This is How to Tell When You are Being Scammed

Scammers steal millions and millions of dollars every year from honest people. At TrustDALE, we work hard to expose scammers and other bad people who want to take your money. We also believe knowledge is power, so please read on to learn how you can spot and avoid common scams.

What Are Some Signs That I Might Be Getting Taken?

We all get hundreds of calls, texts, and emails each week, so it can be hard to tell which ones are legitimate and which ones are scams trying to take your money.

Here are some tips to avoid getting ripped off:

One obvious giveaway for scams is the pressure to ACT NOW. They want you to make a decision right away without time to think it over. 

Another obvious tell is that the product or service being offered is too good to be true. 

Here’s one that not everyone might think of - if a company asks you to pay with gift cards, it’s more than likely a scam. 

Some of these cons will also continually try to get you to confirm an answer by saying “YES” - that way they can use a recording of your voice to make it appear as though you agreed to something you didn’t. 

If you’re worried about any sort of business or alleged government agency being a scam, ask for authentication. They should not only be able to give you pertinent details about their organization, but they should be able to provide written proof of their credentials or show you where you can find them on a credible, independent website. 

Take the time to ask and make certain they’re a legitimate organization BEFORE giving away any personal information. In general, it’s best to be wary of any phone calls or emails from strange sources you don’t know. 

Most government offices will send First Class or Certified Mail. They won’t cold call you!

If you believe you're a scam victim, the TrustDALE investigative team may be able to help you. Submit your problem to our investigative team here: https://utm.io/uddRF.