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Young people are increasingly falling for scams
Scammers are a problem for everyone, but surprisingly, they seem to pose the biggest threat to young people. According to a FTC study, 40 percent of Americans between ages 20 and 29 reported losing money to scammers last year. Meanwhile, only 18 percent of Americans 70 and older reported the same problem. That’s quite a discrepancy, and proof that young people might need to brush up on ways to avoid cons. Below are some tips for the young and old.
- Everything old is new again. The “Nigerian who needs your info” is probably the oldest digital scam in the books, but guess what? It’s still around. It’s just morphed into something slightly different. The new scam features con artists impersonating government officials or even famous people who suddenly decide to donate huge amounts of cash to you. All they need is… your info. If you get a call from someone like this consider the reality of their request: A stranger wants to give you lots of money. This kind of thing just doesn’t happen.
- Make it private. Thieves prowl social media accounts for any info that might help them, so do yourself a favor and make all your accounts private. Better yet, even with the accounts set to private, refrain from sharing intimate details, like children’s names and birthdays.
- Change, change, change. As much of a pain as it might seem, change your passwords every few months. Try using a password manager app, like Dashlane, which suggests strong passwords and keeps track of them.
- Watch for fake invoices. As US News reports, if you receive an emailed invoice that seems odd, it probably is. Use Google to confirm any other information listed on the invoice. If you’re still wondering about the invoice, go to the company’s site and call its customer service number. Going straight to the source will help you avoid clicking on an invoice designed to deceive.
