Intimidation Scams
06/26/2024
Intimidation Scams
Intimidation Scams are some of the hardest scams to combat because there are many different scenarios around which scammers can build their ruse, and they tend to play on people’s most common fears. If you find yourself on the phone with someone who is threatening, angry, abusive, or demanding, it is important you know how to keep yourself safe.
These scammers create a sense of fear, urgency, or pressure to get their victim to act quickly and without evaluating all the details. Some intimidation scammers will claim you have been unwittingly involved in illegal activities and if you do not pay a fine, you will be arrested. Others claim a family member or loved one has been hurt and cannot get the treatment they need unless you forward funds to them. Still others will say your security has been compromised, and unless you move your money or give them access to your accounts, you will lose everything. All these scenarios have one thing in common: they rely on you panicking and not thinking clearly about the probability of the claims presented.
It is natural in the face of being told that your loved one is hurt, or you are facing jail time, to do whatever the person says to fix the situation. However, if you pause for even just a moment to evaluate the claims, you will be able to see that the person talking to you is only playing on your fears. Federal agencies do not call or email individuals to threaten arrest nor does any legitimate organization accept payment methods like gifts cards or cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, no hospital in the United States will refuse to treat and injured patient until payment is made. And there is never a legitimate reason to give someone access to your bank account.
In order to keep yourself safe, always follow these guidelines if you suspect you are being targeted by an intimidation scam.
- Pause and evaluate claims if someone is attempting to use intimidation tactics or prompt urgent action.
- Stop all communication with anyone who becomes angry, abusive, or threatening. Do not continue interacting with them in order to help catch them or to “prank” them.
- Contact your local law enforcement if anyone threatens to blackmail you, threatens to hurt you, has stolen money from you, or commits any other illegal act.
- Report to your bank the attempted security breach or if you gave out any identifying information before realizing it was a scam.
Your safety needs to be the top priority with any intimidation scammer.
Intimidation scammers are some of the scariest scams one can encounter. However, simply pausing and evaluating the situation can help you avoid falling for the scam.
Sources:
https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2021-10.html
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-common-types-of-scams-en-2092/