Westchester Consumer Protection

Educate consumers, enforce consumer protection laws, inspect scales/gas stations/stores & license contractors.
914-995-2155 or [email protected]

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Scammers Tricks on Donations:
-Try to rush you to make donation
-Thank you for donation you never made
-Alter caller ID to look like local phone #
-Use similar names of real charities
-Make vague/sentimental claims without specifics on how donation is used.
PROTECT YOURSELF!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Some consumers use online services to get referrals for home improvement contractors, landscapers, plumbers & electricians, but be careful, they don't always refer LICENSED contractors - please use our website to ensure the contractor you hire is LICENSED. https://t.co/bez1jgTV0n

[IRStaxsecurity @IRStaxsecurity]

Defend your tax information from AI-generated phone schemes that impersonate the #IRS through robocalls, voice mimicry and spoofed caller IDs. Calls with threatening, prerecorded messages are scams. Hang up and report them: https://t.co/4tnQ8EkExd

[FTC @FTC]

Ignore calls, texts, and emails threatening to arrest you for missing jury duty: https://t.co/Y5fhyX5lKb

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

More advice when setting online passwords:
- At a minimum, you MUST use 8 characters mixed with upper & lower case letters + numbers.
- If you use 12 characters with mixture of upper & lower case letters, numbers & symbols (! or ?), it'll take hackers thousands of years to break!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Religious Group Scam in Area!
Scam uses fraudulent emails or texts asking parishioners to donate to local houses of worship - asking for cash or gift cards!
Don't respond - call house of worship to verify - don't click links - don't be rushed - always deliver donations directly!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Be Careful: WiFi hotspots aren't safe!
-Not safe like Home WiFi w/ passwords & encryption
- Hackers target free WiFi spots & see what you're doing on computer
- Only surf websites, don't enter any Login Info like Passwords
- Never check bank/financial sites
- Consider VPN

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

AVOID PHONE SCAMS: Don't let caller pressure you; verify caller's identity; if relative mentioned, call him or her to check; never wire money or send gift card/check/money order to anyone unless sure it's legit; and if in doubt call law enforcement or consumer protection office!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Don't trust an online pop up, email or text allegedly from Microsoft or Apple claiming there's a problem w/ your computer & to click link to fix it. It's usually a scam! Be careful w/ all links in unsolicited emails & texts - clicking links may let scammers into your computer!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

PASSWORD ADVICE:
- Use long string of characters, letters/numbers, try 12 or more characters
- Use upper case & special characters
- Try goofy words together which make no sense
- No birthday, graduation year or other personal dates
- No names or words that can trace back to you

[FTC @FTC]

A real FTC employee won’t text you their photo ID to “verify” their identity. But an FTC impersonator will. Report imposter scams at https://t.co/H7hyoLskRs

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Fake/scam texts & emails are going around pretending to be from US Postal Service, UPS, E-Z Pass or DMV - they're phishing attacks - fraudsters make these texts & emails appear to be coming from legitimate entity - if you get one - DELETE IT - don't click on link!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Sweepstakes Scams! -You're asked to pay something to get your prize - a fee or tax - but real Sweepstakes don't do this. -They ask you to pay by wiring money or sending gift card info (harder to track/can't get money back). -Don't give them bank or credit card info. Be careful!

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Stay Safe Online – Be Safe – Always Do This:
1) Lock down your login with strong passwords, a password manager & multi-factor authentication.
2) Back up your data regularly to the cloud or an external drive.
3) Antivirus software is worth it.
4) Update your software regularly.

[IRStaxsecurity @IRStaxsecurity]

Be on the lookout for phishing scams and other schemes that could put your sensitive tax data at risk. The #IRS shares these tips to help you stay safe: https://t.co/D2jdgjixVI

[Social Security OIG @TheSSAOIG]

🚨 Scam Smart Tip
Stay one step ahead of scammers.
#ScamSmart #FraudPrevention #SocialSecurity

[FTC @FTC]

The #TakeItDownAct requires platforms to give you a way to request that platforms quickly remove intimate images shared without your consent — within 48 hours. Report platforms that don’t comply: https://t.co/OrtONAfqnC

[IRStaxsecurity @IRStaxsecurity]

If you plan to support a cause, verify that you’re giving funds to a legitimate charity. An #IRS tool can help: https://t.co/jeEpIsDvN9 #HurricaneSeason

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

ADVICE TO AVOID SCAMS: Scammers try to pressure you into making quick/rash decisions. Stay calm! Refuse to be rushed! Don't respond to threats! If it's robocall from alleged Gov or Utility, usually it's best to HANG UP! Then you call the proper number & check if there is an issue

[Westchester Consumer Protection @WestConPro]

Be Careful When Setting Passwords:
-Create complex/unique passwords
-Change passwords routinely
-Use two-factor authentication
-Enable facial or fingerprint authentication
-Consider password manager
-Always have antivirus software
PROTECT YOURSELF: create hack-proof passwords!