Protecting Yourself from Online Scams
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. The National Council on Identity
Theft Protection states that identity theft victimized more than 5.7 million people in 2021.It occurs
when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or permission for financial
or other gain. Prime targets include children, college students, military members, veterans, and seniors,
but it can be anyone at any time. While no one is safe from identity theft, there are steps you can take to
lower your risks.
Here are just a few:
- Never reply to messages asking for personal information, whether the message was sent over the
phone or by email, text message, or through an ad. Do not call phone numbers or click on links
contained in these messages. You could be a target of phishing (when cyber thieves send you emails
that try to lure you into providing or confirming personal information).
- Make a list of your card account numbers, expiration dates, and customer service phone
numbers. Keep the list in a secure place that you can access quickly if your cards are lost or
stolen.
- Limit what you share on social networking sites. Consider increasing your privacy settings.
In terms of COVID-19 related scams, the CDC recommends that consumers:
- Be wary of ads for test kits. Many test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA and aren’t necessarily accurate.
- Learn the difference between a real contact tracer and a scammer. Legitimate tracers need health information, not money or personal financial information.
- Ignore offers for vaccinations and miracle treatments or cures. Scammers are selling products to treat or prevent COVID-19 without proof that they work.
Check out these websites for more information:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): www.indentitytheft.gov
- Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection
- The Better Business Bureau: www.bbb.org