Scammers are not “hackers” in hoodies breaking into your machine with lasers. They are con artists. They use an old trick called “Social Engineering,” which is just a fancy word for lying to get you to lower your guard.
The Top 3 Disguises:
- The “Grandchild” in Trouble:
- The Con: You get a frantic call or text: “Grandma, I’m in jail/hospital/stuck in Mexico, please send money!”
- The Defense: The Family Password. Agree on a secret code word with your family. If someone claims to be your grandchild in trouble, ask for the code word. If they don’t know it, hang up.
- The “Tech Support” Savior:
- The Con: A pop-up on your screen says “VIRUS DETECTED! Call Microsoft immediately!”
- The Defense: The Hang Up. Real tech companies like Microsoft or Apple will never call you or put a pop-up on your screen with a phone number. This is a digital door-to-door salesman trying to scare you. Shut them out.
- The “Bank” Panic:
- The Con: An email says “Your account is frozen! Click here to fix it.”
- The Defense: The reverse lookup. Never click the link. Instead, turn over your credit card, find the customer service number on the back, and call them directly.
Action Step: Create a “Family Code Word” today. Call your kids or grandkids and tell them: “If you are ever in real trouble, you must say this word so I know it’s really you.”