Today, with technology, there are new forms of scams, not only in the way victims are lured, but also in how payments are requested so as not to be traced. Given this, experts call to protect your money against new scams, and to know the risk of cryptocurrencies.
From January to June 2023 alone, more than one million consumer fraud reports were reported, approximately $4.4 billion lost in just half the year.
According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission, the point of contact most used by scammers is social networks and the other most used point of contact is by phone call.
On many occasions, they contact people to ask for money in the name of a family member as support in a risk situation, said Lois Greisman, associate director of the Division of Marketing Practices at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington DC during a conference held by Ethnic Media Services.
Payment methods are an essential part, since they look for options that are easier for the consumer but that also protect the scammer and guarantee obtaining the money expected and the most used are bank transfers.
The table shows the payment methods most used by scammers, so you should pay attention to these methods and avoid them in a risk situation of a scam.
It is important to mention that the safest way to pay under federal laws is debit cards, 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 with the Marketing Practices division of the Federal Trade Commission, explained about gift card scams, where they tell you that you won a prize, but in order to obtain it you need to pay a minimum amount in exchange or buy an electronic card and then they ask you for numbers or codes to access it, so it is recommended not to use that type of card.
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 guarantee the integrity of transactions and control the creation of false units, thus preventing anyone from making copies or duplicates.
The value of cryptocurrencies varies depending on supply, demand, and user commitment, so it does not have an established price.
This type of currency does not exist physically, it is stored in digital wallets and is not regulated by any institution, everything is found in a shared accounting record, in this way only transactions are monitored.
Cryptocurrencies are stored in a digital purse or wallet, which is, in reality, a software or application where it is possible to send and receive this currency. Unlike a physical wallet or banks, where you have access to your money and can keep it visible. On the contrary, in the case of cryptocurrencies you only have access to a key that is equivalent to money, therefore, it is enough 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 you to take part 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. By gaining trust, he will look for a way to obtain the keys to carry out the scam.
It is necessary to remember that cryptocurrencies cannot be recovered as they are not regulated by any federal law, in such a way that the victim is left unprotected.
For more information about this type of scams, 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 love relationships, people posing as official companies, in purchases of fictitious products, through email, Data theft with viruses that access when providing a link to a website is also common.
When faced with any scam, it is recommended to stay calm, question the information provided and verify that this is true, take it with caution and stay informed can prevent you from being a victim of a scam.
It is important to report all scams at: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ReportFraudeftc.gov or by phone 877? 382 -4357 by pressing option 3.
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