Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

In recent years, the number of Americans falling for intricate scams has risen sharply. Nearly one in three Americans have experienced a scam in the past year, which can leave people feeling uncertain, anxious, and angry. To help you spot scams before they can impact you and your family, let’s look at some warning signs. 

1. Social Posts or Online “Friends” Asking about Your Life: We’ve all seen posts asking about the number of states a person has visited or life events someone has witnessed (riding in a limo or skydiving). Typically, these are scams, carefully designed to harvest details about your life, including the names of your kids and grandkids, pets, the towns where you’ve lived, and more. With those tiny details, criminals can formulate possible passwords for your accounts. To protect yourself, don’t share any personal details online — even if it’s someone you think you know. There is a chance it could be a criminal posing as your friend.
2. Unsolicited Emails, Calls, or Letters from an Organization You Recognize. Yes, companies will send out postcards and marketing offers, but criminals can also send messages. And they can make the offer appear to come from a company you know. That includes government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, IRS, and Medicare, as well as utility providers. Before clicking a link, answering a call, or sharing any information, scrutinize the request. If you spot any spelling errors, if the website seems different than you remember, or if the person on the phone or via text/instant messaging is insisting you share personal info, cut off all communication.
3. Emergencies that Require Your Immediate Attention. According to the FTC, many scams involve problems or prizes. Criminals may report that you or a family member owe the government money, that someone in your family is hurt or in jail and needs money, or they might also tell you there is a virus on your computer, and if you give them access to it, they can fix it. To avoid becoming a victim, hang up, delete emails, and stop texting. The government won’t call asking for money, and the best way to fix a computer is by personally contacting the manufacturer. 
4. Pressure! Pressure! Pressure! Scammers will want you to act immediately to their request. They will either pressure you to make an immediate payment to avoid jail time or additional fees, or they will threaten you and your family with litigation or other negative outcomes. Regardless, anytime someone pressures you to pay them, share information, or make rash decisions, hang up, stop texting, and cut off all communication. Remember, debt collectors must provide a 30-day period to dispute a debt.
5. They Don’t Take Credit Cards. If a company or individual asks for payment with cryptocurrency, wiring money, or via gift cards, it’s a scam. A legitimate business will be able to process credit cards or gladly accept payment via a check issued by your financial institution.

It’s Okay to be Skeptical
Here are some added tips to protect yourself and your family from scams.

• Avoid phony retailers. Anyone can create a good-looking website. Before shopping online, research the seller. Do they have complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau?
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. Special offers, incredible savings, and prizes for sharing information are often scams.  
• Be skeptical of every email and text. Clicking a phishing email or text can be costly. Additionally, fake emails that appear to be from the Post Office, your financial institution, or a government agency can trick you into sharing your username and password. Always verify the website URL before providing any information.

Report Fraud to the FTC and Library of Congress FCU
If you fall victim to an online email, text, or phone scam, stop by, call, or email. To help fight fraud, the FTC is asking Americans to report scams and other crimes at reportfraud.ftc.gov .

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