As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind everyone to stay vigilant against increasing impersonation and phishing scams. Scammers often pose as trusted entities to obtain sensitive information, such as social security, credit card, and bank details.
It’s advised not to respond to suspicious emails, as this confirms the validity of your email address to scammers, who may sell it on the dark web.
Be cautious of messages claiming your account is suspended due to rule violations on social media platforms like Facebook. These are often scams leading to fake websites designed to harvest your login information. Always check the URL to ensure it’s legitimate, such as “facebook.com” instead of a deceptive variation, such as “facebook.some.website.com.”
Scammers also impersonate companies like Amazon or banks, asking for login details. Legitimate companies will never request your login information or redirect you to another website.
Scammers create a sense of urgency to pressure you into compliance. Be skeptical of any communication demanding immediate action.
Particularly during the holidays, scammers posing as Amazon may send emails about unauthorized charges, asking you to call them. Once on the phone, they ask for your credit card details to review the unauthorized charges. It’s another method they use to steal your information.
Additionally, a popular scam is when you receive a call from a relative or someone you know asking for money. Scammers use AI tools to mimic distressed family members, even spoofing caller ID numbers. Stay alert and verify any such claims directly with your relatives. When in doubt, hang up and call the family member to verify.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumer reports indicate that losses due to fraud reached approximately $8.8 billion last year. This figure represents an increase of over 30 percent compared to the previous year.
To Report Fraud:
- If you live in the City of Sebastian, call the Sebastian Police Department’s non-emergency line at (772) 589-5233.
- County residents can call the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (772) 978-6240.
Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) registered fraud reports from 2.4 million consumers. The most frequent type of fraud reported was imposter scams, with online shopping scams coming in second. The other leading categories included prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams, investment-related fraud, and scams related to business and job opportunities, completing the top five types of fraud reported.
To report fraud or bad business practices, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
