Scam Awareness

Naperville residents recently reported losing a total of $5.5 million to scams in one year. Victims ranged in age from 15 to 91 and the scams ranged from investment scams involving cryptocurrency to phone calls about fake warrants. This emphasizes the need for everyone, regardless of age, to pay attention to common trends, red flags of various scams, and how to protect themselves against scammers.

Top 5 Scams Reported in Naperville

Tech Support

A pop up appears on your computer indicating there is a virus. Do not attempt to click on any part of the pop-up or follow the instructions contained within it (such as to call a phone number). Close your browser and run a full scan with your legitimate antivirus software to check for actual infections. Never provide personal information, call numbers or click links in a suspicious pop-up, or allow anyone remote access to your device.

Online Resale Commerce (E.g., Facebook Marketplace)

Scammers pose as both fake sellers and fake buyers on online resale commerce platforms to steal your money. Scammers pretend to make fake payments, sell fake items, ask for deposits, and request personal information.  Many cases have been reported of money being sent and then the buyer is blocked. Scammers are also asking for personal information such as your phone number or email address because it could be used to steal your identity, hack your email or computer, or access your peer-to-peer (Zelle/Venmo) payment account.

Fake Warrant

Someone calls saying they are from a government agency, threatens you or demands money to satisfy a warrant, a fine, or to post bond for a relative in jail. The government doesn’t call to ask for money, nor do they take cryptocurrency or gift cards for payment.

Phishing

You get an email, text, or call advising there is a problem with your credit card, bank account, Amazon account or Social Security Number. Never click on any links or give personal information to anyone who contacts you and asks for it. Always independently verify with your own records the contact information for any business or government entity if you think there is an issue.

Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

Someone promises a high return on a cryptocurrency investment. Consumers should be cautious of investing in cryptocurrency, which is highly volatile and largely unregulated. Scammers are showing victims large portfolios to convince them to invest more. If a cryptocurrency investment seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be aware that you will not be able to reverse a cryptocurrency transaction and get your money back.

Four Signs It's a Scam

Scammers are always changing their tactics and looking for new victims. However, while scams can take many forms, here are some warning signs and tips on how to protect yourself.

1. Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know.
   
   Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, a financial institution, or even a charity asking for donations.
   
   
2. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE.
   
   They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.
   
   
3. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately.
   
   Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.
   
   
4. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way.
   
   They often insist that you pay by sending money through cryptocurrency, gift card, or wire transfer. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

Source: FTC

How To Avoid a Scam

Block unwanted calls and text messages. There are various ways to block or cut down on scam calls and texts to cell phones and land lines. Check your phone provider’s website or call customer service to find out what call-blocking or call-labeling services it offers or recommends. Some services are free, but others might charge you a fee.

Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect. If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.

Resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information or to pay immediately is a scammer.

Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists that you can only pay with cryptocurrency, a wire transfer, a payment app, or a gift card. Never deposit a check and send money back to someone.

Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone such as a friend, a family member, or a neighbor what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.

What To Do if You’ve Been Scammed

 Here’s what to do if you find that you’ve been the victim of a scam:

• If you paid the scammer with a gift card, wire transfer, credit or debit card, or cryptocurrency, contact the company or your bank right away. For additional instructions specific to how you paid the offender, click here for guidance from the FTC.
• Close out any fraudulent accounts.
• Contact the fraud department at the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and Trans Union – to block or freeze your accounts and obtain a current credit report and review it.
• Make a report with the Naperville Police Department, either online, in person at the police department (1350 Aurora Ave., Naperville) or by calling (630) 420-6666 to request to have an officer come to you.
• Make a report with the Federal Trade Commission at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Tell others what happened to you to help them from becoming a victim of a scam.
• Keep a log of all you do and BE PERSISTENT!!!