Around the holiday seasons, threat actors are greasing the gears to ramp up their scamming exploits. Every year, we see an uptick in scams around the holiday season. While many of us are in the giving mood, scammers are in the mindset to steal and drain your finances. Attacks can come from many different avenues, yet the intent is all the same. If you’re being pressured to pay for anything with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any other obscure form of payment, it’s likely a scam. Scammers want untraceable means of payment. However, that doesn’t mean that wired funds aren’t accepted. Scammers will take your money anyway they can get it. Here are a few indicators you might be getting scammed and how to defeat the threat.
Pressure: Scammers want you to feel the weight of the world to make you comply. Maybe they say that your heat will be turned off, or that the police will come to arrest you. Always hang up and call a known good number to verify any outstanding fees.
Obscurity: Threat actors don’t want you to ask questions. They want you to simply comply or they will become overtly rude. Ask questions, if it doesn’t sound right or too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Be skeptical of who you are talking with on the phone. Hang up and call the number listed in the phone book or online.
Emotional Distress: It’s simple psychology, if I can own your emotions, I can own your actions. Attacking someone’s emotions is the oldest trick in the book. If you notice you’re getting emotional (sad, angry, fearful, etc.) hang up and contact a family member.
Remember, if you feel like you must hide it from family and friends, it’s likely a scam. If people are telling you it’s a scam, it is. Please be cautious, no one wants to see members of our community getting taken advantage of.