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Scam Red Flags

'Caution' cone on a keyboardHave you ever found yourself thinking one of these things? You were probably thinking it for a reason! When it comes to scams and fraud, we generally advise trust your gut. If it’s too good to be true, it unfortunately probably is.

We all want to believe others, especially when they’re offering money or threatening jail time, and scammers prey on that.

In today’s blog, we want to share with you some common tactics that the Texas Attorney General’s office identified that scammers use. If you spot any of these, stop and walk away or hang up the phone. You’re probably being scammed.

  1. They contacted you
    When you contact a business, you know who’s on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can’t be certain they’re telling the truth. You don’t know if they are who they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked.
  2. They dangle bait—usually money
    Let’s face it: People simply don’t give away large sums of money easily. If someone dangles bait in front of you—a big prize, a shopping spree, an easy loan — for nothing, they’re probably lying.
  3. They want your personal information
    Anytime anyone asks for your personal information — bank accounts, social security number, etc. — you should be on alert. Don’t give it away quickly or easily, especially to someone you don’t know. You may become a victim of identity theft.
  4. You have to pay them first
    If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment — but first you have to pay an upfront fee to get it —you’re probably being scammed.
  5. You have to wire money or send gift cards
    If you’re about to wire money or send gift cards to someone in order to receive a prize, or pay off a debt collector that contacts you … STOP! This may be a scammer trying to take your money.

Scams happen in all shapes and sizes. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Verify the information you’re being told by doing your own research, contact pre-published phone numbers from reputable sites, and ask questions until YOU are satisfied with the answer.

If you think you’ve been the victim of fraud, let us know.

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Source: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/common-scams