call that claims the IRS wants you to pay back taxes, and you need to transfer your money or you’ll be arrested. The reality is: the IRS will formally contact you by mail rather than by phone, and they won’t be asking for your payments by credit card or by wire transfer either.

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Lottery Scams If the lottery winnings appear too good to be true, they probably are. Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country. Be leery if you do not remember entering a lottery or contest. Be cautious if you receive a telephone call stating you are the winner in a lottery. Beware of lotteries that charge a fee prior to delivery of your prize. Be wary of demands to send additional money to be eligible for future winnings. It is a violation of federal law to play a foreign lottery via mail or phone.

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Investment Fraud If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of promises to make fast profits. Do not invest in anything unless you understand the deal. Don't assume a company is legitimate based on "appearance" of the website. Be leery when responding to investment offers received through unsolicited email. Be wary of investments that offer high returns at little or no risk. Independently verify the terms of any investment that you intend to make. Research the parties involved and the nature of the investment. Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country. Contact the Better Business Bureau to determine the legitimacy of the company.

SCARS FAQ: FAQs

Q: BEC Business Email Compromise Scams?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid BEC Business Email Compromise Scams Be mindful of any email, phone call or text messages requesting multiple gift cards even if the request is ordinary. Beware of sudden changes in business or personal practices and carefully scrutinize all requests for multiple gift card purchases even if requests are ordinary. Since many of the fraudulent e-mails reported in this new trend are spoofed, confirm requests for the purchase of gift cards using two-factor authentication. If using phone verification, use previously known numbers, not the numbers provided in the e-mail request.

Q: Third Party Receiver Of Funds Fraud?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Third Party Receiver Of Funds Fraud Do not agree to accept and wire payments for auctions or purchases that you did not post. Be leery if the individual states that his country it makes receiving these type of funds difficult. Be cautious when the job posting claims "no experience necessary". Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country.

Q: How To Avoid Spam Email?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Spam Email Don't open spam. Delete it unread. Never respond to spam as this will confirm to the sender that it is a "live" email address. Have a primary and secondary email address - one for people you know and one for all other purposes. Avoid giving out your email address unless you know how it will be used. Never purchase anything advertised through an unsolicited email.

Q: Reshipping Fraud & Scams?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Reshipping Fraud & Scams Be cautious if you are asked to ship packages to an "overseas home office." Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country. Be leery if the individual states that his country will not allow direct business shipments from the United States. Be wary if the "ship to" address is yours but the name on the package is not. Never provide your personal information to strangers in a chatroom. Don't accept packages that you didn't order. If you receive packages that you didn't order, either refuse them upon delivery or contact the company where the package is from.

Q: Ponzi/Pyramid Schemes & Scams?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Ponzi/Pyramid Schemes & Scams If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of promises to make fast profits. Exercise diligence in selecting investments. Be vigilant in researching with whom you choose to invest. Make sure you fully understand the investment prior to investing. Be wary when you are required to bring in subsequent investors. Independently verify the legitimacy of any investment. Beware of references given by the promoter.

Q: Avoid Phishing/Spoofing Scams?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Phishing/Spoofing Scams Be suspicious of any unsolicited email requesting personal information. Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information. Always compare the link in the email to the link that you are actually directed to. Log on to the official website, instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited email. Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the email to verify if the email is genuine.

Q: Nigerian Letter Or "419" Email Scams?

Scam FAQ: How To Avoid Nigerian Letter Or "419" Email Scams If the "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is. Do not reply to emails asking for personal banking information. Be wary of individuals representing themselves as foreign government officials. Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of your own country. Beware when asked to assist in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts. Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation. Guard your account information carefully. Be cautious when additional fees are requested to further the transaction.

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