Scams are big business these days, accounting for $50 billion in lost and stolen money, 根据 2017 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker Annual Risk Report. 一个令人惊讶的趋势: More young people are falling victim to fraud and scams than older people.

If you are asked to make payment in the form of electronic codes from gift cards, reloadable credit cards or in any electronic format be wary!

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If something sounds too good to be true, it is probably a scam!

Examples of SCAMS include:

• Email from supervisor compelling you to buy gift cards and send the codes
• You receive a written check telling you to deposit it and return a portion of it for your troubles
• A telephone call saying they are:
  • 警察或警长
  • Court Bailiff or attorney
  • 国税局

Telling you that you have a warrant, 错过了一次开庭, failed to show up for Jury Duty or owe money. Remember they can spoof caller id.

• Fake for rent listing where the person has you send a deposit or background check without ever meeting you
• Family emergency where someone pretends to be related to you and says they just need money for bail or bus ticket or medical emergency
• 假期诈骗
• 网上购买宠物, 服装, 电子产品, cosmetics or automobiles particularly if they offer a "free trial"

网络钓鱼诈骗:

Phishing scams use fake emails, text messages, or copycat websites to steal your information. Their goal is to get credit card, bank account information, debit card PINs, or account passwords. Scammers will often have you send information to their email, or to click on a link in their email. Scammers may also ask you to send your phone number, or another email to verify your identity. They may even contact you pretending to be a company or person you know.

检查诈骗:

在支票骗局中, the person may ask you to deposit a check, that might look like a business or personal check, 银行本票, 钱的订单, or a check delivered electronically. (Federal Trade Commission Website)

根据 Federal Trade Commission Website, there are several types of Fake 检查诈骗:

• 神秘购物
  • Scammers pretend to hire people as mystery shoppers and tell them to evaluate a retailer that sells gift cards, 钱的订单, or a money transfer service. The shopper gets a check with instructions to deposit it in a personal bank account and wire it to someone else; but once the money is wired, the person on the other end can disappear.
• 私人助理
  • People apply online and are hired as personal assistants. They get a check and are told to use the money to buy gift cards, 或者购买设备, supplies for their new client, or use the money as payment. Once the scammers get the gift card PIN numbers, 他们会立即使用它们, leaving the "personal assistant" without the money when the bank figures out the check is bad.
• 抽奖“赢家”
  • 抽奖“赢家” are given checks and told to send money to cover taxes, shipping and handling charges, 或者加工费. But that is not how legitimate sweepstakes work.
• 多付的钱
  • People buying something from you online "accidentally" send a check for too much and asks you to refund the balance.

How to Avoid a Fake Check Scam:

• Never use money from a check to send gift cards, 钱的订单, or wire money to strangers or someone you just met.
  • Many scammers will ask you to buy gift cards and send them the PIN numbers. Once you give someone the gift card PINs, it is like giving someone cash.
• Toss offers that ask you to pay for a prize. If it's free, you shouldn't have to pay to get it
• Don't accept a check for more that was agreed, or for work that has not been completed.

What to do if you sent money to a scammer:

• Gift cards are for gifts, not payment. If someone is asking for money through gift cards, it is almost always a scam. If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. When you contact the company, tell them the gift card was used in a scam. If you act quickly enough, the company might be able to get your money back. Also, tell the store where you bought the gift card as soon as possible.
• If you wired money to a scammer, call the money transfer company immediately to report the fraud and file a complaint. More information about reporting a scam can be found on the FTC website under "如何举报欺诈"