Unfortunately, scams are part of our daily lives. You're tired of sifting through phishing emails and deleting unknown text messages. And you're exhausted by ignoring robocallers warning you of a nonexistent expired warranty.

According to a survey of U.S. consumers age 18 or older, 29 percent report they have received a notification from a fraudulent source about a shipment. And robocalls comprised 40% of all calls in the U.S. in 2021.

Robocalls and robotexts are on the rise. Yet, the FCC commits to combatting unlawful robocalls and malicious caller ID spoofing. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says, "We're not going to stop until we get robocallers, spoofer and scammers off the line."

So, how do you protect yourself?

Here are tell-tale signs you've encountered a scam.

• Scammers pretend to be from an organization or person you know. Scammers pretend to contact you on behalf of government entities, utility companies and charities. Some scammers send a vague "How are you" text to get a reply.
• Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say you're in trouble with the government or you owe money. They may scare you into believing someone in your family had an emergency. Other scammers say you won money in a lottery.
• Scammers pressure you to act now. Scammers want you to act before you can think and may ask you not to hang up.
• Scammers request that you pay in a specific way. Scammers often insist you pay using cryptocurrency, wiring money, or sending gift cards.

Now that you know how to spot a scam, you can avoid one.

• Block unwanted calls and text messages. Block unwanted calls and filter unwanted text messages.
• Don't give your personal or financial information when you receive an unexpected request. Honest organizations won't contact you for your personal information, like your Social Security number or credit card number.
• Don't act immediately. Honest businesses will allow you to have time to make a decision.
• Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before doing anything, tell a friend or family member. Talking about an incident could help you realize it is a scam.

Report scams to the FTC.

PTCI offers cybersecurity workshops to help keep you informed of scams and potential threats. We also provide ProtectIQ included in our Whole Home WiFi. This solution prevents intrusions from hackers and malware on your WiFi network and connected devices.

To learn more about Whole Home WiFi and ProtectIQ or upcoming cybersecurity workshops, call us at 800-562-2556, or click the chat bubble.