- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
“There are always new methods that fraudsters are coming up with to scam victims,” says Diego Ramos, Consumer Information Specialist at the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “It is important for consumers to be aware of popular scams, so they can better avoid being tricked.” Here are some popular scams to keep in mind. If you find yourself in any of these situations, remember to be cautious and act quickly.
Check Scams
Check scams can occur anytime you deposit a check from someone else. According to Ramos, younger people are often the victims of check scams because criminals will create job postings advertising a remote job with flexible hours, which is appealing to most young adults. Here is an example of how a check scam works.
A common fraudulent job posting is “mystery shopper” where the job entails going to different retailers to evaluate customer service. The scammer will ask the job applicant for an upfront payment for equipment such as a laptop or monitor and say that after the job is completed, they will get reimbursed along with a paycheck.
After giving the payment to the scammer and finishing the “job,” the "employee" (now a scam victim), will receive a fraudulent check as reimbursement for the original payment, plus wages. When depositing the check, the bank will determine that it is fake and close the account. By this point, the scammer will have cut off communication with the victim, keeping the money that they originally received. In this scenario, the victim has no way to recover this loss.
Legitimate employers will never ask for an upfront payment. Do not engage with any person claiming to be an employer and asking for money before you start a “job.” If you receive a check from any source that seems suspicious, do not deposit it into your account.
“If you are ever in doubt about a check being fraudulent or not, ask your bank before making a deposit to prevent your account from getting shut down. Your bank can tell you if it is a real check or not,” says Ramos.
If you do end up depositing a fake check and your account gets shut down, contact your bank’s fraud department immediately and give them as much information as possible on the fraudulent "employer" and the check.
Credit Card Scams
Paying in Person
Credit card skimming devices can be used anywhere you tap or use your card. For example, a criminal might attach a skimming device at a grocery store check-out, a gas pump payment slot, or an ATM. Once you swipe your card through a skimmer, the thief gains access to your information and can either use it to make fraudulent purchases or sell it to another criminal.
Don’t use a machine if it looks suspicious or has any of these features that are typical of skimming devices:
- Exterior mounted reading devices (don't use if the reader feels loose)
- Mismatched ATM colors
- Keypad overlays (don't use if the keypad feels loose)
- Security tape that has been tampered with (look for tears or scratches)
- Hidden cameras placed near the keypad (look for small holes)
- Loose card slots
Paying in cash and using tap cards are safer alternatives to swiping your card. Another way to protect yourself from credit card skimming is to use digital payments such as Apple pay. “Digital wallets are a lot more secure,” explains Ramos. “When you use your physical card, the machine reads all of your information, but when you use a digital payment, the numbers change every time, which makes it so much more difficult for scammers to get your information.”
Paying Online
Always be cautious when entering your credit card information on any website. Secure shopping websites such as Amazon are less of a threat. However, many secure companies that look like they can be trusted, share customer data with third parties that could be less secure. “This is why it is important to use more secure ways of making payments online such as digital wallets,” explains Ramos.
If you do use a card online, you will have better protection using a credit card instead of a debit card. Debit cards link directly to your account, so more money is at risk, and the process for recovering lost money can take longer and may not be as successful.
Webpage Scams
When browsing webpages, always be careful about which links you click. “Scammers can make fake websites and pay Google a fee to appear in top of search results,” warns Ramos.
Plane ticket search results is a common website scam that tricks consumers, especially over the summer and during popular vacation times. For example, when typing “cheap plane tickets” into a search engine, potentially fraudulent travel advisory websites typically pop up, rather than official airline websites. Make sure that the travel advisory website that you click on is trustworthy, especially if you are considering purchasing from them and entering your information.
To determine if a website is trustworthy, check:
- For the padlock symbol in the web address (URL) field (upper left corner, sometimes under "view site information" icon), indicating that the website is secure
- That the URL begins with https://
- The Google Transparency Report rating of the website
- For misspellings in the URL or odd-looking URLs that indicate a fake website
- Many scammers put a trustworthy company web address within a fake URL hoping you won’t notice. For example, a scammer might create the URL, "homedepotstore.com" but the legitimate company web address is "homedepot.com."
Social Media Advertising Scams
On social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, advertisements will pop up throughout a user’s feed. Typically, a fraudulent ad will be for something trendy, based on the user’s interests, and the price will be heavily discounted. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scam advertisements work, so think before you click.
If you are going to shop through social media, it is more secure to use the official shopping feature of apps, such as TikTok Shop. If you see an advertisement for a product you would like to buy, you can also look for the company’s official website and determine whether the site is trustworthy (see tips above).
Phone Call Scams
Criminals will call random phone numbers and pose as someone that you might trust, like a representative from your bank or a government official, and ask for your personal information. They can also use spoofing so that the number they are calling from looks legitimate.
Never give personal information over the phone even when an issue sounds urgent, unless you initiate the call to a legitimate business. “If you’re unsure of what is going on, or are suspicious, hang up the phone, then call the customer service number that appears on a company’s trusted website to see if there is an issue with your account or purchase,” says Ramos. It is always better to investigate before you act, so that you do not fall victim to a scam.
Think You’ve Been Scammed? Here’s what to do.
If you have been involved in a debit, credit, or check scam reach out to your bank or credit card company immediately. Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Filing a police report may also be helpful. To report a fraudulent website, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additionally, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
We’re Here to Help
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) helps protect and empower consumers through advocacy and education. If you have questions about scams or other concerns, call our Consumer Hotline at 617-973-8787, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Live language translation is available.
