<p>5Global fraud is on the rise, and young adults are particularly vulnerable &mdash; but knowing what to look out for can help keep them safe.</p>
<p>People in their 20s may seem more technologically savvy compared with older generations, but as it turns out, this age group also reports losing money to scams at significantly higher rates. In a recent Federal Trade Commission study, for example, individuals ages 20 to 29 accounted for 44% of fraud reports compared with just 2% from people ages 70 to 79.</p>
<p>College students are at risk for a few reasons, says Michael Steinbach, head of financial crime and fraud prevention at Citi. "Often, this is their first experience living on their own and making financial decisions without help from parents or guardians, which can make them targets of criminals," he says. On top of that, "many in this age group have been conditioned to listen to authority figures like parents, teachers and coaches, so when they're contacted by a fraudster posing as, say, a member of law enforcement or a bill collector, they may be inclined to follow instructions unquestioningly."</p>
<p>And while it may seem counterintuitive, their comfort level with technology is another factor, says Steinbach. Today's college students have grown up with smart phones and other digital devices playing a part in practically all aspects of their lives. "Buying and selling goods or services and transferring money has always been done with a few quick clicks or swipes," he says. Because digital functionality is so ingrained, college students can be less vigilant than other digital users. "They may tend to ignore basic security protocols, finding passwords 'annoying' or looking at free, public Wi-Fi as a 'score,'" says Steinbach, rather than something to be wary of.</p>
<p>All of that can make them more prone to falling for scams, and especially those targeted to students. To help the college kids in your life protect their accounts, share this advice on how to spot &mdash; and handle &mdash; seven common schemes.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/LAM_Fraud_BodyImage_1000x667-A.jpg" alt="In his dormitory, a male student is shown texting on his mobile device"></p>
<h2>1. Apartment or room rental scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>Preying on students in a time crunch to find a place to live, these schemes start with an offer of a room or apartment vacancy. Scammers posing as the management company or individual renting the property tell the student they must wire funds or use common peer-to-peer (P2P) payment methods to make a deposit upfront to secure the place, even before seeing it.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Research the address online and don't give in to pressure to pay a deposit upfront before touring it and getting a lease signed by you and the property manager, says Steinbach. If you can't see the place yourself, ask someone you trust to check it out for you to confirm that it's for rent and matches up with what is advertised. Another precaution to take: "Before providing personal information such as your current address or Social Security number, make sure you verify the identity of the individual requesting it," he says. "If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is."</p>
<h2>2. Sublet scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>Scammers find college students subletting a room and pose as a prospective applicant. When they send in a check for the deposit, they make it out for a much larger amount than requested and then ask the student to refund the difference via a P2P payment method. The check later bounces.</p>
<p><strong>What to do: </strong>Decline sending back a portion of the check. Overpayment scams are prevalent, says Steinbach, so if this scenario comes up, your best bet is to return the check and request a new one for the correct amount.</p>
<h2>3. Scholarship or financial aid scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Scammers send an official-sounding award of a scholarship or other financial aid via phone, mail or email. The notice includes instructions to provide some personal information, such as your credit card number "to confirm eligibility," or pay a deposit or application fee to proceed.</p>
