Scam Alert Department of Public Safety

Scam Alert Department of Public Safety

What is a scam? Obtaining money/personal information by using deception Fake personalities Fake photos Fake template letters Forged documents Non-existent phone numbers Non-existent address Syracuse University 2

Types of Scams Phishing email scams The Out of the Country Inheritance scam Greeting card scams Bank loan or credit card scam Lottery scam Hitman scam Romance scams Fake antivirus software Facebook impersonation scam (hijacked profile scam) Syracuse University 3

Types of Scams Make money fast scams (Economic scams) Travel scams Bitcoin scams Fake news scam Fake shopping websites Loyalty points phishing scam Job offer scams SMS Scamming(Smashing) Syracuse University 4

Email Scams Syracuse University 5

Email Scams Receive an email Individual needs to launder money Offers to make you rich Requires upfront fees Sometimes, more than money is lost Often perpetrated from other countries Syracuse University 6

Email Scams Syracuse University 7

Email Scams Syracuse University 8

Email Scams Syracuse University 9

Postal Mail / Check Fraud Syracuse University 10

Postal Mail / Check Fraud Victim is selling something online Anxious buyer needs item immediately – Buyer must ship item after receiving check Check is forged – But item is already sent Syracuse University 11

Postal Mail / Check Fraud Syracuse University 12

Telephone Scams Syracuse University 13

Telephone Scam Travel Packages. “Free” or “low cost” vacations can end up cost ing a bundle in hidden costs. Some of these vacations never take place, even after you’ve paid. Credit and loans. Advance fee loans, payday loans, credit card protection, and offers to lower your credit card interest rates are very popular schemes, especially during a down economy. Sham or exaggerated business and investment opportunities. Promoters of these have made millions of dollars. Scammers rely on the fact that business and investing can be complicated and that most people don’t research the investment. Charitable causes. Urgent requests for recent disaster relief efforts are especially common on the phone. High-stakes foreign lotteries. These pitches are against the law, which prohibits the cross-border sale or purchase of lottery tickets by phone or mail. What’s more, you may never see a ticket. Extended car warranties. Scammers find out what kind of car you drive, and when you bought it so they can urge you to buy overpriced — or worthless — plans. “Free” trial offers. Some companies use free trials to sign you up for products — sometimes lots of products — which can cost you lots of money because they bill you every month until you cancel. Syracuse University 14

Telephone Scams Don’t Say Yes Scam https://youtu.be/VH6Oj8jhu40 We will Cancel your Student Visa Scam https://youtu.be/qnXRZj9I9yA Syracuse University 15

Internal Revenue Service Imposters Syracuse University 16

Internal Revenue Service Imposters The I.R.S. will not: Call to demand immediate payment, nor call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying. Syracuse University 17

Measures You Can Take To Avoid Fraud Syracuse University 18

Measures You Can Take To Avoid Fraud Do online searches (Reviews, Complaint, Scam, IRS call) Don’t believe your caller ID (scammers are able to manipulate the number reported) Don’t pay upfront for a promise Consider how you pay Talk to someone and ask questions Hang up on robo-calls Don’t deposit a check and wire money back ftc.gov/scams Syracuse University 19

Measures You Can Take To Avoid Fraud Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20580 (877) 382-4357 TTY: (866) 653-4261 https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ Syracuse University 20

Measures You Can Take To Avoid Fraud Remember: Scammers will often try to rush you into a decision, offering you a limited “very attractive” opportunity. Syracuse University 21

Protect Yourself: Be wary of messages or emails asking for passwords or other personal information – Most reputable businesses and organizations will not ask for this information via email Never send passwords, bank account numbers or other private information in an email – Do not reply to requests for this information – Verify by contacting the company or individual, but do not use the contact information included in the message Syracuse University 22

Protect Yourself: Since some scams are so well organized and convincing, and people behind them so difficult to catch, we need to always keep our guard up. Stay informed about the latest scamming strategies, and remember If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Syracuse University 23

Questions? Department of Public Safety