At TechCare Northeast, we help our community stay safe, informed, and confident online.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated every day, and anyone — no matter their age or experience — can become a target. The good news? With awareness and the right steps, you can protect yourself and those you care about.
Pause. Verify. Stay Vigilant.
🟡 Pause
Scammers try to make you act fast. They’ll say things like “urgent,” “immediate,” or “your account will be locked.”
Take a moment to stop and think. Does the message seem unusual or rushed? Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.
🟢 Verify
Before you send money, share a code, or click a link, verify the request.
Call the company or person directly using a phone number you know is real — such as the one on your card, statement, or their official website. Never trust a number or link sent in a suspicious message.
🔵 Stay Vigilant
Talk with friends and family about new scams or strange messages. Scammers count on silence — when we share our experiences, we help protect everyone.
🌍 Common Scams We’re Seeing in Our Community
✈️ Travel Scams
Scammers may pretend to be from a travel agency or government office and offer to “expedite” your passport or travel benefits for a fee.
Stay safe: Only use official websites for renewals or travel programs. Avoid clicking links sent by text or email.
🏠 Rental Scams
You find the perfect apartment or vacation rental — but it’s too good to be true. Scammers copy real listings and change the contact info to collect deposits.
Stay safe: Search the address online and compare listings. Be cautious if rent seems unusually low or the “owner” pushes you to pay with gift cards or wire transfers.
🎟️ Ticket Scams
Fake tickets for concerts or sports events are common.
Stay safe: Always buy through verified sellers or official resale platforms. Avoid “too-good-to-be-true” offers and sellers who pressure you to pay immediately.
💻 Wi-Fi and Device Scams
Public Wi-Fi and USB charging ports at airports or hotels can expose your data.
Stay safe: Use your phone’s data plan instead of public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like banking. Plug into a wall outlet, not a USB charging port, when charging your device in public.
🧩 What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
First — don’t feel embarrassed. Scammers are experts at manipulation, and anyone can be fooled. What matters most is acting quickly.
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately using the number on your card or statement. Ask for the fraud department.
- Change your passwords for all important accounts.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone or email).
- Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit with these agencies:
- Experian — Experian.com / (888) 397-3742
- TransUnion — TransUnion.com / (800) 680-7289
- Equifax — Equifax.com / (888) 766-0008
- Report the scam to your local police and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
🤝 TechCare Northeast Is Here to Help
If you or someone you know needs help spotting, preventing, or recovering from a scam, we offer:
- One-on-one scam prevention training for seniors and families.
- Digital safety check-ups for computers, smartphones, and Wi-Fi networks.
- Community workshops at libraries and senior centers on staying secure online.
You don’t have to face it alone — together, we can make our community safer, smarter, and more connec
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