This post is dedicated to everyone working to expose and stop scams, including:
- The Federal Trade Commission, which sponsors National Consumer Protection Week every March.
- The Social Security Administration, which created National “Slam the Scam” Day.
- Our own BridgingApps Team, which gives scam-recognition and cybersecurity presentations to young adults, seniors, Spanish speakers, and other groups.
What would you do if:
- (a) This message popped up on your screen: “Virus detected in your device. Click the link for help”?
- (b) You were emailed that one of your accounts had been shut down?
- (c) You got a text that you owed toll road charges, or a fine for missing jury duty?
- (d) A text came in addressed to someone you’d never met?
- (e) A family member called to tell you they were in trouble and needed money immediately?
In every case, the first thing to do is not follow the message’s instructions—or, for item (d), not text back to tell the sender they have the wrong number. All the above are common lead-ins to digital scams. Even familiar voices/faces, as in item (e), can be duplicated in the “deepfakes” age.
Here are five top hints for protecting your money from digital scammers.
- Know the Signs
Most scams count on your acting without thinking. No matter how serious or tempting a message sounds, read it over before doing anything.
It’s probably a scam if:
- You’re asked to pay in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- An “official agency” contacts you digitally. (Real official messages arrive by U.S. Mail.)
- You get a job offer or investment advice that’s “too good to be true.”
- Anything seems odd about the sender’s request or language. (Note, though, that today’s AI makes it easier to clean up “bad English” and/or copy a real person’s style.)
2. Don’t Talk to Strangers
“The best defense against scam calls is to avoid answering the phone,” says Tara Rocha, Digital Learning Specialist at BridgingApps. Likewise, the best defense against scam texters is to avoid answering messages from unknown contacts. If someone really texted your number by mistake, they’ll figure it out on their own.
(Some scammers play on your emotions to trigger a “wrong number” response. Don’t answer even if the message calls you “Dr. Veterinarian” and says their dog has strange symptoms. Not even if they attach a cute puppy picture.)
If by any chance you get drawn into a conversation, cut it off as soon as you realize it. Many scammers don’t ask for money immediately: they’ll keep the message thread going until you feel you really know them. Then they’ll make a request for funds.
Remember: someone you know only through digital contact is still a stranger. You haven’t been introduced face to face. You haven’t seen (in real life) the place where they say they live or work.
3. Consider a “Code Word” System
As noted above, even a call from someone you do know can be a “deepfake” scam. You may have heard of “family code words,” where a certain phrase means “I’m in trouble” or “I’m the real thing” to those in the know. While traditionally used to help children confirm that someone is acting on a parent’s request, this can also tell long-distance family members (of any age) whether an “emergency” call is real or fake.
Fun fact: Some online accounts analyze “behavioral biometrics” (keyboarding speed, screen-swipe patterns, and other aspects of digital-device use). This helps spot possible imposters whose biometrics differ from a regular user’s.
4. No Secrets in the Family
Many sad stories start with scammers claiming that “secrecy” is essential. Whatever reasons they give, they know that people who talk to others are often people who change their minds. When secrets are kept, some scams last for months, with money sent again and again. Often it ends in a “why didn’t you tell me?!” scene. Or in permanently broken trust between loved ones.
In other cases, people are ashamed or afraid to tell anyone they’ve been scammed—and when people say nothing, nothing is done about scam problems. Never be afraid to confide in someone you know and trust. And always report scams to law enforcement.
5. Stay Updated
- Check accounts (including your home’s Wi-Fi account) for information on their cybersecurity features.
- Change your passwords once or twice a year (experts recommend every six months).
- Don’t leave devices on 24/7. The less often they’re restarted, the easier they become to hack.
- Scam techniques keep evolving, as does scam-prevention technology. Watch your accounts, newsfeeds, and favorite tech blogs for updates.