One of the best ways to keep your financial and other private information secure is by staying up to date on some of the most common scams out there. Previously, we covered some common email scams, which you can find by clicking HERE, but here are some more scams of which you should be aware.
INHERITANCE SCAMS
You receive an email that a long-lost relative has recently passed and you were named a beneficiary to their fortune. All you need is to send some money or your account information to complete the transaction. Sounds great, right? Maybe a little too good to be true? That is usually the case. Once you send the required information, you likely won’t hear from them again. In most cases, if an inheritance is legitimate, you will be contacted through verified mail and a law firm. Although there are people who are paid to ‘locate’ any beneficiaries for an estate, it’s still usually the estate that handles all communication and not an individual locator.
ROMANCE SCAMS
As the popularity of dating apps and websites has increased over the years, so have the opportunities for scammers to take advantage of someone looking for partnership. Often times, scammers will say they are traveling or work overseas. This can include working on an oil rig, being a member of the military, or working as a doctor with an international organization. After a connection has been formed, they’ll ask for money to help cover costs such as travel, medical issues, debts, visas, etc. After the money has left your account, your love interest will usually disappear as well. To help avoid falling into this trap, never send funds to someone you haven’t met in person. It may also be helpful to run google searches to see if other records exist of them or reverse search profile pics to see if they pulled them off the internet.
UNEMPLOYMENT SCAMS
If you are filing for unemployment, there is no fee to do so. If the person you are working with requests a fee, this is a sign that you may be potentially be the victim of a scam. Some offers for unemployment will lead you to a non-official website claiming they will do the work for you, all you need to do is enter your information. Always go directly to your state’s local unemployment office and never trust third party carriers. If you receive a suspicious request via email or text, contact the office directly and ask if the request is legitimate.
