It happens a handful of times each week. Usually, I’m in the middle of something important. My hands are buried in bubbles, washing dishes in the kitchen sink. I’m driving to pick up my kids from school or practice. I’m at the gym lifting weights or running at full speed. And then, I’m suddenly distracted.
My phone rings. I glance at the number and realize it’s unfamiliar. Sometimes, the number looks a little like my own, only a couple of digits different. I slide the button to answer the call and shake my head in disappointment.
Depending on the day of the week, I’ve “won” a vacation or qualified for lower rates on my “credit cards” (interesting since I haven’t had one for over a decade) or now have “special health care options” available in my area. Many times, a robotic voice drones on but some days a real live human attempts to get information from me.
Scams surround us on a daily basis. On the phone, via email, through traditional mail, and sometimes even through face-to-face interaction, unscrupulous people attempt to steal our information and our money. It’s difficult to know how to avoid being duped. Use these guiding strategies to stay out of financial harm.
Offer to Call Back
One particular popular phone scam right now involves a representative from the “IRS” calling you to let know that not only do you owe hundreds or thousands of dollars, but they’ve actually issued a warrant for your arrest. A call like this can make any of us panic and do rash things.
If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be a representative from the IRS or your financial institution, ask if you can call them back. Then, look up the phone number on your own and call to investigate the matter.
Legitimate operations have no problems with you confirming their identity. As a side note, the IRS will always issue a written letter first and doesn’t enlist the help of local law enforcement.
Contact Friends and Family Directly
Another commonly used scam involves contacting the friends and family of an innocent party. Either through Facebook message, an email, or phone call, the victim is told that their loved one has been robbed or jailed. Money is needed to rescue the friend or family member from their dire straits.
Never give money (or gift cards) in these situations. Contact the friend or family member directly to check on them. If you feel their account has been hacked, use another method of communication. Or, contact their spouse, son or daughter, or another close acquaintance.
Be Leery of Suspicious Payment Requests or Questions
Here’s what we all know deep down: legitimate charities and business don’t accept iTunes gift cards as payment. And yet, even the most level headed of people can be convinced otherwise. If a party asks you to pay in a non-traceable method: wiring money, gift cards, or cash, your scam sensors should sound.
Additionally, never give out vital information over the phone like your credit card number, Social Security number, or password codes to someone who has called you. Use the call back method to ensure you’re talking to someone from a confirmed source.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you feel flustered or uncertain, don’t go ahead with a course of action recommended by a potential scammer. Instead, talk to someone you know has your best interests at heart, perhaps a family member, accountant, or lawyer.
Many scams hinge on immediacy. If there’s not enough time for you to get a second opinion, be very suspicious. If you don’t have an individual you feel safe asking, do a quick internet search with a description of the offer and the word “scam.” Odds are good if it’s not legit, someone else has posted online about it to warn others.
Ask What the Other Individual Stands to Gain
A hot stock tip? A new business venture? Even friends and family can get caught up in the temptation to get rich quick. If it really is a great business opportunity, why would that person share it with you? Why wouldn’t they keep the limited information to themselves to make even more cash?
Especially when it comes to companies where you might be selling something, ask direct questions about how much money the person recruiting you has really made. Inquire further if that money came from actual sales of products or recruiting other people like you. Don’t stop with anecdotal information. Investigate outside data from an independent source that displays what the average profit of sales actually is.
In the end, trust your gut. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Emails riddled with spelling and grammatical errors are unlikely to be the source of a nest egg. Phone calls where an individual pressures you or speaks harshly are rarely authentic. Unfortunately, the world isn’t always a kind place. But with a calm spirit and collected thoughts, you can decipher which offers are genuine and which are scams.
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage releases September 25th from Zondervan Harper Collins Christian and is already available for pre-sale now everywhere books are sold.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission.
