SCAMS ARE RAMPANT:
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
The message shown was not
edited for its grammatical and
spelling errors, which highlights
the elevated emotions a client of
ours had when he realized he had
just fallen victim to a scam.
Never give your credit card,
banking, Social Security,
Medicare, or other personal
information over the phone
unless you initiated the call.
This is the golden rule of
protecting yourself fi nancially.
As scammers have become
more sophisticated, often
preying on our emotions,
protecting yourself includes
being aware of the latest
scams.
The IRS will never call you
nor demand on-the-spot
payment or threaten you with
arrest. The IRS always opens
a case by sending a letter
delivered by the U.S. Postal
Service, never with a call.
Some scammers even have
the word IRS on your call
display, but do not be misled
and do not give out any personal
information. To verify, always tell the caller that
you will call back. Then, call the IRS directly at
1-800-829-1040.
Medicare will automatically mail you a new
card and transfer your coverage to the new
identifying number; they will not call you. As of
April, new Medicare cards were issued without
Social Security numbers on them. All Medicare
recipients will automatically receive a new card
before April 2019. When you receive yours, cut
up your old card. You do not need to apply for
nor pay for a new card – they are free – and
there is no expedited service. Your coverage will
be transferred to the new identifying number.
Scammers may pose as a Medicare representative
to get you to give them your personal
information. To verify, hang up and call Medicare
at 1-800-MEDICARE.
No legitimate computer
company will call you or
email you and tell you that
you have a virus. If you receive
an email or pop-up browser
window to verify or update
your personal information,
even if it seems legitimate, it is
likely a scam called phishing.
That is the practice of sending
emails claiming to be from
well-known companies to get
you to reveal details. Sometimes
this fraud will install a virus
enabling scammers to view your
information or simulate an antivirus
program at a cost. Do not
download, update or provide
any info.
Beware of the “grandparent
scam.” Scammers will call and
say, “Hi Grandma/Grandpa,
do you know who this is?”
Any loving and unsuspecting
grandparent may furnish the
name of a grandchild. The
scammer may then ask for money
while begging you not to tell his/
her parents.
Subject: All our accounts were
hacked Bank America
Wells Fargo so far
Beware of telemarketing/phone scams. In
fake accident ploys, a scammer asks for money
under the pretext that a child or relative had an
accident. Also watch for charity scams. If you
would like to make a donation, always ask the
caller to send you information.
Remember these rules in order to protect yourself
fi nancially and digitally.
FCE Group is an independent Registered
Investment Advisor headquartered in Lake
Success. This article is part one of a two-part
series, with next month’s article detailing what you
should do if, despite best
efforts, you fall victim
to a fraud. Please call
Marilyn Schaja at FCE
Group at 516-487-8220.
Inbox
Hi
ed thought he was talking
to Amazon to change a
password it wasn amazon
and he gave last 4 digits
of SS a few min.ago He
realized it and checked
both accounts and it took
no time He has aler ted both
Banks
Please assist us with all our
accounts with you
We are needing your help
ensure our Accounts with
you are put on watch
any more help we are
frantic
July 2018 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 51