Scams are evolving rapidly, with fraudsters using increasingly convincing methods to trick people both online and over the phone. From spoofed messages to psychological manipulation, understanding common scam techniques is one of your best defenses.

1. Pressure and Urgency

Scammers thrive on making you feel rushed. By saying you must act immediately — such as “your account will be suspended today” or “urgent action required” — they’re hoping you’ll react without thinking. Legitimate companies typically give ample notice and allow time for verification, so urgency without clear proof should raise suspicion.

2. Pretending to Be Trusted Organizations

Fraudsters often disguise themselves as familiar entities like banks, government agencies, or service providers. They may use fake logos, caller ID spoofing, or cloned emails to appear official. Before responding, verify the contact using official channels — don’t rely solely on what appears on your screen.

3. Requests for Unusual Payment Methods

A key warning sign of a scam is being asked to pay in ways that are difficult to trace. These include requests for:

• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Wire transfers
• Payment apps

Legitimate organizations won’t require these methods as the only form of payment.

4. Asking for Sensitive Personal Data

Scammers may try to harvest your personal or financial details by asking for things like:

• Social Security numbers
• Account logins
• One-time codes
• Credit or debit card information

Be highly cautious about unsolicited requests for this kind of data — reputable companies don’t usually ask for it unexpectedly.

5. Caller ID and Email Trickery

Modern tools make it easy for fraudsters to fake phone numbers and email senders so they appear legit. This technology means a familiar number doesn’t always guarantee a genuine caller. If you’re unsure, look up the official number and call back.

6. “Too Good to Be True” Offers

Scams often lure victims in with unrealistically generous deals — free upgrades, guaranteed refunds, huge prizes, or unexpected windfalls. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

7. Threats to Force Compliance

Fear is a powerful tactic. Scammers might threaten legal action, account shutdowns, or other negative consequences to scare you into complying. Real organizations don’t make these threats without giving you an opportunity to verify through official channels first.

8. Fake Technical “Support”

Fraudsters sometimes pose as tech support, claiming your device has a virus or urgent issue and offering to fix it — often installing malware or stealing information instead. Be cautious of unsolicited support calls or messages.

9. Phishing Messages

Phishing scams use fraudulent texts, emails, or links to trick you into giving up sensitive information. Look out for generic greetings, typos, or URLs that don’t match the real company website. If in doubt, type the official URL manually.

10. Emotional Manipulation

Some scammers prey on your emotions by impersonating friends, family members, or colleagues in distress — or by playing on your sympathy or excitement. These tactics aim to lower your guard and push you to act without verifying the situation.

How to Protect Yourself

Here are practical steps to stay safe:

• Take your time: Don’t rush just because someone tells you to.
• Verify independently: Use official websites or phone numbers to confirm claims.
• Never share sensitive info unless you initiated contact.
• Block and report suspicious callers or messages.
• Go with your instincts — if something feels off, trust that feeling.

Being informed and cautious makes it far harder for scammers to succeed.

At Shentel, our customers have been the target of a few of these scams. From customers being told that we are being acquired and going out of business and that they need to migrate their accounts to a competitor and ask to collect payment before the migration.

If you ever get a suspicious message or call claiming to be from Shentel, take a moment to independently confirm using official Shentel contact information or contact us at 1-800-SHENTEL. Always verify before acting.