How To Spot Financial Scammers

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

Identifying and Avoiding Financial Fraud

In today's digital age, protecting your hard-earned money from financial scammers is more crucial than ever. Every year, millions are lost to fraudsters employing increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive unsuspecting victims.

Whether it's through phishing emails, fake check scams, or cryptocurrency fraud, these scammers are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. As someone who has witnessed the devastating impact of financial scams firsthand, I'm here to guide you through identifying these scams and safeguarding your finances.

From understanding the most common scams to learning practical steps for protection, let's embark on this essential journey to financial security together.

Ready to talk? Connect with a debt specialist here for free consultation.

Grow Confident, Gain Knowledge

We succumb to scammers because we want the easy, quick way out — that is our first financial mistake. We must learn to become confident and independent.

The first step is to improve your own financial decision-making ability. Though you’re currently in debt, that does not mean you can’t grow, learn, and adapt. You should be aggressively attempting to learn everything you can about finances — you must believe that you can dig and claw your way out of this financial predicament.

A key component to gaining confidence is to prepare correctly. As Dante put it, “The arrow seen before cometh less rudely.” So put the time in to prepare for your upcoming challenges. For example, if you have struggled with filing taxes, prepare your documents beforehand and stay organized so that, when the time comes, you will be able to get a bigger tax refund in less time and with less stress.

If you have made financial mistakes in the past (as we all have), it’s time to get over the guilt. What did you do wrong? How do you get past it? What decisions should you make in the future to avoid similar mistakes? You must ask yourself these questions before achieving financial freedom.

Though sometimes we must lean on the advice of financial experts, your confidence can only quicken the speed at which you approach financial stability. Whether you are currently employing a debt relief service or thinking about it in the future, you should strengthen your financial responsibility.

Scamming Scare Tactics

I have received several calls and messages over the past few weeks that start out with phrases like “this is your final notice before we terminate” and then end with something like “lower your credit card rates.” Though not exactly a scam, the company that keeps calling me Scammers will often use extreme language to evoke feelings of urgency. Words like “terminate,” “final notice,” and “warning” are meant to alert you to a serious situation.

First of all, I do not currently own a credit card, so it was pretty easy to spot the scare tactics. However, even though I did not yet know what the phone call was about, I could not help but feel my heart flutter just a bit. Fear is the most common friend of financial scammers.

Nobody wants to lose thousands of dollars, so scammers will usually promise to instantly end some looming debt threat. Quick debt relief is a goal that hasn’t quite been achieved yet. Most debt relief companies can square issues away between 24-48 months. Even for financial experts, debt relief is a process. Don’t be fooled by those who promise to wipe away a debt in just a day.

Red Flags in Loan Offers

When evaluating loan offers, watch out for these common red flags:

• Requests for upfront fees before you receive the loan funds. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from the disbursed loan amount.
• Offers of guaranteed approval regardless of your credit history. Most lenders have eligibility standards that applicants must meet.
• Requests for payment through prepaid cards, gift cards, or other unusual methods. Scammers often demand untraceable payments.
• High-pressure tactics urging you to act quickly or claiming the offer is only good for a limited time. Never rush into a loan.
• Unsolicited offers that come via email, text messages, or social media ads. Many are "phishing" attempts to get your information.

The Most Common Scams

While many scammers use scare tactics, many others will play on all of your emotions to get your money. Don’t fall prey to the most common scams that promise wealth, safety, or security in exchange for personal or financial information.

According to ConsumerFinance.gov, some scammers will pose as members of the “nonexistent ‘Consumer Protection Bureau.” Government officials at the CFPB continue, adamantly stating “This is not us. We are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or CFPB. Some scammers may claim to be with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection. Others may claim to work for the CFPB or FTC, but neither of these agencies calls consumers to alert them of winning a lottery or sweepstakes. ”

The CFPB also warns that scammers will often claim that they are from the IRS and that you owe debt. Such scammers threaten lawsuits or arrest if customers refuse to pay. It is important to note that debt collectors cannot use unfair or abusive collection tactics --- such threats would be considered illegal.

