Beware of scams and scammers

 

A scam is a deceptive, dishonest scheme designed to trick individuals into handing over money, personal information, or access to accounts.

Most of us have mobile cell-phones or access to the Internet at home; or even a connection to enable us to see TV programs via the Internet.

These give scammers an opportunity to contact you and take control of your mobile phone or computer and steal your personal information like Bank Accounts details, or identity details or even your money. Here are some tips to help you avoid being a victim of scams and scammers.

If you receive a phone call, either on your mobile or your home phone, from someone you do not know saying they represent your bank, building society, TV provider, Amazon or any other organisation NEVER ever give them any personal details in your conversation. Just hang up on them. It is not rude to hang up; but it keeps you safe.

These people can be very persuasive and they'll say that your phone, or your Internet, or your Amazon (or other account) has been hacked and they want to help fix it. They are lying. Reputable firms do not contact customers like this at home.

All these people want is to gain access to your mobile or computer. They'll suggest they do a "link-up" with your equipment to sort things out for you. They'll ask you to do certain things on your phone or computer in order that they "link up" with you. DO NOT ALLOW THIS - DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY LINK UP. 

Once they have linked with your equipment they can see all your information - like Bank account details, Building Society, passwords to Amazon or other organisations you belong to and basically steal money from your accounts or hack your computer. NEVER EVER LINK YOUR CELL-PHONE OR COMPUTER WITH SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW.

We repeat: these people can be very persuasive. They may try to re-assure you by saying "If you don't believe who I am from your bank (or Amazon etc ...) why not ring me back on this number ...." NEVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. DO NOT RING BACK THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU. 

The number they give you is to a colleague of theirs who will continue with the scam. If you wish to phone your bank, building society, credit card company, Amazon or whoever, to check what the scammer has told you then ring them on the number you already have on your bank statements, or on the back of your credit card etc... DO NOT RING THE NUMBER THE SCAMMER HAS GIVEN YOU. Just hang up.

Another trick the scammers do is to ask you to take a photo with your mobile of your credit card, or driving licence, or bus pass or other documents like a bank statement and text it to them in order to check your account or identity. NEVER EVER TAKE SUCH PHOTOS AND TEXT THEM BACK. 

Many people have fallen for this trick and have had their identity stolen as well as money from their accounts.

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE. Whilst they are watching the video they are recording it and gaining access to information without you realising it - like card details, or valuables you have at home. Basically, by putting your phone on video mode you have invited a stranger into your home.

Here's another new trick used lately. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) the scammers can replicate the voice of someone you know, like a friend or relative. The voice is so authentic you'd think it is really your friend or relative calling you. The scammers then phone you using this artificial voice. You would think it is your friend but it is a computer talking to you. It will say something like this: "Hi ... this is (name) I am at the supermarket (or other shop name) and my credit card has been declined. Could you please give me the details of your credit card so I can pay for this purchase? I'll pass you on to the shopkeeper to take your details!" NEVER EVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. The voice is so authentic you'd really think it is them, your friends or relatives, speaking to you. AI is very clever these days. Just hang up. It is never rude to hang up.

Some people try to check if it is an AI computer phoning you by asking them an inane question, like: "How was you holiday in Paris last week?" or "Did you eventually buy that red dress you wanted?" And see what the AI answers. However; we suggest you just hang up instead. You can then phone your friend/relative on the number you have for them and check whether they phoned you. Let's face it, a real friend/relative would not phone and ask for you to pay for their purchase - would they?

Here's another very clever scam. You receive a short video on your mobile cell-phone of your favourite celebrity personality. The scammers have found out who you like in music/sports etc ... by following you on social media and reading what you wrote. The video addresses you personally. It is a fake. It is not the celebrity talking to you but a well made video using Artificial Intelligence (AI) computers. 

The celebrity addressing you will suggest you join a Fan Club of supporters. There are various entry levels - Ordinary Member, Silver or Gold level etc... They'll suggest you pay up to thousands of $. Potential (false) benefits could be signed autographed photos, reduced price tickets at concerts, or even meeting the celebrity for lunch. This is all fake - the video is fake, although it is very well made, and there are no benefits available. It's a trick to steal your money. A celebrity will not meet you for personal lunch if you pay them. 

Sometimes, they ask you to go to the shop and buy gift cards instead of giving them money. You then phone them and read out the gift card number. This is the scammers preferred method; because once you read out the gift card number on the phone it can be easily cashed in by the scammer and very difficult to trace or stop.

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

Other scams involve receiving emails offering goods at reduced price, investments opportunities, and various other benefits in exchange for money or by clicking certain links on the email. Delete any emails you receive from someone you do not know - do NOT click on any links offered. 

Other emails would suggest you have been hacked and they can see all your Internet activity. Delete these as well and do not click on any links or respond to questions asked. 

On my business website - holyvisions.co.uk - I receive at least a dozen such emails a day offering all sorts of benefits like increased sales of my books, contacts with publishers, literary agents etc ... 

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

We are not sorry to repeat our advice:

NEVER EVER ALLOW ANYONE WHO PHONES YOU TO LINK-UP OR ACCESS YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR COMPUTER

NEVER EVER GIVE THEM YOUR PASSWORDS OR PIN NUMBER TO ANY ORGANISATION YOU BELONG TO - LIKE A BANK ETC...
 
NEVER EVER PHONE THEM BACK ON THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU

NEVER EVER TAKE PHOTOS OF CREDIT CARDS, DRIVING LICENCES AND DOCUMENTS AND TEXT THEM BACK TO THE CALLER

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE

NEVER EVER GIVE ANY FINANCIAL DETAILS TO SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE YOUR FRIEND OR RELATIVE

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

NEVER EVER GET FOOLED - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP

Please share this post/information with your friends and relatives to protect them from scammers and identity thieves.