How many ways can online scams separate you from your good name and your money? Nobody knows, but it there are lots of ways that scammers do this. The Federal Trade Commission has created a glossary of terms to help you understand many of the various schemes and frauds out there. Take some time to review the alphabetical list – A to W, with nothing yet under Q, X, Y and Z – to protect yourself from these common crimes as reported by our federal agencies.
Let’s start with "S" and talk first about "Spoofing" because it plays a major role in many of the following scams. Knowing that most people won’t pick up an unknown number, today’s scammers are able to send a false caller identification or mimic a local number. Barb, a nurse practitioner, was terrified when her state Nursing Accreditation Board called to say her license was being suspended following an incident in Texas where a truck, rented in her name, had crossed the border with a bed full of drugs. In this classic fraud, the caller kept her on the line, warning her that somebody in her office was probably using her ID to commit the crime and that she’d have to submit a claim – with a fee – to request an investigation. Why did she stay on the phone? Caller ID said it was her state board. It is important to be cautious of unsolicited calls from unknown callers—even if their caller ID information appears local. You should never provide personal or financial information to unknown callers. Hang up and look up the number for the entity supposedly reaching out, if the call was legitimate, you can ask for the person calling you to continue the conversation.
Robo Calls driving you to distraction? Check out the consumer guide on Call Blocking Tools and Resources, which includes information on many of the call-blocking and labeling tools currently available to consumers.
Beginning with the number frauds, "The 809 Scam" has the crook leave an urgent voicemail and a call-back number with an 809 area code. While it appears to be a three-digit U.S. area code, it's actually an international number. If you call, you'll be charged international rates while the person answering tries to keep you on the line as long as possible. The best practice for dealing with this is: don’t call back.
"Catfishing" is when someone uses images and information to create a new identity online to damage someone’s reputation or to befriend an unsuspecting victim to scam them. This criminal can pretend to be a teen boy looking to share explicit photos for the sexploitation of young girls or a possible romantic partner for an elderly widow. They can pretend to be representatives of government agencies looking to collect fines or unpaid fees.
According to the FTC consumers ages 18-29 are six times more likely than older consumers to report a romance scam, however, the older you are, the more money you will lose in comparison. AARP has a list of Warning Signs to help you spot a catfisher looking to steal.
"Cramming" is an old trick where they "nickel and dime" you and rob you. Some legitimate companies share their customers’ information with third‑party companies or allow third parties to charge customers’ accounts. They then add small charges and fees to your credit card bills for services neither requested nor delivered. The amounts are so small they hope you won’t notice or challenge them. It’s all about the volume in this game!
The "Family Emergency" scam often preys on grandparents who may not know where family members may be, or who they are with. The call comes from a "friend" telling them that their dear relative is in jail or has had an accident and can’t cover the bill for treatment and they need money fast. They will drop stolen personal information such as family member names and hometowns to seem more convincing.
"Jury Duty Scams" were submitted to the list by the U.S. District Court, Washington D.C. Callers posing as local law enforcement claim they have a warrant for your arrest because you missed jury duty. They may instruct you to pay a fine by wiring money or using gift cards. Check the caller ID – thanks to "spoofing," it will probably be from a local area code or be titled with an official-sounding name. Remember, no government agency accepts gift cards or over-the-phone payments.
Health and Human Services want to warn you about "Medical Device Scams." "Calls or ads offering free services or medical devices purportedly covered by Medicare – such as an orthopedic back, neck or knee brace – are mostly likely scams. If you don't need or qualify for such devices or services, either you or Medicare gets bilked. This scam is often just a ruse to steal your Medicare account info."
Scammers often go "phishing" through email to hook unsuspecting victims. The FTC’s recommendation? Treat all unsolicited emails and spam as suspicious. Do not open or reply. To avoid loading malicious software onto your computer or device, never click a link – even from a trusted source – unless you've verified its authenticity. Be extra cautious of emails from friends, family and colleagues asking for emergency funds or help - their email may have been hacked. Scammers often use this technique to pretend to be government agencies looking to update your records or collect a late or lost fine.
"Porting" is where a scammer gets your name, phone number and other information that can be used for identity theft. The could pretend to be you, and then report your phone as lost or stolen to your mobile provider and ask for the number to be "ported" to another provider and device. They can then use your number to gain access to your financial accounts and any other services with two-factor authentication enabled.
"Sextortion" is a term used to describe a crime in which an offender coerces a minor to create and send sexually explicit images or video. After receiving the sexually explicit content from the victim, the offender threatens to release that compromising material unless he or she delivers additional explicit material. In these cases, the offenders are motivated by the sexual gratification they receive from the content. In other cases, it’s a ploy for blackmail, produce cash or gift cards or the images will be shared online. Read more about sextortion here.
Short for SMS phishing, "smishing" often involves text messages claiming to be from your bank or another company. The message displays a phone number to call or a link to click, giving scammers the chance to trick you out of money or personal information. Today most smishing involves "undeliverable" packages, they ask you to click through to provide a correct address – and other information – to ensure delivery of an item you never ordered or expected.
In a "Utility Scam," crooks posing as utility company employees warn that they need payment quickly, often with a pre-paid card, or else your service will be turned off. Businesses run by native Spanish speakers have also been targeted by this scam. Again, no government agency accepts payments by pre-paid cards. Most municipalities have rules in place to notify you well in advance that your service may be terminated. Hang up and then call the number on your utility bill to check your account.
Know about these – and many other common scams - before the phone rings or you get that suspicious text or email, it can save you time, money and your identity!
