
Scams and Tips to Avoid Them
Fraudsters are creative and always searching for new ways to capture consumers' confidential information. Protect yourself by becoming familiar with current scam attempts and ways to identify if you’re being targeted.
Scams |
Description |
Potential Signs |
---|---|---|
Fake Tech Support |
Viruses can be scary and complicated to get rid of, and some scammers will take advantage of that sense of alarm by alerting consumers to a potential virus on their computer by using ads, emails, and pop-ups. |
Virus alert may be fake:
|
Employment |
Searching for a job is daunting, and any leads for potential employment can seem exciting. Be cautious though, if a potential employer starts to seem suspicious. |
Employer could be a scammer:
|
Fake Checks & Money Order |
A check or money order from an individual you don’t know and in many cases for an amount more than you expected should raise a red flag. In many cases when it is deposited, you will be notified that it was counterfeit.
|
Check/money order may be fake:
|
Phony Sweepstakes, Lotteries & Prizes |
There are many legitimate sweepstakes, lotteries, or prizes, but scammers take advantage of the excitement of winning to steal personal information or money. |
Your winnings may be fake:
|
Fake Debt
|
Debt or tax collection is often alarming, but if it is unexpected or something that was already settled, it may be a scam. |
Debt/tax collection could be a scam:
|
Family Emergency |
Alarming calls regarding a loved one in trouble are scary. These calls could be fake, so it’s important to verify the situation with a trusted family member or friend. |
A phone call about your loved one may be fake:
|
Romance |
Online dating has helped some people find love. In some cases, those relationships are built upon false pretenses where the profile is fake, and the person builds trust to trick their target into sending them money. |
Online love interest could be a scammer:
|
Phishing |
Emails, phone calls or texts may not always be from people you trust, even if they look like it. Scammers use familiar companies or people you know to steal personal information and possibly steal your identity.
|
An email, phone call or text could be a phishing attack:
|
Online
|
Trying to get a good deal when shopping online can sometimes come at a cost. Consumers are falling victim to fake retail websites as well as fake sellers on direct seller-to-buyer sites such as eBay and Craigslist.
|
Your purchase could be a scam:
Your buyer could be a scammer:
|
How to Protect Yourself
- Do not share your personal information, PINs, account numbers or passwords with anyone who contacts you online or over the phone.
- Be wary of requests for payments in the form of gift cards, prepaid cards, and wire transfers or other non-traceable payments.
- Do not click on pop-up windows. Identity thieves plant pop-up windows on legitimate websites in an effort to steal your identity by acquiring all of your personal information.
- Do not send funds or cash to companies, charities or individuals unless you identify the legitimacy of the transaction.
- Do not click on links in emails that ask for your personal information. Harmful programs could be embedded in emails and the links provided may lead you to fake versions of what you understand to be legitimate websites. Secure websites will always contain HTTPS in the webs address.
- Check your credit report periodically from the three credit bureaus to ensure nothing is abnormal.
What to Do if You are a Victim
If you believe you are a victim of fraud or identity theft, contact us at 877.723.5571. In addition to contacting Univest, you should also report the incident to the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus.
- Equifax: www.equifax.com | 800.525.6285
- Experian: www.experian.com | 888.397.3742
- TransUnion: www.transunion.com | 800.680.7289
Additional Steps to Take if You Are a Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft
- Close the accounts you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
- File a police report as proof of the crime and obtain a copy or report number.
File a Complaint
Law enforcement agencies around the world work together to stop scammers and provide consumers with the information they need to avoid fraud. If you believe you have been scammed, file a complaint with the below organizations.
- Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov | 877.FTC.HELP (877.382.4357)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: www.ic3.gov
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