Don’t Let the Leprechaun Lead You Astray: Avoiding “St. Patrick’s Day” Scams

Shamrocks aren’t the only things popping up this St. Patrick’s Day. Scammers are out in force wanting to exploit any opportunity to turn your pot of gold into their pot of ill-gotten gains. Don’t let your pot o’ gold dreams turn into a financial nightmare! Here’s a guide to avoiding common scams with a St. Patrick’s Day twist:

The “Pot O’ Gold” Lottery Scam:

• The Bait: You receive notification claiming you’ve won a lottery/sweepstakes, promising a pot o’ gold (large cash winnings). 
• The Hook: To claim your winnings, you must first pay a “processing fee” or “taxes”. They even pressure you to act fast before your “luck runs out”. 
• The Reality: Legitimate lotteries do not require upfront fees. This type of scam is a phishing scam to steal your money and personal information. 

The “Pot O’ Gold at the end of your Rainbow” Investment Scam:

• The Bait: A charming “investment advisor” contacts you about investment opportunities that guarantee high returns with little risk. 
• The Hook: The “advisor” claims to have access to a hidden “pot o’ gold” invested in ventures that don’t exist. They usually use celebrity “leprechauns”, persuasive endorsements, and limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency. 
• The Reality: The investments are likely unregistered high-risk investments or ones that do not exist and are designed to disappear with your money. Do your research and only invest through reputable channels. 

The “Leprechaun” Tech Support Scam:

• The Bait: You receive a call claiming to be from a tech company, warning you about “malware” on your device.
• The Hook: These schemy “Leprechauns” offer to “fix” the issue remotely, requesting access to your computer or personal information. 
• The Reality: This is a classic phishing scam to steal your data or install malware. Never give remote access to unsolicited callers. Contact the official tech support channels directly. 

Remember:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Never share personal or financial information with unsolicited contacts.
• Do your research before investing or donating.
• Report suspicious activity to the authorities.

Enjoy the shamrocks and festivities, but keep your eyes peeled for these devious scams! By staying informed and vigilant, you can ensure your St. Patrick’s Day, and any day thereafter, is filled with genuine good fortune and not misfortune. So raise your glass, enjoy the festivities, and remember: the only pot of gold you need is the one filled with good company, laughter,  and Corned Beef and Cabbage!

If you think you may be a victim of a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission, your financial institution and your local police.