The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam phone call is to be on guard. Spoof calls can sound legit, but they can be just as untrustworthy. Spoof calls can be unintelligible because of background noise, or may even seem to be from an unknown number. Never provide your credit card information or personal information to an unknown caller – hang up immediately! Report the incident to Public Safety, and if you can, note down the Caller ID information. Share this story with others so that they can be on the alert for similar scams or Phone Scammer Alert.
Do Not trust emails from the Census Bureau
Be wary of suspicious emails from the Census Bureau, even those that say they are related to the survey. Census workers are always wearing official U.S. Census Bureau badges and equipment. They are also clearly identified by their logo and official bureau visiting hours. Also, do not click on any links in the email. If you are unsure of the source of the email, contact your local Census Bureau regional office.
A legitimate census caller will never ask for personal information like a social security number or bank account number. It is also highly unlikely to ask for your mother’s maiden name or a full social security number. It is always better to verify the validity of a survey before providing your personal details. Besides, never pay any fee. The Better Business Bureau recommends you not to fall prey to the scam.
Scammers usually ask for personal information and try to convince you that they are contacting you from the Census Bureau. These fake emails are a good way to gain personal information, and they may even pose as temporary positions. If you are unsure about the source of the email, never submit any personal information to the sender. The Census Bureau does not send unsolicited emails. If you receive a fake email, check the sender’s name and address before responding. If you receive an unknown email, it may be an attempt to steal personal information or install malware.
In addition to the emails, you might receive a phone call from the Census Bureau. While this is not a scam, you should always check the caller ID first. Even if you did not answer, the scammers may still call you. A legitimate census caller will tell you to go to the official website for more information. This means that you should not give out your credit card number to the scammer or phone scammer alert .
If you have received a census-related email, you should be very wary of these scams. The Census Bureau does not send emails to notify you of phone scammers. The census is held every 10 years, and it’s a reliable source of information. If you have any doubts, you should contact the National Processing Center. Even if you are a resident of the US, you can avoid being a victim of identity theft.
Don’t be fooled by postcards with QR codes. Even postcards with QR codes are scams. Scan them and you might download malware. The Census Bureau is not the only source of information on the Internet. Scammers can also take advantage of social media platforms to collect sensitive information. You should check the content of the email before clicking on any link. Moreover, they may ask you to enter your credit card details or personal information.
Do not give personal information or payment to anyone claiming to be from a government agency
If you have recently suffered from a disaster, be on the lookout for scammers who pose as aid workers, federal officials, or insurance companies. Before entrusting your personal information to anyone claiming to be a government official, ask for identification. While clothing may be indicative of their affiliation, they are still likely to pose as phone scammer alert if they demand your credit card information or bank account number.
Never send money, gift cards, cash, or cryptocurrency to anyone claiming to be with the government. Scammers will take your money, and then disappear. Don’t provide your social security number to anyone who calls claiming to be from the government. If you’re unsure, call your financial institution and file a police report. Lastly, if you’re ever unsure about a call or message, keep your communications for future reference.