In this space, we’ve talked about the idea that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
This time, we want to address another sad reality in fraud: Scammers will try to use your own goodness, your own kindness, against you.
Scammers will attempt to find what you “like” on social media and then send phishing messages that pull on your heartstrings.
Their attempts might include:
- Seeking donations for people or animals in need
- Asking for support for refugees or areas of conflict
- Sharing fake information about a “kidnapped” child
They all want the same thing: your money or your information. They may ask you to send them a donation using your credit card or may trick you into clicking on a link to learn more about the tragedy and access your personal information.
The lesson about these scams is the same as when you receive an unsolicited text, call, or email: when in doubt, don’t. Don’t click that link, don’t give out that Secure Access Code, don’t give out your online banking credentials.
To learn more about protecting yourself against fraud, check out our other blogs about fraud prevention and especially this post about protecting yourself from card fraud.
Equal Housing Opportunity Lender