Does this look real to you? We hear that question almost every day at GeekHampton. Someone walks in holding their phone and announces, “Apparently I owe E-ZPass $6.37.” Another has a package that can’t be delivered. Someone else has just learned that their Apple account will be “SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY!” And remarkably, all these emergencies can be solved by clicking a convenient little link. Please don’t.
Today’s scammers are good. Really good. Their emails look professional, their fake websites can look nearly identical to the real ones, and thanks to artificial intelligence, their spelling and grammar have gotten much better. But scammers still have an Achilles’ heel: They need you to hurry.
The Two-Minute Rule
If an email or text makes your heart beat a little faster, give yourself two minutes before doing anything. “Your bank account has been compromised!” Two minutes. “Your package cannot be delivered!” Two minutes. “Pay this toll immediately to avoid a $50 penalty!” Definitely two minutes.
Then ask: Does this make sense? If Chase says there’s a problem with your account, don’t click the link. Open the Chase app yourself. If Amazon says there’s a problem with an order, go directly to your Amazon account. And if the IRS wants you to pay your tax bill with Apple gift cards…we can save you the two minutes. It’s a scam.
You’re Invited! Or Are You?
Here’s one we’re seeing lately that’s particularly sneaky. An Evite-style invitation arrives from someone you actually know. A party? Dinner? Birthday? Of course you click to see what you’re invited to! Then you’re asked to sign into your email account to view the invitation. Stop. That login page may be fake. Enter your email address and password and you’ve just handed the keys to your email account to a scammer. Worse, they can use your account or contacts to send convincing invitations to more people you know.
If an invitation unexpectedly asks for your email password, don’t enter it. Contact the person who supposedly sent the invitation and ask if it’s real. You might spoil the surprise party—but that’s better than giving away your password.
Now Scammers Can Sound Like Your Family
Artificial intelligence can even imitate someone’s voice. If your “grandson” calls saying he’s been in an accident and desperately needs money, hang up and call him yourself using the number already in your contacts. Some families are even creating a secret family word for emergencies. Not a bad idea!
Five Rules Worth Remembering
- Don’t click unexpected links.
- Never give anyone your password or verification code.
- Don’t let urgency rush you.
- Go directly to the company’s app or website.
- When in doubt, ask someone before you click.
We love when someone comes into GeekHampton and says, “I wasn’t sure, so I didn’t touch anything.” Perfect. We’d much rather tell you, “Yep, that’s a scam,” than help clean up the mess afterward. So remember: Pause. Verify. Proceed. And maybe don’t count on that $8.7 million inheritance from the prince who emailed you, either.
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