I think I’m fairly intelligent, but today I feel like a total idiot.
Someone or something tried to scam me this morning. I stopped short before I gave them any financial information.
I received a message supposedly from USPS that said my address on an international package wasn’t clear, which made me wonder if my friends in Sri Lanka sent me something (however unusual that would be). I gave them my address but when they asked for my credit card to charge for 3-cents, I said, “Up yours,” and closed the website.
Am I mad? Youbetcha! Do I feel stupid? Youbetcha!
This has put me in a very bad mood. I can’t trust anything online, in emails or in messages except from people I know. I have friends who don’t interact on social networks and I’m about to join their group.
My friend says that this time of year is especially prone to scammers and to be hyper vigilant when online. He also said that I should know this. I do. Still there was that bit of doubt that made me think maybe I did have an international package. It’s that tiny bit of doubt that sucks innocent people into their scam.
I even called USPS (the number provided in the message – does this make me even more stupid?) and couldn’t get out of the cycle of Press 1 for…Press 2 for…Press 3 for idiots!
I looked up scams and found the exact one used on me. Down to the very last detail. Now I’m worried that I might have given them enough information that they can steal my identity.
If a message looks weird, IT IS!
My young neighbor told me she recently received the exact same message! Only she did give her debit card number. When her husband found out and told her it was a scam, she closed her card out and had to get a new one from her bank. Gads. If I had only known!
I turned off my phone and hoped that everything was okay. The only thing I noticed was that I couldn’t send a message to a friend. Damn scammers. Or is it damn Facebook?
Twelve scams listed by the Better Business Bureau are:
1. Misleading social media ads. Before ordering, check out the business profile on BBB.org and read the reviews. 2. Social Media gift exchanges. 3. Holiday apps. There are many apps where children can talk with Santa, or see a Menorah being lighted. The list goes on. Be wary of free apps as they collect data or might contain malware. 4. Fake toll collection texts and travel scams. 5. Free gift cards. If you receive an unsolicited email with free gift card offers, do not open it or click on any links. 6. Temporary holiday jobs. Employers never ask for money upfront. Be wary of job that doesn’t require an interview. Be wary of big money for small jobs. Never work for a company before they hire you. 7. Imposter scams. 8. Fake charities. 9. Fake shipping notification. That was the one that almost got me! 10. Advent calendars. 11. Holiday wish list items. 12. Puppy scams. Easy way to avoid them is to adopt from Animal Control.
For more details check BBB.org their scams page.
What’s a girl to do?…Be wary! Check out any and all businesses offering services. And know that the United States Post Office isn’t going to send anyone an email or message!
Lucy Llewellyn Byard welcomes comments and shares. To contact her, email lucywgtd@gmail.com
