Expert offers tips on how to build your defenses against scammers

Turn tables on scams

Julie Glaser speaks at a seminar hosted by Central Bank about how to identify and avoid scams.
Julie Glaser speaks at a seminar hosted by Central Bank about how to identify and avoid scams.

What is a scam and how do you avoid falling for it? Those are questions addressed at a seminar hosted by Central Bank.

The event, presented by Julie Glaser, was Nov. 28 at the California Nutrition Center. Glaser manages Central Bank's social media page and is the communications for the bank's contact for internal communication.

Concerning scams, there are several questions. First, what is a scam? Second, how does a person know a scam is being tried on them? And last, how does one defend themselves against a scam?

A scam is described as "a trick a con artist plays on an unsuspecting victim to extort money." The scammer is described as either a great salesperson or a skilled liar. The scammer appeals to emotions and gains the trust of the victim. Generally, the scammer refuses to take "no" for an answer. And almost always, the victim is urged to keep the call secret.

That insistence on secrecy is a key point to considering the offer or the story at least being a possible scam attempt. "We have to do this now!" is another clue, as is the requirement for up-front money. Especially if the money must be paid in something hard to track, such as gift cards. There is not much more suspicious than a supposed government agency, such as the IRS, insisting a person go purchase iTune Gift Cards, give the caller the numbers over the phone, and destroy cards and the receipts. That is obviously a scam.

To avoid being scammed, people are advised to build their scam defenses by not being rushed into any financial decisions, being suspicious of any situation which requires money to be sent up front and assuming that insistence on secrecy is an intention to deceive.

It is also advisable to confirm all stories. For example, if a grandchild says he or she is in jail, make certain the person is who they say they are before you send money for bail. Check out all offers or charities before donating to them and check them out independently from the person or organization contacting. Something which is important in the age of computers, be very, very careful about clicking on email links.

Another scam is a lottery scam. A cashier's check or business account check is received for more than the amount, with instructions to pay taxes and fees before the lump sum is paid. According to the American Banking Association, there is no reason for the check to be for more than the amount, and require the recipient to wire money back. If the check is deposited, the recipient needs to make sure the check has cleared before the sending or spending any money from the check. Just because the cash is available, it doesn't mean the check is legitimate. Make sure the check clears before spending any of the money! If fraud is suspected, contact the bank immediately.

There are ways to block the scammers. Register with the national Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov to limit telemarketing, making phone scams easier to detect. Register with www.DMAchoice.org to limit legitimate advertising mail, making email scams easier to detect. Use antivirus software on the computer, and don't put much personal information on social media accounts and select the most strict privacy settings.

If scammed, immediately tell someone trusted, report the scam to the bank immediately. This should limit losses. Also contact local police and, if possible, contact the federal agencies.