<p><strong>What to do: </strong>Research any scholarship offers online to ensure they're legitimate, and complete aid applications only through FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form).</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/LAM_Fraud_BodyImage_1000x667-D.jpg" alt="A group of students entering a lecture hall and taking their seats."></p>
<h2>4. Unpaid tuition or school fee scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>The student receives a seemingly legitimate phone call or notice of unpaid tuition or other outstanding fees that, if not remedied immediately or by a certain date, will impact their enrollment.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Before paying any invoice, verify it by calling or visiting the university's financial office and/or logging into an official, password-protected online student account, says Steinbach. (For added oversight, parents can typically request access to these accounts through the student, he notes.) Keep in mind that the school would typically send a paper bill before requiring immediate payment.</p>
<h2>5. Textbook scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>Knowing that many students try to cut costs on expensive required college textbooks, scammers set up fake websites offering deeply discounted books or used books. However, once a student pays, they never receive the books.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Be wary of textbook deals that seem too good to be true. The safest way to purchase both new and used books is through official university bookstores.</p>
<h2>6. Credit card scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>In some cases, the student receives a fake credit card offer (by phone, email or text) that prompts them to provide personal information such as their Social Security number. In other cases, the offer the student receives is for an actual credit card but the language is misleading, and it includes unfavorable terms, fees or interest rates.</p>
<p><strong>What to do: </strong>Be wary of generic emails that include unspecific information, and before filling out an application for an unsolicited credit card offer, contact the bank or credit card issuer directly to verify the terms. The best way to ensure you're making a good decision on a credit card, says Steinbach, is to go through your current bank or do your own online research for the card that best fits your needs.</p>
<h2>7. Online income scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Scammers know college students need cash, so with this type of scheme, they offer ways to make a quick buck (as an assistant or dog walker, for example). The catch is that the job posters either ask for money upfront or mail checks for their work and request a portion to be paid back through a P2P method. These offers may also be a veiled way for fraudsters to collect personal and banking information.</p>
<p><strong>What to do: </strong>Before accepting a job, conduct online research on the company, including searching for the company's name plus words like "scam" or "complaint." Decline any offers that require paying money upfront.</p>
<p>Beyond these potential pitfalls, fraudsters can take things even further, offering students money to deposit bad checks or enticing them to set up bank accounts to transfer funds, as unwitting "money mules." It's important to understand that in these scenarios, the students are no longer the victims but are now complicit in committing a felony; they're also at risk of negative credit ratings and the inability to open a bank account in the future.</p>
<p>Overall, one of the most effective ways to protect your college student is to communicate this information clearly and, ideally, in advance of their freshman year, adds Steinbach. Talking with them about behaviors that make their age group susceptible and sharing potential signs of common scams can keep them on guard &mdash; and keep their finances safe.</p>
<p>For up-to-date information on the latest scams and expert tips to protect your finances, visit <a href="https://citicards.citi.com/cbol/fraudprevention/default.htm?BTData=EFe.B.gAB4f.B.B0!.SEOz.eGI.lYg.xG!.Bj.SX.0f.E&amp;ProspectID=B94C456AA40A4CBCB2CEAA7F7CB56CD5" data-link-source="tiny">citi.com/fraudprevention</a>.</p>

