They’re in your email. They’re on your phone, and they’re on your social media. It feels like few places are safe from scammers trying to make a quick buck.
Here are five scams anti-fraud experts are tracking this year, according to AARP.
Cryptocurrency-romance scam
Criminals mix crypto scams with romance scams, portraying Internet love interests to try and trick people into downloading an app and spend money on fraudulent crypto accounts.
Payday loan scam
Crooks offer fake payday loans they say will help people pay off their bills. The caller will say this will require them to prepay a fee, money that goes to the scammer.
One-time password (OTP) bot scam
The bot (automated programs) tries to trick people into sharing two-factor authentication codes. It will send a text or make a robocall that seems to originate from a bank. The message will ask the receiver to authorize a charge and enter the authentication code just sent if it’s not your transaction.
The program is trying to log into the bank account with the code the bank sent as a precaution to access the account.
Student loan forgiveness scam
Scammers use bogus application sites to steal bank information and Social Security numbers. They also contact people by phone to pressure them into signing on for a fee.
Puppy purchase scam
Dog lovers are targeted with offers of cute puppies for sale on the Internet. One scenario featured a woman who paid $850 for a Dalmatian puppy, followed by requests for more money. She paid $725 for travel insurance and $615 for a special kennel. She never received the dog, which never existed.
Tips to stay alert:
- Be cautious of callers who insist on payment of a loan fee with a gift card or payment that is nontraceable.
- Don’t click on texts from unrecognizable phone numbers. Don’t reply to links or hit “stop” if the message says to do so to avoid messages in the future. Block the numbers
- Don’t share authentication codes or offer other data on an unsolicited text or phone call.
- Don’t release one-time passcode to strangers. Report the scam to the bank’s fraud department. Call the phone number on your credit card or bank statement. Ask if there really is a problem with your account.
- When choosing a pet, visit an animal shelter to see dogs that are up for adoption. If looking at dogs online, do a reverse image search to ensure the photo isn’t taken from another website.
