Seaside Session This quarter’s Seaside Session is brought to you by the Police Department.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SCAMMERS
Grandparent (Emergency) Scams • You receive a call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in trouble. • They may use the real name of your grandchild. • They beg you not to tell their parents. • If you notice their voice sounds different, they say they are sick, scared, or the phone connection is bad. • A fake “officer” or “lawyer” may join the call and demand money for bail or legal fees. Tech Support Scams • You get a call, message, or pop-up warning that your computer has a virus. • It looks like it comes from a real company (Microsoft, Apple, etc.). • They ask for remote access to your computer or personal information. • They try to get you to pay for fake repairs or services. Home Repair Scams • Someone offers home repairs door-to-door or calls you unexpectedly. • They ask for payment upfront or offer suspiciously cheap financing. • They take the money and never finish the work or never even start. For more information on other types of common scams, visit our website: https:// www.nmb.us/838/How-To-Spot-A-Scam.
Scammers use fear, urgency, and trust to trick people into giving away money or personal information. Knowing the warning signs can help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Common Scam Warning Signs • They pressure you to act quickly and insist you stay on the phone and not hang up. • They ask you to pay with gift cards, bitcoin, wire transfers, or anything unusual. • Their message has poor grammar or wording that feels “off.” • You cannot easily call them back or verify who they are. • They tell you to keep the situation a secret from family or the police. Romance Scams • Someone contacts you online through a dating site or social media. • They use a fake identity, sometimes pretending to be a celebrity or someone with an impressive job. • They spend months building trust and bonding over shared “interests.” • They talk about future plans, shared goals, and may even suggest starting a business or buying property with you. • They never meet in person and always have excuses. Government Impersonation Scams • They contact you pretending to be the IRS, Medicare, Social Security, FBI, or police. • They claim you owe money or need to “verify information.” • They often use threats, like jail time or penalties, to scare you into paying.
Winter Newsletter | 12
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