By ADRIANA MORGA / APOctober 19, 2024 9:13 AM EDTNEW YORK October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which means it's the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself from scams.Scams have become so sophisticated now. Phishing emails, texts, spoofing caller ID, all of this technology gives scammers that edge, said Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, consumers should be more vigilant about who they trust, especially online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercards deputy chief security officerStay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected, she said.Whether it's romance scams or job scams, impersonators are looking for ways to trick you into giving them money or sharing your personal information. Here's what to know:Know scammers tacticsThree common tactics used by scammers are based on fear, urgency and money, said security expert Petros Efstathopoulos. Heres how they work: FearWhen a scammer contacts you via phone or email, they use language that makes it seem like there is a problem that you need to solve. For example, a scammer contacts you over email telling you that your tax return has an error and if you dont fix it youll get in trouble. UrgencyBecause scammers are good at creating a sense of urgency, people tend to rush, which makes them vulnerable. Scammers often tell people they need to act right away, which can lead to them sharing private information such as their Social Security numbers. MoneyScammers use money as bait, Efstathopoulos said. They might impersonate tax professionals or the IRS saying you will get a bigger tax refund than you expect if you pay them for their services or share your personal information.Know the most common scamsSimply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls in particular frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt.If you get a robocall out of the blue paying a recorded message trying to get you to buy something, just hang up, said James Lee, chief operating officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center. Same goes for texts anytime you get them from a number you dont know asking you to pay, wire, or click on something suspicious.Lee urges consumers to hang up and call the company or institution in question at an official number.Scammers will also often imitate someone in authority, such as a tax or debt collector. They might pretend to be a loved one calling to request immediate financial assistance for bail, legal help, or a hospital bill.Romance scamsSo-called romance scams often target lonely and isolated individuals, according to Will Maxson, assistant director of the Division of Marketing Practices at the FTC. These scams can take place over longer periods of time -- even years.Kate Kleinart, 70, who lost tens of thousands to a romance scam over several months, said to be vigilant if a new Facebook friend is exceptionally good-looking, asks you to download WhatsApp to communicate, attempts to isolate you from friends and family, and/or gets romantic very quickly.If youre seeing that picture of a very handsome person, ask someone younger in your life a child, a grandchild, a niece or a nephew to help you reverse-image search or identify the photo, she said.She said the man in pictures she received was a plastic surgeon from Spain whose photos have been stolen and used by scammers.Kleinart had also been living under lockdown during the early pandemic when she got the initial friend request, and the companionship and communication meant a lot to her while she was cut off from family. When the scam fell apart, she missed the relationship even more than the savings.Losing the love was worse than losing the money, she said.Job scamsJob scams involve a person pretending to be a recruiter or a company in order to steal money or information from a job seeker.Scammers tend to use the name of an employee from a large company and craft a job posting that matches similar positions. An initial red flag is that scammers usually try to make the job very appealing, Velasquez said.Theyre going to have very high salaries for somewhat low-skilled work," she said. "And theyre often saying its a 100% remote position because thats so appealing to people."Some scammers post fake jobs, but others reach out directly to job seekers through direct messages or texts. If the scammers are looking to steal your personal information, they may ask you to fill out several forms that include information like your Social Security number and drivers license details.The only information a legitimate employer should ask for at the beginning of the process is your skills, your work experience, and your contact information, Velasquez said.Other details dont generally need to be shared with an employer until after youve gotten an offer.Investment scamsAccording to Lois Greisman, an associate director of marketing practices at the Federal Trade Commission,an investment scamconstitutes any get-rich-quick scheme that lures targets via social media accounts or online ads.Investment scammers typically add different forms of testimony, such as from other social media accounts, to support that the investment works. Many of these also involve cryptocurrency. To avoid falling for these frauds, the FTC recommends independently researching the company especially by searching the companys name along with terms like review or scam.Quiz scamsWhen youre using Facebook or scrolling Google results, be aware ofquiz scams, which typically appear innocuous and ask about topics you might be interested in, such as your car or favorite TV show. They may also ask you to take a personality test.Despite these benign-seeming questions, scammers can then use the personal information you share to respond to security questions from your accounts or hack your social media to send malware links to your contacts.To protect your personal information,the FTC simply recommends steering clear of online quizzes. The commission also advises consumers to use random answers for security questions.Asked to enter your mothers maiden name? Say its something else: Parmesan or another word youll remember, advises Terri Miller, consumer education specialist at the FTC. This way, scammers wont be able to use information they find to steal your identity.Marketplace scamsWhenbuying or selling productson Instagram or Facebook Marketplace, keep in mind that not everyone that reaches out to you has the best intentions.To avoid being scammed when selling via an online platform, the FTC recommends checking buyers profiles, not sharing any codes sent to your phone or email, and avoiding accepting online payments from unknown persons.Likewise, whenbuying something from an online marketplace, make sure to diligently research the seller. Take a look at whether the profile is verified, what kind of reviews they have, and the terms and conditions of the purchase.Dont pick up if you dont know who is callingScammers often reach out by phone, Ben Hoffman, Head of Strategy and Consumer Products at Fifth Third Bank recommends that you don't pick up unknown incoming calls.Banks don't ask your for your password, said Hoffman. If you believe your bank is trying to reach out, give them a call at a number listed on their website.This makes it easier to know for sure that youre not talking to a scammer. As a general rule, banks dont often call unless there is suspicious activity on your account or if you previously contacted them about a problem.If you receive many unknown calls that end up being scammers or robocalls, you can use tools available on your phone to block spam. Check here for how to do this on youriPhoneand here forAndroid.Use all of the technology at your disposalThere are many tools are your disposal that can be used to protect yourself from scammers online. Use a password manager to ensure youre utilizing a complex password that scammers cant guess. Regularly checking your credit report and bank statements is a good practice since it can help you identify if someone has been using your bank account without your knowledge. Turn on multi-factor verification to make sure impersonators aren't able to access your social media or bank accounts.When in doubt, call for helpAs scams get more sophisticated, it's difficult to know who to trust or if a person is actually real, or an impersonator. If you aren't sure if a job recruiter is real or if your bank is actually asking your for information, find organizations that can help you, recommended Velasquez.Organizations like the Identity Theft Protection Center and the AARP Fraud Watch Network offer free services for customers who need help identifying scams or knowing what to do if you've been a victim of a scam.Share what you know with loved onesIf youve taken all the necessary steps to protect yourself, you might want to help those around you. Whether youre helping your grandparents to block unknown callers on their phones or sharing tips with your neighbors, talking with others about how to protect themselves from scams can be very effective.Report the scamIf you or a family member is a victim of a scam, its good practice to report it on the FTCs website.