Posts by Common Sense Security:
Wireless phone scams
This “Hooray, I get free money” scam targets Verizon Wireless customers, but it is easy for fraudsters to adapt it for any other phone company. The crooks call their chosen potential victims and tell them that Verizon is currently doing maintenance, but it will pay their customers $50 for every hour they are deprived of their phone service. The callers even provide a claim number that will allow people to get paid. All they want is 4 last digits of your social security number and your Verizon Wireless password. If you get excited and tell them what they want to know, they now have access to your account.
If you don’t believe in free lunch, crooks may try “Oh, no!” approach. They can tell you that your account is hundreds of dollars in the negative territory and is now locked. Then they ask you for your credit card number and other personal information in order to unlock your account. Whether your cell phone is your main way of communication or it is your emergency lifesaver, high debt can make you nervous even if you are sure you don’t owe anything. As soon as you lose your cool and start sharing personal information, crooks have you scammed and your information is at their disposal.
Providing crooks your personal information allows them to misuse that information in many ways. They can make changes to your account, they can buy phones and send text messages in your name, they can subscribe you to premium services, they may find out more personal information once they log into your account; including other phone numbers there, such as phone numbers of your children, spouses, and parents.
Be careful when you receive a call from your provider. Make sure it’s legitimate or call them yourself.
Better to be safe that sorry.
Refund Pending – really?
Scams used to happen face to face, on the phone or come by mail. Now they often arrive online, mostly through email, instant messaging, or a social network. The message can be general in nature or it can be very narrowly tailored. The most common name of such scams is phishing. One of the latest […]
If it sounds fishy
Last night I got a call from my friend Jane. She said, “I need your advice. I called my credit card’s customer service number and they immediately offered me a voucher to $100 which I can spend any way I want. The only thing they want me to pay is $4 for shipping and handling. […]
Your computer is infected …
in Tech support scams
as Authentication, Malware, Phone scams
Have you heard about nice people who call you to let you know that your computer is infected and they can help you to cure it? Maybe one of those people called you or someone you know? Recently my phone rang. When I answered, a voice with a thick Indian accent said, “Ma’am, I am […]
Fake charities
in Authentication
as Authentication, Phishing, Phone scams
Do you get calls for charitable contributions? After every big natural disaster fake charities mushroom, but even in pretty quiet times a lot of crooks are ready to take your hard-earned money and spend it on themselves instead of people you intended to help. How do you avoid being scammed? Send money to well-known organizations, […]
Debit vs Credit
There are people who would tell you, “For your financial health cut up your credit card and only use your debit card.” I used to say, “For your security, cut up your debit card and only use your credit card.” Now some banks require your debit card for authentication, so feel free to keep it […]
Mortgage fraud
Today I would like to tell you about some of the latest mortgage scams, for which the US Treasury Department recently published a fraud alert. If you are having trouble with your mortgage, a call from a sympathetic organization that promises help for a “nominal” fee may sound like a godsend. Fraudsters can even mention […]