- Criminals use call-spoofing to mislead victims. Don't assume that phone numbers appearing on your call display are accurate
- If you receive a suspicious or odd message from a trusted friend, contact them through a different means of communication to confirm that it's actually them
- If you get an unsolicited email or text asking you to click a link or open an attachment – don't do it
- If contacted by a company, don't use the contact information provided in the message. Look up the legitimate contact information elsewhere and contact it directly
- Use reputable service providers located in your area
- Locate and verify the service provider's contact information–address, phone number, email–before paying for the service
- Be wary of letters offering you an inheritance. These letters will often claim to come from lawyers or accountants
- If you receive or letter claiming you've won a free prize, know that you are not required to pay up front fees to collect winnings
- Learn more tips and tricks for protecting yourself
If you suspect you've been the victim of cybercrime or fraud report it to your local police and to the CAFC's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. If not a victim, report it to the CAFC anyway.