Beware: Scams

Don’t be a victim. As the Coronavirus takes a growing toll on people’s pocketbooks, and reports circulate that the government will soon be sending out checks to each of us, scammers have seized this opportunity to prey on consumers. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep yourself safe.

• DON’T respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear to be suspicious.
• DON’T share your personal or financial information via email, text message, or over the phone. Arkansas Federal and/or the government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, account numbers, debit or credit card information, passwords or security codes over the phone or via text.
• DO hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it normally leads to even more robocalls.
• DO forward any unsolicited emails in which someone claims to be from the IRS or Treasury Department to phishing@irs.gov.
• DO consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report if you’ve been targeted.
• DO watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information, visit CDC and the World Health Organization.
• DO your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
• DO make sure your anti-malware and antivirus software on your computer are current.
• DO practice responsible internet usage. Never download attachments from unknown sources or click on links embedded in an email from an unknown sender.

If you have any questions, you can always reach out to us as well at 800.456.3000.