Identity Safety

 Examples of scams are shown below:

General Phone Scams - Any time a stranger on the phone calls you and asks for your bank account number, Social Security number or other sensitive information, be on high alert! Scammers press you to act immediately, so you don’t have time to think. This is a sure sign of a scam. Never give personal or financial information to someone you do not know. Just hang up!

Government Program Scams - These scams happen often during Medicare Open Enrollment periods. Scammers may make false promises of savings, offer fake coverage schemes or threaten that your benefits may be terminated. They will attempt to fraudulently gain access to your personal information. If an agent tries to sell you something on behalf of Medicare unsolicited, report that person to: 1-800-MEDICARE.

Grandparent Scams - You may get a call, text or email from someone who sounds like and claims to be your grandchild. They say there is an emergency (a car accident, mugging, customs fees, jail bail) and ask you to wire money immediately, but not to tell their parents. Do not act immediately, no matter how dramatic their story! Verify their identity by asking them questions a stranger couldn’t answer; call them at a phone number you know to be genuine. Check out the story with another family member. Report this type of scam to: 1-800-243-5377. 

Sweetheart Scams - These scams often take place online, starting on dating websites or social media platforms where they have set up fake identities. Then, as you get connected, the fraud moves to emails or texts to your phone. They convince you that they love you and are committed to your relationship. Scammers may pull you along for months before asking for money. They may say they need money for:

• Airline tickets to visit you.
• Cell phone bill or internet, so they can keep communicating.
• School tuition.
• Online purchases.
• Planning your wedding together.
• Report this type of scam to: 1-800-243-5377.

A.I. Scams - These are fraudulent calls that use artificial intelligence (A.I.) to mimic real voices, automate conversations or manipulate emotions. These scams often sound convincing and may impersonate loved ones, government officials or businesses to trick you into giving money or your personal information. They may use:

• Voice cloning: Replicating the voice of someone you know.
• Robocalls with A.I. Chatbots: Responding intelligently to your questions.
• Urgency & Fear: Claiming a loved one is in danger or that you owe money to the IRS or police. 
• Spoofed Caller ID: Appearing local or familiar to increase the chance that you’ll pick up.

You should:

• Not trust Caller ID alone.
• Hang up and verify.
• Use call blocking tools.
• Limit what you share online. 
• Set a family password, a secret word or phrase only your family knows to verify identity during emergencies.
• Report suspicious calls to the police.
• Stay informed to learn about new scam tactics.