Spotting Scams and Frauds
Spotting Scams and Frauds
With the rise of AI, scams and frauds have only gotten harder to spot.
Here’s a few things to look out for when receiving messages from unknown senders.
- Short Timelines: Promises of extreme consequences if requests are not met, or limited time opportunities is an easy way to spot a scam.
- “Secure” Accounts: Scammers will often ask you to move money into a “safe” account or state that your assets are not “safe” unless you take action with them.
- Do It – Or Else: Threats of fees, legal action, or public humiliation are designed to scare victims. Legitimate organizations don’t use intimidation tactics.
- Too Good to Be True: Huge deals, dream job offers, and lucrative investments – if it sounds unreal, then it probably is.
- Technology Support: Be wary of anyone asking to access your device remotely. If you did not initiate a service request, it’s likely a scam to access sensitive digital information.
- Links: When scrolling through search results or receiving messages from a seemingly legitimate organization, be wary of anything urging you to click a link.
- Sloppiness: Bad grammar, awkward speech patterns, or strange movement in video calls – these are often signs of a scam and not just human error or poor connection.
Four Ways to Protect Yourself from Scammers
- Always verify any information or requests with a third party or another channel of communication.
- Never share personal or sensitive information over the phone.
- Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Check your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions.
- Toggle your Civic Central debit card off if you suspect fraud.