I wouldn't scoff too much the next time you hear about a scam victim. We are all susceptible. I am not referring to the request for help depositing a million dollars written in broken English.
The really good scams are pulled off by sophisticated con-artists. They look and sound so real that you'll be vulnerable unless you have your guard up. They use techniques to build a rapport with you; look and sound very credible; and play off your emotions to get you to make quick decisions.
Top 5 Scams
The Better Business Bureau reports the following as the current top 5 most successful scams:- Arrest scam. You receive an anonymous phone call from someone claiming to be a government agent. They are going to arrest you for overdue taxes, but you can avoid the arrest by sending them money via a prepaid credit card. Many people pay out of fear.
- Tech support scam. You get a call, or a popup ad on your computer, from Microsoft about a problem with your computer. You are told that if you give tech support access to your hard drive, they can fix it. Instead, they begin stealing your personal information.
- “Are you calling yourself?” scam. Scammers can make a call look as though it’s coming from anywhere—even your own phone. This piques your curiosity and you return the call. At that point, you are snagged.
- Copycat website scam. You get an email or text message about a terrific sale. You click through, and it looks like a popular retail site. But when you order, you get nothing at all, and they have your credit card information.
- Medical alert scam. You get a call claiming that a concerned family member ordered a medical alert device for you in case of an emergency. This one obviously preys on older people. They take your credit card or banking information, but you never receive anything.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Don’t allow yourself to be pressured.
- Never provide personal information to people you don’t know.
- Don’t click on unsolicited links.
- Verify claims, good or bad, before acting.
Contact Steffens Law Office by calling (308) 872-8327 today to learn more.