99.9% sure I have someone trying to scam me but have a few questions [closed]

How do you tell if you’re talking to a scammer?

Common online scam signs

1. Tries to gain trust. An online scam will often try to gain your trust in some way. …
2. Emotional. Act now or the IRS will place a lien against your home. …
3. Asks for action. …
4. Unexpected contact. …
5. Asks for personal info. …
6. Overpays you. …
7. Promises something. …
8. Wire transfer request.

Can I be scammed by answering my phone?

If you answer your phone and hear a recorded message instead of a real person speaking, you are listening to a robocall. Some robocalls provide useful information, such as appointment reminders or flight cancellations. Mostly, though, they are trying to sell you something, and many of them are scams.

What to do if you suspect a scammer?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET).

How do you outsmart a catfish?

Here are five tips for outsmarting a catfish:

1. Research them. …
2. Ask them to meet face-to-face. …
3. Don’t fall for very early romance signs. …
4. Don’t offer the person money. …
5. Don’t share your personal data.

What are the characteristics of a scammer?

Most scams share some similar characteristics:

• A sense of urgency. …
• The offer is too good to be true. …
• Unconventional payment methods. …
• They contact you. …
• You are asked to keep matters secret.

Can a scammer use your voice?

In voice phishing—or “vishing”—scams, callers impersonate legitimate companies to steal money and personal and financial information. And these scams are on the rise. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission reports that 77 percent of its fraud complaints involve contact with consumers by telephone.

What if a scammer has my phone number?

By having your cell number, a scammer could trick caller ID systems and get into your financial accounts or call financial institutions that use your phone number to identify you. Once the scammer convinces your carrier to port out your number, you may never get it back.

What are three signs that you are being catfished?

8 Signs You Are Being Catfished

• Avoiding (video) calls. …
• No online presence (on other platforms) …
• Very few friends or followers. …
• A very recently created profile. …
• “Professional” pictures. …
• Stolen pictures. …
• Asking for money. …
• Asking for explicit pictures or videos.

What do you do if you suspect a catfish?

How to Confront a Catfish

1. Step 1: Do a Little Research to Support your Hypothesis. …
2. Step 2: Take Your Last Shot Then Cut Your Losses. …
3. Step 3: Block them and Report Them. …
4. Step 4: Change any Pertinent Information They May Have. …
5. Step 5: Report The Scammer to Action Fraud or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Do Catfishers use WhatsApp?

Catfish will try and move the conversation onto a different platform, usually something like WhatsApp, Kik or email, for a few reasons. Scammers know that anti-scam technology software on the sites will likely pick up trends in conversation and shut down the profile.

How do you know if you’re being Catfished on WhatsApp?

Here’s what to look out for if you think you might be getting catfished.

1. They refuse to video chat with you. …
2. They can never send you a selfie in the moment. …
3. They won’t talk on the phone with you. …
4. They always have a reason they can’t meet up in person. …
5. The people you trust in your life seem suspicious.

Can you get hacked through WhatsApp?

Well to answer it in simple terms; WhatsApp has been hacked in the past, and there are many ways to hack WhatsApp now, but not all of them are legitimate. However, it is safe to say that the app uses end-to-end encryption on your messages, so they can’t be intercepted on their way.

How do I know if my WhatsApp is being spied on?

Go to WhatsApp Web and check the list of all open sessions. This will let you see all the devices that are connected to your WhatsApp. If you are seeing a message ” This phone could not be verified”, it means your WhatsApp has been accessed by an unknown device also.

Can someone hack your phone with just your phone number?

Hopefully this has helped put your mind at ease that when it comes to whether or not someone can hack your device just with your number – the answer is a resounding NO!

Can someone hack my phone by texting me a photo?

Android phones can get infected by merely receiving a picture via text message, according to research published Monday. This is likely the biggest smartphone flaw ever discovered. It affects an estimated 950 million phones worldwide — about 95% of the Androids in use today.

Can someone read my text messages from their phone?

Reading Text Messages Secretly

You can read text messages on any phone, be it Android or iOS, without the knowledge of the target user. All you need is a phone spy service for it. Such services are not rare nowadays. There are so many apps that advertise phone spying solutions with top-notch services.

Can someone steal your information through a text?

Smishing is when fraudsters use text messaging to impersonate a trusted organization and steal your identifying information, such as your Social Security number, account usernames and passwords, bank account information or credit card numbers.

Can you get scammed by opening a text message?

Can You Get Scammed by Opening a Text Message? You can’t get scammed just by opening a spam text, so long as you don’t reply, click on links or share any personal information.

What happens if you text a scammer back?

Responding to the text message can allow malware to be installed that will silently collect personal information from your phone. Imagine what an identity thief could do with the information from an online banking or credit card management app.

How do I know if my phone has malware?

Signs of malware may show up in the following ways:

1. Your phone is too slow.
2. Apps take longer to load.
3. The battery drains faster than expected.
4. There are too many pop-up ads.
5. Your phone has apps that you don’t remember downloading.
6. Unexplained data usage and large phone bills.

What does a phishing text look like?

Phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust. They may look like they’re from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store.

What happens if a scammer has your email?

If the hacker gets access to a work email account, it could be devastating for the company. Any sensitive financial details, company login information, or passwords to physical locks are all visible to the hacker. This information allows them to perform digital or physical theft on the business.

What action is required when you receive a suspicious email?

Delete it immediately to prevent yourself from accidentally opening the message in the future. Do not download any attachments accompanying the message. Attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms or spyware. Never click links that appear in the message.