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10 | SUN CITY CORE COURIER | SEPTEMBER 2024 | Submitted by EC Reports are that people are getting CLONED, NOT HACKED, on Facebook. It is alleged that changing your password does NOTHING. Accounts that are cloned use one of your pictures and your name to create a "new" Facebook account (they don't need your password to do this). They then request your friends to add them to their accounts. Your friends may think that it's you and accept your request. From that point on, they can write what they want under your name. Please DO NOT accept a new 'friend request' from anyone without checking with them first. If it is not someone you know, then REPORT AND BLOCK the new request. BEWARE OF NEW FACEBOOK FRIEND REQUESTS By Chief Chris Karrer, Menifee Police Department If there's one thing for certain, it's that scammers never stop. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nationwide fraud losses reached over $10 billion in 2023. This was a 14 percent increase in losses reported from the prior year. However, this does not mean you have to fall victim to fraud. Here are some things you can do to help keep your finances safe. The Social Security Administration recognizes that while scams can come in a variety of forms, there are five basic signs for you to be aware of: 1. Scammers will often pretend to be from an organization or agency you know or trust. 2. Scammers will pretend to be people you know. 3. Scammers usually say there is an issue or claim there is a prize. 4. Scammers then pressure you to act immediately. 5. Scammers tell you to make a payment in a specific way to solve the problem or accept the prize. While these scammers can be extremely tricky, it is important to keep in mind that agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, will not threaten you with arrest, suspend your Social Security number, threaten to seize your bank account, directly message you on social media, or ask you to pay with things like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency if you do not pay them immediately. It is important to always be cautious with personal information, which includes limiting who you share that information with. Avoid sharing your Social Security number, credit or debit card details, or passwords. Keep important documents like bank statements, passports, and tax returns in a safe place, and shred sensitive documents before disposing of them. Additionally, secure your devices and protect your online presence to help limit the amount of information you are sharing with strangers and potential scammers. To do so, avoid using common passwords or the same password for multiple accounts, review your privacy settings to ensure strangers cannot access your information, limit the type of information being shared online, and be wary of unusual requests on social media. Finally, it is vital that you monitor your financial accounts, including checking statements regularly and setting up alerts from your bank to be notified of suspicious activity. Always report fraudulent activity immediately to your bank and police department. If you receive a suspicious call, text, email, or piece of mail claiming to be from a government agency or specific organization, it is important that you remain calm, hang up or ignore the message, do not click on attachments or links, protect your money and your information, and report the scam. If someone contacts you and you are suspicious in any way, get in touch with a family member you trust or call the police department before you send any money or other forms of payment. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, please call the Menifee Police Department's Non-Emergency line at (951) 677-4964. Chief 's Corner: How to Avoid Fraud

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