A series on how scammers are targeting you in a post-covid world

Since March 2020, we have understandably become lax about sharing our personal information. Case in point – did you tell anyone today whether you got the vaccine, which one and if it was the first or second shot? See what we mean?

Starting in this Board Brief (and for several months going forward) we will be highlighting the latest in scams; what they are, the tactics to trap you and what you should do about them. For now, we want to share with you the fundamental things you should always do to avoid getting involved and becoming a victim.

SCAM PREVENTION BASICS
Are you being contacted (meaning you did not initiate the contact)? We covered this in the December 2020 Board Brief.

• If by phone, DO NOT ANSWER, if the caller is not part of your phones contact list (i.e. not someone you know). Mark the caller as Spam and immediately Block the caller ID (number) via your phone App.
• If they left a voicemail message urging you to call them back, DO NOT CALL THEM BACK AT THAT NUMBER OR A NUMBER THEY LEFT IN THEIR VOICEMAIL (under any circumstance).
• If by text to your phone, DO NOT RESPOND. Mark the text number as Spam and immediately Block the caller ID (number) via your phone App. If your text service does not delete the text, manually delete it.
• Don’t bother to read the text because that will tempt you to respond. If you do read it and you are concerned, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK OR CALL THE NUMBER IN THE TEXT (under any circumstance).
• If by email, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU CLICK ON A LINK, IMAGE OR CALL A PHONE NUMBER that is part of the email.

If the caller, text or email claimed to be from an institution you have a relationship with (financial, government or otherwise) and you are concerned, call the published fraud alert number of that institution (number on the back of the credit card, number on your bank statement, governmental organization number, etc.).

Our Advice
STOP, THINK & DELETE! The alarm to all these warnings is that YOU are being CONTACTED by someone you DON’T know. Taking these calls, responding to these texts or emails can only expose you to financial loss.