Protecting America's Consumers
- Misleading Information: This can take many forms, including posts that go viral on social media platforms like Facebook, claiming events like endangered officers or local incidents that are later debunked by authorities.
- Errors in Automated Systems: Software designed to detect problematic content can generate false alerts. For instance, an Associated Press analysis of data showed that a significant portion of alerts from a student surveillance software in one school district were deemed non-issues, including false alarms from student homework.
- Misinterpreted Communications: Official communications can sometimes be misconstrued, leading to confusion. An example is a letter about mandatory alarm system registration which caused alarm initially but was later verified to be legitimate, according to WWLTV.com.
- Impersonation Scams: Scammers frequently impersonate trusted entities to trick individuals into divulging personal or financial information. Examples include emails or text messages masquerading as financial institutions, government agencies, or even friends and family in need of help, according to the FBI.
- Investment and Financial Fraud: Scammers entice victims with promises of high returns on fake investments or fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrency, according to Professional Security Magazine Online.
- Deepfake Scams: Advanced AI-generated voice deepfakes are being used to impersonate US officials in phishing attacks, targeting individuals with synthetic audio messages designed to compromise accounts and steal sensitive information, according to Bitdefender.
- Fake Charities: Scammers exploit generosity by creating fake charities to solicit donations, especially targeting vulnerable populations, notes the IRS.
- Verify Information: Independently confirm information, especially if it seems urgent or asks for personal details. Don't solely rely on social media posts or unsolicited contacts.
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contacts: Treat unexpected emails, calls, or texts with caution, even if they appear to be from legitimate sources.
- Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive details like bank account numbers or passwords in response to unexpected requests.
- Report Suspected Scams: If you encounter a potential scam or experience fraud, report it to the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Keep scammers out of your business
The Rule of 7 in marketing says people need to hear a message at least seven times before they act on it. The latest Data Spotlight from the FTC, “False alarm, real scam” has some messaging to share (repeatedly) with your staff and colleagues. Share it in your company newsletter, email signature block, or posted in the office pantry, bulletin board, water cooler, or internal website. Because the last thing you want are team members who have to face the disastrous loss of their own life savings — or a family member’s retirement.
The numbers are alarming: older adults (60+) are losing huge amounts of money at a much higher rate than younger people to business and government imposters. And “huge amounts” means more (sometimes lots more) than $100,000. How do scammers do it? They raise a sense of alarm or panic by saying someone’s using your accounts, someone’s using your info to commit crimes, or there’s some problem with your computer. All these stories are fake, but all of them are alarming.
Once scammers cause a panic, they offer a solution: they’ll send your call to a supposed government agent who can (ahem) help. Of course, the “agent” is neither with the government, nor can they help. It’s another scammer who, this time, works to convince you to move your money. To protect it. To clear your name, secure your identity, help catch the crooks, solve whatever crisis scammers created in the first place. Through bank transfers, in crypto through a Bitcoin ATM, or in cash or gold bars picked up by couriers — all payments the government would never demand.
People of all ages lose money to this scam, and few people can afford to lose the amounts of money scammers are stealing. So read the Spotlight. Learn more about the scam. And share these takeaways with your staff:
- Don’t move money to “protect” it in response to an unexpected call or message. That’s a scam.
- Hang up and verify with the real company or agency — but use a number or website you know is real.
- Block unwanted calls to help stop scammers before they reach you.
Then repeat. And share the Spotlight with others on your team so they can reinforce the message to help protect your staff, colleagues, their families, and — ultimately — your bottom line.
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