Today, I want to share a story that underscores the importance of staying vigilant against scams. Our friends at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI have been hard at work recovering over $3 million lost by seniors to scammers. These fraudsters use clever tricks to steal your hard-earned money, but by learning their tactics, we can stay one step ahead.
What Happened?
Since January 2024, a team led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI has been using data to track down and seize money stolen by scammers. They’ve issued warrants for over $5.6 million and have recovered $3,339,273.58 so far. This success story highlights the power of early reporting. If you suspect a scam, report it right away!
Types of Scams to Watch Out For
- Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
- How it works: You get a message from a stranger, often with a nice profile picture, saying "hello" or pretending to know you. They build trust and then suggest investing in cryptocurrency.
- What to do: Never transfer money based on advice from someone you don’t know well.
- Tech Support/Impersonation Scams
- How it works: You receive a pop-up or email saying your computer is compromised, or a call claiming you subscribed to a service. They ask you to call a number, leading you to a scam call center.
- What to do: Don’t call the number or download software they suggest. Always check directly with your service providers.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC)
- How it works: Scammers impersonate businesses like realtors or escrow companies, asking you to wire money to a new account.
- What to do: Always verify wire instructions by calling a known number of the business.
Important Tips to Stay Safe
- Legitimate companies will NOT:
- Ask for remote access to your computer.
- Request your User ID or Password.
- Ask you to mail cash, buy gold bars, or use cryptocurrency ATMs.
- Ask you to wire funds for refunds.
- If someone asks for any of these, HANG UP.
- If you’re unsure, HANG UP and call a friend or family member to double-check.
How to Report a Scam
If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer, report it quickly to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. The faster you report, the better the chance of stopping the transaction and recovering your money.
Preventing Elder Abuse
- Listen and support: Check in on older adults regularly.
- Watch for unusual transactions: Look for unexplained withdrawals or unusual purchases.
- Report abuse: Contact local authorities or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
Remember, staying informed and vigilant is the best defense against these scams. We’re all in this together, and your safety is our top priority.
Stay safe, everyone!
For more detailed information, you can refer to the DOJ release.