Top 10 Imposter Scams from 2014
Scammer's work hard to make you believe that you’ve won
something or you have an unexpected problem. Here are the top ten imposter
scams as reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014.
IRS Scams:
Fake IRS agents try to scare you into thinking you owe back
taxes, etc.
Prizes:
Calls saying you won a prize and only need to pay a small
processing fee.
Microsoft Tech Support:
Tech support calls claiming there is dangerous software
popping up and request a fee to fix.
Fake FBI:
A fake FBI agent contacts you with a supposedly legitimate
prince that wants help moving money out of his country
Kidnapped Computers:
A malicious link in an email will lock you out of your
files. Attackers demand a ransom for the password.
Medicare Sham:
A fake government representative with Medicare or another
agency threatens your medical benefits to get personal information or fees.
Homeland Security:
Threats to immigrants with deportation notices, offering for
a charge to certify their immigration status.
“Federal” Agency
You’ve won a grant for thousands
of dollars! You just need to pay the “taxes.”
“Professional” Help:
The con artist will try to
convince you that your computer is on the fritz. They will try to convince you
that your computer has a serious and urgent technical problem.
Caller ID:
An emerging imposter scam
involves misusing caller ID. They make it seem that the caller ID number is
your telephone number, to get you to pick up the call.
