Recognizing a Scam

Get to know the signs.
Here are the common signs that someone is trying to scam you.

  • Scammers pretend to be from an organization that you know and trust.
Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government.  They might use a real name, like the FTC, Social Security Administration, the IRS, or just make up a name that sounds official.  They may say they are from a business you commonly know.  (They may even tell you that they're calling from United Bank.)

They use technology to SPOOF the phone number, so it shows up on your phone with that organization name, so you'll think that it's real.

  • Scammers say there's a problem or a prize.
They may tell you that you're in trouble.  Or that you owe money and will go to jail if you don't pay them.  They may tell you that one of your family members has an emergency.  They may tell you that there is a virus on your computer and that your banking information has been compromised.

Other scammers tell you that you've won money, the lottery or sweepstakes.  But you have to pay a fee to get the full payment or prize.

  • Scammers will try to pressure you to act immediately.
They want to make you act before you have the chance to think.  If you're on the phone with the scammer, they'll do their best to keep you on the phone so that you can't check out their story.

They may threaten to arrest you, take your driver's license away or deport you.

  • Scammers tell you to PAY them in a specific way.
They often insist that you can only pay by using cryptocurrency, wiring money, using a payment app or buying a gift card.  After you buy the gift cards, they'll instruct you to give them the card information, including the PIN number.

Some scammers will send you a check (that will later be returned and deemed fraudulent), then tell you to deposit it and send them a portion of the money.




































Actions you can take to AVOID a scam.
Take steps to block unwanted calls and to filter unwanted text messages.
Honest organizations won't call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security number, bank account number, online banking credentials or credit card numbers.
Never pay someone who insists that you can only pay a certain way - like via a payment app, cryptocurrency or gift cards.  And never deposit a check into your bank account and send money back to someone.
Before you do anything else, tell someone about the request or demand.  A friend, a neighbor, a family member or your trusted community banker.  Talking about it with someone else can help you identify a possible scam.
Reporting your fraud scams helps others.  Don't be embarrassed if you fell for it.  The crook wants you to keep it to yourself, but we're all susceptible and can fall victim.  Help others learn from your experience.  

Here's a link to report to the FTC.











Reference: How to Avoid a Scam, FTC, July 2023