Types of scams

• Internal Revenue Service payment requests
• Social Security scams that pressure you to take action
• Law enforcement investigations over the phone
• Bill collection requests with threats or requests for payment with pre-paid cards
• Online purchases for goods from unknown sellers (vehicles, puppies, etc.)
• Lottery or prize winnings where money is required to claim the prize
• Grants or personal loans offered from unfamiliar banks or companies
• Requests to cash or deposit checks from unknown sources
• Offers for employment where the potential employee is required to buy something and / or is promised to be reimbursed.

Email scams are typically phishing scams that will use email to trick you into giving them your personal information and maliciously using your information to commit fraud.

Scammers can easily lift our logo from online and create emails that look like they are from legitimate company or organization, so be sure to take the following action:

• Do not open an unfamiliar email as it may include malicious links that go to a compromised website hosting malware.
• Be aware of the email address the email is coming from. Sometimes this can be an easy way to spot a scam.
• Do not respond to the request.
• Do not click on any links.
• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not provide any personal information.

If the email is alerting you to a purchase you made or a problem with an account, contact the business or organization directly by phone. You should also check your account directly to confirm the suspected activity. For example, if you get an email from Amazon confirming a purchase you did not make, don’t respond to the email. Simply log directly into your Amazon account to confirm the purchase. Chances are, you’ll see nothing was actually purchased. 

If you get an email indicating your account was compromised and you need to log in or confirm a password, this may also be a phishing attempt to obtain your login information. You should avoid logging into accounts via links sent in emails like this. If you are concerned the account security threat is legitimate, log into the account through the website’s main login page and change your password from there. 

Smishing, short for short message service (SMS) phishing, is a relatively new scam that attempts to trick mobile phone users into giving scammers personal information. 

Smishing can be used for identity theft, via a text or SMS message. Scammers like smishing, as consumers tend to be more inclined to trust text messages. 

Most organizations will only text you if you’ve signed up to receive communications this way. If you do not recognize the sender's phone number, take the following precautions:

• Do not open an unfamiliar text as it may include malicious links that go to a compromised website hosting malware.
• Block the number (see your phone provider for details on how to do this if you don’t know how)
• Do not respond to the request.
• Do not click on any links.
• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not provide any personal information.

Scammers try to gain access to your computer and online accounts by posing as tech security/IT professionals. These scams often begin with a popup ad indicating some subscription has been renewed or canceled, or that your computer security is compromised. If you follow the link or call the listed number, you are connected to a person who may claim to be from McAfee Security, Microsoft, Apple or another recognized security brand. 

The scammer will then try to pressure you into allowing remote access to your computer, where they can access all your online information/accounts/login credentials.

Other online scams typically revolve around person-to-person sales. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are common venues used by scammers, or you may find yourself on a fraudulent website. If you plan on making purchases or sending money for person-to-person sales, take every step possible to ensure the sellers are legitimate. 

Common scams online include:

• Rental scams: a home or apartment is listed for rent (usually at a price lower than common market value). The landlord is not available to meet in person and offers to send you keys to the home once you have paid a deposit and application fee. It is best not to commit to renting online unless you can meet the landlord in person at the home. 
• Puppy scams: A website or online seller offering puppies for sale, usually a specific, sought-after breed. Their website may look legitimate. Once you pay the seller, they continue asking for money for vet fees, travel expenses and insurance, etc. If possible, sales like these should be completed in-person or from a reputable seller.
• Lover scams: An online relationship with someone who lives long-distance, usually claiming to be an American citizen overseas and/or in the military. Eventually, they ask for large amounts of money for various reasons so they can return to the US and pursue a real relationship with the victim.
• “Sextortion” scams: Nude or explicit photos are exchanged with someone online. The receiver then extorts the sender for money, threatening to send/post the nudes online to friends/family/employers. Remember, anytime you choose to send a nude or explicit photo online, you run the risk of it becoming public and/or being used against you.
• Contest scams: You may be told you won a contest with a large cash prize or that you qualify for a large grant or loan. In these scenarios, scammers will send you checks or money and ask you to send it back to pay processing fees. This is a common method of money laundering; you should never accept cash or checks from unknown or untrusted callers.
• Hacked profile scams: These are emails or social media messages from “friends” whose profiles have been compromised or hacked. You may receive messages that appear to be from trusted sources asking for money or gift cards. In these scenarios, if you have any doubts about the validity of the request, contact the sender by alternate means (a call or text is best as it is the most direct way to confirm whether the request is legitimate).

Beware of callers who use high pressure tactics to get you to make an immediate payment. You may be directed to transfer funds electronically, sometimes through money wiring systems, apps like Zelle or CashApp, or pre-paid cards.

These pre-paid cards have unique serial numbers that the scammer uses to transfer and steal the funds. You may also be asked by a scammer to make a same-day payment at a retail location to avoid action.

Spoofing technology can show that the call is coming from any organization when the call is actually from a scammer, so be alert to aggressive tactics. If the call begins with an area code rather than 800, be suspicious, but scammers can also use phone numbers beginning with 800.

Common phone call scams include: 

• Caller claims to be the IRS/Border Patrol/FBI and you have been linked to crimes out of state.
• Caller claims they are your grandchild/family member and they need bail money immediately.
• Caller claims they are SPD/SCSO or another law enforcement agency and a warrant is out for your arrest over missed jury duty/unpaid fines etc.
• Caller claims they are from a company following up about suspicious activity on an account (this could be your bank, Amazon, iTunes, PayPal, or other account).

Door-to-door scams are less common than they used to be, but they still happen.  The scammer will knock on your door and offer to sell you a product or service but they are actually looking to take your money and/or personal information.

Be alert to anyone who shows up at your home and uses high pressure tactics to demand immediate payment to avoid action. Scammers can try to appear legitimate by carrying a tools, a walkie-talkie, or wearing official gear. If you suspect anything, ask to see their company ID. You can also contact that company directly to confirm.

If anyone visits your home or property without proper identification, you can ask that person to leave. Call 911 immediately if you are in danger.