How do scammers reach their victims?
Roseville, Calif.- Scammers are constantly finding new ways to reach potential victims-and most scams begin with a simple text, phone call, online ad, or social media message. If you own a phone or use social media, chances are you have encountered a scam attempt recently.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published an article with information on how scammers are operating.
Here is what the FTC wants everyone to know:
- Text messages have become one of scammers' preferred methods of contact. In fact, more people reported being contacted by scammers through text messages than any other method last year. These messages often impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies, using fake alerts about package deliveries, loan applications, unpaid tolls, or account issues to trick people into responding.
- Phone calls remain another common tactic. Scammers may claim you have won a prize, owe money, or must urgently move funds to "protect" your account. These schemes are designed to create fear, urgency, or excitement-often leading victims to share sensitive information or send money.
- Social media scams resulted in some of the highest reported financial losses last year. Fraudsters frequently promote fake job opportunities, fraudulent investment schemes, and even romance scams to build trust before exploiting victims financially.
To help protect yourself:
- Report and delete suspicious texts. Use your phone's "Report Junk" feature or forward spam messages to 7726 (SPAM). Then delete the message.
- Report unwanted calls. If you didn't lose any money but want to report a call, visit DoNotCall.gov. If you've lost money to a phone scam or have information about the scammer who called you, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Be cautious on social media. Treat unsolicited job offers, investment opportunities promising "guaranteed" returns, or unexpected online relationships with skepticism. Verify claims independently and watch for fake profiles designed to gain trust before committing fraud.
The bottom line, unexpected texts, calls, or social media messages should always be approached with caution. Scammers are skilled at appearing legitimate and often rely on urgency, emotional appeals, or promises of quick rewards to lower your guard.