Living in the digital age has many benefits, including increased communication
and better access to information, but such opportunities also make it
easier for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting people.
Southeast Georgia Health System encourages the community to remain vigilant against online and phone scams.
To protect yourself against those who may attempt to steal your money
or identity, be sure to practice safe online and phone etiquette.
Signs that it’s a scam:
1.
Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, such as Southeast
Georgia Health System or your physician’s office. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller
ID, so the name and number you see might not be real. If you recognize
the phone number or the person identifies themselves as calling from a
business you’re familiar with, but you suspect it may be a scam,
don’t provide them with your personal or financial information.
Hang up and call the business yourself to confirm they’re legitimate.
2.Scammers say there’s a problem or a prize. They might say you’re in trouble with the government, you owe money
or that someone in your family had an emergency. Some scammers claim that
you’ve won a prize, and to claim it, you must provide personal and
private information. Resist the pressure to act immediately. Legitimate
businesses will give you time to make a decision.
3.
Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer
company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number
on the back. Resist giving them personal information or money in any form.
Legitimate organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your
personal and private information.
If you were scammed, or think you saw a scam, report it to the Federal
Trade Commission:
reportfraud.ftc.gov.