Scams on Chime are rampant. There are a lot of fraudsters looking to trick people into giving confidential information, like account numbers and passwords.
This guide will examine the most popular scams on Chime and how you can protect yourself from them.
1. Chime Support Phone Calls
This is when scammers call you, pretending to be affiliated with Chime. They will ask you to verify your account for whatever reason. Once you give them your details, they will take over your account and drain your funds.
Many Chime users have reported losing their hard-earned money from phony callers claiming to be Chime member services agents. They will ask you about your recent transactions and claim that your account has been compromised.
The scammer will then say that you need to change your card and that they will send you a new one. To do so, you will need to “verify” your account details.
If you are unsure of what to do, you should call the number on the back of your Chime card. A Chime representative will confirm if the call you received is valid or not.
You should also report to Chime if you think that your account is compromised. Chime will likely freeze your account to prevent unauthorized activities from happening.
Once the threat is eliminated and everything is cleared, you will have your account back.
2. Phishing Scams
With most phishing scams, potential Chime victims receive texts or emails from fraudsters. They will ask you for personal details including account number, password, social security numbers, and others.
The scammer’s goal is to access your email and bank accounts.
Phishing emails and texts often look like they legitimately came from trusted companies. They will require you to click on a link and confirm the action being supplying your personal information.
These types of scams are popular across different platforms because they allow fraudsters to reach out to a large number of potential victims.
You should be cautious about clicking on links sent to your email or phone. Always verify with Chime if they are valid to avoid problems.
3. Fake Chime Support Websites and Social Media Accounts
Be careful of fake Chime support sites and social media accounts. These are created by scammers to victimize users who want to contact the Chime support team for help.
These scams go hand in hand with phishing emails and messages. After clicking the link, you will land on a site that looks similar to the original site. Fraudsters will access your account the moment you enter your login details.
While it is easy to get fooled by fake websites, you can avoid it by carefully looking at the URL. Make sure that it is the correct one endorsed by Chime.
For social media profiles, Chime’s will have a blue checkmark to indicate that the page is a verified account. You may also access them via the Chime homepage.
4. Unemployment Scams
When millions of people lost their job during the pandemic, fraudsters took the opportunity to gain more victims. They targeted those who are looking to apply for unemployment benefits with state offices.
Scammers use a range of techniques to lure their prey. These include fake websites, phishing emails, or dodgy phone calls, all claiming that they will help you file for unemployment benefits for a minimal cost.
They may ask for your debit card number and state that you need to give them your personal information so the money can be deposited without hitches.
You should never click on suspicious links you see on the Chime website.
5. Unsolicited Chime Card
There are two ways in which this could happen. One is that scammers already have your information and intend to use it to scam others. The other is they are waiting for you to take the bait before making you their victim.
If you got an unsolicited Chime card in the mail, you should take heed. This is another strategy that fraudsters use to take advantage of people.
An unsolicited Chime card with your name on it means that the scammers have somehow accessed your Chime account.
They will use the account they opened in your name as a pass-through account. When other Chime users send you money, they will withdraw the funds in seconds.
Scammers may also use fake cards to get your personal information. The moment you call the bogus customer service number on the back of the card, they will get the details they need.
When you receive such cards in the mail, you should not throw them away. Reach out to Chime and report what happened. This way, any bogus account under your name will be closed.
6. Money Flip / Cash-Out Scams
Some Chime users fall victim to money flip and cash-out scams. These are tricks where swindlers attempt to convince others that their money is multiplied by joining such schemes.
They will convince you to take part in money-flip or cash-out setups through countless fake testimonies. You can easily spot these scam posts because they show images of luxury goods and cash, accompanied by several hashtags like #cashout or #fastcash.
To find out more on how to learn more money, scammers will ask you to send a fee via Chime. Typically, you will be asked to send small amounts that they “flip” to earn your trust. Afterward, they will demand bigger amounts.
Once the scammers receive the money, you will no longer hear from them again.
