Scams Still Abound

It seems that almost daily I read about or receive emails that are merely more attempts at trying to scam me (actually all of us) and/or attempt to steal my/our identity.

I believe I have a strong SPAM filter on all my home and business computers, but they still keep coming and, unfortunately, many get through.

Just this week I received four more, ranging from ostensible warnings from legitimate governmental agencies (asking me to confirm my information), a bank at which I do not have an account (actually warning about a security breach and asking me to re-enter all of my banking information down to my mother's maiden name), offering me the opportunity to make a large income from home, or soliciting my opinions (survey requests) for which I will be compensated or entered into a contest with huge and valuable prizes. Some may actually be legitimate, but I have seen too many similar ones that are scams, and maybe I have become skeptical.

So, I have taken a conservative approach, and I pass this along, no matter how bad things are, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

I initiate calls to my bank and credit card companies. If my account information needs updating, I do it over the phone when I make the call and know to whom I am talking, or walk into my bank.  I report checks sent to me and offering me a portion of their amount to the fraud department of the issuing bank (are the senders really that stupid that they believe most people would not keep all of the face amount and not send anything), and then I destroy the original.

Better to be safe, than sorry.