Telephone Scams ::: Tips to Avoid Being Scammed



	Tips to Avoid a Scam: 1. The Golden Rule When an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. 2. Keep Personal Info Private Never give your bank account, social security, or credit card numbers to anyone you don’t know and trust. 3. Avoid High Pressure Sales Say no to any offer or deal that is only available right now. 4. Never Pay for a Prize If you are offered a prize but are asked to pay a “processing fee” or “taxes in advance,”it is likely a scam. You shouldn’t have to pay anything to win a free prize. If you’re still not sure whether it's a scam, call our Scam Hotline at (858) 715-1648.				Scam Menu: Telephone Scams Tips to Avoid Being Scammed The best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a telephone scam is to register in the Do Not Call list: https://www.donotcall.gov/. Make sure to include your cell phones, as those are the newest targets. This is now a permanent listing and you no longer have to renew. If you are solicited after registering, you can report the violators here. The following are the most common telephone scams, but the scammers are clever and change their stories often—so be wary of any call received from an unknown person that requests personal information and/or money. “GRANDCHILD IN TROUBLE” One of the most common scams targeting seniors in this country is the phone call from someone claiming to be the senior’s grandchild. In many cases, the person on the other end of the line knows the name of the real grandchild and the nickname the grandchild uses for the senior, such as “Grammie” or “Pop.” This scam relies on emotion and exploits the grandparent’s willingness to help the grandchild in any way possible. The scam works as follows: The scammer calls the senior pretending to be the senior’s grandchild. They tell the victim that they are in trouble and need money. Commonly, the scammer will claim to have been in a car accident or have been arrested and are afraid to tell their parents. The grandparent will be asked to wire the money, either by Western Union, MoneyGram or some other wiring service. The scammer then calls the grandparent back for the wiring reference number. Unfortunately, it isn’t until the senior finally speaks with the actual grandchild that they learn that they were scammed. By then, the scammer is long gone and nearly impossible to track down. The situation is even more difficult when the money is wired to an out-of-state location. What should you do if you receive a phone call from your “grandchild” asking for emergency money? -DO NOT wire the money. -DO NOT provide the caller with information. -DO NOT keep the call a secret—this is an attempt by the scammer to keep the senior isolated and keep the scam from failing. -DO ask questions—if the caller says he is your favorite grandson, respond with “WHO?” -DO call your grandchild, or other family member, immediately to find out what is really going on. -DO call your local police department to report the scam. “CHARITY SCAM” Scammers will sometimes call pretending to raise money for homeless pets, children or another sympathetic sounding cause. However, the catch is the charity does not exist and you donation will go directly to the scammer or even worse, the scammer might use your donation to steal your identity. As a rule of thumb, do not make donations over the phone—particularly if they called you. If you are tempted to donate, check them out on the BBB website before sending any money. “FEDERAL GRANT MONEY SCAM” In this scam, the scammers will call to notify you of an award of $8,000 in grant money. They will claim that they need your bank account information to transfer the money, or to subtract the “processing fee.” Be aware that if you provide the information they are requesting, you will be ripped off. Remember, the government is never going to call you at home in order to give you money for any reason. “SMISHING” This newer scam utilizes cell phones. The scammer will send you a text message purporting to be from your bank, credit card company or other legitimate source claiming they need some information. -DO NOT respond to these text messages—your bank, the IRS or your credit card company will not request personal information via text message. If you are unsure, do not respond to the text message, but call the company directly via a phone number you know to be correct and inquire if they have been attempting to contact you. -DO NOT call them back at a phone number sent in the text message. “CAR WARRANTY and REDUCE YOUR INTEREST RATE” Another common scam concerns car warranties and your credit card interest rate. Usually, if you answer the phone an automated voice will prompt you to press 1 to find out how to lower your interest rate or extend the warranty on your vehicle. The message will usually state that this offer is only available now. If you get this automated voice, hang up immediately—this is a scam. Scam Menu: