Beware of Scams

Don't get tricked into giving out your personal information! Learn about some of the current scams are and how to report them.

 

➜ Tax Scams

The IRS will initiate contact with you by:

  • Regular mail

  • Phone (you will receive letters in the mail first)

The IRS will not initiate contact with you by:

  • Email or social media

  • Text messages

For more information on tax scams, you can view this video created by the IRS here or visit https://www.irs.gov/tax-scams-what-to-know-what-to-do.

➜ IRS Scams

Various IRS and Social Security Scams continue. Here is a link to the IRS website which outlines the different scams and reminds you that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, social media or phone calls.

➜ Artificial Intelligence Scams

Scammers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to clone voices in order to impersonate people. In some cases, they can sound like loved ones. Scammers get a small audio sample of someone’s voice and are then able to run it through an AI program that can replicate the voice.

➜ Tech Support Scams

Callers want you to believe there is a serious problem with your computer or that you have items ordered for delivery. They ask for payments in ways that are hard to reverse. Here is information from FTC about these types of scams.

➜ Debt Relief + Credit Card Scams

Scammers will offer to lower your credit card interest rates or even fix your credit, but that will cost you and ruin your credit.

➜ Money Transfer Scams

There has been an increase in cases of fraud and scams with money transfer companies, like Zelle, with or without authorization given.

➜ Robo Call Scams

If you receive a robo call, here are a few tips to follow for some of the different types of call:

  • Don't answer calls from unknown numbers - let them go to voicemail.

  • If the caller claims to be from a company that you are familiar with, hang up and call them back using a valid number found on their website or on a bill/invoice if you do business with them.

  • If you answer and the caller (most often a recording) asks you to say "yes" in response to a question, just hang up. Scammers often use your "yes" to apply unauthorized charges on your bill.

  • Caller ID showing a "local" number no longer means it is a local caller.

  • If you answer and the caller asks for payment using a gift card, it's likely a scam. Legitimate organizations will not ask for payment with a gift card.

➜ Third-Party Banking App Scams

It is important to understand who you are dealing with before turning your money over or sharing personal information. Knowing the characteristics of impostor scams and fake bank websites and apps can help you avoid becoming a victim.

Want to know even more scams to watch out for? You can read What are some common types of scams?on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.

How to report

Here are some actions to take if you come across any case of fraud or scam:

➜ Robo Call Scams

https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

➜ Identity Theft

https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/

➜ Spam Text Messages

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/

➜ Text Messages or Email from scammers claiming to be from the IRS

Send an email to: phishing@irs.gov

  • For text messages: Take a screenshot of the message and include the date/time/time zone they received the text message and the phone number that received the text message and attach it to the email.

  • For emails: do not forward the email, but attach a copy of the email that you received instead.

You can read our webpage Protect Your Information for updated scam information!

 
 

Total Business Care Can Help

For more information, please contact TBC or email the office at info@totalbizcare.com with any questions that you may have.

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