It’s more important than ever to be on alert for scams. Thanks to AI and other technology, it’s much easier for bad actors to fool even the more diligent consumer. You aren’t crazy for feeling like scammers are attacking from all directions — e-mails, phone calls and texts. But you can fight back. Knowledge is power. The more you know what scammers are doing, the more likely you are to take pause with the next phone call or e-mail you receive that seems “weird”.
Below are some tricks and tips put together by Mile High On The Cheap’s consumer experts as well as from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s Department of Public Safety.
One piece of advice from the get-go: If you answer your phone and hear a quick pause followed by a beep, you can be certain it is from a call center trying to scam you. That pause is the auto-dialing system realizing that someone has answered and then sending the call to an person to start their scam. Your best defense: hang up.
Tricks Scammers Use
Spoofing phone numbers
Known as spoofing, criminals make your caller ID show a number that is not their number. More than likely, it’s a number you trust, including your own phone number, a reputable business (or agency) or even 911.
Fake websites
Scammers create fake websites that look very similar to the legitimate ones (including credit cards companies, popular retailers, government agencies and utility companies), so you’re more likely to not question their authenticity at first glance.
Fake e-mail addresses
Scammers also hack into an e-mail account, so it appears like someone (family member, friend or co-worker) you trust is e-mailing you. They are usually asking for money or personal information.
Urgency
Scammers often make consumers feel the need to act quickly in order to avoid negative repercussions — “You must reply now” or “Pay now!” The goal is to make you think the matter is urgent, so you don’t have time to investigate the legitimacy of the request any further.
Telling you don’t hang up!
A scammer will tell you that, if you hang up on them, you will suffer even worse consequences legally or financially. The goal is to increase your fear level and discourage you from investigating the matter any further. It’s okay, hang up!
Threats of arrest
Posing as a lawyer, government official or police officer, the scammers will threaten to arrest you or issue a warrant for your arrest, if you don’t comply with their request or demand immediately — usually it’s to send them money or give up personal information.
Asking you to purchase gift cards
Most all of the demands from scammers is to purchase gift cards or virtual currency to make a payment for a fine or fee of some sort. No legitimate business or government agency will ask you to pay using gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Getting your address
Scammers will get ask you to verify your address. Once they do, they will create a fraudulent business and register with the Colorado Secretary of State.
Don’t fall for calls from fraudsters. Source: Depositphotos
Current Scams
Government Official Imposter
Scammers will call you pretending to be from a government agency and attempt to scare you into believing you are in trouble, including an outstanding warrant for your arrest or unpaid taxes.
The scam always involves you urgently sending money or gift cards to resolve the matter. No city, county or federal agency will contact you by phone. If you don’t recognize the phone number, let it go to voice mail.
The “Yes” Scam
This one is especially sneaky. Scammers will call you and ask you a question such as “Is this Bryan?” or “Are you the homeowner?” or “Do you live in Colorado?”
The call is being recorded and they will continue asking questions are trying to get you to respond “Yes”. Once that “yes” is recorded then they can use technology to add your “yes” as a consent for them to bill you for a product or service or use your consent in other ways. Our advice: Just say no.
Romance Scam
A scammer will meet you online and, over weeks or months, make you feel like they’re in love with you. They will eventually ask for money for a variety of urgent matters.
They always promise to pay you back once your together or married, but you will never see a dime back.
“Loved One” Scam
Scammers pose as a child, grandchild or loved one in distress over the phone. They could also claim to be a lawyer, law enforcement official or hospital staff member calling on behalf of your loved one.
The scenario always involves money that needs to be sent or wired immediately, including gift cards or virtual currency. Simply hang up and call said loved one to verify its legitimacy.
Work-at-Home Scam
Scammers contact individuals via e-mail, phone or text with an offer to make lots of money working from home.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is. No one makes $10,000 a month from sitting on their couch!
Online Marketplace Scam
Criminals will often post fake ads on marketplace sites, including Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, Airbnb or similar sites.
They might be selling concert tickets, a household item or car, as well as renting an apartment or vacation home. The scammer is trying to sell you something that doesn’t exist. Buyer beware!
Phishing Scam
Phishing scams are when criminals send a text or e-mail that appears to be from a well-known or reputable source, including an online store, internet service provider, bank or delivery service.
The scam always includes a question about a recent purchase, expired cards, suspicious account login or computer malware. The request is for you to provide personal identifying information to resolve the situation. Never click on a link or reply.
And, because of fake sites and e-mail addresses, this one can be tricky because it looks extremely “legitimate”. If you’re in doubt, always contact said company on your own for further investigation.
Spoofing Scam
Spoofing is when a criminal uses an e-mail address, sender name, phone number or website address — often just by changing one letter, symbol or number — to convince you that you are interacting with a trusted source.
You might receive an e-mail that appears to be from your boss, your bank, a company you made purchases from or even a family member, but it is not. If something seems fishy or odd, trust your gut. Never click on a link or reply. As with phishing, your best defense is to either ignore the e-mail or create a new email and contact the sender direct to confirm it came from them.
For more information about scams, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation offers lots of resources and tips, including how to report fraud or suspicious activity.