Have a College Kid? These Quick Tips Can Help Them Avoid Student Scams.

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<p>Companies typically issue a paycheck on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis, and at first glance, it can be tricky to decipher the amounts that are listed. (This <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/tagged-LAM-Paycheck.pdf" data-link-source="tiny">anatomy of a paycheck</a> can help.)</p>
<p>Your gross pay is what you&rsquo;ve earned before any deductions (like taxes and insurance premiums) and your net pay is the amount you take home after all deductions. At minimum, you can expect some or all of these deductions to be withheld from your paycheck, as required by federal law, the state where you work, and depending on your individual situation. Remember, it's always best to consult a tax advisor.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-901583062.jpg" alt="group of friends watching the sunset over a city skyline"></p>
<h2>Familiarize yourself with these definitions</h2>
<h3>Federal income tax</h3>
<p>Money that goes to the federal government to fund their programs and services (like Social Security and Medicare), and it&rsquo;s based on your earnings and information you provide on your W-4 form.</p>
<h3>State income tax</h3>
<p>Funds that some states collect to fund public services and programs like public schools and public safety departments.</p>
<h3>Local income tax</h3>
<p>Funds that some local governments collect to support community-specific needs.</p>
<h3>Social security tax</h3>
<p>Money that funds the Social Security program, providing retirement, disability and survivor benefits. It's usually deducted at a rate of 6.2% of your gross earnings up to a certain limit set by the IRS.</p>
<h3>Medicare tax</h3>
<p>Money that funds the Medicare program, providing healthcare benefits to people who are eligible. It's typically withheld at a rate of 1.45% of your gross earnings.</p>
<p>There may also be other pre-tax withholdings depending on your location or specific situation.&nbsp; Additionally, there are common post-tax withholdings, such as medical plans, to consider.</p>
<h2>Structure your&nbsp;spending and saving</h2>
<p>The best way to <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/finance-101/top_financial_tips_for_teens" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">stretch your first salary as far as possible</a> is to create a realistic budget. Start by tracking your income and all your expenses for a month, categorizing them into essentials like rent, utilities, groceries and flexible spending, such as dining out and entertainment. This will give you a view of where your money is going and help you identify areas where you can cut back.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;ll want to allocate part of your income to fixed costs (like rent and insurance), savings and debt repayment, while also designating some amount for dining out or other leisure activities. Having a money plan like this can help you live within your means, avoid unnecessary debt and make informed financial decisions. Consider using a budgeting tool or app you trust to simplify the process and keep you on track.</p>
<h2>Take advantage of company benefits</h2>
<p>If your company offers employee perks that you&rsquo;re not using, it can be as though you&rsquo;re leaving money on the table. Pre-tax commuter cards, gym memberships, medical coverage and a 401(k) plan, for example, can all significantly boost your overall compensation, so it&rsquo;s important to be aware of your benefits and make sure you&rsquo;re utilizing them if you can.</p>
<p>Participating in a retirement plan like a 401(k), especially if your company offers matching contributions, is particularly key because the match essentially provides free money for your future. Many companies also offer tuition reimbursement, courses or training programs that can enhance your skills and career prospects, so taking advantage of those benefits now can boost your income in the future.</p>
<p>Healthcare benefits are a key part of many employment packages, offering access to medical care, prescription drugs and sometimes dental and vision care. When it comes to managing healthcare costs, you might encounter two common options: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Both accounts let you set aside pre-tax money to pay for qualified medical expenses, but there are some differences &ndash; check them out below.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/v1/media/lifeandmoney/akpublic/storage/retrieveMediaFile/66c3a7c1cf85a6230bcbb0c2" alt="How to get the most out of your first salary.png"></p>
<h2>FSAs vs HSAs</h2>
<h3>Flexible Spending Account:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Employer owned</li>
<li>Eligible if employee offers</li>
<li>Lose money if you don't use it</li>
</ul>
<h3>Health Savings Account:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Employee owned</li>
<li>Eligible if you have high deductive insurance</li>
<li>Money stays in account if unused</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Common Factors</h3>
<ul>
<li>Paycheck earned</li>
<li>Pre-tax contribution</li>
<li>Employer may contribute</li>
</ul>
<h4>Both can be used for services and products such as:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Co-pays</li>
<li>Deductibles</li>
<li>Rx</li>
<li>Physical therapy</li>
<li>Glasses and contacts</li>
<li>Orthodontics</li>
</ul>
<h2>Prioritize saving&nbsp;</h2>
<p>It can be tempting to spend more once you start earning regular paychecks, but keep in mind that the sooner you start saving, the more this money will grow over time.</p>
<p>A good first move is to build an emergency fund of at least three to six months income to give yourself a financial cushion in case you end up with unexpected expenses or lose your job. You don&rsquo;t have to set aside the full amount at once &ndash; you can grow it gradually, putting a little money away each time you get your paycheck. You can even automate this so the amount gets deposited directly into a savings account without your having to remember to do it.</p>
<p>Investing is another way to get more out of your salary. <a href="https://www.citi.com/banking/personal-banking-guide/savings/a-guide-to-high-yield-savings" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">High-yield savings accounts</a>, for example, offer a higher interest rate compared to traditional savings accounts. This means your money grows faster over time because you earn more interest.</p>
<p>Alternatively, <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/savings/cd-ladder-strategy-for-high-interest-saving" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">certificates of deposit (CDs)</a> allow you to deposit a certain amount of money with a bank for a fixed period, like 6 months, a year or even longer, and an early withdrawal penalty may apply if the money is taken out before the end of the time period. In return, the bank pays you a higher interest rate than that of a regular savings account.</p>
<p>Getting a head start on saving can not only help you build a safety net, but also set a foundation for reaching future financial goals, such as buying a home or traveling the world.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Starting a new job is also a great time to set smart money habits so that you’re managing your expenses wisely and building up savings. These tips and strategies can help you maximize your first salary and take control of your finances. 

