Protect Yourself from Scams

In the wake of recent arrests involving scams against older Pennsylvanians, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) is again reminding people of all ages to be on the lookout for someone trying to cheat them out of their hard-earned money.

Some tips to keep in mind:
• Never send money or gift cards to someone you do not know. Also, gift cards are for gifts, not for paying debts or bills.
• If you are suspicious or have concerns about a solicitation, call your local police or the OAG hotline at 800-441-2555.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. “Sweepstakes” scams have been common for years, so be vigilant and use common sense. If you did not sign up for a sweepstakes, you could not have won.
• Sign up for scam warning text alerts from the Office of Attorney General. Mobile carrier rates may apply.

Additionally, the OAG recommends an acronym to evaluate unsolicited phone calls or emails:
• S: Sudden – The call or email is unexpected.
• C: Contact – Scammers will contact you by phone, email or in-person.
• A: Act Now – The request will be urgent and assert penalties if you do not act quickly.
• M: Money or Information – The scammer will request money or personal information.

With runaway inflation driving up everyday costs such as gas and groceries, it’s especially important to be vigilant of scammers who often target the financially vulnerable with fake legal threats or with false promises of financial incentives such as giveaways or debt relief. Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a scam should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling 800-441-2555 or emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov.