Technological advances have certainly made our lives easier in many aspects, but there’s one major disadvantage that has evolved with more advanced technology–it’s become increasingly easier for scammers to commit fraud.

Unfortunately, scammers have more methods to commit fraud than ever before, but there are certain steps you can take to protect yourself.

Use your Google search skills.

If you think that you received a phone call, text or email from a company that doesn’t seem legitimate, do a quick search engine scan of the company name. If a company is trying to scam you, chances are they’ve tried to scam others too, and you should be able to find out online.

Ignore robocalls.

If you answer a phone call that turns out to be a recorded sales pitch, it’s a scam. These “robocalls” are illegal, so if you receive one, it’s more than likely from an illegitimate company. If the robocall prompts you to press a number to stop receiving calls or speak with someone, hang up and don’t press that number, which can lead to your phone number being flagged and more calls.

Be on the lookout for imposters.

Oftentimes, scammers will pose as someone you trust, such as a government official, charity worker or family member. For example, scammers have been known to pose as grandchildren and call grandparents asking for money. Be sure that you verify the identity of whoever is calling or emailing you in a situation that could be a potential scam.

Never pay upfront.

Scammers will often try to pressure you into to paying upfront for some type of good or service without providing the good or service first. This is a red flag you should never ignore! Once you pay, they’ll likely disappear without a trace.

Sign up for scam alerts.

Receive the latest tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid scams and sign up for their email list, here.

SOURCE: Federal Trade Commission