about Phishing

Although you may not use the internet, emails or have a smartphone; you can still fall prey to predators seeking your personal information. 

• Police and/or Government Agencies WILL NOT CALL and ask you to send money.  You will be contacted by registered mail providing contact information you need to respond.  Example: Social Security will not call you to verify your name, social security number or your Medicare number.

• We must change the way we answer our phone calls.  DO NOT provide your name when answering the phone.  Example: Answer politely, should they ask you who they are speaking to, ask them who they are calling?  If they do not know who you are, then they are searching for information.  Ask them politely for their contact information and tell them you will call them back shortly as you are currently busy and cannot talk.   

• BE aware and willing to hang up on someone who is calling looking for information (phishing).   They called you, therefore, they should know who you are and not need information.   

• Do not provide your, social security number, Medicare number or banking account information over the phone, if they want it, they provide it to you, and you verify it, BUT YOU DO NOT PROVIDE IT!

This is a summary of information and tips provided by Social Security and Wells Fargo bank related to scams used to gather your data (and your money). 

1. Unexpected contact - A person or company contacts you out of the blue by phone, text, or email about an invoice, order, delivery, or change you did not know about.    Example:  A person or company contacts you stating they are attempting to make a delivery to your home but cannot because they need additional information before making the delivery.   Ask them to provide you with the address they have for the delivery, then only provide a corrected delivery address, if they do not have an address or the address is not familiar do not provide ANY OTHER INFORMATION other than your mailing address, they are phishing.   
2. Everything is urgent - Scammers will create a false sense of urgency and use pressure tactics like rude or pushy language to get you to act immediately.   Example:  Someone will call and say they have a warrant for your arrest OR they have arrested a family member and are asking for you to wire them money.  Tell them you need their contact information so your attorney can contact them.  DO NOT AGREE to WIRE MONEY or DO NOT PROVIDE BANKING INFORMATION!   Always ask for their name and contact information so you can validate their authenticity.   
3. Very specific or unusual way to pay - Someone is asking you to pay or send money using gift cards, cryptocurrency, a payment app, or even an online wire transfer; supposedly to pay for something, to resolve an issue, get sweepstakes winnings, or secure a high return on your investment.   Each of the methods listed are untraceable, therefore if you send money the money is gone without the ability to trace the money.  DO NOT AGREE to make a payment over the phone, get their contact information and have your bank or a close relative contact the person.   
4. Threatening language - Scammers may tell you that you owe money and then threaten to call police if you do not pay immediately.   They will also coach you on what to tell the bank on how to withdraw and transfer the funds, or ask you to keep a secret, because they are trying to protect you from what others might think.   They will use a combination of #1, #2 and #3 to get the money and threaten you if you do not do as they ask.   IT IS OKAY to say NO!   IT IS OKAY to be confused, get their contact information and wait 24 hours before calling back.  Talk to someone you know in those 24 hours.  DO NOT SEND MONEY or your INFORMATION! 
5. The romantic emergency - Someone you have just met online or a pen-pal that showers you with sweet talk but does not want to meet you or provide you with contact information that can be validated.  Suddenly, a hardship or emergency strikes and they want you to send them money.   Think about #2 and #3, if they ask the payment to be sent an unusual way then beware.   If you do decide to every send someone you have never met or barely know money, please do so with a money order, do not send them a personal check, they can gain access to your account with the "stolen check", you sent them, never send money to a PO box.   Never send more money than you can afford to lose (never get back), never send money to a "stranger" twice, should they will continue to ask for money then you must stop sending them money, the small amounts will add up over time.
6. When in doubt, don't do it!   Call the police, bank, relative or friend before you share your information over the phone, email or even written correspondence.