GREENSBORO, N.C. — They try to trick you by email, on social media, even over the phone. Our 2 Wants To Know team hears about this problem day in and day out - scammers, on the hunt for your personal information, and your money.
It's possible they've targeted you, your spouse, even your parents, but what happens when they go after your kids?
April McGill says it happened to her daughter, Kamyrn earlier this week. The 13-year-old got several calls from an unknown number, and she finally gave in and answered her cell phone.
"I answered the number. I didn't think of it as anything, but I knew that my Social Security number is like private information so I just told my mother about it," Kamryn said.
"I called the number back from her phone, a man answered and so he announced the agency and it sounded like, California Social Security Administration," explained McGill, "And I asked him to repeat, 'What agency am I calling again?' When I did that, he basically hung up the phone.'"
McGill knew right away this was a scam, but what really bothered her? Her daughter was the target.
"It was just scary because, she's 13 and I'm like so you hear about this stuff all the time," she said, "And I'm like, are they trying to now target younger children?"
McGill wants to warn other parents that their children's phones aren't immune from scammers.
The Better Business Bureau has a few tips for everyone to keep in mind, including teens, when you get a scam call:
- Let calls go to voicemail if it's not someone you know. You can always call back.
- If you end up on the line with someone sketchy - just hang up!
- Most importantly - keep that personal info confidential.
"Treat your personal information like money. Do not share your Social Security number, don't share your address, don't share your date of birth," said Kevin Hinterberger, President and CEO of the BBB of Central and Northwest North Carolina, "That is collateral. That is money for the people who are trying to take it from you. So if you wouldn't hand a stranger $100, don't give them your personally identifiable information."
Hinterberger says there are scams teens can fall for online especially those that promise discounts. So it's just good practice to make sure no matter what, you keep personal info secure.