Tips to Avoid Scams

Watch For Scams is dedicated to helping you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

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Tips to Avoid Scams

What are the most common scams we are seeing?

The most common cyber scams ranked by the number of complaints into the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, are:

1. Online shopping

2. Phishing

3. Extortion

4. Hacking

5. Romance scams and

6. Business email compromise scams

By dollar losses – business email compromise scams top the list.

What are the most important things I should know about cyber scams?

1. Never click on links or attachments in emails, text messages, or social media posts. They can contain malware that will infect your device or lead you to a fraudulent (but real-looking) website to collect user ID and password info.

2. Don’t share personal or sensitive info with people you meet online. You can never take back compromising pictures… and no one should contact you unsolicited to ask for your financial or health information.

3. Trust your gut. As the old saying goes, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What are some easy steps you can take today to increase your safety online?

1. Lock down all of your social media accounts with security and privacy in mind. Restrict your friend lists to include only those who you know and trust in real life.

2. Set your devices, software, and apps to update automatically.

3. Make sure every online account – whether it is your favorite shopping portal or your utility provider – has robust security. That means using strong passwords or passphrases and/or multi-factor authentication.

What is social engineering?

Examples include scams where you are told you are in trouble with the law, have won a huge lottery, or need to immediately help a family member in danger.

The fraudster will use your heightened emotion to get you to give them money or personal information.

What should I do if I am the victim of a cyber scam?

In some cases, you may need a police report to file a fraud complaint. Contact your local law enforcement to do that.

Check your credit report regularly for ongoing concerns.

If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam you should promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3's complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration.

Remember - always watch for scams!