Beware of scam calls and emails Some scammers pretend to be from a government agency or bank and ask you to pay them money. Don’t trust anyone who contacts you out of nowhere and asks for money. Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:
- Ask questions If someone claims to be a government employee, remember that they don’t work on commission. A scammer might get angry if you question them or try to delay the payment. That’s a sign that they’re lying.
- Verify the source Don’t rely on the contact information that the caller or emailer gives you. Look up the official number or website of the organization they claim to be from and contact them directly.
- Don’t pay with unusual methods You should never use a gift card, wire transfer or Bitcoin to pay a bill. Those methods are hard to trace and easy to misuse. A legitimate organization will accept a credit card or check.
