Imposter Scams

A scammer pretends to be someone you trust — a government agency like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, a family member, a love interest, or someone claiming there’s a problem with your computer. The scammer can even have a fake name or number show up on your caller ID to convince you.

Below are tips to guard against scam phone calls from thieves intent on stealing a victim’s money or identity.  Here are several tips to help guard against being a victim of imposter phone scams:

Scammers use caller ID spoofing
Scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID. That’s called spoofing. So even if it looks like it’s a government agency like the Social Security Administration calling, or like the call is from a local number, it could be a scammer calling from anywhere in the world.

Scammers make unsolicited calls
Phone scams come in many forms, but they tend to make similar promises and threats, or ask you to pay certain ways. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone “robo-calls,” or phishing emails.

Callers try to scare their victims
Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke a license if the victim doesn’t immediately pay a debt, fine, or fee.

 

For more tips on ways to protect yourself from fraud, visit our resources: https://www.thecooperativebankofcapecod.com/resources/your-security/