Is unfortunate how this Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has seen a rise of people getting scammed. In an effort to keep our community safe, we would like to share some tips to help you and your family stay safe during these times of uncertainty!
– Scammers can reach you in many ways. Emails, text messages, automated calls, and fictitious websites. Is important to keep your guard up when someone you don’t know contacts you.
– Never share personal information. I think this is something most of us are familiar with, but in some cases we tend to do the opposite. Scammers will usually pose as a bank, IRS, or a creditor to ask you for your information. They will ask you to make a transfer or make a payment with virtual currency. Get the caller’s information and then call the business/entity to confirm. Remember, they always count on the potential fear this can bring to some people.
– Beware when donating money to an organization. We know that many of us would like to help others during this pandemic. This is another thing scammers count on, the generosity of many. Scammers will often pose as non-profit organizations or even government programs. Take the time to do some research and donate directly on the organization’s website, rather than clicking a link sent to you.
– Check your personal accounts frequently. If available, add a 2-step verification process for all of your accounts. This will add an extra layer of protection to all your online accounts.
– Take a minute and do the research. Just like most scammers take the time and patience to scam you, is a good idea for you to do the same. If you believe somebody has sent you a fraudulent message, most likely they’ve sent it to other people as well. Copy and paste the message, email, or phone number into a search engine to find out.
We hope this list helps you during these times of uncertainty. Remember to stay home as much as possible, if you must go out practice social distancing. Contact us with any questions or service requests!
