Question of the Week: Spotted a Scam Lately?
A call, a text or an email that just didn’t feel right. Share what tipped you off.
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Have you had a scam call, text or email lately? What tipped you off?
Scammers keep changing their stories, and with the holidays coming, there will be more of them. A few facts worth knowing:
- Reported losses are rising. People 60 and over reported losing $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024, up from about $600 million in 2020. (FTC)
- Gift cards are a giveaway. Anyone who tells you to pay with a gift card is a scammer. Real businesses and government agencies don’t ask for that. (FTC Consumer Advice)
- You can report it. Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps them spot new scams and warn others.
My answer: My rule is simple: if a call, text or email tries to rush me, I stop. A real bank or agency will wait while I hang up and call back at the number on my card or statement. Fake "overdue toll" and "missed delivery" texts are going around a lot lately, so I never tap the link. For more ways to spot them, see Three Habits That Stop Scammers Cold.
Your turn. What was the scam, and what made you suspicious? Your story might be the one that helps a neighbor hang up in time.
Answer in the comments on our Facebook post, or email support@truecourseliving.com with "Question of the Week" in the subject line. The best answers will appear in our "Your Peers Answered" roundup, first names only and only with your permission.
Share your story, not your personal details. We will never message you first or ask for money. If you’ve lost money, call your bank right away and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.