King's Kids Academy

Recently, Tanya and I have been working with a friend who became a victim of an Internet phone scam. The scam was about her Social Security number being used for drugs and terrorist activities, which was a lie from the beginning. However, they were able to scare this individual into supplying their information and accounts with the so-called officials (LIE LIE LIE) This person, out of fear, bundled up a sizable amount of cash and mailed it to an address in California as directed by the phone scammers. was informed not to tell anyone about this, or they will proceed with filing charges. (RED FLAG). Fortunately, the money was recovered, and all bank accounts were secured right away as we were informed of what transpired.

Please, if you ever receive a call about anything that sounds strange or not something that would be right about you or your shopping habits or travel habits. Once they ask for bank numbers, SSA numbers, or any personal information, just hang up, don’t give any information, and don’t use the word yes to any question.

Here’s a breakdown of the tactics scammers use and some valuable information to protect yourself and others from similar situations.

Internet and Phone Scam Common Red Flags

Scammers often impersonate government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), the IRS, or even local police departments. They create a sense of urgency and fear to make you act without thinking. Key red flags to watch out for include:

• Threats and Intimidation: Scammers will often threaten you with arrest, legal action, or other severe consequences if you don’t comply immediately.
• Demands for Specific Payment Methods: They frequently insist on unusual payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or mailing cash. These methods are difficult to trace and impossible to reverse.
• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate agencies will never call you and ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or PINs.
• Secrecy: A scammer will instruct you not to tell anyone, especially family or friends, about the situation. This is a tactic to isolate you from people who might recognize the scam and intervene.
• Unexpected Contact: The SSA and other government agencies typically communicate through official letters, not unsolicited phone calls.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Call

If you receive a call that seems suspicious, here’s what to do:

• Hang up immediately: The best course of action is to disconnect the call. Do not engage with the caller, no matter what they say.
• Never Give Out Information: Do not confirm any personal details, including your name, address, or any part of your Social Security number.
• Block the Number: If possible, block the number to prevent them from calling you again.
• Do Your Own Research: If you’re concerned about the call’s legitimacy, look up the official contact information for the agency they claimed to be from and call them directly. Do not use the number provided by the suspicious caller.

Important Notes from Government Agencies

The Social Security Administration has made it clear that they will never:

• Threaten you with arrest or legal action.
• Suspend your Social Security number.
• Demand payment with gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.
• Ask for your account passwords or PINs.
• Call you on the phone and ask you to confirm your Social Security number.

Our friend’s experience highlights how a scam can prey on our emotions. Sharing stories like theirs is crucial for raising awareness and protecting others from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

It’s a great lesson for everyone: when in doubt, hang up and verify. What other advice do you think is important for people to hear about this type of scam?

Common internet scams are designed to deceive and manipulate individuals into giving up their personal information, money, or access to their accounts.¹ They often play on human emotions like fear, urgency, or the desire for a good deal.²

Here are some of the most common internet scams:

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing is one of the most widespread online scams.³ Scammers send fake emails, text messages, or instant messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank, a government agency (like the IRS or SSA), or a well-known company (like Amazon or Microsoft).⁴

How it works:

• The message will often contain a sense of urgency, claiming there’s a problem with your account, a suspicious transaction, or that you’ve won a prize.⁵
• It will prompt you to click on a malicious link that leads to a fake website designed to look just like the real one.⁶
• When you enter your login credentials, personal information, or financial details on this fake site, the scammers steal it.⁷

2. Tech Support Scams⁸

In these scams, you are contacted by a person or a pop-up on your computer screen claiming to be from a reputable tech company (like Microsoft or Apple).⁹ They tell you that your computer has a virus or another serious problem.¹⁰

How it works:

• They pressure you to call a toll-free number or allow them to gain remote access to your computer ¹¹
• Once they have access, they can install malware, steal your personal and financial information, or charge you a hefty fee for “fixing” a problem that never existed.¹²

3. Online Shopping and E-commerce Fraud¹³

With the rise of online shopping, scammers have created fake websites and listings to steal from unsuspecting buyers.¹⁴

How it works:

• Fake Websites: They create websites that look like well-known brands but have slight variations in the URL (e.g., “Amaz0n.net”).¹⁵ These sites may offer products at incredibly low prices, but you’ll either receive a counterfeit item or nothing at all.
• Non-delivery Scams: You pay for an item from a seller on a legitimate platform, but the product is never shipped.
• Overpayment Scams: A buyer sends a check for more than the item’s price and asks you to wire back the difference. The original check is fake, and you lose the money you sent.

4. Romance Scams

Scammers create fake online profiles on dating apps or social media to build emotional connections with their victims.¹⁶ They build trust and then invent an elaborate story to ask for money.¹⁷

How it works:

• The scammer often claims to be living or working abroad and needs money for a medical emergency, a plane ticket, or a business deal.
• They are very good at manipulating emotions and will often try to move the conversation off the dating site and onto a more private platform like email or text.¹⁸
• They will never meet you in person, always having an excuse for why they can’t.

5. Job and Employment Scams

These scams prey on people looking for work, promising easy money for little effort.¹⁹

How it works:

• The scammer posts a fake job listing, often for a position like a “mystery shopper” or “freelance account manager.”
• They will ask you to pay an upfront fee for training materials or equipment.
• In some versions, they’ll send you a check for an amount greater than your “salary” and ask you to send back the difference. The check is fraudulent, and you’re left responsible for the money you sent.

General Tips to Protect Yourself

• Be Skeptical: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Verify Information: Don’t click on links or open attachments from unexpected emails or messages.²⁰ Instead, go directly to the company’s official website or call them using a verified phone number.²¹
• Secure Your Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords for every account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.²²
• Think Before You Act: Scammers use a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking.²³ Take a moment to pause and consider the request.
• Never Send Money in Unusual Ways: Legitimate businesses and agencies will not ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.²⁴

If you are a victim or feel that you may have been contacted by a scammer! You can contact these agencies

1. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP):

Where to find them:
Website: Wisconsin.Gov Home (.gov)
Phone: (608) 224-5000 

FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Where to find them: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) (.gov)