Protect your info from scammers on social media

First, thank you for paying attention to our Wallet Warnings. We were able to prevent a woman from falling for a lottery scam because she saw our March Wallet Warning. Here's hoping this April one has an even bigger impact.

Do you know how many people in the Midsouth fall for government grant scams?

In just the last year, 93 people in our area have reported being conned in government grant scams resulting in losses of $133,755.

Once again, the Midsouth accounts for 8% of all nationwide reports and 24% of the total nationwide monetary loss ($559,981.09). Our neighbors continue to be targeted.

People have been victimized by government grant scams for years. Most recently, scammers pose as the government and claim to be giving grants to help people with everyday expenses.

How the grant scams work

Scammers impersonate government officials and use the names of official government agencies, like the Department of Health and Human Services or use official-sounding names like “Grant Connect” or “Government Grants Office.” Victims are told they can get a free government grant to pay for home repairs, medical bills, reducing debt, and more recently - for help with inflation and gas prices.

You might receive a direct message from a Facebook “friend” detailing how you can receive a “free” grant and the overall process. Perhaps you saw a posting online promising “free money from the government”. Or you may even receive a phone call claiming the government are awarding “free grants” to eligible citizens. If you respond to the pitch, they'll ask you to get a gift card, make a wire transfer, or pay via Bitcoin the processing fees for the grant. They may also say they need your Social Security number to verify your identification. They now have the personal and financial information they need for identity theft.

Social media has become the most common way government grant scammers scout for victims, according to our partners at the Better Business Bureau's 2021 Scam Tracker Risk Report.

Victims are told they must pay an upfront “fee” in order to receive the grant money. Two recent examples happened to seniors, one who was a veteran.

The first was a woman who received a Facebook Messenger message from someone posing as an agent for the Department of Human Services. The scammer asked if she had received her DHS money to help with rising prices of food and gas. He claimed it was a government grant established to help disabled seniors with rising costs. She lost $1,200 trying to get a $50,000 grant. The BBB has had 11 reports in the last month from seniors. The total loss was $7,000.

The second example was a US army veteran who received a phone call saying he was being awarded $20,000 in appreciation for his service. They asked him for $400 in electronic gift cards. He complied and that money was lost to him.

Of course, we and our partners at the Better Business Bureau have some great tips to help avoid falling prey to these scammers:

h If someone asks you to send money to receive money, it's a scam.

h The government doesn't send unsolicited messages regarding grants. h Government grants don't require fees. h Grants usually have a lengthy application and follow up process.

h Don't believe everything you read on social media or particularly messaging sites, even if the message appears to be from someone you know and trust - especially if it involves receiving or sending money.

h Don't automatically accept new social media friend requests from names you recognize without first verifying that the person isn't already on your “friend” list. If he/she is, it could be a sign that his/her account has been hacked.

h Use the account privacy settings on your social media accounts to make your posts and photos available to only those you approve.

h Report scams and scam attempts to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.

h If you're asked to pay using a gift card, bitcoin, or peer to peer payment app to claim a prize, get a grant, or pay taxes, it's a scam every time.

h Remember that government agencies don't call people on an unsolicited basis and threaten arrest, suspension of benefits, or other dire consequences if personal information isn't provided or a payment made in some unusual fashion.

h Be cautious about what you share on social media. Imposters often get information about their targets from their online interactions, and can make themselves sound like a friend or family member because they know so much about you.

h Finally, update and change passwords on a regular basis on all online accounts.

If you have heard of scams you would like us to share in our Wallet Warnings, please call us at (901) 222-0206. The Shelby County Trustee's Office takes care of the County's money and we want to help you take care of yours.

Avoid scams and consumer cons and the financial hardships caused by them.

Regina Morrison Newman is the Shelby County Trustee.

STOCKCAM / GETTY IMAGES People have been victimized by government grant scams for years. Most recently, scammers pose as the government and claim to be giving grants to help people with everyday expenses.