How to Protect Yourself from Financial Phone Scams
In today’s world, it’s common to receive phone calls and texts that may seem legit, but they are actually fraudulent. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between what’s real and what’s fake, as fraudsters are becoming sneakier. In this blog, we’ll go over common phone scams that you can look out for in the future.
Claiming to be the IRS
In this scam, fraudsters claim they are the IRS and tell you that you didn’t pay all of your taxes. They become very urgent and insist on you giving them money right away.
So, how do you know if it’s a scam or not? First of all, the IRS will never call or text you. If they need to get in contact with you, they will mail on official letterhead. If you ever receive a phone call from someone claiming to be the IRS, it’s very important that you don’t engage in conversation. Hang up right away to avoid getting wrapped up in a scam.
Financial Institution Caller ID
Even if the caller ID says it’s your financial institution, there’s still a chance it’s not your financial institution. If the person on the other end of the line is asking you for personal information, such as your account number, online banking credentials, social security number, or debit card number, hang up right away. Your financial institution will never ask for personal information via phone.
Relative is in Danger
Fraudsters will find information about a family member and then call you, claiming to be them. For example, they may say something like, “Hi Grandma. This is Sarah. I’m in jail right now and I really can’t have my parents know. Can you send me bail money?” You should never send money to anyone claiming to be someone you know. Hang up and directly message the person the fraudster was claiming to be. You’ll be able to find out quickly that your relative is safe and in no need of urgent funds.
Retailer Needs an Updated Payment Method
If you receive a call from a retailer saying they need an updated debit or credit card, you should hang up. It’s always best to avoid providing card information over the phone. Instead, log in to your account and see if it actually does need a new payment method linked to your account.
What to Do If You Become a Victim of Fraud
If you become a victim of fraud, you should act on it right away. Take these steps to keep your information safe:
- Contact your financial institution
- Place a fraud alert and freeze accounts
- Report the fraud to local law enforcement if necessary
- Change all your account passwords. Don’t reuse passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts
- Monitor your accounts and credit reports
If you would like to learn about more common scams and how to prevent them, download our fraud prevention guide.