Learn How to Avoid Scams – 5 Tips
Scams could target people in all kinds of ages, backgrounds, and income levels. All of us are vulnerable to it at some, point especially our senior-aged loved ones. Recently, a lot of elderly people from different parts of the world have been victims of scamming and identity theft. They have been robbed of their life-long savings and pensions without even knowing how.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated in their attempts to get money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself from getting scammed by following these tips:
1.Protect Yourself
Educate your loved ones about scams and how they are done. You must also keep all sensitive financial information such as pin numbers and passcodes private. Social Security cards must also be kept on a safe spot and not to be carried around.
You must not also trust caller IDs since they are easily manipulated by scammers. Don’t respond to calls who are asking for remote access on your computers as well as calls who ask for personal information. Learn to hang up.
2. Keep Your Door Closed
If you are not expecting visitors, it is best to keep your door closed. Also, if someone is at your door, it is best to give an impression that someone else is inside. Speak through the locked door and say something like “It’s okay honey, I got it.”
3. Don’t Pay through Gift Cards
Any payment that is demanded through retail gift cards is more likely a scam. Unlike wire transfers and checks, gift cards aren’t traceable. Once you give it to fraudsters, there is no chance of getting it back.
4. Be Cautious When Dealing With Anyone Online
Scammers also use dating websites, social media, Craigslist and other sites to reach potential targets. They could easily make you feel like a friend or a romantic partner, but that is just a part of their scamming methods to get your trust.
5. Don’t Be Pressured to Act Immediately
Scammers often try to pressure you to buy or to pay for something even before you have time to think or consult a loved-one. However, making decisions when you are under pressure is, definitely, not a good idea. It is best to slow down, try to do some research or talk to someone about it before doing an action.
