Candoo Learning: Real-Time Tips for Spotting a Scam

 

Candoo Learning: Real-Time Tips for Spotting a Scam

Scams and fraud have been a part of human history for centuries.
They aim to take advantage of people's trust, ignorance, or vulnerabilities. They continue to evolve & adapt to new technologies & social dynamics. Staying vigilant, informed, & practicing caution are crucial in mitigating the risk of falling victim to scams.

Quick Facts & Figures

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• Consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021.
  • an increase of more than 70 percent over the previous year
• Imposter scams were the most common type.
• Adults 60 & over were more likely to report higher losses compared to other age groups.

This guide will cover how to:

• Recognize common types of scams.
• Determine whether or not something is a scam.
• Take important actions when spotting a scam.

 

How to Recognize common types of scams

Imposter Phone Calls are a common scam attempt. This is when a person claims to be someone they are not and tries to gain sensitive information. 

Common disguises include:

• a family member or relative
• a government agency
• a charitable organization
• a well-known company like Microsoft, Amazon or Apple

Spoofing Tools can make the caller ID look less suspicious.

AI voice manipulation can also make the imposter sound like someone you may know.  

Phishing Emails & Text Messages are another common type of scam.

These messages typically imitate well-known companies such as banks, e-commerce platforms, or popular online services. They use logos, branding elements, and email templates similar to genuine communications from these entities.

What is Phishing? These are simply attempts to trick consumers into providing sensitive information.

Imposter Website Pop-up Messages are also a common way that scams are attempted.

These can appear as warnings or alerts that mimic legitimate system alerts, security warnings, or virus notifications. These messages can also pop up as software update notifications claiming that the software, browser, or plugins need to be updated urgently. They offer a download link within the pop-up, but clicking it can result in malware or unwanted software installation.

How to Determine Whether or not something is a Scam

Identifying scam attempts requires being continually vigilant and aware of certain red flags. This section will help you in real-time with spotting a possible scam attempt- whether it is a phone call, email/ text message, or a notification on your computer.

Here are some simple questions to ask yourself: 

• Am I being asked for something sensitive, urgent, or with fear?
  • Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to exploit vulnerabilities.
• Can I verify the source?
  • Look up contact information through official channels (e.g. official website/ documents) rather than relying solely on the information provided in the potential scam attempt.
  • Be Politely Paranoid & take a moment to check that the message or person on the phone is actually who they say they are.

Here is a brief clip from 60 Minutes that does a great job summarizing this:

 Other things to consider: 

• Be skeptical & cautious of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or notifications claiming you have won a prize, inherited money, or are requesting your personal information. 
  • Legitimate organizations usually don't reach out randomly.
• Don't rush!
  • • Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making hasty decisions. 
    • Take your time to evaluate the situation, discuss it with family or friends, and seek advice if needed.
• Beware of upfront payments- cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. 
  • • Legitimate businesses usually offer secure payment methods and allow you to verify the services or products before making a payment.

Now let's take a look at some real-life examples of scams: 

Phishing Email Example (see screenshot below)

Main Red Flags to spot:

• The Subject (Warning: Your Account Has Been Restricted) of the message has an urgent tone and is common for phishing emails. 
• The 'From' email address is not from anything related to the company that it is claiming to be.
• There is no name included for the person that it is intended for; characteristic of a general email that was sent to many other people. 

Phishing Text Message examples:

Main Red Flags to spot:

• The phone number/ contact information for the sender is suspicious. Appears to be an international phone number and a complex email address. 
• Both messages include a link to suspicious website addresses that the recipient is asked to visit and provide personal information.
• The tone in both messages is related to security threats or a timeliness issue for delivery. However, no identifiable information (tracking number or name on the account) is included. 

Fake website pop-up alert examples:

Main Red Flags to spot:

• Clearly an urgent and threatening message in both examples. 
• Both include a phone number to call to receive support or to avoid a penalty. 
• Both messages are pop-ups from a website. 

Finally, here is a Good Morning America video clip giving a glimpse of a recent phone scam attempt that targetted a grandparent:

How to Take Important Actions when Spotting a Scam

When you encounter a suspected scam, it's important to take swift action to protect yourself and prevent potential financial or personal losses.

Here are some brief steps to follow:

• Do not engage
  • Avoid interacting with the scammer (if a phone call) and end the call.
  • Do not share personal information, financial details, passwords, etc. 
• End the conversation or close the communication channel
  • Hang up the phone. 
  • Mark/Report the email as Spam or Phishing.
  • Delete the text message or Report it as Junk.
  • Close (look for the 'X' in the top corner) of the pop-up message. 

• Preserve evidence

  • If it's an online scam, take screenshots or save any relevant emails, messages, or documents that could serve as evidence. This information may be helpful for reporting the scam later.

• Research and verify

  • Independently research the company, organization, or individual (family member or relative) involved. 

• Report the scam

  • Report the scam to the appropriate authorities.

  • Contact your local law enforcement agency and file a complaint.

  • You can also report scams to relevant organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reportfraud.ftc.gov & FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center IC3.gov  

• Warn others

  • Share your experience with friends, family, or online communities to raise awareness and help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.

• Strengthen security

  • Review and update your security measures. If you suspect any suspicious activity on any of your credit cards or accounts, alert the organization’s customer service line immediately. 

• Stay vigilant

  • Scammers continually evolve their tactics, so it's essential to stay informed about current scams and be cautious with your personal information. Educate yourself and remain vigilant to protect yourself from future scams.

• Call Candoo Tech to help you restore your devices!

For more details on tips and tools for scam protection, check out our next guide:

Best Practices for Long-Term Scam Protection (Coming Soon)

Candoo is here to help you!

If you need help or have any questions, call us at

646-758-6606 or email [e-mail]