With scams growing more sophisticated — and more convincing — Pennsylvanians are being urged to slow down, verify information and think twice before answering calls, clicking links or sending money.

David P. Shallcross, director of senior protection for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, delivered that message during a preholiday presentation to the Palmerton Concourse Club, warning that phone scams, fake texts and identity theft attempts continue to rise across the state.

A veteran of more than 30 years in law enforcement and public safety, Shallcross began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office and later worked with agencies including Homeland Security. Since 2008, he has served with the attorney general’s office, focusing on elder abuse and fraud prevention and conducting hundreds of seminars and senior expos statewide.

Think before you link

“How many people are tired of getting phone calls that they know are not who they think they are? Anybody?” Shallcross asked the audience. Nearly every hand went up.

His advice was simple: don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

Shallcross outlined a three-step phone-setting strategy to reduce scam calls, encouraging people to mark their most important contacts as favorites with a special ringtone, allow other saved contacts to ring normally, and silence unknown callers so they go directly to voicemail.

“Guess what? Your phone will stop ringing nonstop all day long,” he said. “If it’s legitimate, they’ll leave a message. But even then, preview that message and verify the contact before you respond.”

Reducing opportunity

Shallcross tied the advice to what he called the “triangle of crime” — desire, ability and opportunity — noting that while people can’t control a criminal’s intent or capability, they can reduce opportunities.

“That’s crime prevention,” he said. “Reducing the opportunity.”

Using everyday examples, he explained how valuables left visible in an unlocked vehicle can lead to identity theft without a thief ever touching the car.

“Shut the car off, lock the doors, and put your valuables out of sight. Boom, boom, boom. Crime prevented,” he said, adding that the same principle applies to phone scams and fraudulent messages.

Common scams

Shallcross warned attendees about common scam tactics, including fake E-ZPass violation texts, IRS and Medicare impostor calls, and holiday-themed delivery notices.

“We don’t send text messages telling you that you have a violation,” he said. “If it doesn’t have your name, your license plate number, or specific details, and it comes by text or email, it’s a scam.”

He urged residents to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead check order statuses by logging directly into retailers’ official websites.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Shallcross said. “Think before you link.”

AI’s role

Shallcross described “grandparent scams,” in which callers claim a loved one is in trouble and needs immediate financial help — often demanding payment through gift cards or wire transfers.

“I’ve been in law enforcement a long time,” he said. “I have not seen one prison that accepts gift cards for bail.”

He warned that artificial intelligence has made scams even more believable by allowing criminals to replicate voices and images taken from social media.

“It looks real. It sounds real,” he said. “Don’t let that shatter your world. It could be artificially created.”

To counter that threat, Shallcross recommended families establish a safe word known only to them.

“The three things your family safe word should never be,” he said, “are logical, predictable and searchable.”

Small charges, big losses

Shallcross cautioned that even small, unfamiliar charges on credit or debit card statements can signal fraud, as scammers often test stolen account numbers before draining accounts.

“Little amounts count,” he said.

He also advised buying gift cards only from displays near store registers or directly from restaurants, and keeping photos of the cards and receipts.

“Scammers love gift cards,” he said, noting they remain one of the most common payment methods demanded by criminals, along with wire transfers.

‘Verify before you comply’

Shallcross shared a case in which a man lost $88,000 after authorizing a wire transfer to someone posing as his bank’s fraud department.

“If he had called the very next day, I would have gotten him every penny back,” he said. “After 24 hours, all bets are off.”

He stressed that banks are not responsible for losses when customers willingly authorize fraudulent transactions.

“Verify before you comply,” Shallcross said. “Hang up. Call the number on your statement. Go to the bank. Taking those extra steps could save you thousands.”

Help is available

Shallcross encouraged anyone who loses money — “even a penny” — to file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General. He noted the agency’s Scam Squad recovered $1.2 million for Pennsylvania victims in its first year.

“If you peel the story away, every scam has the same foundation,” he said. “Sudden contact, urgency, and a demand for money or information.”

Tips for prevention

1. Update Phone Settings: Tag Important Contacts: Identify your top 10-12 contacts and assign them distinctive ring tones.

Standard Ring tones for Others: Use standard ring tones for all other contacts to help you evaluate unknown callers.

2. Manage Unknown Calls: Silence unknown numbers. Direct calls from numbers you don’t recognize straight to voicemail to avoid interruptions.

Listen carefully. If you receive a voicemail, verify the source before responding.

3. Be Cautious with Messages: Always verify the authenticity of any communication before providing personal information, as scammers may leave misleading voicemails.

4. Understand Crime Prevention: Be aware of the “Triangle of Crime,” which emphasizes that crime involves desire, ability, and opportunity.

5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect identity theft, report it immediately to local authorities and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report.

Source: PA Office of the Attorney General