Chime always warns users to beware of money-flip or cash-out scams. If you happen to encounter this, you may report it to Chime so they can investigate.
7. Refund and Recovery Scams
These rip-offs happen to Chime users who have already been scammed. You will be approached by someone pretending to be from Chime, stating that they will help you retrieve the money you lost.
Swindlers typically keep a list of users who frequently fall into scams. They have your details, including the specific tricks you fall victim to.
This makes them sound very credible when you talk to them. Some even claim to be authority figures, such as a lawyer or higher up in the company.
To get your money back, you will be asked for a processing or retainer fee. After that, they will require your Chime account number so they can deposit the refund to you.
You will no longer be able to contact them after.
You should keep in mind that Chime will never ask for fees when helping you get your money back.
8. Romance Scams
If you see any dating advertisement on Chime, you should be wary of clicking. There is a big chance that this is a romance scam.
Romance scams are one of the most prevalent cons in recent years. When you click a link, you will be redirected to a fake dating app or social media profile. Typically, the person being matched with you is a military person stationed overseas.
Scammers are experts in sweet-talking victims to fall head over heels for them. Once you are invested in your “relationship,” they will begin asking for cash or gifts.
Some will even claim of needing money urgently for surgery and other similar situations. They may also ask for cash to buy plane tickets to visit you.
If you are knee-deep into it, recognizing the scam and getting out of it can be very difficult. A simple Google research on romance scams can save you thousands of dollars (and a broken heart).
9. Government Impostor Scams
You should look out for scammers who pretend to be from a government or a law enforcement agency. Fraudsters fake their identities to threaten victims with jail time for outstanding debts.
Typically, they will require you to pay off the money with a gift card. Once they receive it, you will no longer get hold of them.
If you are unsure if you are talking with a legitimate representative, hang up and call back using the official agency contact number.
10. Online Shopping, Classified, and Auction Scams
If you like buying things online, you may soon encounter scammers who prey on online shoppers. Even reputable websites like Chime contain shady links to fake sellers.
They will pretend to sell a product just to gather your bank account and card details.
Some peddle products that are faulty or of inferior quality. Once you send your payment, scammers will vanish and become unreachable.
If you like to shop online, only purchase items from reputable sellers to avoid getting duped.
11. Charity and Medical Scams
Scammers who take advantage of Chime users who want to donate to a good cause are a whole other level of evil. They will pretend to work for a fictitious charity and collect donations.
Often, these fraudsters exploit a recent crisis or natural disaster that has been in the news. They will play on your emotions and sympathy to extort money.
If you see an ad on Chime claiming to be for charity, do not click. You should reach out to aid organizations via official channels for donations.
Meanwhile, medical scams involve selling products and services that appear to be valid alternatives to curing serious medical conditions.
Scammers will feed you false testimonies from people who supposedly have been cured. The moment you send payment, you will not be able to contact them again.
How To Avoid Scams On Chime:
If anything, scammers can be creative. They come up with new types of scams to prey on new victims. To stay on top of a wide range of scams out there, you should always be vigilant.
Be proactive and do the necessary steps to prevent your personal information from getting into the wrong hands. This will save you from a potentially alarming situation.
Remember that Chime will never ask for your details or password via call, text, or email. You should not share private information, including account number, password, username, birthdate, or address with strangers.
Enabling push notifications on Chime will also help. This way, you will immediately be alerted if suspicious activities are happening in your account.
If you think your account has been compromised, you should change your password. Chime should also be informed if you think you have been a victim of a scam.
Meanwhile, you should be aware of the scam red flags when browsing social media platforms. If you see references like Chime ambassadors or reps, “free money” or images of large amounts of cash, these are likely baits.
Finally, trust your hunch. If you think a website looks fishy, keep away. Do not download suspicious apps that are not available on Google Play or the App Store.
Chime will never ask you to download remote entry apps for ancillary support and assistance. It will help if your computer and phone are up to date with the latest security fixes.
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