Back in October we talked about protecting yourself online -
https://www.regardingyourmoney.com/blog.htm?ID=11648.
Now I’d like to take the opportunity to inform you about National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). This event is sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). During the week from March 5 through March 11 the FTC, in partnership with AARP and many government agencies, will provide information to help people understand their rights as consumers and avoid fraud.
According to the FTC, the top five frauds in 2022 were:
How can you tell if it’s a scam?
Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know and trust. They have technology that can make it look like you are receiving a call from The Social Security Administration, the IRS or the local police.
They often tell you that you or someone in your family is in trouble or you owe money. Or, they’ll tell you that you’ve won a prize. An often-used ruse is to pretend to be from your financial institution, say there is a problem with one of your accounts, and ask you to verify information.
They will pressure you to act immediately. They want you to react without thinking. They will demand secrecy.
Scammers tell you to pay in a certain way. They will often request that you use a wire transfer service or a gift card or even cryptocurrency.
How can you avoid being scammed?
1) Never give out personal or financial information in response to a request you did not expect.
2) Resist the pressure to act immediately.
3) Do not pay using the method the scammer tells you to use.
4) Tell someone – a trusted friend or family member – about it. They can help you think through your next actions.
If you suspect a scam, always report it to the proper authorities.
Check out the FTC website for National Consumer Protection Week
–https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week for events and tips on how to avoid being scammed.
In addition to the FTC’s NCPW, the Social Security Administration is holding National Slam the Scam Day on Thursday, March 9. The objective of the day is to give you the tools to recognize Social Security scams and stop the scammers.
Ideas and tools can be found at: https://www.ssa.gov/scam/.
Share this information with as many people as you can. Together we’ll Slam the Scam.
Please always feel free to call (215-836-4880) or email the office
(ellend@regardingyourmoney.com) to set up an appointment to discuss any questions you may have. Or, visit us at regardingyourmoney.com
Sources: ftc.gov, ssa.gov