FBI Omaha Offers Strategies to Beat Social Media Scams

Video Transcript

My name is Gene Kowel. I’m the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office. During the holiday season our social media sites are inundated with special promotions and contests. I imagine you’ve seen some of these. Be aware, some of these are scams targeting you and your bank account.

Beware of posts that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards. Often these are scams that ask you to participate in an online survey.  However, they are really designed to steal your personal information.

Be just as careful with your email. Don’t click on links contained in unsolicited email. Avoid filling out forms in email messages that ask for personal information.

Be cautious of email claiming to contain pictures in attached files. Those files could contain a virus. Only open attachments from known senders.

We all like to get holiday mail; just be cautious when it’s email that you were not expecting.

For more information on how to protect yourself, go to FBI.gov. If you think you have been the victim of a cyber-crime, call the FBI Omaha Field Office.