Don’t let scammers entrap you

Scams are becoming more common across the country, and small communities like ours are not immune. In fact, scammers often target areas like ours because people are more trusting and willing to help others.

In my role working with information security, I regularly see the same types of scams appear again and again. While they may look different on the surface, they all rely on one thing, getting you to act quickly without stopping to think.

Any time you receive a call, text message, email or letter asking for money or personal information, pause before responding. Taking just a moment can make the difference between staying safe and becoming a victim.

Here are some common scams affecting people today:

Urgent phone calls claiming to be from Medicare, a bank or a government agency, often saying that you will lose your coverage or that there is a problem with your account.

Messages about a family member or even pretending to be a family member, such as a grandchild in trouble who needs money immediately.

Texts or emails about suspicious charges that ask you to click a link or call a number.

Before you respond to any unexpected request, take a step back and follow these steps:

• Stop and take a breath.

• Do not click links or call numbers provided in the message.

• Look up the official phone number from a trusted source.

• Call the organization directly to verify the request.

• Talk to a family member or friend before taking action. 

These scams are designed to create fear or panic. When people feel rushed or emotional, they are more likely to make a decision they normally wouldn’t make. It is important to remember that legitimate organizations will not pressure you to act immediately, threaten you or demand sensitive information in unexpected ways. If someone is pushing you to act right away, that is a major warning sign.

Scammers are also starting to use new technology to make their messages more convincing. In some cases, they use artificial intelligence to mimic a person’s voice or writing style. This means a phone call or voicemail may sound like a family member, or a message may look or sound more realistic.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. It is always OK to hang up the phone, ignore a message or take time to check things out yourself. Scammers depend on people feeling isolated and rushed. Even taking just one minute to think on your own or verify something breaks that pattern. You have time.

One of the strengths of a small community is looking out for one another. If you receive a suspicious call or message, consider sharing that experience with a friend, neighbor or family member. Talking about scams helps others recognize them and avoid becoming victims themselves.

Protecting yourself from fraud doesn’t require technical knowledge, just a willingness to slow down and verify before you act.