Common Scams to Watch Out For

• Impostor Scams
  Scammers pretend to be someone you trust — a family member, your bank, or a government agency — and claim there’s an urgent issue with your account or finances.‍
• Online Shopping Scams
  ‍Fake websites or ads lure you with great deals. You pay, but the item never arrives — and your card info is stolen. Always shop on secure, verified websites and look for “https” in the URL.‍
• Investment Scams
  ‍Promises of “guaranteed” or “risk-free” returns are classic warning signs. Real investments involve some level of risk. Always research before sending money.‍
• Fake Check Scams
  ‍You’re sent a check and asked to send part of it back — but the check later bounces, leaving you responsible. Never spend or transfer funds from a check until it fully clears.‍
• Prize & Sweepstakes Scams
  ‍“You’ve won!” — but they want you to pay fees or taxes first. If you didn’t enter a contest, it’s not real. Legitimate prizes never require upfront payment.‍
• Job or Business Opportunity Scams
  ‍If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid jobs that ask you to send money or provide personal details before hiring.‍
• Charity & Disaster Relief Scams
  ‍Scammers use emotions and disasters to collect fake donations. Before giving, verify the organization through trusted sites likeCharityNavigator.org or directly through the charity’s official website.‍
• Mail & Check Fraud
  ‍Thieves may steal checks from mailboxes and alter them. Use secure drop boxes or online bill pay to minimize risk.