There is an epidemic of scam calls in Green Valley, AZ. Malicious actors have caught wind that this is a retirement community and are preying on senior citizens who can’t spot a scam. That’s why we’ve put this guide together to help protect you and help you spot a scammer from a mile away.
What’s A Scammer?
Scam callers are people who try to trick you into giving them your money or personal information over the phone. They may pretend to be someone you trust, such as a government agency, a family member, a love interest, or a computer technician. They may also offer you a prize, a grant, or a deal that sounds too good to be true.
- They may threaten you with legal action, arrest, or deportation if you don’t pay them right away.
- They’ll ask you to pay in a way that makes it hard for you to get your money back, such as by wiring money, buying gift cards, or using a money transfer app.
Scam callers can be very convincing and persuasive, but there are some warning signs that can help you spot them and avoid falling for their tricks.
Here are some tips on how to identify scam callers:
- Scam callers may use fake or spoofed phone numbers that look like they are from your area code, your bank, or a government agency. They may also use strange or unfamiliar phone numbers, or numbers that have different country codes. If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer the call. If you do answer, hang up as soon as you suspect it’s a scam. Source
- Scam callers may tell you things that are not true, such as:
- You won a prize that you never entered for
- You owe taxes or debts that you don’t owe
- You have a problem with your account or your payment information
- You qualify for a free grant or a special offer
- You have a virus or an error on your computer
- You have a relative or a friend who needs your help
- Don’t believe these claims without verifying them first. Don’t give out any personal or financial information to the caller, such as your Social Security number, your bank account number, your credit card number, or your passwords. Don’t agree to pay any fees or charges to get the prize, the grant, or the service. Don’t follow any instructions to log onto a website, download a software, or access your computer remotely.
- Scam callers may try to rush you into making a decision or accepting an offer. They may also try to scare you with threats of legal action, arrest, deportation, or harm to yourself or your loved ones. They may use emotional tactics to make you feel guilty, grateful, or sympathetic. Don’t let them manipulate you. Take your time and think before you act. Ask for written information about the offer or the issue. Hang up and call back the official number of the organization or the person they claim to be.
- Scam callers may ask you to pay in ways that make it hard for you to get your money back or trace the transaction. They may ask you to:
- Wire money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram
- Buy gift cards, prepaid cards, or cash reload cards and share the codes
- Use money transfer apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App
- Send cash by mail or courier
- Don’t pay in these ways unless you know and trust the person you are paying. These methods are not secure and not refundable. If someone asks you to pay in these ways, it’s a sign of a scam.
If you receive a scam call, hang up and report it to the authorities. You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ . You can also register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/ . This will help reduce unwanted sales calls from legitimate companies. However, it won’t stop scam calls from illegal callers.
Summary
Scam callers are people who try to trick you into giving them your money or personal information over the phone. They may use fake or spoofed phone numbers, false or misleading claims, pressure tactics, threats, emotional manipulation, and unusual payment methods. To identify scam callers and protect yourself from their scams:
- NEVER TRUST CALLER ID ALONE!
- Don’t trust the caller’s claims
- Don’t feel pressured or scared
- Don’t pay in unusual ways
- Report scam calls
Leave a Reply