Wishing you a ScamFree 2016!

Whether or not you’re a resolution-maker, the Federal Trade Commission has some ideas to help keep you scam-free in 2016. Not worried about scams? Then maybe this is the year to share these ideas with a friend or family member. You can help someone else have a scam-free new year.

Did you or a friend get a call from someone supposedly from the IRS last year? Or someone who said your computer needed attention? Or maybe you know someone who sent money to a family member who needed it urgently. Or so the caller said. At the FTC, we call these “imposter scams.” Imposter scams topped the scam list in 2015, and we bet they will continue in 2016.  Here are a few simple suggestions for dealing with imposter scams in the New Year.

Check it out. While it might not be the happiest of New Year’s messages, a bit of skepticism can pay off when you or a friend get a call from someone who might be an imposter scammer. Is that really the IRS calling? Does your computer really need tech support? The IRS and real companies don’t place calls like these.  But if you are not sure about the call, hang up and check online to see if other people are getting similar calls. Or, if the call is from or is about a company or person you know, hang up and call on a number you know is right. Worried about a family member in trouble? Hang up and call them or another family member. Is Junior really in jail, or safe in college? We bet it’s the latter. In short: stop before you act. Check it out online or by calling or asking someone you know.

Talk to someone. If you get a call about a fantastic prize, or someone needs you to send money for some urgent reason – stop. Talk to someone you trust. At the FTC, we hear repeatedly from consumers that telling someone about the scam stopped them from sending money. Maybe it’s taking some time to think about it – because rushing you works in scammers’ favor. Maybe it’s just saying out loud: “hey, a Nigerian prince has money that I can get if I just send money” that makes it sound not quite as plausible – or attractive – as it sounded on the phone. Whatever it is, stop and talk to someone.

Never wire money to anyone who asks. Or send a reloadable debit card. Or cash. We haven’t seen legitimate businesses ask to send money in any of these ways. So, chances are it’s a scam if you’re asked to wire money, get a reloadable debit card (and send the numbers), or send cash.  Don’t do it.

Report it. Please tell the FTC if you spot an imposter scam or some other possible scam. Go online to ftc.gov/complaint, or call us at 1-877-FTC-HELP. Every report makes a difference.