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Better Business Bureau’s 2017 most reported scams are the daily emails and phone calls you receive.

 

Scammers remain diligent in trying to steal critical personal information from unknowing consumers. According to Better Business Bureau’s 2017 Most Reported Scams Tracker, the top three were phishing, sweepstakes, and government grant scams.

 

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Most Reported Scams

 

Phishing

Often called email scams, phishing scams are typically committed using email messages that appear to come from legitimate businesses or known email addresses. These emails often induce panic and trick you into clicking on a link. From there, you are convinced to divulge private information that the scammer uses to commit identity theft.

 

Phishing is the easiest and quickest way for thieves to collect personal data and commit identity theft.  These scams also now appear in text and instant messages.

 

Phone Scams

Phone scams, sweepstakes, and government grant scams are often conducted by telephone. They include a claim that the call’s recipient just won $5,000, a tax refund, a fabulous diamond ring, or a luxury vacation. The trouble is, you need to remember to enter something, and now the caller wants you to pay a fee using prepaid options such as gift cards, calling cards, wire transfers, or bitcoin to receive the prize.

 

Data Breaches at Large Corporations

Several news stories broke this year about data breaches at large corporations that customers thought they could trust. The Equifax breach and Paypal‘s compromised consumer list are significant events that have many people nervous about how their information is shared.

 

Experts predict that consumers will challenge the banking industry next year to establish quicker fraud and risk detection to protect their information against cyber thieves. Customer and employee education should improve awareness of the latest attacks and scams, so training is a significant measure for business owners.

 

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How to Protect Yourself Against Scams and Identity Theft

 

As many Americans set goals for the new year, unfortunately, scammers do as well. BBB recommends making a plan to protect your personal information. Here are a few steps to safeguard yourself against scams and identity theft:

 

Think Before Clicking

Clicking on links that appear in random emails is sometimes a smart move. When receiving emails from unfamiliar sources, hover over email addresses and embedded links if you need clarification before clicking on them. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Are the email domains like Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, or other free accounts?
  • Do the links lead to an unfamiliar website?
  • Will the email start with “Dear Customer” instead of a personalized greeting?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be a phishing scam. When in doubt, contact the alleged source of emails or messages (your bank, credit card company, government agency, or business) instead of clicking what could be a dangerous source.  Once you confirm an email is not from a valid source, delete the email, then empty the trash in your email box. Moreover, remember that these scams can be received via text or instant.

 

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Sound too good to be true? It probably is.

Listen carefully to calls that request money from you. If you have genuinely won something and entered for the prize, you should not have to pay for it. This includes paying taxes, shipping, and handling charges or processing fees. These terms are used to obtain something else from you – like a credit card or checking account number. If you hear the words wire transfer, gift cards, calling cards, or bitcoin – hang up. This is a sure way to lose money and need help tracing the transaction or retrieving your money. Please don’t fall for it.

 

Cyber Thieves are lurking into the New Year.

You are keeping all the software on your Internet-connected devices, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets, up to date to reduce the risk of infection from malware. Also, having strong and unique passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals. Consider making your password a sentence at least 12 characters long or even a sentence.

 

Reviewing your bank profiles and security settings, setting-up text or email notifications for all your debit and credit card activity, and checking your balances daily can help you to identify unusual activity. When shopping online, use a credit card instead of a debit card. A credit card provides more protection, and the charges will be easier to dispute than a debit card. Remember, NEVER use free Wi-Fi to check your bank accounts or sensitive information.

 

About the Author

 

Sandra Guile, Community Outreach Specialist for Better Business Bureau, provided the content for this article. She works extensively to educate the Cincinnati community about ethical marketplace practices. If you would like more information, please contact Sandra at 513-421-3015.

 

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The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job posting, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-270-3880.

 

2017 Most Reported Scams image provided by Adobe Stock

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Written by Crystal Kendrick

Publisher, The Voice of Black Cincinnati