A survey by AARP reveals a majority of U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud, and with the holidays arriving, scammers are ramping up their efforts. AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl says whether you are from rural or urban America, it’s important to stay vigilant.
“Scammers are like viruses. They continually evolve in response to the latest news and trends. However, if you spot a scam, you can stop a scam. It’s important to understand the types of scams out there and how they are evolving to keep you safe. And just because you may not be from the city, that doesn’t mean you won’t be targeted.”
Voskuhl says there are three types of scams in particular to look out for this holiday season.
“Scammers are using wrong number texts. That may seem harmless, but their goal is to gain your trust and take your money. Delivery scams often feature a text from a driver who can’t find your house and a link that could install viruses on your device. And bank impersonation scams, That’s where scammers pretend to be from your bank, often involves moving money out of the account and into a new one. Money stolen through banking impersonation schemes is rarely recoverable.”
Finally, watch out for social media scams.
“Social media has become a dangerous marketplace. Scammers are great at creating slick ads and professional looking websites and for a minimal cost they can force them into your feed. Look out for any online sales that are too good to be true. Experts say to be suspicious of anything marked down 55 percent or more. Also be wary of any product or websites that offer popular or hard-to find products at a steeply discounted price.”
Learn more Thursday nights at 10 pm Eastern Time on RFD-TV, or online at www.aarp.org/aarplive