While scammers have continuously used phone calls, emails, and text messages to reach out and gain personal information to scam individuals, with the use of artificial intelligence, those voices and grammar are significantly getting better to look more realistic. Monmouth Police Department Investigator Josh Kramer has this advice:
“First off, don’t click on links that are in text messages and don’t click on links that are in emails or any social media post. If you see something that is getting your attention for a reason, whether it be a problem with a package or a problem with a purchase, physically, actually go to that app, whether it be Amazon or the Walmart app, sign into that app, get into your account, and if that information is actually truthful, they are going to send you a message within their own platform. Anything that has a link and I hate to say that, but it is the world we live in, we have to verify, and all reputable companies have their own app.”
For added security, Investigator Kramer also recommends logging out of your accounts and not just closing them, whether you are on the physical website or app.