12 Jun Don’t Be a Money Mule
Criminals are crafty. They use elaborate stories and false identities to gain trust and create money mules. A money mule is someone that criminals use to launder illegally obtained money. This can be done by using bank accounts, checks, money orders and or wire transfers.
To keep yourself and your personal information safe, be aware of these common money mule scams, and check out the list of things we advise never doing to safeguard yourself even more.
“Too Good to be True” Employment Scams
With the rise of people searching for remote job positions has come a rise in job position scams. These scams may look like a legitimate job offer; however, they are often used to gain access to people’s bank account information.
These jobs will have you go through a quick interview process, and then hire you, pending a requirement for you to purchase certain equipment, provide your bank information to transfer money, or agree to a position that is purely to open accounts utilized to receive and or send money.
Through these actions, scammers are able to either launder money or steal yours. If you, or anyone you know, are looking for empoloyment, be on the lookout for career openings that seem too good to be true, or require your banking information prior to your hire.
Romance Scams
Another common area of online scamming used to create money mules is dating apps and websites. While some get lucky and do meet the love of their life by swiping right, online dating platforms are a common place for catfishers.
A catfisher is someone that creates an online profile using false information to pose as another person. Catfishers then convince their victims to send bank information, request money for an emergency, or even claim to need financial help because they are stationed overseas or live in a different country.
If you do utilize online dating platforms, beware of catfishers, and never send money to anyone you do not know online.
Protect Yourself from Becoming a Money Mule
- never share personal information
- never respond to offers to earn money quickly and/or easily
- never respond to winning anything you did not register for
- never open joint accounts with a stranger
- never accept personal/business checks or money orders sent to you by a stranger
- never send money on behalf of or receive money from a stranger
Money mule scams are everywhere. If you are suspicious of a scam, talk through the request with a trusted family member or contact your financial institution for guidance.
For more information on how to keep yourself cyber-safe, please visit https://unisonbank.com/security-tips.
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