How to Get the Most Out of Your First Salary

<p>If it seems like you&rsquo;re always seeing news headlines about scams, it&rsquo;s probably not your imagination; reported losses from fraud reached an all-time high last year. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data shows that consumers reported being swindled out of a whopping $10 billion to scammers &mdash;&nbsp;$1 billion more than 2022.</p>
<p>To help you stay vigilant, we&rsquo;ve compiled a snapshot of eight prevalent scams, including how to spot them and what to do to make sure your funds are protected.</p>
<h2>1. Sweetheart scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Scammers capitalize on the popularity of dating sites or apps by setting up a fake profile to establish<s>in</s>g online relationships with victims. Once they gain your friendship and confidence, they encourage you to <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/money/investing/investment-scams-are-a-3-billion-problem-here-s-how-to-steer-clear" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">get in on a so-called investment opportunity</a> or they ask for money (say, for an emergency or to come visit you) or private, sensitive information such as where you work or live.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Act on your instincts. If you feel like this person is coming on too strong &mdash; asking personal questions, pushing an investment opportunity or requesting money, for example &mdash; &nbsp;notify the dating site or app and hit delete on their profile.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Grandparent cons</h2>
<p><strong>How they work: </strong>Someone posing as a relative sends an email or calls you saying he or she is in trouble and needs you to&nbsp;send money right away. In some cases, the voice on the line may sound just like your relative if the scammer has tapped into the rising trend of using an AI &nbsp;voice cloning program. The scammer asks you not to tell anyone they&rsquo;re in a crisis, such as a car accident or arrest, and directs you to a neighborhood location to transfer or send the funds.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> No matter how convincing it sounds, don't fall for this tale of woe. Notify police immediately and provide them with the details for wiring the money, if you have it. Additionally, alert the individual who the scammer was impersonating and let other friends or family members know that this took place.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-1067418572_web.jpg" alt="Man with white hair and a white beard in an orange sweater sits in a chair with a laptop in his lap"></p>
<h2>3. IRS frauds</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Beware of calls, letters and emails from fake IRS agents about bogus tax bills, instant windfalls or exemptions from filing or paying taxes. They use the authority of the agency to scare their victims into verifying personal information, such as your Social Security number or birth date, or providing or confirming financial information like your bank's routing number or a credit card number.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Hang up if you receive such a phone call. The IRS will never ask for this information or for any payment over the phone or in an email. If you receive a letter from the IRS, do not call the number on the letter. Instead, do a quick online search for the phone number of the IRS, and call that one to find out if the letter is valid.</p>
<h2>4. Telephone scams</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Scammers call, selling fake products or pretending to be customer service representatives. What they're really after is your financial and personal information. They're masters at making conversation and will try to keep you on the phone to win your trust. (In fact, a recent FTC report cited that telephone scams make up the highest per-person fraud loss.) &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What to do: </strong>Hang up immediately. Unless you initiate the call to a trusted company, do not buy anything over the phone. Consider placing your number on the Do Not Call Registry. Better yet, if you don&rsquo;t recognize the number, let the call go to voicemail. If the caller is legitimate, they&rsquo;ll leave a message.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5. Lottery/Sweepstakes hoaxes</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Someone contacts you about winning the lottery or a sweepstakes. And, to claim the prize, the caller asks you to pay a processing fee by sending money, paying with credit card or debit card from your checking account. The caller may also ask you to confirm personal information like your credit card account numbers, birth date or Social Security number.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Be on alert &mdash; the FTC reported that email is the top way scammers contact potential victims. Keep in mind that legitimate promotions never ask you to pay to receive a prize. If you receive an email that seems off, report this to your local authorities or to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>6. Email/Text ploys</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> These scams, also known as phishing scams, inform you that a company&rsquo;s website has been hacked or that the company needs to update your information. You get directed to a fake website that looks official and very similar to the real one and are asked to enter your password or re-enter personal information.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Only click on links or open attachments within emails from senders you know. When in doubt, contact the company directly using the phone number on a statement or on their website.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>7. Fake fundraisers</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Scammers know that people are particularly generous around the holidays or when natural disasters or other global crises happen, so they pose as representatives with a charity or other organization seeking donations. They typically ask that you give money by using a credit card or a direct debit from your checking account. They don't accept mail-in donations, citing that the cause is urgent and needs your immediate attention.</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> Be certain you are interfacing with a recognized charity when donating over the phone or online, whether it's to police organizations or a cancer-fighting cause. To be on the safe side, consider looking up the group's physical address and mailing your donations directly. It&rsquo;s also helpful to review the <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/shopping-and-donating/donating-charity" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">FTC&rsquo;s guidelines for donating wisely</a>.</p>
<h2>8. Delivery gimmicks</h2>
<p><strong>How they work:</strong> Online shopping has increased the last few years and scammers have found ways to capitalize on that. They&rsquo;ll send an email, call or leave a tag at your door about a missed package. Instructions to receive the package may include having to open a link and enter personal information or verifying account or credit card information with an operator.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>What to do:</strong> <s>&nbsp;</s>Avoid clicking on links from senders you don&rsquo;t recognize or making payments online or over the phone &mdash; legitimate delivery services will not require giving personal financial information.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ultimately, if you do become a victim of a scam, don't feel ashamed. Report it to your local police and notify your bank and credit card companies immediately. And be sure to alert family and friends so they don't fall prey, too. For more information about scams and scam prevention, visit citi.com/fraudprevention and the FTC&rsquo;s Scam Awareness page.<i>&nbsp;</i></p>
<p><i>--With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors</i></p>

Consumers are reporting more losses than ever due to fraud. These tips can help you keep  your money safe from common scams. 

