Scams get more sophisticated every year. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, there were 92,078 reported cases in 2022 – equaling $293.5 million in losses for both people and businesses.
Most people have encountered the pesky calls and emails at some point. Here is what you can do to protect yourself.
How to Protect Yourself:
· Say NO
- Ignore calls, emails, and texts from unknown people.
- Be wary of people urging immediate action – even if they claim to be someone you know.
- Hang up or ask for information in writing.
· Watch Out For Spoofing – spoofing is when a con artist convinces someone they are communicating with a legitimate person, company, or charity. Some fraudsters even use multiple methods to contact you to appear genuine.
- Verify who you are communicating with.
- Do not assume the call display or email signature is accurate.
- Check that websites are official and correct.
- Hang up and call a number you know is correct.
For credit card companies, call the number on the back of your card.
- Be wary of links via text or email.
- Contact your trusted contact person for a second opinion.
· Keep Personal Info Personal – Do not give out personal information – especially if you didn’t initiate the conversation.
· Beware of where and with whom you share images.
· Computer Safety
- Install and keep your anti-virus software up to date.
- Use strong passwords.
- Only log into trusted websites.
- Watch out for pop-ups, urgent messages, and strange links.
- Watch for incorrect spelling, formatting errors or strange email addresses.
- NEVER give unknown people remote access to your computer.
· Beware, Upfront Fees – Some crooks promise goods, services, or prizes after you pay a fee. Once paid, they either disappear or ask for more.
What to do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed:
1) Collect your thoughts – Take a breath. Then, collect all the information you have.
2) Contact your bank – If you sent money, contact the bank you used and tell them what happened. If you suspect identity fraud, contact all your financial institutions.
3) File a police report.
4) Report the incident to:
5) Be on alert – Scammers like to revisit previous victims.
6) Tell others – To help prevent future victims.
More Information:
The Little Black Book of Scams 2nd edition
Remember a scammer’s “JOB” to steal from people - they're good at it. With these tips, you should be better protected.
For more information on how to protect yourself contact us at KLT Wealth Management.