It is important to note that debt collectors cannot use unfair or abusive collection tactics — such threats would be considered illegal collection tactics. To avoid tax identity theft, try staying ahead of your taxes, carefully inspect your credit reports, and be ready to freeze your credit if you suspect identity theft. Remember, the IRS will never call demanding immediate payment. Verify a caller's identity by hanging up and calling the IRS directly.

Phishing Scams

Scammers often send fake emails or texts pretending to be from banks, lenders, or other companies asking you to verify personal information. 

Watch out for:

• Email addresses that look slightly different than official ones
• Requests to click suspicious links or download attachments
• Calls/emails requesting sensitive info like passwords or SSN

If unsure, contact the company directly through a known number or website.

Read Up on Financial Services

Never accept a financial service without first looking at customer reviews. If you are considering working with financial experts to relieve your debt and lift your burdens, be sure that the company has the requisite accreditations (like the AFCC and the IAPDA for debt relief companies).

Customer reviews should act as a supplement to all of your research into each company if you find that the vast majority of customer reviews oppose what the company or service claims, then you should move on. On the other hand, if you find a debt relief service whose customers support the company’s claims, you know when you’ve found a reliable and trustworthy company.

No matter your financial situation, you are always in danger of financial scams. Always be skeptical of those who threaten and ask for personal and financial information. Do not be intimidated by cheap scare tactics or promises of quick wealth. Your confidence and ability to spot a scammer will protect you on your path to financial wellness. Equip yourself with the knowledge from the ultimate guide to protecting yourself from scams and identity theft in 2023. 

Tips for Verifying Legitimacy

• Search company name + words like "scam" or "complaint"
• Confirm addresses using Google Maps/Street View
• Check state licensing databases for credentials
• Review multiple review sites, not just the company's site

No matter your financial situation, you are always in danger of financial scams. Always be skeptical of those who threaten and ask for personal and financial information. Do not be intimidated by cheap scare tactics or promises of quick wealth. Your confidence and ability to spot a scammer will protect you on your path to financial wellness.

What to Do If You Spot a Scam

If you encounter a suspected scam, it's important to take action quickly:

• Hang up immediately if you get a suspicious call. Do not provide any information.
• Don't pay any requested fees until you can verify the company is legitimate.
• Report scam attempts to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help investigations.
• Contact your bank if you already shared any financial information with a scammer.

You can also check out Pacific Debt's pages on avoiding financial fraud for more tips.

Scam Statistics

• Over $5.8 billion lost to fraud in 2021, up 70% since 2020 (FTC)
• Government imposter scams accounted for $2.3 billion in losses (FTC)
• Calls are the most common scam attempt method (50%), followed by texts (33%)

Scam Prevention Technology

Consider tools like:

• Caller ID apps that check numbers against crowdsourced databases
• Antivirus software to detect fraudulent links and downloads
• Firewall programs that prevent unauthorized access to your devices
  

FAQs

Conclusion

Financial scams are a growing threat, with new tactics constantly emerging. However, by staying vigilant and informed, you can detect and avoid most scams. Watch for urgent demands, guaranteed offers, and requests for untraceable payments. Verify legitimacy before providing information or money. 

Report any scams you encounter to help authorities build cases against fraudsters. Empower yourself with knowledge of common techniques, warning signs, and reporting options. The more prepared you are to spot scammer red flags, the safer you and your finances will be. 

Resources like the FTC and Pacific Debt provide the most up-to-date scam prevention education when you make the effort to regularly inform yourself. Staying aware of the latest financial fraud methods is your first line of defense.

If you are struggling with overwhelming debt and want to explore your debt relief options, Pacific Debt Relief offers a free consultation to assess your financial situation. Our debt specialists can provide objective guidance relevant information and support to help find the right debt relief solution.