Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) and the Mariana Regional Fusion Center (MRFC) have received reports of social media posts using local photos and claiming to offer tax-free grant programs. Reports have also been received of phishing emails impersonating legitimate individuals who are offering items for sale.
The community is advised not to interact with these pages, posts, or emails and to avoid sharing the links further. Remain vigilant and follow these tips to recognize and avoid scams:
- Do not give your personal or financial information in response to a request you did not expect. Honest organizations will not call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
- If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it is real, it is still best not to click on any links. Contact the company using a website you know is trustworthy, or look up their phone number. Do not call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.
- Spot imposters. Scammers may pose as a government official, family member, charity, or a company you do business with. Do not send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request — whether it comes as a text, phone call, or email.
- Local numbers may be spoofed. Scammers use technology (“spoofing”) to fake caller ID information. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. Search online using legitimate websites or contact the institution directly.
- Do online searches. Search a company or product name with words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” You can also search a phrase describing your situation, or search phone numbers to see if other people have reported them as scams.
- Do not pay upfront for a promise. Scammers may ask individuals to pay in advance for things like debt relief, credit and loan offers, mortgage assistance, or a job. They may promise that someone has won a prize, but first request taxes or fees. When individuals provide money up front, the money usually disappears.
- Consider how you pay. Credit cards offer significant built-in fraud protection, but some payment methods do not. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it is nearly impossible to get your money back. Government agencies and honest companies do not require you to use these payment methods.
- Talk to someone. Before providing money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Scam artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story, conduct an online search, consult an expert — or contact the MRFC to ask whether similar potentially fraudulent calls have been reported.
Be Alert for In-Person and Contractor Scams
The recovery period following an emergency can also draw scams conducted in person. Common schemes include contractor repair fraud, government and utility impersonators, and people claiming to represent charities, churches, or nongovernmental organizations. Online offers of grants, low-cost loans, or other assistance — particularly those directed at specific groups such as veterans, active-duty personnel, retirees and seniors, students, small business owners, or workers in certain industries — should be treated with the same caution.
If you are solicited, online or in person, by a group or organization you had not heard of before Typhoon Bavi, treat that as a potential warning sign and check them out first:
- If you are approached in person, always ask for identification first. For online offers, check the person or organization through the Better Business Bureau. If the offer involves a charity or organization claiming tax-exempt status, check the IRS website.
- Ask someone you trust whether they have heard of or are familiar with the person or group.
- If someone comes to your home or business claiming to represent a government agency, ask for official identification. Look for a clearly marked government vehicle with a government license plate, but do not rely on identification or vehicle markings alone. Contact the agency directly through an official, publicly listed number to verify the person’s identity before allowing access or providing information.
- Always insist on a written contract.
- Never pay in advance — even if you are told partial payment is needed to buy materials for the job.
- Never pay by wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
The community is advised to report suspected scams, fraud, or phishing activity to the MRFC at (671) 475-0400 or via email at mrfc@ghs.guam.gov. The MRFC analyzes data and trends to identify scams and fraudulent patterns. Your report may help law enforcement identify the people behind scam messages and illegal calls.
Visit the following links for the latest information:
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/