Identity theft is a very serious concern for individuals globally. While identity theft has been common for several years now, the occurrence has recently sky-rocketed, and the scams are becoming more prominent. As summertime is here, Security Savings Bank Vice President Dorothy Ricketts shares a scam to watch for are summer employment opportunities:
“If you are reading an add that promises a pretty good salary and you have to start immediately, so on and so forth, and if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not true. Usually these are scammers who are communicating with you by text, by email, probably not in person so much, you are not ever seeing them and one of the first pieces of information they ask for is your bank account and your bank information for your quote-on-quote direct deposit to be able to take place when you get paid. What they have done then is gotten your bank information and if you have gone further with it, they may have your social security number and date of birth since it is supposedly an employment opportunity.”
Additionally, Ricketts adds to watch for fake concert or any event tickets online that could end up not being valid. Stick to well-known websites when making any type of online purchase.
**Written by WMOI/WRAM Director of Communications Kelsey Crain**
