Impersonation

Beyond the Headlines: A Practical Guide to Stopping Scams Before They Start Every year, National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) serves as a helpful reminder to check our digital defenses. But the truth is, scams don’t take a week off. The persistent threats of impersonation, phishing, and fraud require a year-round mindset. Drawing on the consistent advice from consumer protection agencies, here’s a concrete guide to identifying today’s common tricks and fortifying your personal information. ...

Don’t Hang Up Just Yet: What to Do When “The Government” Calls Demanding Money Imagine your phone rings. The caller ID might even look somewhat official, and the person on the other end claims to be from a government agency—perhaps your state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the IRS, or Social Security. They say you owe money, and it must be paid immediately to avoid severe penalties, service disconnection, or even arrest. Your heart races. This sounds serious. But before you reach for your wallet, you need to know this is almost certainly a scam. ...

That “Urgent” Call from Your Utility Company? It’s Almost Certainly a Scam. If your phone rings with someone claiming to be from the water, power, or gas company demanding immediate payment, your first instinct might be panic. After all, having your service shut off is a serious threat. But before you reach for your wallet or credit card, take a deep breath. That sense of urgency is the scammer’s primary weapon. ...