So many ways the bad guys are trying to scam you!
Phone call: “This is the
IRS. Send us money now or you will go to
jail.” FRAUD! The IRS will always mail
you a notice of payment due first and will not demand payment over the phone by
prepaid debit card on the spot. Call the
IRS directly if you have a concern.
Phone call: “This is the
IRS, we have a refund for you.”
FRAUD! This scammer is likely
trying to get you to reveal private information.
Email from your bank: “Your
account has had a security issue. Please
click this link to change your password.”
FRAUD! The security issue is the
email itself. Never click a link from
what appears to be your bank. Scammers
create lookalike websites so you think you’re on your bank’s website when you
click the fake link. Open a new browser
and go directly to your bank’s website if you have concerns.
Also: - File your tax
return as early as possible so scammers can’t file a fake one and make off with
your refund. - Set up your online Social
Security account so fraudsters can’t. –
Freeze your credit at each of the 3 major credit bureaus to prevent fraudulent use
of your credit.
Be smarter than the crooks.
Don’t give out private information unless you know for sure who you are
talking to, and if you didn’t initiate the call then you really don’t know who
you’re talking to. Don’t click links in
emails when these could easily be viruses designed to invade your
computer. Even if it looks like a friend
sent it, they may not have.
Who
wants to go back to the days of horses and buggies?- Larry Pike, CFA, Client Priority Financial Advisors LLC
- www.clientpriority.com
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