1. Our Information is Already Out There
If we really want to keep ourselves - and our money - safe from fraud, we must all come to terms with one thing: our personal information is likely already out there. In a time where data breaches are increasingly common, safeguarding yourself from fraud has become more important than ever. Here are three steps to help protect yourself from the risks associated with data breaches and other identity fraud risks:
- Place a security freeze on your credit accounts with the three big agencies (Experian, Equifax and Transunion) so no one can open a new credit line in your name.
- Establish online access to your financial accounts and monitor regularly (you can set up text alerts for activity on these accounts as well).
- Use strong and unique passwords for every online account; consider using a password manager that creates complex passwords and stores them securely.
2. Crypto Romance Scams
In recent years, cryptocurrency scams have surged, with billions stolen annually. One of the biggest drivers of this trend? Romance scams. By building trust and forging deep emotional connections, scammers can manipulate their victims into making financial decisions they would not normally consider.
If someone you’ve only met online claims they are making money with crypto and offers to help you do the same, it’s a scam – full stop. It does not matter how genuine they seem or what “proof” they attempt to show you; encouraging you to invest and claiming that you can make extraordinary returns in cryptocurrency is one of the surest signs of a modern-day romance scam.
These criminals often pressure you to act fast, making it seem like you are about to miss out on a golden opportunity – another big red flag. The safest way to invest is to research opportunities to ensure they are legitimate and that you understand the risk as well as the potential. A good place to start is at the SEC’s site,
www.investor.gov.
3. Gift Card Balance Scams
The holidays have passed, and for many, that means a stack of gift cards just waiting to be used. But before you check your balances online, beware of fake gift card balance-checking sites designed to steal both your post-holiday joy and your money.
Just because a website to check your gift card balance appears at the top of internet search results does not mean it’s legitimate. Search results can be filled with fraudulent gift card balance-checking sites, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to get their pages to show up at the top of results.
A safer way to check the balance of a gift card is to refer to the back of the card for a phone number or web address. If it’s not provided, proceed with caution. Avoid entering your gift card details into any search result labeled as “Sponsored” or “Ad.” In addition, be cautious of any site title that appears in wacky fonts or next to odd emojis; this is a common tactic scammers use to make their fraudulent web pages both visually pop and appear towards the top.
4. Getting Help After a Scam
Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.
One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.
AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at
aarp.org/fraudsupport.
Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn't have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.
