The more confident you are that you won’t be scammed, the more vulnerable you are.
Scammed, Phished, Hacked, or Conned… isn’t just for the vulnerable population anymore. It’s happening with higher intensity levels than we have ever seen before. While there is never a “foolproof” method of avoiding being victimized, there are a few steps that you can take to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.
Common Scam Tactics
- Urgency: Scammers pressure you to “act now,” hoping you’ll skip careful analysis. We are motivated as a species to avoid loss and achieve gain. When we are told to “Act Now,” our brains begin to perceive the potential threat of loss and spur us into action. A sense of urgency simplifies our decision-making process when we are put under pressure—our brains look to avoid the threat and skip (neigh, RUN) past the stages of analysis to take immediate action to stop the threat of loss.
- Secrecy: Fraudsters may ask you to keep things confidential, isolating you from advice or warnings. Keeping something “private” is a high-pressure tactic of manipulation. Scam artists often use this by pretending to be a person sent there from some sort of formal agency (even posing as government employees) to aid. They ask you to keep the information secret because they need your help as part of a bigger plan.
- Authority: Scammers often pose as officials or representatives from legitimate organizations to gain your trust.
- Unusual Payment Methods: Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are red flags.
How You Can Help Protect Yourself
1. Pause When Urged to Act Fast
Scammers use urgency to short-circuit your logic. If someone says, “Act now or else…”, take that as your cue to pause and verify before doing anything.
2. Never Share Personal or Financial Info Over the Phone
Government agencies, banks, and legitimate companies will never call you asking for sensitive info like your SSN, account numbers, or passwords. If you think it is a legitimate business inquiry, tell the person you will call them right back. Hang up the phone, research the institution’s phone number, and call them directly. Note: Pay attention to who you are calling. Make sure you don’t just call the first business that pops up in a Google search, but the actual business.
3. Don’t Trust Caller ID or Email Addresses
Scammers spoof numbers and domains to appear official. Always independently verify the sender before responding or clicking links. Most commonly, the address will appear legitimate, but there will be one letter or digit incorrect. Close enough for your brain to fill in the missing information and assume it is for accuracy. Example: Y__R BRAIN W_LL F_LL IN THE BL_NKS
4. Be Suspicious of Secrecy
If you’re told, “Don’t tell anyone,” that’s a red flag – immediately. Scammers isolate victims to keep them from getting second opinions or warning signs from others.
5. Verify With a Trusted Source
Before sending money, giving personal info, or clicking a link, call or visit the company or agency using a verified phone number or website. This could also mean calling a point of contact that you are familiar with to verify the information.
6. Don’t Pay With Gift Cards or Wire Transfers
No legitimate business or government entity will ask for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These are scammer favorites because they’re untraceable and easy for consumers to initiate.
7. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
We get it. It’s a pain. Add a second layer of security to your accounts. 2FA helps prevent hackers from accessing your accounts even if they steal your password.
8. Install Call Blocking & Scam Protection Tools
Use apps or carrier-based services that block known scam callers and phishing texts. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers—let them go to voicemail.
9. Trust Your Gut
If something feels off, it probably is. Scammers prey on emotions, confusion, and politeness. You can hang up, walk away, or say no.
Advanced Steps You Can Take To Potentially Remove Your Info From The Dark Web & Reduce Scam Risk
Services like DeleteMe, Aura, LifeLock, or Experian IdentityWorks are among the most effective ways to proactively protect your personal information from being exploited by scammers.
These services specialize in monitoring the dark web for sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers, email addresses, and financial account details, and alerting you if your information is found. Many also offer tools to remove your data from data broker websites, provide identity theft insurance, and offer real-time alerts to help you act quickly if a threat is detected.
Outsourcing this constant surveillance to professional services may reduce your risk of falling victim to scams, identity theft, or phishing attacks. These tools are especially valuable in a world where cybercrime is becoming increasingly sophisticated and personal information is bought and sold online daily.
These tools help monitor and remove information from high-risk sources like the dark web and data broker sites, giving you peace of mind that someone is actively working to safeguard your identity.
This can be an incredibly daunting subject to keep up on – we get it.
You have more control than you think. While the rise in scams and identity theft can feel overwhelming, taking proactive steps to protect your personal information puts the power back in your hands.
Empowerment comes from action; every step you take strengthens your defenses and reduces your risk. You don’t have to be a cybersecurity expert to stay safe – you just have to be informed, intentional, and prepared.
