Many of the latest scams in 2023 are twists on existing scams, but here are a few new types of attacks to watch out for.
- Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
Student loan forgiveness scammers may contact you via phone or create phony application sites aimed at stealing your Social Security number or your bank account information. - Phone Scams
SIM swapping happens when a thief steals your number and assigns it to a new SIM card in a phone they control, giving them access to your accounts.
Some scammers are using so-called OTP bots to trick people into sharing the authentication codes that are sent to them via text or email, or that they have to look up in an authentication app or device. - Zelle Scams
The scammer will contact you pretending to work for your bank or credit union’s fraud department claiming that a thief was trying to steal your money through Zelle, and that they need to help you fix the problem. Then, they may instruct you to send the money to yourself, but the money will actually go to their account. - Cryptocurrency Scams
The scams can take different forms but often involve fake prizes, contests, giveaways or early investment opportunities. The scammers may impersonate celebrities or popular cryptocurrency websites to lure victims into sending them money, sharing login information or “investing” in a project. - Online Purchase Scams
The basic premise of this type of scam is that you purchase a product or service that’s never delivered. Scammers often sell goods on marketplace websites or social media, although some set up fake e-commerce stores. Always look for red flags such as too-good-to-be-true prices, lack of details or high-pressure sales tactics.
Here are a few basic security measures that can help protect you from the latest and most common scams:
Be skeptical when someone contacts you. Scammers can spoof calls and emails to make it look like they are coming from different sources, including government agencies, charities, banks and large companies. Don’t share personal information, usernames, passwords or one-time codes that others can use to access your accounts or steal your identity.
Research companies. Before you make a purchase or donation, take a few minutes to review the company. Do a web search for its name plus “scam” or “reviews” and research charities on Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.
Be careful with your phone. If you suspect a spam call, don’t respond or press a button. The safest option is to hang up or ignore the call entirely.
Look for suspicious payment requirements. Scammers often ask for payments via wire transfer, money order, cryptocurrency or gift cards. These payments can be harder to track and cancel than other forms of payment.
If you’re the victim of a scam, reach out to our Help Center at 801-399-9728. You can also file a report with the FTC and your local law enforcement. The report may help others avoid similar scams.