Scammers (let’s call them the “Crooks”) are talented at what they do and very convincing to certain folks. Here are a few tips/comments on scams-
- Good things: the Crooks will try to make you believe something good will happen if you do what they say – like winning a car, prize, money, etc.
- Bad things: the Crooks will try to scare you and make you believe something terrible has or will happen to you if you don’t do what they say – like you being arrested.
- The government will NOT call you out of the blue and ask for your personal information. They won’t email you either.
- A real organization will NOT ask you to pay money or give gift cards up front to claim your winnings.
Here are a few ways to protect yourself:
- Hang up the phone.
- Do not open the email; delete it quickly.
- Do not buy a gift card when the Crook asks.
- NEVER give your SSN or bank account information to the Crook.