Scammers use different tricks to steal your personal information, get you to click on bad links, or send them money. It's important to stay alert and protect yourself. Here’s how you can spot and block scams in text messages, calls, and websites:
Signs of Text Message Scams
- Messages saying you won a prize, owe money, or need to act right away.
- Links that look suspicious or ask for personal information.
- Messages from unknown or strange numbers, especially with offers that seem too good to be true.
How to Protect Yourself From Text Scams
- Don't Click, Don't Trust: Avoid clicking on links or replying to suspicious messages.
- Verify, Don't Guess: Contact the company directly using trusted contact details.
- Report Suspicious Messages: Report scam messages to your phone carrier or relevant authorities.
- Use Trend Micro ScamCheck SMS Filter: Block potential scam messages and prevent phishing attempts.
Signs of Phone Call Scams
- Calls claiming to be from a government agency, bank, or tech support, demanding immediate action or payment.
- Unsolicited offers for loans, prizes, or “free” services that require payment upfront.
- Unknown numbers or caller IDs that appear suspicious or spoofed.
How to Protect Yourself From Phone Call Scams
- Don't share personal information over the phone unless you’re sure of the caller’s identity.
- Hang up immediately if the caller pressures you to make urgent decisions.
- Verify the caller by contacting the organization directly using known, trusted phone numbers.
- Use Trend Micro ScamCheck Call Block: Filter spam calls and block numbers known for scam activity.
Signs of Website Scams
- Websites that look unprofessional or have spelling/grammar errors.
- Pages offering deals that seem too good to be true, especially those asking for payment via unusual methods (e.g., gift cards, wire transfers).
- Requests for personal information or payment upfront for services that seem suspicious.
How to Protect Yourself From Website Scams
- Don't enter personal details on unfamiliar or suspicious websites.
- Check the website link: Ensure it uses “https” and shows a secure padlock symbol.
- Report unsafe websites to your browser or security provider for further action.
- Use Trend Micro ScamCheck Web Guard: Turn it on to automatically block unsafe websites and protect against phishing and other threats.
Stay Safe with Trend Micro ScamCheck
For added protection, use Trend Micro ScamCheck's powerful features: SMS Filter to block scam messages, Call Block to filter out fraudulent calls, and Web Guard to protect against malicious websites.
Stay one step ahead of scammers by verifying links, phone numbers, and messages, while keeping your personal information safe from online threats.