Welcome to Quick Tips
Listed below is a compilation of tips that cover emails, texts, voice calls and more that may just help keep you, your personal information and your money just a little safer.
Don't assume -- Verify!
So you get a text or an email that says, for example, that there is a problem with your account and that you need to contact them immediately. They conveniently provide you with a button or link to contact them or verify your info. DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT click that button or link. Don't assume it is legitimate because it says it is from your bank or Amazon or Fed Ex or whatever. Scammers are counting on you emotionally reacting and pushing that link to steal your account info. Instead, carefully look over the text or email to try to see if it is legitimate. Misspellings or inappropriate email addresses are an immediate clue. If you have any doubt that it might be legitimate, instead of pushing that button, independently contact your bank or credit card company or delivery service using contact information from your card or statement and check it out. Button links asking for personal or account information are an immediate red flag for fraud.
Slow down -- so you won't react
Many scammers are counting on obtaining an knee jerk emotional reaction from you. If they do, chances are that you'll take actions that you'll regret later. Maybe they'll get you to give them personal or account information (on the pretense of verifying your account to resolve fraud by someone else). Or maybe they'll convince you that you forgot to pay your bill and your account is about to suffer. Or it could even be something good -- they may convince you that you've won a big prize. By getting an emotional reaction, whatever it is, they hope that you'll forget to verify before you act. Any contact -- email, phone call or text -- that is legitimate will still be there if you disconnect and take a few minutes to think it over and verify. If they send you an email about someone misusing your card, don't engage. Instead, contact the credit card company directly. Check over your statement or online accounting and then you initiate a call to the customer service number on the back of your card on on your statement. That way you can stay safe instead of being sorry!