Phishing, Robocalls, Scams, and Spam

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by: Carolyn D. Pauling PhD RN

04/17/2023

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Parish Nurse/ Health Ministry  

“…let us not [only] love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18    

    Unsolicited phone calls and emails seem to be abundant these days.  At least once a day I get an unsolicited phone call and more than one email from unknown or unsolicited email addresses.  These are from individuals who are attempting to phish, scam, spam to get personal information or financial information from me.  They often are promising a great deal. 

Recognize the four basic signs:

     1.  Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration or Medicare.  They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.

     2.  Scammers mention a problem, a deal,  or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.  Or that you will be receiving a new Medicare or insurance card; needing you to verify your number.

     3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.

      4. Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

       These individuals or groups of individuals are looking to threaten your financial and mental health.  In order to preserve both, here are some tips: 

      1.  If you do not recognize the phone number or name, don’t answer or hang-up. 

      2.  Neither the Social Security Administration or Medicare will call you. 

      3.  DO NOT give out personal information such as birth date, Social Security number or Medicare number. 

      4.  Do not open suspicious emails, delete them.

      5.  If you have a tech-savvy teenager available, have them put a spam blocker on your phone or advertising blocker on your email. 

      6.  If you receive an email telling you a Venmo or PayPal account has been credited with an unexpected amount, do not open the email, or respond. 

     You can protect your financial and mental health. Do not let these individuals ruin your day(s).  The Real Deal was born on Christmas Eve; He was crucified, died, and buried on Good Friday;  and rose again on Easter morning. Alleluia!

Parish Nurse, 

Carolyn D. Pauling PhD RN

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Parish Nurse/ Health Ministry  

“…let us not [only] love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18    

    Unsolicited phone calls and emails seem to be abundant these days.  At least once a day I get an unsolicited phone call and more than one email from unknown or unsolicited email addresses.  These are from individuals who are attempting to phish, scam, spam to get personal information or financial information from me.  They often are promising a great deal. 

Recognize the four basic signs:

     1.  Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration or Medicare.  They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.

     2.  Scammers mention a problem, a deal,  or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.  Or that you will be receiving a new Medicare or insurance card; needing you to verify your number.

     3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.

      4. Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

       These individuals or groups of individuals are looking to threaten your financial and mental health.  In order to preserve both, here are some tips: 

      1.  If you do not recognize the phone number or name, don’t answer or hang-up. 

      2.  Neither the Social Security Administration or Medicare will call you. 

      3.  DO NOT give out personal information such as birth date, Social Security number or Medicare number. 

      4.  Do not open suspicious emails, delete them.

      5.  If you have a tech-savvy teenager available, have them put a spam blocker on your phone or advertising blocker on your email. 

      6.  If you receive an email telling you a Venmo or PayPal account has been credited with an unexpected amount, do not open the email, or respond. 

     You can protect your financial and mental health. Do not let these individuals ruin your day(s).  The Real Deal was born on Christmas Eve; He was crucified, died, and buried on Good Friday;  and rose again on Easter morning. Alleluia!

Parish Nurse, 

Carolyn D. Pauling PhD RN

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