The “Nigerian Prince” email scam has been around a long time. Most people quickly delete those emails, but if you are not aware of this internet ploy, let me describe it. A criminal will send you an email claiming to be a Nigerian prince with millions of dollars he needs to transfer out of his country. If you will simply loan him $5,000 to cover international banking transfer fees, he will share his vast fortune with you.
Unfortunately, some folks fall for this con, thinking, “Wow, if I loan this prince five grand now, he’ll give me a million dollars next week!” Law enforcement officials estimate over $700,000 are stolen each year from gullible citizens this way.
Unfortunately, some folks fall for this con, thinking, “Wow, if I loan this prince five grand now, he’ll give me a million dollars next week!” Law enforcement officials estimate over $700,000 are stolen each year from gullible citizens this way.
This particular email scam plays on people’s greed. There are other scams that are even more insidious, which play on people’s fears or their sense of altruism.
Some criminals will impersonate IRS agents, either by email or telephone. They accuse the unsuspecting citizens of owing back taxes and then threaten them with arrest by the end of the day if they do not settle the debt immediately. Being marched out of your home in handcuffs by a team of federal agents is not exactly the kind of snapshot you want to post on Facebook or Instagram. And it definitely would make for a lousy Christmas card photo.
So, filled with fear and panic, far too many people scramble to pay the back taxes. In the process, they lose sight of the fact that in all the years they’ve filed tax returns and paid tax bills they never once were required to wire a money order to a post office box in San Diego.
This scam is most effective with those who are honest and law-abiding, and who always pay their bills on time. Other people are immune to this scam, those who reply to the fake IRS agent by saying, “Oh, you’re gonna arrest me today for back taxes? Get in line, pal, right behind the power company, the car loan company, and my landlord!” He then hangs up and mutters, “I’m surprised my phone hasn’t been disconnected yet.”
Some criminals will impersonate IRS agents, either by email or telephone. They accuse the unsuspecting citizens of owing back taxes and then threaten them with arrest by the end of the day if they do not settle the debt immediately. Being marched out of your home in handcuffs by a team of federal agents is not exactly the kind of snapshot you want to post on Facebook or Instagram. And it definitely would make for a lousy Christmas card photo.
So, filled with fear and panic, far too many people scramble to pay the back taxes. In the process, they lose sight of the fact that in all the years they’ve filed tax returns and paid tax bills they never once were required to wire a money order to a post office box in San Diego.
This scam is most effective with those who are honest and law-abiding, and who always pay their bills on time. Other people are immune to this scam, those who reply to the fake IRS agent by saying, “Oh, you’re gonna arrest me today for back taxes? Get in line, pal, right behind the power company, the car loan company, and my landlord!” He then hangs up and mutters, “I’m surprised my phone hasn’t been disconnected yet.”
Another scam involves emails seemingly sent from someone you know. However, the crooks have hacked his or her email account and are sending their sneaky scheme to everyone in the address book. This one plays on our instinct to help friends in need. The email usually tells a tale of woe, describing a financial jam and requesting a little help, always with the promise to pay it all back right away.
But here’s the big red flag: this email scam almost always requests that you use gift cards to transfer the money.
I almost got sucked in on a scam like this a while ago. But the email message, supposedly from a friend, started out with “Hi William.” Nobody calls me William except my mother when I’m in trouble, so I knew something was fishy. Then when he requested that I buy $400 worth of Amazon gift cards and email him the serial numbers on the back of the cards, I knew the whole thing was bogus.
But here’s the big red flag: this email scam almost always requests that you use gift cards to transfer the money.
I almost got sucked in on a scam like this a while ago. But the email message, supposedly from a friend, started out with “Hi William.” Nobody calls me William except my mother when I’m in trouble, so I knew something was fishy. Then when he requested that I buy $400 worth of Amazon gift cards and email him the serial numbers on the back of the cards, I knew the whole thing was bogus.
So, here’s a summary: the IRS or Social Security never request money or personal information over the phone; they always communicate with written letters via US Mail. And if someone sends an email requesting gift cards, you can be sure it’s a criminal trying to steal from you.
Even, for example, if your college-age son sends you an email in early December requesting a gift card for a Christmas present, just to be safe you should immediately report him to the police as an online thief. Unless, of course, he is a Nigerian prince.
Even, for example, if your college-age son sends you an email in early December requesting a gift card for a Christmas present, just to be safe you should immediately report him to the police as an online thief. Unless, of course, he is a Nigerian prince.
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