Red Flag 2

 

Stop and think!  Do you know the person or business who is requesting social security and account numbers from you?  Be weary of  official sounding telephone calls or official looking mail, email or websites because they can be spoofs and very likely they are!

 

“Pre-texting” is when a thief attempts to get your information under false pretenses.  They may call you on the phone posing as a bank, credit union, law enforcement official, or other government official such as the IRS.  They may mail you a form asking you to complete it and mail it back to them, for example claiming that they need your social security number because you won a lottery.

 

Common  pre-texting (scams) includes calls that appear to come from banks, the IRS, Social Security Administration, and the local courthouse claiming you failed to show up for jury duty.  If in doubt, get the name of the caller and tell them you will call them back. Look up the official telephone number in your phone book and call that number.  Do not call the number they give you.

 

“Phishing” is when information is requested by email.  The emails ALL look official, but no bank or other company is going to request your account information by email! Don’t get hooked and fall for the bait. Many people do and will even after reading this Red Flag!

 

If you get an email requesting information, delete it. Do not click on the link. The link will take you to a website that is an exact look-alike of an official website.  As soon as you enter your account information and password it gets transmitted to the crooks.  If you are asked to go to a website to verify you information, don’t click on the link. Type in the web address as you normally would.  For example, you receive an email from your bank asking you to log onto you account by clicking on the link www.yourbank.com.  STOP! Delete the email, and do not click on the link because it will direct you to a fake website which will take your identity.  Call your bank and ask them if they sent you an email. They are going to tell you it was a spoof, and they request you assistance in giving them the details.

 

For more information including a short movie regarding malware—spam, viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and phishing, click here.