GREENSBORO, N.C. — Credit card fraud was the most reported type of identity theft in 2023 and the most common type for people over the age of 20, but the thieves aren't stealing our current credit card numbers.
Nine out of ten times, they set up new accounts in our names.
Why are identity thieves able to open all these new accounts? This is because of unprecedented access to our social security numbers.
They're gaining access through data breaches, which almost doubled in 2023. In these breaches, hackers targeted our social security number, which they, in turn, sold on the dark web.
Why spotting new credit card accounts take time
• not checking credit reports frequently
• synthetic account fraud
• your social security number
• another person's name
• still another person's address
Protection from new credit card accounts
• Know signs of phishing scams
• Check credit reports at AnnualCreditReports.com
• Enroll in credit monitoring
• Freeze credit
Spoofing real phone numbers
Scam artists have been spoofing names on your phone's caller ID for years, making it look like the calls are from different persons or businesses you recognize. Now, they can actually make a company's real number appear on your screen, and it could cost you thousands of dollars if you fall for a spoofing scam.
They are spoofing bank and cell phone company numbers. Many businesses will be the target of this scam, and because you recognize the number, you're more likely to pick up and believe the person on the other end of the phone.
Spoofed phone number scam
• Wells Fargo phone number
• rings back to the bank
• fraud department/$2,000 request
• need authentication codes
• steal money from the account
Spoofed phone number scam protection
• Let calls go to voicemail
• Don't call the number provided
• Never give out authentication codes
Spam Robotexts
So legislation has done a great job of cutting down on spam calls, so what do we see instead— spam robotexts!! For some reason, they are targeting us here in North Carolina.
Spam Robotexts
December 2023
NC #7 in the country
673,887,000 spam texts
How your phone number got on the spam list:
• Publicly available
• Randomly dialed
• Exposed during data breach
• Responded to previous spam text, call
Stop Robotexts
• Don't respond
• Block the number
• Turn on the spam filter
• Download blocking app
Home Improvement Scams
Pollen's in the air, and temperatures are warming, which means many of us will start home improvement projects. And that means many scammers will be out there just waiting to take your dollars.
Home improvement scams
• Hire contractor
• Pay upfront
• Do some work/no work
• Never finish work/take your money
Protect from Home Improvement Scam:
• Do your research
• Use BBB Accredited contractors
• Check their license
• Get three bids
• Pay smallest possible deposit
• Use credit card
BBB hosting a Free Shred Event in Greensboro
Where: Whole Foods parking lot in the Friendly Shopping Center
When: Saturday, April 20, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Note: There is a five-bag/box limit.