Present-day scammers are good, very good. Keep your guard up and remain vigilant
You can’t type a stroke on your computer these days without running across some computer scam.
Every once in a while an ominous warning flashes up on my screen telling me I am about to be hacked, and unless I call somebody and give them control of my computer, all is lost.
Being an old guy and not truly computer literate, I did call several years ago and someone showed me the malware on my computer. What they didn’t tell me was that they had put it there when they pretended to scan for problems. Then they charged me for removing it
Luckily I was able to cancel all that and now I know to ignore the warning about not turning off your computer. I don’t know how they do that but apparently some of my friends and relatives have gone down the fake warning path as well.
There are so many other pitfalls for a generation not raised on computers. I have received several notices lately that some of my online accounts are under investigation for tampering and are being frozen. I have to call to get them fixed. Unfortunately for these scammers, I know better. I didn’t even know I had some of these accounts, if I indeed did.
And if I do have them, I don’t care if they disappear. Not much leverage there for scammers. I’m not about to call the numbers on my screen and give them my information so they can straighten things out, or more likely hijack my info. Always check the numbers before you call if you have to.
Never say yes on the phone unless you are sure you know who is calling. Never give your Medicare number or any other insurance information. If asked to verify, make sure they have what they are trying to verify and aren’t phishing for information. I once went around and around with a guy on the phone when I was trying too get rid of some charge I didn’t want. He wanted my information so he could check on it. I told him he must already have it or how could they have charged me. I think I finally gave up.
More about scams
I got a notice saying some order of mine had been confirmed and the cost added to a credit card. It had a number to call to fix things if there was a mistake. But a quick check of the card showed no charge.
Sometimes you get bills from companies that you do business with but you know something is off because the amounts asked are almost always way more than you would spend.
Sometimes things just go awry even without your help. You need to keep a wary eye on your accounts.
I noticed a charge on my debit card recently for a hotel room in an Eastern state. It wasn’t mine so my card was stopped and reissued and I got a credit, at least until the investigation is concluded. I don’t know what that involves. Are they going to wait at the front desk and see who checks in? I would like to see that.
At least whoever did it was considerate. The hotel room was booked through Priceline, I guess to save me a few bucks. You don’t always see that kind of consideration from thieves these days.
Fake shopping sites, fake charities, rental assistance, COVID money and cryptocurrency scams are lurking out there. No more poorly spelled messages from Nigerian princes. These people are good and you have to be on guard. Their websites often are exact duplicates of valid sites.
Always verify. And if someone insists on gift cards, you know to say no. Heck, just say no on principle, that’s my philosophy.