Avoid Sharing Scams This Mother's Day

Are you placing that order for mom for Mother’s Day? Be sure to look for a trusted local shop near you. If you are sending flowers to your mother in another city, check online for a florist in her area. Verify the florist with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. If you must order online, make sure you read the description. Online photos make products look as attractive as possible. Read the fine print before submitting your order and look for added fees, like shipping, handling, and delivery. Pay with a credit card for added protection and make sure the florist has your contact information; in case they need further instructions for delivery or other questions. Be sure you understand their delivery policy and make sure you order early to ensure your order arrives on time.

Maybe you are thinking about sending your mom one of those creative ecards. They say a lot with nice graphics, and sometimes even play music. It’s something your mom can play over and over again. But, beware. What if it’s a scam and the link installs malware on her computer. While there are several legitimate ecard companies out there, it is wise to warn Mom about the risks of clicking on links.

Other Scams

•  Grandparent Scam
  • A scammer may call impersonating a family member, like a son, daughter, or grandchild. The caller will claim that they are in trouble and ask that you send money immediately.
• Government Official Scams
  • A called will pretend to be from the Social Security Office, IRS, or some other government agency. They will threaten the victim with fines or legal action unless a certain amount of funds are paid.

• Robocall Scams
  • Robocalls can be used to try to trick victims into revealing personal information or to record a victim’s voice. Sometimes the caller will ask simple questions such as “Can you hear me? The criminal can then use the recording to authorize unwanted charges on items like stolen credit cards.

How to avoid these scams

• If you receive a call from a family member demanding money, hang up and call that family member directly to verify the legitimacy of the call.
• Never give out personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account number, or other sensitive information.
• Do not click on a link or respond to a text if you were not expecting one. If you have questions, call a company directly at a number you know is legitimate.
• If you do not recognize a phone number calling, don’t answer.
• Do not press buttons when you realize you are on a scam call, simply hang up.
• Block the number to prevent future calls.
• If you receive a personal text from someone you do not know, don’t respond.
• Consider adding a Trusted Contact to your bank account. A Trusted Contact is someone you designate for your bank and other financial institutions to contact in case they cannot reach you to resolve a question, problem, or suspected scam. 

• If someone is ever pressuring you to “act now,” don’t react. Stop and think.

Think you are a victim?

• Stop all communication with the scammer immediately
• Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Report someone for using your personal information in an investment scam and get help with personalized recovery steps at IdentityTheft.gov.
• If you paid the scammer, ask the bank or company you used to send the money if there is a way to get any money back.
• Tell your friends and family to help them avoid a prize scam.

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