8 Financial Scams to Watch Out For

Boiler Plate 1

<p>Sometimes you truly <i>can&rsquo;t</i> believe your eyes ... or ears.</p>
<p>Due to advancements in artificial intelligence, AI-generated calls and deepfake videos &mdash; in which a person&rsquo;s face, body and even voice has been altered so they appear to be someone else &mdash; have grown increasingly more realistic.</p>
<p>Consumers are becoming warier too. According to a 2023 YouGov Survey, 60% of Americans noted that deepfake scams ranked as the top concern among AI fraud.&nbsp; &ldquo;They&rsquo;re impersonating a friend, a neighbor, a boss, an employee, a bank,&rdquo; says Brian Kennedy, director of fraud prevention at Citi. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s somebody you're familiar with. You know that voice. You know that face.&rdquo;</p>
<p>These types of scams commonly ramp up at certain seasonal times, such as holidays when charities seek donations, and during political cycles. In each instance, whether the scammer is pretending to be a loved one in desperate need of quick cash or a boss instructing you to wire funds, for example, &ldquo;they&rsquo;re going to be after money or information,&rdquo; he says. They may try to get your social security number, passwords, user IDs, credit card number or other personal details.</p>
<h2>How it works</h2>
<p>Even though the use of AI is relatively new, these impersonation scams look an awful lot like the old-school variety. &ldquo;A potential victim is being contacted unexpectedly,&rdquo; says Kennedy, &ldquo;and there&rsquo;s a crisis.&rdquo;</p>
<p>They might take the form of a relative who&rsquo;s stranded somewhere and desperately needs, say, $500 or the password for your bank account, or a politician or celebrity trying to get you to contribute to a good cause. In all situations, he says, by impersonating these individuals, &ldquo;the attackers are exploiting people's willingness to help.&rdquo;</p>
<p>What makes it so believable, he adds, is they&rsquo;ve done their research &ndash; easy enough, in part, because there&rsquo;s so much oversharing on social media. &ldquo;They know who you are; they know who your boss is. They&rsquo;ve gone through the due diligence about the person they&rsquo;re impersonating.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/v1/media/lifeandmoney/akpublic/storage/retrieveMediaFile/66ec4fec3832f91fbdece072" alt="Deep_Fake_Body_624x420_Getty_.jpg"></p>
<h2>What to look out for&nbsp;</h2>
<p>While it&rsquo;s become increasingly more difficult to spot the fakes, if you pay close attention, Kennedy says, you may notice that the audio and video are just slightly off or out of sync. &ldquo;The sounds could be choppy or the image a little too perfect.&rdquo;</p>
<p>But the two biggest red flags are that the situation feels dire and, often, the outreach comes out of nowhere. &ldquo;You weren&rsquo;t expecting to get that call, and it was urgent,&rdquo; he explains. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a crisis or a penalty, or something bad&rsquo;s going to happen if you don&rsquo;t do this <i>now</i>.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>What to do</h2>
<p>Taking a deep breath whenever you get an unexpected call is a good first move, says Kennedy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to step back and think, &lsquo;How can I ensure this is accurate?&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p>Then, temporarily disengage. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s OK to say, &lsquo;I&rsquo;ll call you back&rsquo; and then break off that conversation or video chat or email exchange,&rdquo; he says.</p>
<p>If it&rsquo;s a call purportedly coming from someone at your bank, phone them directly using the number on your statement or the back of your credit card. If it&rsquo;s from a loved one, &ldquo;call a mutual friend or family member,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Tell them, &lsquo;I got this request from Joe and he&rsquo;s stranded. It sounded just like him. What do you think?&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p>Signing up for two-factor authentication (so every financial transaction goes through an extra check before going through) is a smart preventative tool, Kennedy adds, as is setting a safe word or phrase with trusted family members. Keep in mind a bad actor might say they can&rsquo;t remember it, in which case you&rsquo;d want to tell them you&rsquo;ll call back.</p>
<p>If you do find yourself falling victim to the scheme, file a police report and contact your bank and any other business or government entity involved. It&rsquo;s crucial to report the news as soon as possible, he says. That way, &ldquo;they can be aware there&rsquo;s somebody out there impersonating them and can educate people.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For the latest updates on common scams and how to spot them, bookmark <a href="https://citicards.citi.com/cbol/fraudprevention/default.htm?BTData=EFe.B.gAB4f.B.B0!.SEOz.eGI.lYg.xG!.Bj.SX.0f.E&amp;ProspectID=ECF2FD5E640346899518173A04D5DEE7" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-source="tiny">citi.com/fraudprevention</a>.</p>

These are the telltale signs to look out for. 