Has this happened to you? You're on your laptop and an alert pops up - "Your computer has been hacked. Please contact Google immediately at 800-###-####." You freeze and think for a moment... do you call the number?
If you do, you may very likely become a victim of a cyber hacker.
October is National Cyber Security Month and cyber threats are becoming more and more common. According to the the FBI's Crime Complaint Center, in 2024 people age 60 and older collectively lost $4.8 billion to internet fraud.
What kinds of scams do people fall victim to? The FBI has 20 listed on their website, including:
- Spoofing and Phishing: Designed to have the recipient provide important and/or confidential information - passwords, bank information, etc. The email may appear to be from a legitimate source, or an image inside the email may look to be genuine - but once the link is clicked, your computer falls victim to the hackers.
- Romance scams: A cyber criminal create a false online identity to gain the trust and affection from a potential victim. As the interactions continue and and a relationship develops, the scammer will start asking for money or other personal information.
- Holiday scams: You find the perfect gift on a social media ad. You click the ad, make the purchase and then the item never arrives. You may even be unable to find a website or contact information just a few days after your purchase. Scammers will post fake ads to collect financial information from buyers, and may use your personal information for other illegal activities.
How do you know you may be getting scammed?
- They contact you. When you call a business, you know who you are attempting to reach. When a scammer calls you, you may not be certain they are who they claim to be. Email addressed and caller ID can be easily faked.
- They want personal information. They ask for your Social Security Number, bank information or other private information. Do not give that information away until you have verified the request.
- They offer bait. If the scammer offers you a financial incentive, quick loan, free trip, etc., be on guard. Those types of offers are not common - and as enticing as the offer may be, stay on high alert.
- They want your money. The scammer may claim to have money owed to you (unclaimed money from the state, lottery winnings, a prize) - but in order to receive the money you must first pay an upfront fee.
Likewise, if you are asked to wire funds or purchase gift cards, this is a RED FLAG. Once you send money out, it may be gone forever.
Be safe and be alert - and do not be embarrassed if you become a victim. Contact your financial institutions immediately to avoid any potential challenges.