SpartanTec, Inc. Columbia: 3 Fraud Scams You Need to Know

The first step in avoiding fraud is to be aware.

Criminals will often use your fears and emotions to get you to do things you wouldn’t normally, such as make a payment or give sensitive information.

Your best defense is to be aware and vigilant. This will keep you safe online, over the phone, or via text. These are the latest scams you should be aware of.

Fraud Alerts

Romance Scam

These are usually caused by meeting an impersonator on a dating app or through social media. They might claim to be out of state, on business, or unavailable. You are asked to lend money quickly or give your online banking access so that the cybercriminal can access your accounts.

Refund Scam

This scam involves a pop-up message, unsolicited email, or phone call claiming to be from Amazon, Microsoft, or PayPal. It offers a refund for overpayments of services. They will ask for your online banking credentials, or request that you download an application to process your refund.

Cyber Currency Investment Scam

This scam takes advantage of cryptocurrency’s popularity by luring victims to fraudulent websites or to compromised social media accounts to invest. Fake cryptocurrency businesses also employ job seekers and ask for personal information or banking credentials.

What You Can Do

Unsolicited email, phone call, or text messages should not be interpreted as a request for sensitive or personal information. Call the corporate number if you are unsure about the legitimacy of the caller.

Never give out your secure access code or online banking credentials to anyone.
Limit how much personal information you share via social media.
Monitor your finances regularly and report suspicious activity to your financial institution.