Better Business Bureau's tips to avoid the avalanche of fake emails
Snowstorms are common to our area this time of year, but businesses and consumers are experiencing a fast-moving avalanche of scam email in their mailboxes.
It's hard to shovel your way out of accumulating emails as scammers are amping up their attacks with an ever-growing arsenal of fake alerts and free offers. More and more it seems like a relentless effort to steal personal identity and money. Fraudsters are using tactics that we might commonly compare to the phrase "carrot and stick." Wikipedia describes the phrase as a metaphor dating back to the 19th century for the use of a combination of reward and punishment to induce a desired behavior.
Similar to using the stick, one favorite trick of fraudsters is to instill fear of punishment into their victims to persuade them to take fast action without taking time to think rationally.
This can be especially effective when people believe there is a significant problem with their bank account, either an overdrawn notice or a verification of a major purchase you never made. Fake emails from major shipping companies like Amazon often state that accounts have been shut down or a phony invoice for large purchases.
Victims are tempted to respond immediately before directly contacting the bank or company directly and before realizing the email is fake.
Imposters maximize fear by contacting people impersonating Medicare, Social Security, and especially during tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service.
The alarming emails say anything from there is a major problem with one of your accounts and can be doubly dangerous because even if they don't get your money, they can steal the key pieces of your valuable information, including your license number, Social Security number and banking numbers.
Typically demands are made for immediate payments, and often they want forms of a direct bank transfer or wire payment that can never be retrieved by law enforcement.
Moving from the "stick" to the other side of the equation, the "carrot" is dangling in the form of an eye-popping gift or free items. These emails typically pretend to be a big box store that has an amazing free gift for you as a reward for being a good customer or for taking a very short survey.
The offers an endless array of free heaters, tool kits, cellphones and other items worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
But the moment you call the number or click the link in these emails, you become a loser, not a winner, because you're dealing with fraudsters. Scammers also find out that your email is good, and the process begins immediately to gain your trust and start asking you and start prying for information.
Just recently, after a long break of any reports of COVID scams, there has been a surge in the past few weeks a spike of emails offering you free COVID tests have been reported. The emails contain a very friendly face, usually dressed in medical clothing, and encourage you to call or click the links to get your free COVID test kits.
Recent pitches have included new government or Medicare changes allowing free tests. BBB urges you to ignore the emails and simply ask your trusted pharmacist, who can tell quickly let you know of benefits, programs and simply provide them with free kits that the government is providing.
People can also be tricked into investments or clicking on links when thieves are imitating an email from a friend. Some of often scammers have hijacked the emails of other people and the emails are either coming from them or they can use emails that are a letter or two off from the real organization.
Also, check the URLs for the address to any website that they are sending you, as these are often spoofed as well. The key thing that consumers should take away to protect themselves is that anytime they get an email in question, contact the agency or organization directly.
• Steve J. Bernas is President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau and can be reached at sbernas@chicago.bbb.org