We warn about scams a lot. There are many out there, from romance scams to Amazon or UPS delivery scams, from Grandparents (or elderly) scams to tech support scams. While these scams follow different playbooks, they have common red flags that, if you can recognize them, will help you avoid these scams.
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Never text back if the message was unexpected. Don’t even tell them they have the wrong number.
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Hang up and call back. If you receive an unexpected phone call from a loved one, law enforcement, or someone else claiming authority, hang up and call back through a number from your contacts list or verify through a web search.
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Have a safe word. Talk to your family and agree to a safe word or phrase that could be used if someone is distressed during a phone call. If you get an unsettling phone call from a loved one, ask for the safe word. Never post this information online or send it through text or email.
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Refuse to pay the suspicious way. Scammers generally request payment in forms like gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers, so any request to pay these ways is a red flag.
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Be wary of social media and dating apps. Scammers pose as genuine users on these platforms to connect with potential victims.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is the victim of a scam, stop sending money immediately and end contact. The scammer might become threatening, angry, or attempt to make you feel guilty, but this is a persuasion technique and you have the power.
Don’t delete messages – take screenshots for evidence.
Report that you’re a victim of a scam to:
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Your bank or other financial institution
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Your local police department
- If it is UT Health Science Center-related, forward it to abuse@uthsc.edu
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