Financial Wellness • Mercer County, WV • 4 / 4

Protecting Your Money • Mercer County, WV

Scammers are everywhere. Knowing common tricks helps you stay safe.

Common Scams

• Advance-fee fraud: You may get phone calls saying that you have to pay someone to get approved for a grant or a loan.
• These are likely scams and you should hang up and report the number to your mobile carrier.
• Predatory lending: Lenders sometimes charge very high fees and interest and target people with low credit scores. Always compare offers.
• Impersonation scams: You may get phone calls where people say things like "I am from the IRS" or "I’m calling from your bank."
• These scammers may ask for personal info or money. Real agencies would never call asking for your passwords.
• Payday loan traps: Payday loans promise "fast cash" but have hidden fees and high interest.
• Identity theft: this is when someone uses your name, social security number, or credit card info to open accounts, make purchases, or commit other fraud.

• Monitor your accounts: Check your bank and credit card accounts weekly. Set up alerts.
• Use strong passwords: Mix letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not reuse passwords.