Frauds have different faces and they can happen anytime and anywhere. Whether it is asking out personal information online, giving you service and asking more money, or promising you with assistance after asking for some payment — falling prey to these frauds can be inevitable. Each year, many people fall prey to fraud as crooks become cleverer in each passing year, that they can even utilize technology and integrate it with their old tricks to get people to give out personal information or send money.

This becomes crucial especially when you are doing business, and you trust a stranger to do the paperwork and working the permit. Make sure that you hire legitimate companies when to do the building permits Miami. The same also applies when you hire a runner to do your property title, or when you hire a property manager for your rental buildings.

Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

1.Be skeptical about free trial offers

Some companies have the habit of enticing you with their “free trial” promo or you to sign up for services and products and bill you monthly or yearly after the free trial expires and until you cancel. Before you get enticed, research the company and their cancellation policy, and when you sign up, always review your monthly statements of charges and be vigilant for unfamiliar charges.

2.Spot them

The scammer has this behavioral pattern of pretending they can be someone you can trust such as family, government officer, a charity, or someone you can do business with. When you get an unexpected request form e-mail, calls, and text, do not aggressively agree and send out cash. Research and spot them.

3. Do some online research

Research the person of the company and look for reviews, reported scams, complaints, and news, and you may be surprised that the company offering you help and/or money is listed there.

You can also search using the phrase that describes your situation or the phone numbers and find people who have reported the number calling or texting you.

4.Spot the robocalls

When someone calls and you to hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report it to the FTC, as this kind of call is illegal and are oftentimes frauds and bogus. Also, avoid pressing the number 1 that could lead to more calls.

5. Talk to someone you trust

Before you send out cash, talk to someone close to you to have some advice and see the situation from a third-person perspective. Scammers want their victims to make decisions as fast as possible to avoid complications on their side. So, as a counterattack, slow down and be decisive by asking help.

6.Sign up for free scam alert from the FTC

You can sign up for a free account and get free tips and advice from the FTC at ftc.gov/scams. They will send you free tips and advice right directly into your inbox.

Takeaway

If you are feeling hesitant about an all, text, or an e-mail, do not be passive and report it immediately at http://www.ftc.gov/complaint to help stop scammers victimizing other people other than yourself.