Officials just uncovered a fake parking ticket scam where people would be given a ticket that looks like the real thing. The only difference is that the ticket directed users to a scam website where users enter their personal information, credit card number and (yes) push submit. Once that happens the website says, thank you for paying your ticket.
Ok, here are a few things to consider. FIRST: always consider what website you’re going to, does it look legitimate? In this case, not quite, plus it wasn’t associated with a government website. SECOND: If you’re not sure, reach out and ask someone. In this case, goto the local government website. They probably have a link to their ticket payment website. THIRD: Whenever you’re asked to provide personal information, double check who you’re giving it to, and ensure they legitimately need the information.
Unfortunately, these people may get their identities stolen, have money taken out of their credit cards, etc. They may even get placed on telemarketing scam phone number lists where you could get scammed another way via the phone…unwanted calls, etc…
Telemarketers are a constant threat to our privacy, quality of life, and (for some) well being. Telemarketers fall into two different groups….people who are actually trying to sell a product or service AND those people who act like telemarketers but are really criminals who are trying to get your private information. Remember to never give out personal information to someone who calls you.
You can follow these three simple steps to decrease or even stop these calls.
1) Put your name on the do not call list. The US Government created a do-no-call list that telemarketers must review monthly. They are not allowed to contact you if your name is on this list. EXCEPTION: If you expressly give a company permission to call you. Be careful what you sign. File a complaint on the government’s site if someone does call you.
2) Tell them to stop. If a telemarketer does call you, do the following things: 1) ask the name of the person, 2) get the name of the company they work for, 3) note the time/day 4) ask them to put you on their do not call list. Write all of this down and keep it as a record.
3) Use Caller ID. If a caller calls with an unknown caller-id, let it go to voicemail. If the call is important, the caller will leave a voicemail. You can easily listen to the voicemail then and determine if you want to call them back. Many telemarketers or call scammers will not have sufficient information on the caller id to determine who they are. You can always use a reverse phone directory to determine who they are.
Its key to remember that you should never give out personal information to anyone you don’t know who calls you. You can always call them back at their main number (the one you know) to verify they are who they say they are.