If Someone Says, 'You Must Pay, or Else,' It's Likely a Scam. Ways to Protect Yourself

Have you received a text saying you owe money for driving through atoll booth and not paying?

Then you’ve been exposed to an infamous “you owe money” scam.

You also may have a lot of bills (who doesn’t?

), which can make these scams seem credible.

Watch out for these “you owe money” scams.

But if any toll company asks you for money, it’s almost certainly a scam.

If they ask for personal information, like yourSocial Security number, it’s definitely a scam.

If you see the text and think it’s legit, you might quickly pay.

After all, it’s only $5 and lets you avoid being charged $50, for example.

Fake trash pickup scam

This scamhappened in Detroitin February but could seemingly happen anywhere.

Look up the company’s contact information yourself.

Even then, be extra careful to double check the url of the webpage you land on.

Scammers aren’t above putting up fake websites that look like a real company, using a similar URL.

“Scammers use slight differences to trick your eye and gain your trust,” Jenkins said.

you might check with the company’s official website to find out how they may communicate with you.

This has beenhappening a lot in Las Vegas.

And it happened inFlorida.

OK, it happens a lot.

Some of these cons look pretty authentic, using the names of real judges and addresses of real courthouses.

But this is a scam.

It’s extremely unlikely you’ll be tossed in the clink and experience financial ruin for missing jury duty.

Lots of courthouses nowpost warnings on their websitesnot to fall for a jury duty scam.

There are a lot of different types of debt collection scams.

Thegeneric kindsclaim you owe money on acredit cardorpayday loanfrom years ago.

And if you believe the person is really a debt collector, you might stay in touch with them.

It’s important to be educated and stay vigilant of scammers."

you’ve got the option to find out from them if you actually have an outstanding debt.

But if scammers contact you anyway, insisting you owe money, don’t blame yourself.

Con artists will attempt to scam you no matter how careful you are.

It’s important to stay vigilant and not fall for whatever outlandish story they’re serving up this week.