FBI: How to spot a scam and avoid losses

(WTAJ) — Scams have been on the rise over the years, often targeting older adults the scammer may be able to confuse and catch off guard. Now the FBI is launching a nationwide effort to raise awareness of frauds and scams that could impact you.

Through their new “Take A Beat” initiative, the FBI will share information to highlight different types of fraud and scams, tips to spot them and prevent losses and how victims can report scams.

A very common tactic by scammers is a false sense of urgency or isolation. They will try to induce empathy or fear, promise monetary gains, companionship or even employment opportunities while trying to make you “act fast.”

The first tip is to resist pressure to act quickly and pause for a moment to assess the situation.

According to the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data, there have already been $1.6 billion in losses from January to May of 2024, which is nearly $300 million more than the same time last year.

“With the number of victims and reported losses growing, combatting complex financial frauds and scams remains a top priority for the FBI,” Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia said. “Education and outreach are vital in preventing further victimization and this campaign is an opportunity to bring awareness to the various frauds and scams impacting our community. We encourage the public to remain vigilant in navigating the digital landscape and always report suspected fraud at ic3.gov .”

While fraud can happen to anyone, there are small steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your information:

• Take precautionary measures to protect your identity should a criminal gain access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.
• Search online for the contact information (name, phone number, email, addresses) of any unknown source that reaches out to you, as well as the proposed offer. Verify the legitimacy of businesses on websites such as Better Business Bureau. Other people have likely posted information online about businesses and individuals attempting to run scams.
• Never give or send to unverified people or businesses any personally identifiable information, money, checks, gift cards, or wire information.

If you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of a fraud or scam, contact your local FBI office or submit a complaint on IC3.gov.

You should document the name of the scammer/company and methods of contact, dates of contact, methods of payment, where funds may have been sent, and a thorough description of the interactions.

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For more information on the common frauds and scams the FBI encounters, you can click here.

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