Nowadays, with technology, there are new forms of scams, not only in the way of attracting victims, but also in how payments are requested so as not to be traced. In light of this, experts call for protecting your money from new scams, and knowing the risks of cryptocurrencies.
From January to June 2023 alone, more than one million reports of consumer fraud were reported, approximately $4.4 billion lost in just half of the year.
According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission, the most common point of contact used by scammers is social media, and the other most common is phone calls.
On many occasions, they contact people to ask for money in the name of a family member as support in a risky situation, said Lois Greisman, associate director of the Division of Marketing Practices of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington DC during a conference held by Ethnic Media Services.
Payment methods are an essential part, as they look for options that are easier for the consumer but also protect the scammer and guarantee that the expected money is obtained, and the most commonly used are bank transfers.
The table shows the payment methods most commonly used by scammers, so you should pay attention to these methods and avoid them in a risky situation due to fraud.
It is important to mention that the safest way to pay under federal laws is with a debit card, which is why it is recommended to use this payment method for purchases, or even credit cards, since the bank has established protocols for these situations.
There are many scammers who impersonate the United States government and ask citizens for payments, offering them ways to pay less, setting up websites and also false information to convince people.
Sophia Siddiqui, an attorney in the Federal Trade Commission's Marketing Practices Division, explained about gift card scams, where they tell you that you have won a prize, but in order to get it you need to pay a minimum amount in exchange or buy an electronic card and then they ask you for the numbers or codes to gain access to it, so it is recommended not to use these types of cards.
To report this type of scam you must enter ReportFraud.ftc.gov and for more information go to ftc.gov/giftcards.
Cryptocurrencies: the news in scams
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptographic encryption to ensure the integrity of transactions and to control the creation of counterfeit units, thus preventing anyone from making copies or duplicates.
The value of cryptocurrencies varies based on supply, demand, and user engagement, so there is no set price.
This type of currency does not exist physically, it is stored in digital wallets and is not regulated by any institution, everything is in a shared accounting record, in this way only control of the transactions is kept.
Cryptocurrencies are stored in a digital wallet, which is actually a software or application where you can send and receive this currency. Unlike a physical wallet or a bank, where you have access to your money and you can have it visible. On the other hand, in the case of cryptocurrencies, you only have access to a key that is equivalent to the money, so you only need to know the key to be able to access and move the money without leaving a trace.
Many scammers contact people showing a very favorable outlook for investing in cryptocurrencies, so they invite them to join and earn large amounts in a short time.
The scammer will explain the method in a very friendly way and will say that it is a risk-free investment. Once he gains your trust, he will look for a way to obtain the keys to carry out the scam.
It is important to remember that cryptocurrencies cannot be recovered as they are not regulated by any federal law, leaving the victim unprotected.
For more information about this type of scam, it is recommended to visit ftc.gov/PaymentApps and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
There are many ways to scam: identity theft, through phone calls from supposed loved ones, through raffles or prizes, fake romantic relationships, people who pretend to be official companies, purchases of fictitious products, through email, data theft with viruses that access by giving a link on a website is also common.
When faced with any scam, it is recommended to remain calm, question the information provided and verify that it is true. Taking it with caution and staying informed can prevent you from becoming a victim of a scam.
It is important to report all scams at: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ReportFraudeftc.gov or by calling 877 – 382 -4357 by pressing option 3.
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