Today, it seams that everyone is out to scam you. We get several scam calls every week, sometimes more often. They might be calling to lower your credit card interest, offer a free vacation or cruise, or a survey. They may claim to be from CRA looking to collect unpaid taxes arrears, or the sheriff’s department with a warrant for your arrest. Microsoft or any other legitimate IT firm that you do not already do business with will not call you to warn of a virus infection or request you to go to a website and let them into your computer. They are all just trying to charm or scare you into giving out your personal information. Ultimately, it is your hard earned money that they are really after.
Whether it is on an Internet website, a Social Media site like FaceBook or Twitter, your an SMS text message on your smart phone or just a regular telephone call on your land line – the more you know about scam tactics the better you will be prepared to avoid them.
Here is a link to a website with some great information to help you recognize scams and avoid being a victim. The key to staying safe is to educate yourself about the latest scams and knowing your rights – legitimate business do not call you and request personal information. Never give out your personal or financial information over the phone, unless it is trusted organization that you called using a trusted number.
How to Spot Phone Scams: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE