Scamming by email, texts, and even through the United States Postal Service is ruining many people by making their lives harder, causing frustration, and stealing their money.  Everyone, especially senior citizens, must be on the alert for people trying to steal from them through fraudulent and fictitious means.

            Below are a few tips from a state Attorney General's Office:

            They contacted you - When you contact a business, you know who's on the other end of the line. But when someone contacts you first, you can't be certain they're telling the truth. You don't know if they are whom they say they are. And remember, email addresses and caller ID information can be faked.

            They dangle bait and it's usually money - People simply don't give away large sums of money easily. If someone dangles bait in front of you like a big prize, a shopping spree, an easy loan, for nothing, they're probably not telling the truth.

            They want your personal information - Anytime anyone asks for your personal information like bank accounts, social security number, etc. don't give it away quickly or easily, especially to someone you don't know.

            You have to pay them first - If someone offers you a prize, debt relief, or employment — but first you have to pay an upfront fee to get it you're probably being scammed.

            You have to wire money or send gift cards - If you're about to wire money or send gift cards to someone in order to receive a prize, or pay off a debt collector that contacts you, don't.

            Have an unlocked mailbox?  Empty it as soon as you can after the mail is delivered.  Thieves cherish your information and will steal your mail and make your personal information available on the dark web.

            Have access to your bank accounts online?  Check them often to head off payment to scammers who have tapped into your account.  Stopping a payment before it leaves your account is faster and easier than trying to get your money back after it has been paid out.

            If you don't know who you're dealing with, don't feel pressured to act quickly or in secrecy;

            When using email, check those addresses. Scammers can spoof emails, sending an email that looks like it is from a trusted source.

            Watch out for fake websites. For instance, official Pennsylvania Commonwealth websites end in pa.gov and will always display the Commonwealth logo with the text. Official website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" on the top left corner of a web page; and know that Pennsylvania agencies will not threaten immediate legal action or license suspension without proper notice.

            Don't panic.  Keep your wits about you.

            And, never try to scam your scammer. Scamming revenge is a terrible idea. Don't do it.

            Anyone who feels they have been scammed can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-800-441-2555

            If you think it's a scam cut off communication and then file a complaint.

 

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