Be cautious if you are reaching out to customer service. Need to get a hold of Amazon, Google, Microsoft. We all have a tendency to to a quick Google Search or Siri Search. At the top of the search results screen is a toll free number to call. The problem is that the number is in a paid advertisement where the scammer pays to have their ads listed at the top of the search results. You don’t look carefully and quickly dial the number where you are quickly connected to the fake scam company. They are happy to help you and ask for your credit card number and social security number to verify your account. You’ve just been scammed!
Tips to Prevent Customer Service Scams
- Go directly to that companies website and look for their contact information.
- Look for the phone numbers on your paper statements
- Don’t use Alexa, Siri or OK Google to find customer services numbers or information for you.
- Check the URL for misspellings or text that just doesn’t look right.
- Don’t agree to pay for any service that should be free.
- Don’t EVER give anyone remote access to your computer
- Reach out to one of your tech savvy relatives to ask any questions if you have suspicion
Some Examples of Customer Service Scams
- You search for Amazon Customer Service. The link you follow connects to someone who asks you to buy gift cards and give them the numbers to pay for service
- You search to buy and airline ticket on United Airlines. Follow the wrong link and they take you to a site where you buy a ticket using gift cards.
- You search for help to fix your iPhone, don’t check carefully and are now dealing with a fraudulent repair center who asks for your credit card information before they start helping you.
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