If you happen upon a USB device while out in public, such as a flash drive, do not take it home and plug it into your computer. There’s no telling what could be on the device, such as malware or ransomware. In some cases, scammers will leave USB devices in places so that they’re found […]

When starting payments on your student loans, your payments will be handled by a provider. Identify what company is handling your student loans and follow instructions on how to set up your account. Student loan sites require sensitive information, like your Social Security number, address and your parents’ information. It’s important to make sure the […]

Any organization that isn’t your employer, the IRS or your bank probably doesn’t need to know your social security number. However, sometimes other organizations will ask for it. They may need it or they might not, and you should ask questions before agreeing to give it to them. These questions, as recommended by the Federal […]

If your bank or another institution with which you have an account calls you, there’s no reason they should have to ask you for personal information like your account number. They should already have that on file and easily accessible if they were planning to contact you. If this happens, it’s likely a scam. Hang […]

A scammer may reach out to you through a phone call or email and tell you they have a limited-time offer for a prepaid gift card or debit card. The offer might sound enticing — it could be a gift card worth more than they are asking you to pay. However, this is often a […]

Sometimes scammers will call your cell phone instead of sending emails. This is called vishing. A scammer may pretend to be a government official and tell you that you have unpaid taxes. They’ll likely then tell you that you have to pay them immediately or you will go to jail. Hang up — this is […]