_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Imposter scams are on the rise again . The criminals trying to convince you they are someone they ’ re NOT can be very convincing . Covid vaccine appointment scams , Covid vaccine survey scams , and stimulus check scams are among the most common . If you become familiar with what to listen and look for ( RED FLAGS ), you can avoid becoming a victim .

PHONE RED FLAGS 1 . If you don ’ t recognize the phone number , it could be a scam . DON ’ T ANSWER ! 2 . If caller ID says , “ Social Security , Internal Revenue , Medicare , UPMC , Duquesne Light ,” it is most likely a scam . DON ’ T ANSWER ! 3 . If the caller asks for personal information , it ’ s a scam . DON ’ T GIVE IT . 4 . If the caller threatens you , it ’ s a scam . HANG UP ! 5 . If the caller pressures you , they ’ re trying to take advantage of you . HANG UP ! 6 . If what the caller is offering is ‘ too good to be true ,’ IT IS !

EMAIL RED FLAGS 1 . If the sender ’ s email address includes a series of letters & numbers or doesn ’ t match the message , it ’ s probably a scam . 2 . If there are misspellings , grammar errors , or other odd symbols in the message , it ’ s most likely a scam .

3 . If message wants you to “ CLICK HERE ,” beware ! There are often many places in scam messages to “ CLICK HERE ,” including ‘ unsubscribe .’ DON ’ T click on any links unless you are absolutely sure that the message is not a scam . 4 . If message asks for personal information , it ’ s a scam ! 5 . If the message is pushing an offer that sounds ‘ too good to be true ,’ IT IS !

è BEST PRACTICES

1 . DON ’ T ANSWER YOUR PHONE unless you recognize the phone number . Program important numbers ( family , friends , medical professionals , etc .) into your phone . Let all unfamiliar calls go to voicemail . For emails , DON ’ T CLICK HERE ! 2 . Don ’ t trust your caller ID . Criminals can “ spoof ” the number to look any way they want . 3 . Look up the number or email address before responding . 4 . NEVER GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION to caller , email sender or texter . 5 . Report scam to the FTC . ( Optional , but recommended ) 1-877-382-4357 or ftc . gov 6 . Call someone reliable if you ’ re not sure of what to do .

52 WEST JEFFERSON HILLS