Protecting Against Fraud: A Guide for Healthcare Educators

 

Martin Li, M.A., CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL

Why did I write this article?

I have a healthcare colleague who got caught in a scam and fraud call, losing a significant amount of money. Scams and fraud are increasingly prevalent, affecting millions each year. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021, marking a 70% increase from the previous year, with imposter scams and online marketplace scams as the top offenders (FTC, 2021). As healthcare educators, it’s crucial to understand and convey the importance of recognizing and preventing scams, not only for personal safety but also to protect the sensitive information of patients and colleagues. This article outlines common scams and offers practical tips to identify and avoid them.

Common Scams and Practical Tips 

1. Impersonation Scams Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Scammers may use AI to impersonate a loved one or someone you know, claiming they are in danger and need money immediately. This sophisticated approach can be highly convincing, exploiting emotional vulnerabilities.

Tip: Establish a "safe word" known only to close family members and be wary of urgent requests for money, especially if asked to use untraceable means like wire transfers or gift cards (FTC, 2021).

2. Romance Scams

Romance scammers establish online relationships and then make emotional pleas for money, often through payment apps, wire transfers, or gift cards.

  Tip: Be vigilant about requests for money from someone you recently met online, particularly if the request is for untraceable methods (FBI, 2021).

3. Tax Season Scams

Scammers pose as government officials, claiming you owe money or are due a refund, and request account information.

 Tip: The IRS does not contact taxpayers via email, text, or social media for personal or financial information. Always verify requests through official channels (IRS, 2021).

4. Rental Scams

Scammers may take over rental listings or create fake ones, tricking you into sending money for properties that don’t exist.

 Tip: Be cautious if the listing is vague, the photos have watermarks, or the rent seems too low. Conduct thorough research before making payments without a signed contract or lease (FTC, 2021).

5. Bank Imposter Scams

Scammers pose as your bank, claiming fraud on your account and instructing you to move your money.

How it works:

• Initial Contact: Scammers contact you pretending to be your bank, claiming there is fraudulent activity on your account. This often starts with a text or email, followed by a phone call from the “fraud department” (Bank of America, 2021).
• Deceptive Instructions: They instruct you to move your money to a "safe" account or a "new card," which actually belongs to the scammer.
• Money Sent to Scammer: Once the transfer is made, your money is gone and recovery is unlikely.

 Tip: Banks will never ask you to transfer money to anyone, including yourself, via unexpected texts or calls. Always verify such requests directly with your bank using official contact information (Bank of America, 2021).

6. Multi-Step Scams

Scammers use a phased approach, combining different scam types to build trust and make their scams more convincing.

Steps Involved:

• Tech Support Scam: Impersonators claim to be from tech support, stating your computer has been hacked. They request remote access to your computer to "resolve" the issue and ask you to log into online banking (Microsoft, 2021).
• Bank Imposter: You then receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, warning of fraud and instructing you to move money to a "safe account."
• Government Imposter: A third imposter poses as a government official to confirm the transaction, often providing fake emails or letters for legitimacy.

 Tip: Never download software or provide remote access to anyone you don't know. Banks will not request such actions over the phone (FTC, 2021).

Conclusion

Awareness and education are key defenses against scams and fraud. By understanding common fraud tactics and knowing how to respond, healthcare educators can protect themselves and their organizations. Remember, knowledge is a powerful defense against fraud.

References:

1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2021). New Data Shows FTC Received 2.8 Million Fraud Reports from Consumers in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/02/new-data-shows-ftc-received-28-million-fraud-reports-consumers-2021
2. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). (2021). Romance Scams. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams
3. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (2021). IRS Warns of Scams. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-of-scams
4. Bank of America. (2021). Protect Yourself from Fraud. Retrieved from https://www.bankofamerica.com/security-center/avoid-scams/
5. Microsoft. (2021). Protect Yourself from Tech Support Scams. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/tech-support-scams

(These references provide a foundation for understanding and preventing scams, reinforcing the importance of vigilance and informed decision-making.)