How to protect yourself from telephone scams. 

Over the years, there has been an increase in phone scams that can take many different forms. Some scammers may claim to be from different government departments such as CRA claiming you owe them money, others may claim you have won a prize, some may claim your computer is infected with viruses and they need payment to fix the issue, and more. These scammers have become very experienced at manipulating people, guilting people, and tricking people into giving their personal information, credit card information, and directing people to purchase gift cards as “payment” for their fake services. 

Below are some precautions that can be taken when answering calls to protect yourself and your personal information. 

1. Be skeptical of unknown callers – If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number, be cautious. Your caller ID may show “Unknown Caller” but can show a local number, or even an international number. Scammers are more commonly now using numbers that resemble local numbers knowing there is a greater chance you will answer the call.

2. Do not share personal information – Avoid sharing any personal information such as your social insurance number, credit card numbers, etc., over the phone, especially if the call is unsolicited. 

3. Verify caller identity – If someone from a reputable organization (bank, government agency, etc.) calls, hang up and call the official number of the organization back to verify the call. 

4. Be wary of urgency and threats – Scammers may create a sense of urgency or use threats as a way to pressure you into immediate action. Be skeptical of any calls that may demand urgent payment or that threatens to take legal action. 

5. Block potential scam calls – If there is a number you are confident is a scammer that calls on a regular basis, your cell phone does allow you to block the number within the settings. 

6. Hang up – If a call feels suspicious to you, or you feel uncomfortable, you are not obligated to engage with the person on the other end of the line. You can end the call at any moment you choose. 

7. Verify prize winnings – If someone calls with the great news that you’ve won a prize, ask yourself first if you have entered any contests. If the answer is no, then chances are the caller is a scammer. If you have entered contests and you are unsure, look for clear signs of a scam. If they ask you to pay shipping & handling, or for processing fees, that is a huge red flag. Legitimate contests and sweepstake companies pay the cost of delivery for prizes.

8. Report scams – If you receive a scam call, report it to your local authorities. This may help prevent others from being scammed and allow them to alert the public of any new, common scams that are being reported. It is also a good idea to warn your friends and family to help prevent them from falling victim to a scam.

9. Trust your gut – If something feels too good to be true, or something feels off, trust your instincts. 

One of the best ways to prevent falling victim to a scam, whether it be telephone, letter, email, text message, or social media, is to be aware and take the time to educate yourself about the current scams. A simple google search will list many of the common scams, and you can search for scam alerts on the Government of Canada website (link below) which will list all scams in which the scammer is pretending to be from a government department. 
https://www.canada.ca/.../protect.../scam-alerts.html

If you have been a victim of a scam and have given out personal information, change all of your passwords to your online accounts, inform your bank you have possibly been scammed, and monitor your accounts and credit reports going forward. The earlier you act, the better your chances of preventing any losses. 

If you have fallen victim to online scams and have had your finances affected as a result, there are options to help you move past it.

If you are looking for advice, or a second opinion about your debt, it does not cost anything to talk about your options. Every financial situation is unique and viable options can differ from person to person. A conversation free of judgment and cost, is the first step to determine options for debt that make sense for you. For a free consultation, please call or text (506) 645-1814 or email jaime@tackledebt.ca; or visit www.tackledebt.ca.