The scam: An automated call or email claiming that your credit card has been charged by Amazon or that you have an outstanding balance in your account. The scammer asks people to call them to get a refund or resolve the charges, after which they ask for your card number and attempt to remotely access your computer. You may also receive an SMS or email claiming that you have a package, but they need to verify your information. The scam: Scammers pose as grandchildren and pretend to have serious problems, such as in prison or in the hospital. They are urgently asking for money in the form of transferred funds or prepaid gift cards. You can also say that his voice seems unknown due to injuries. After the first call, they may claim that you will hear from a lawyer or official. How: Never grant a stranger remote access to your computer or click on links from an unknown sender in an email or pop-up message. If you receive a call from „Technical Support“, hang up. Also, be careful when searching for technical support numbers online.

Some users have been scammed by calling illegitimate numbers for legitimate businesses. We have information about scams, often involving seniors, in our Pass It Side campaign, you can order free copies of the tips you see online or related bookmarks to distribute. All our documents are available in English, Spanish and www.FTC.gov/Bulkorder. We have more printed information on online security, shopping for funerals, identity theft prevention, and more. The scam: You receive an email that threatens to compromise personal videos and photos unless you pay, usually in Bitcoin. The email claims that you have been hacked and may point to a current or previous password that you may have used. The sender claims to have access to your computer and webcam and threatens to post embarrassing photos and videos if you don`t send them money. The scam: Scammers pose as debt collectors or law enforcement agencies and say that legal action will be taken against you if you don`t pay them what you owe. Some may claim to be trusted companies or the government, such as utilities or the IRS. If you answer a call and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it`s an automated call, and it`s probably a scam designed to trick you into giving away your personal information or money. Do not call back or provide personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call to a number that you know is reliable. If you granted a fraudster remote access to your computer, update your computer`s security software.

Then, run a scan and remove anything that is identified as a problem. First, many people discovered calls, text messages, and emails from fake government officials. In 2020, people reported losing more than $174 million due to government fraud, with an average loss of $1,250. The scam: A call or pop-up message on your computer that claims to be from Microsoft, Apple, or another well-known technology company. They will say that there is a virus or other problem with your computer and will try to convince you to give them remote access to fix the problem. They can also request immediate payment for their services. If you paid a scammer using a money transfer app, contact the company behind the app. If the app is linked to a credit or debit card, first contact your credit card company or bank. The BBB says scammers primarily target seniors — not just money, but also their personal information. Secondly, you can share a few ways to catch these scammers red-handed: scammers can use the internet to make calls from all over the world. They don`t care if you`re in the National Do Not Call Registry.

That`s why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking. The type of call blocking or identification technology you use depends on the phone, whether it`s a cell phone, a traditional landline, or a home phone that makes calls over the Internet (VoIP). See what services your phone provider offers and search online for expert opinions. For mobile phones, you can also check the ratings of different call blocking apps in your online app store. Vermonters can report a scam or sign up for the fraud alert system by going to ago.vermont.gov/cap or calling CAP at 1-800-649-2424. Unfortunately, many fraudulent encounters in Vermont result in financial losses. In 2020, 249 Vermonters lost a total of about $1.5 million to fraudsters. The most common scams associated with losing money were scams (scammers posing as friends, family members, or romantic interests) and online classifieds (scams on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace). Scammers ask their victims to send money using a variety of methods, including gift card transactions, peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or CashApp, bank transfers, and cash or checks by mail. A Michigan consumer sent us this voice message he recently received: „From the seat, which will expire in the next 24 business hours.

And once it expires, you will be taken into custody by the local police, because at that time, four serious charges are laid against your name. We ask that you contact us so that we can discuss this matter before taking legal action against you. If you paid a scammer by transferring money through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram, call the company immediately to report the scam and file a complaint. Call the complaints department: A scammer pretends to be someone you trust — a government agency like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, a family member, a love interest, or someone who claims there`s a problem with your computer. The scammer may even display a fake name or number on your caller ID to convince you. If someone calls and claims to be from the FTC, please let us know. Report the www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Thank you very much. Many people are having trouble sleeping, because of the pandemic and all the parts of our lives that affect them. And it doesn`t help if you get a call saying you owe money to the government.

Oh, and, they add, you`ll go to jail if you don`t pay right away. It`s a scam and nothing to lose sleep. For those who are a little more cut off from people than usual, these calls may seem more real and disturbing than they are. If you know someone might be cut off from others, contact them to make sure they know these calls are scams. Sharing these tips could help someone you love sleep a little more peacefully. And of course, if you discover a scammer, talk about it and then notify the FTC to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Each report helps protect your community. If you`ve lost money due to a phone scam or have information about the company or scammer that called you, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If someone calls you and offers to „help“ you recover money you`ve already lost, don`t give them money or personal information. You`re probably dealing with a fake refund scam. How to spot the scam: If you win a grand prize from Publishers Clearing House, they will contact you personally.

For small prizes (less than $10,000), winners will be notified by next day delivery service (FedEx, UPS), registered mail or email in the case of online sweepstakes. They never talk on the phone. Unsolicited verification in an unknown sender`s email is usually a scam. The scam: You receive a call (usually an automated call) stating that there has been criminal or fraudulent activity related to your Social Security number. The scammer may also pretend to be a government agency or law enforcement agencies, threatening arrest or serious consequences. The scam often starts with an automated call. Here`s how to spot the scam: They ask you to send money immediately, often in the form of bank transfers or gift cards. If you`ve met the person online, but they refuse to talk via video chat or phone. Phone scams come in many forms, but they tend to make similar promises and threats, or ask you to pay in a certain way.