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Scam Alert: Phone Calls

Scam artists are always coming up with new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting victims, and this time they are using the phone. In some scams, they might act nice and friendly, while in others may try to scare or threaten you. A recent tactic is a call claiming to be a representative associated with a well-known company, such as Amazon. They will try to convince you that you have an unverified purchase in a large amount and that to clear it up you need to download a screen sharing app for your cell phone for them to gain access to get it fixed. They may call multiple times a day and instruct you to “press 1” if you think it’s a mistake, which they will then transfer you to another “representative” to obtain your information.

What to do if you get a call

If you receive one of these calls from someone claiming to be a representative, hang up and call the company on a phone number you know is legitimate. If the caller is pressuring you or creating a sense of urgency, they are probably a scam artist.

Other tips to keep in mind:

·         Never give anyone remote access to your devices unless you contacted the company first (using its real number). If someone tells you to give remote access to get a refund, it’s a scam.

·         Don’t always believe caller ID in these situations. Scam artists can spoof caller ID numbers and may appear to be calling from a legitimate company, when they are not.

·         Never give anyone remote access to your devices unless you contacted the company first (using its real number). If someone tells you to give remote access to get a refund, it’s a scam.

·         Never give your credit card information to someone that has called you claiming to be a representative. If you are being pressured into downloading an app or service, hang up.

·         Never pay by gift card. Nobody legit will ever require you to. And never send pictures of gift cards. If someone tells you they need the numbers on the back of a gift card, it’s a scam.

·         Talk about it. If you’re getting these messages, so are people you know. Help them avoid the scam by sharing what you know.

Another thing you can do is make sure your phone number is on the National Do Not Call Registry (call 1-888-382-1222 or visit donotcall.gov) and report any illegal sales calls that you receive. To file a complaint with the FTC, go to ftc.gov/complaint. For more information on this type of scam and others, visit https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/phone-scams