According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), thousands of new scams appear every year and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest tricks and techniques. It’s important to stay vigilant and look for warning signs, so they’ve shared these 10 tips can help keep you safe:
- Never send money via gift card or wire transfer to someone you have never met face-to-face.
- Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails.
- Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts, and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is and even the Caller ID can be faked.
- Double-check that your online purchase is secure before checking out. Look for the “HTTPS” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar.
- Use extreme caution when dealing with anyone you’ve met online. Scammers use dating websites, Craigslist, social media, and many other sites to reach potential targets.
- Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, by email, on social media, or even at your front door. This includes banking and credit card information, your birthdate, and Social Security/Social Insurance numbers.
- Resist the pressure to act immediately. Shady actors typically try to make you think something is scarce or a limited-time offer. Scammers use high urgency and scare tactics to get you to act quickly.
- Use secure and traceable transactions. Do not pay by wire transfer, prepaid money card, gift card, or another non-traditional payment method. Once the money is gone, it cannot be retrieved.
- Whenever possible, work with local businesses. Ask that they have proper identification, licensing, and insurance, especially contractors who will be coming into your home or anyone dealing with your money or sensitive information.
- Be cautious about what you share on social media. Check the privacy settings and consider only connecting with people and businesses you already know and trust.
It’s always good practice to review your account transactions and statements regularly. Using secure tools like online and telephone banking can help you pick up on suspicious activity faster and between statements. Contact your financial institution immediately if you have any concerns. If you ever feel your MVSB account information is at risk due to a fraud concern, call us directly at 800.922.6872 so that we can assist you with protecting your accounts and identity.
Visit the BBB’s article for more tips and information to stay safe from scammers at bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams.
