Protect Yourself: Beware of Scam Techniques
Scams are becoming more advanced, and nearly one in 10 people will become a victim of a scam. Learn more about the latest scam techniques to help avoid becoming a victim.
Scam Techniques Trends in 2024
As technology advances, scammers are becoming more advanced in their techniques to scam their victims.
- Student Loan Forgiveness — Student loan forgiveness scams are becoming very popular. As student loan forgiveness policies change, scammers prey on people’s desire for debt relief. Scammers have created fake application sites, charging fees for debt forgiveness, all in an attempt to steal personal information. Never rely on emails or calls you receive about student loan forgiveness. If you’re looking for information about student loan forgiveness, only trust government websites.
- AI Scams — As AI becomes more popular and robust, scammers turn to AI to create deep fakes, phishing emails, and personalized messages. AI can make emails sound professional, natural and incredibly believable. If you ever receive an email that contains a link or download, don’t click it, especially if you don't know the sender or didn't request the information. Contact the institution directly to verify if the email is valid or go to the institution’s website directly and not via a link. Never enter your login information or personal data into an unsolicited website.
- Virtual Kidnapping — Virtual kidnapping scams are becoming a significant concern. This type of cybercrime is when scammers falsely claim they have kidnapped a relative and then use threats, deception and emotional manipulation to extort money from victims.
- Phone Scams — Impersonators and robocalls continue, but as technology has increased, so have phone scam techniques. Some robocalls can respond to questions, making it significantly more challenging to determine if the call is real or a scam.
Arm Yourself Against Scam Techniques
There is red flag information that you should never give out, no matter how innocent it may seem, to someone you don’t know, especially when it is unsolicited. This information includes:
- Birthdate
- Mother’s maiden name
- Passwords
- Previous addresses
- Social Security Numbers
- Bank account information
Additionally, it’s vital to remember that scammers can now manipulate caller ID, known as “spoofing.”
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, don’t hesitate to report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
Home Telecom Works to Protect Customers from Scam Techniques
Home Telecom offers Umbrella Easy Protect, a cloud-based security system that can help protect against malware, phishing and cyber-attacks. Home Telecom also partners with Trend Micro to provide customers with access to anti-scam and antivirus tools.