Skip the Scam; 5 Smart Scam Stoppers
Scammers work hard at what they do and sometimes it is not always easy to tell what is legitimate, especially when what they are doing is completely legal. The following includes the most common scams we see and are frequently asked about. If you are not sure if something is a scam, we welcome calls or emails.
1. The Snail Mail Domain Registry Scam
This letter looks legit and is a perfectly legal scam. It says it is time to register your domain/URL and they want $280 or more. First of all, your domain name host will NEVER send you a letter. Also, if you look at the letter’s small print, it says that it is a solicitation, not a bill. Always read the small print. Your actual domain hosts don’t have to send a letter - it is all online from the minute you purchased your domain. Whether with Bluehost, Name Cheap, GoDaddy, Squarespace, Wix, etc., they will let you know when your domain/hosting will be automatically renewed (please don’t ignore emails from them). If you haven’t set up automatic renewals, be sure to manually renew - go to their site - before the expiration date.
Smart Start
When setting up your URL check the privacy. Make sure you are hidden from the “WhoIs” list where all domains are registered. This makes your personal data harder to find by scammers. Another bit of sound advice: Buy the annual extra security, it runs anywhere from $10-$30 per month and can be renewed with your domain renewal.
2. Gift Cards & Phone Call Scams
NO ONE but a scammer accepts gift cards as payment or asks for money that is an emergency and sent via snail mail or bank transfer - not your bank, the IRS, the FBI, an attorney, police or your grandkid’s kidnappers, or their one phone call after an arrest! These are the worst scammers that play on your sympathy and try to strike fear in you. Though they typically target older people, they will try with anyone who answers their phone. Remember to HANG UP! Then, if you think your grand child is in trouble, call them or their parents. Scammers will yell, threaten, and have you look up their fake number on a website to make it appear legitimate. HANG UP.
The smartest way to stop this one is to not answer calls from unknown callers. If they leave a message saying they are from say your bank or credit card, do your own due diligence and contact your credit card company. NOT based on the info they gave you but on the info you have on your credit card or contact with your bank. Do not call them back on their number or any number they provided.
Bonus tips: Billing sites from the government end with .gov NOT .com, .net .org or anything other than .gov. NEVER EVER provide your bank account, social security number, passwords, etc. to anyone. People who are not trying to scam you won’t even ask.
3. Email Scams
By far the easiest work a scammer has to do. They get you to open an email and click on a link - don’t do it. Really, you did not win $500 via email, you do not have a package waiting for you, you did not win any amazing vacations or free products. Don’t click on links, instead, if you feel the email is not a scam, open a new browser window and search for the company, then open a search result link. Clicking on bad links can allow malware onto your computer, open a window that flashes an error screen or makes loud noises (breath, close window, restart). As web designers, we assure you these are easy to build and designed to scare you into calling the number on the screen. They may as well say “CALL THE SCAMMER NOW,” and you are actually making it easy for them. You call them, they tell you how they can “fix” the problem, they get access to your computer, have your phone number, etc. A team member here once stopped a scammer who made it all the way in to someone’s Amazon account and was in the process of checking out!
The emails really can look like they are from a legitimate source. As graphic designers, we know how to make an email look like it’s from a bank or IRS - it’s not even that difficult. Some signs the emails are not legit - they will have a typo in their email address or domain - for example, instead of account@bankofamerica, it will say account@bankoamerica or similar. They can also be a jumbled mess of letters, numbers and characters.
The smart way to get rid of tons of unwanted emails is to right click on them or on the 3-dot menu and select “report spam” or “move to spam” or “block sender.” We love the report spam option.
4. Social Media Madness
Really? Do you need to know what kind of potato you would be if you answered these questions? Every time you answer a personal preference question on Facebook or other social media platforms, you open yourself up identity theft or sophisticated scams. Seemingly harmless social media questions actually help alert scammers to people who give information freely. If they are asking for “someone you love’s birthday” you are giving them password options. Recognize that answers to “first car” “pet’s name” “high school” etc. are also the answers you have provided for the security questions on bank accounts and other platforms. Do not answer them - just scroll past them as any engagement helps them grow stronger.
Smart social safety actions: Do not include your phone number, birthdate, address or personal details on social media. Check all your social media account’s privacy settings and hide information; Set your posts to show only to your friends; do not accept friendships from someone you don’t know; do not donate on social - go to the website of the charity instead; don’t engage on Facebook Messaging with anyone you don’t know. If you think someone needs money and are asking strangers for it - it’s a scam. If you are friends with someone and receive a friend request from them, ignore it - they’ve been hacked.
5. Password Protection
We had to help a client set up new accounts on every platform they used. Why? They used the same password across the board so once a scammer got in, they got into everything. EVERYTHING. You can make it harder for scammers by making your passwords longer and stronger. Scammers and hackers are using AI that hacks thousands of passwords by steadily clicking through options until they can access what ever it is trying to hack. Start today:
Make your password random, “Loading the dishwasher is such a bore”
Add caps, numbers and symbols to it “Load4ngthed4shwasher4ssuchabore!” Here, we made every “i” a number 4, and started with a capitalized letter and ended with a special character.
Do write it down. The hackers and scammers are not breaking into your home.
Do change it at least 2 times a year - that’s easy to remember if you commit to changing it on your birthday and your half birthday.
Never give your login/password to anyone you don’t personally know and trust. Even then…
If you are responsible for many passwords, purchase a password protection program. We have one because we sometimes log in to our clients’ account. We invest in it for our customers and for our piece of mind.
It is a shame to have to go to such lengths but it is worth it. We hope you will always have the time and thoughtfulness to stop and consider the legitimacy of every stranger interaction. They will try and fluster you, deceive you, and steal from you. Be smart, careful, and protect yourself! If you or someone you know has been scammed, save and report if possible. There is an FBI safety resource site, and elder fraud hotline at the Department of Justice. How can you tell these are legitimate sites? They end in .gov and start with https:. However, you can open your browser and search for them and check for yourself because now we know not to just click on links!