Scam phone calls are becoming more common, and people are losing thousands of dollars to them. Scammers may sound polite, helpful, and professional. Others may yell, threaten, or try to frighten you into acting quickly.
They may claim to be calling from your bank, Medicare, Social Security, the IRS, the police department, a utility company, or a computer company. Some scammers pretend to be a family member who has been arrested, injured, or stranded and needs money immediately.
Do not trust a caller simply because the person knows your name, address, or information about your family. This information may have been found online or stolen from a company.
What to Do During a Suspicious Call
If something does not feel right, stop talking and hang up. You do not have to be polite. Do not argue with the caller or try to prove that the call is a scam.
Never give an unexpected caller your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank information, credit card number, passwords, or a security code sent to your phone.
Do not press any buttons or follow the caller’s instructions. Never allow a stranger to control your computer or phone. A scammer may say that your computer has a virus or that your bank account is in danger. The caller may actually be trying to steal your information or money.
After hanging up, speak with a trusted family member or friend. You can also call your bank, government agency, or other company directly. Use the official number printed on your bank card, bill, or statement. Do not use a telephone number provided by the suspicious caller.
Scammers often demand quick payment through gift cards, cash, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. A real government agency, police department, bank, or utility company will not demand gift cards or threaten to arrest you unless you pay immediately.
Caller ID cannot always be trusted. Scammers can make a false number appear on your phone, including a local number or the number of a real business.
If you already gave the caller personal information or money, contact your bank immediately. Ask the bank to protect or freeze your account. Change your passwords and report the incident to local law enforcement.
Remember this simple rule: Stop, hang up, and check with someone you trust. Taking a few minutes to verify a call could protect your savings.
For additional help with suspicious calls, computer warnings, possible viruses, or online scams, contact Minh’s PC Services at (850) 376-3412 or email minhpcservices@gmail.com. Minh’s PC Services can help determine whether a call, message, or computer warning is real before you provide information or send money.
