Scams targeting citizens, companies, and professionals have increased recently in Delaware. These fraudulent acts include impersonation scams and complex phishing operations.
To safeguard oneself and the society, awareness and alertness are essential. The following five frauds are currently harming Delawareans:
Scams involving impersonation
With more than 2,000 occurrences in 2024, impersonation frauds are the most frequently reported in Delaware. In order to trick people into giving them money or personal information, scammers pretend to be reputable organizations like government offices, tech support, or even relatives.
Preventive Actions:
- Unwanted calls or mails asking for cash or personal information can raise suspicions.
- Use the organization’s official contact information to get in touch with them directly and confirm the caller’s identity.
- Don’t give out private information by phone or email until you have made the initial contact.
Scams involving utilities
Scams in which people pose as Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC) staff have increased, according to DEC. Scammers call or visit clients, pretending that there are problems with their accounts, and ask for money or personal information.
Preventive Measures:
- Unsolicited communications purporting to be from utility companies should be avoided.
- Never give out financial or personal information to strangers.
- Call the utility company directly using their official contact details to confirm any questionable communication.
Phishing scams with E-ZPass
Text messages claiming unpaid tolls from E-ZPass have been reported by locals, leading them to phony websites intended to steal personal data.
Safety Advice:
- Avoid clicking on links about unpaid tolls in unsolicited text messages.
- Visit the official E-ZPass website or get in touch with customer support to confirm any messages pertaining to tolls.
- Watch out for messages that threaten punishment or demand quick action.
Phone scams involving courts and law enforcement
In order to demand immediate payment, scammers have been posing as law enforcement or court officials and saying that people have arrest warrants for unpaid fines or missing jury duty.
Ways to Prevent:
- Recognize that law police and legal courts do not ask for money over the phone.
- Hang up and confirm the claim by getting in touch with the organization directly if you are approached by someone claiming to be from the court or law enforcement and they are requesting cash.
- Never give uninvited callers your financial or personal information.
Scams Using Gift Cards
Delaware recently passed a state legislation requiring merchants to post warnings warning customers about possible gift card scams.
Scammers frequently pretend to be government employees or tech support representatives and tell victims to use gift cards to pay costs.
Suggestions:
- Gift cards are not accepted as payment by respectable organizations, so be wary of anyone asking for them.
- Learn about the warning flags and typical gift card scams.
- Inform local law enforcement or consumer advocacy organizations about possible scams.
To Conclude
The increase in scams throughout Delaware emphasizes how crucial it is to be vigilant and take preventative action. To protect against monetary losses and identity theft, locals, companies, and professionals need to be aware of common scams and follow suggested procedures.
Delawareans can better safeguard themselves and their neighbors from being victims of fraudulent schemes by raising community awareness of these hazards.
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