Beware of Scams!

May 30, 2022

There are many, many good people in the world.  Some strangers would give you the shirt off their back and many folks volunteer their time to help others in need.  Especially in our tumultuous times, it is important to be kind and generous to our fellow neighbors.  However, unfortunately, there are also scammers out there who prey on various populations, usually ones who are more vulnerable.  Beware of predatory scams! 

 Watch out for home repair scams 

Home repair scams can come in many forms.  One technique is to quote you one price for work and then demand a much higher price after the work is finished.  Another strategy of scammers is to do repairs that you never requested or that you never agreed to.  Or, the scammer can impersonate a building inspector or other authority figure, and demand immediate repairs.  

Lessons: 

  • If a stranger comes to your home seeking to do repairs, tell them you want to get other estimates. This will give you time to see if the company is who they say they are. Legitimate companies shouldn’t have a problem with you getting other estimates. 
  • If you aren’t interested in the product or service, then don’t feel bad saying no. It is your choice! 
  • If you tell the scammer “no,” then they will oftentimes try to throw in a last-minute “deal.” Beware of this trick.  

Watch out for gift card requests or unusual requests for help 

Many scammers trick people by exploiting their giving nature. One way to do this is to solicit gift cards. They may email or call you stating that gift cards are needed for a certain charitable cause. Some scammers may contact you pretending to be a professional with a legitimate humanitarian concern and request gift cards to support of that cause, when in fact the whole thing is just a ploy. 

Other times scammers will contact a senior pretending to be a family member or friend in need, requesting financial assistance. They may feign distress or say that there is an urgent situation which requires immediate financial help, when in fact they are not who they are pretending to be. 

Lessons: 

  • If someone contacts you requesting gift cards for a specific charity and you want to help, contact that charity directly to see how you can contribute. 
  • If someone contacts you pretending to be a family member or friend in need and requesting financial assistance, be sure to verify their identity right away.

Scam emails, fake pop-ups, and fake bank transfers.   

Some scammers will send out an email stating that you have a virus or other malware on your computer.  They may also create a pop-up window that states the same. Scammers may pretend to be a tech support company that can clean up your computer for a fee. The scam may include the “fee” required to remove a non-existent virus; however, if the scammer asks for your computer or electronic device in order to remove virus or malware, they can also have access to personal information on your computer. Some scammers, especially those with whom you have interacted before, may contact you stating that money was erroneously transferred to you, and ask for a return of that transfer, when in fact no money had been transferred to you in the first place.    

Lessons:   

  • Do some research to ensure you are working with a reputable business.   
  • If you think there has been a banking error of some sort, contact the bank to determine the real facts. 
  • Don’t give a third-party access to your computer unless you know for sure it is customer support from a company that you contacted.  

 Watch out for romance scams 

Scammers pray upon people who are vulnerable to loneliness. While there are many legitimate websites to find companionship, some scammers will create fake dating profiles and try to lure you into a relationship. Then, the scammer can ask for money, sensitive banking information, or gift cards.    

Lessons: 

  • Don’t rush into a relationship. 
  • If the person cannot be available to video chat, they may not be who they say they are. 
  • Do an internet search of the individual’s name and profile pictures.   
  • If an in-person meeting occurs, do so in a public place. 
  • Don’t send any money to someone unless you are confident it isn’t a scam.  

Where can you go for help? 

If you or a loved one thinks they have been the victim of a scam, there are ways to get help.  You can call your local police department or call 1-800-677-1116 to reach the Eldercare Locator. This government-sponsored national resource line helps folks find contact information for Adult Protective Services in their area.