SCAM WATCH: Don't make a bad call when buying a new cell phone

Any time you buy a new cellphone or upgrade your old one, you become a potential target of identity theft unless you take some basic safety steps.

For starters, it’s important to back up your data — whether you’re selling, trading in or donating your phone. Doing so allows the files and apps to be restored onto your new phone.

If your phone has a SIM card, remove it because it likely has stored such information as text messages, contact lists and other personal information. It’s possible to transfer the SIM card to the new phone, but if that’s not the case, destroy it.

If you’re using multi-factor authentication to log into certain accounts, unlink those accounts from your phone by following instructions for Android or iPhone models. Afterward, double check to be sure your phone is disconnected from the accounts.

The final step, advises the Federal Trade Commission, is to restore your phone to its factory settings. Doing so will erase all personal information, such as passwords, account numbers and photos.

With a new phone in operation, take these steps to ensure identity protection:

• Set the phone to automatically lock when not in use, and create a passcode to unlock it. You might also be able to unlock it with a fingerprint, your face or your iris.
• Keep current with updates, which manufacturers regularly release to combat any security threats. Set the phone to automatically update with the most current protections.

The IRS is not issuing new stimulus-related tax rebates, no matter what some scammers are claiming.

Rather, what the tax agency is doing is sending out stimulus checks to those who filed taxes in 2021, but failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

The IRS said an internal review showed that about 1 million taxpayers failed to claim the recovery rebate, which was among the stimulus payments issued by the government to foster economic recovery after the pandemic.

The current payments — which vary per individual but are capped at $1,400 — have been automatically issued through direct deposit or paper check, the IRS says. Most should have been received by late last month.

However, scammers are misinforming people about the payments by sending official-looking texts that aim to steal sensitive information. The fake text claims you are eligible for a $1,400 payment and that once you provide personal information, the amount will be deposited into your bank account or mailed by check within one or two business days. The phishing scheme contains a link that could lead to malware or a fraudulent form asking for personal and financial information.

Know that eligible taxpayers don’t have to do anything to receive these payments, and the IRS is sending out mailed letters as confirmation. The tax agency doesn’t contact people by text, email or social media, nor does it request information in those ways.

The IRS says about $2.4 billion will be distributed in this late payment round. Most of those who are eligible missed out earlier because they left the data field blank for the Recovery Rebate Credit or mistakenly claimed $0.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division at 505-490-4060. Complaints can be filed electronically at nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/