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You think it’s never going to happen to you – until it does.
Red Flags for Phone and Email Scams:
- requests for personal information
- urgent or threatening language
- spelling errors and improper grammar
- link to a site that seems unrelated to the organization that contacted you
- missing contact information in an email
Click here for an AARP article: 7 Behaviors That Can Make You A Target for Scammers.
If you spot a scam, report it at ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-382-4357 (1-877-FTC-HELP) If you lost money, make a police report at 916 645-4040.
1… The resident receives an email stating that his/her computer has a virus that will destroy the computer. The scammer convinces the resident to let them take over the resident’s computer and the scammer will correct the problem, for a price. You wonder how someone can be taken in. The thought of losing the use of one’s computer is alarming to most people. It means losing contact with relatives and friends, accessing financial records. Well, these scammers are very smooth and very convincing. Some very smart people have been taken in. Beware and when in doubt, delete the email and shut off your computer for a few minutes. In a recently reported case one of our residents lost $61,000 in a scam like the one just described.
2… One of our residents lost $8,000 in the Apple Tech Support scam. Robocall message said the Apple account has been compromised and will shut down immediately unless she responds immediately by calling a certain number. With caller ID spoofing, the scammer is able to show Apple as the caller with the correct customer service number.
Tip: Computer companies are not going to notify you that your particular computer has a virus. Remember that’s what a virus checker is for and why we pay for it.
3… A robocall message was received by one of our residents and the scammer identified himself as an official from the US Department of Social Security. The scammer stated that there was a problem with the resident’s Social Security number and that he needed to verify some personal information. The scammer further stated that if the resident did not call back, at a number given, there would be an arrest warrant issued. This resident just hung up, and there was no loss of information. When in doubt, just hang up. Social Security never calls for information.
Tip: Government agencies do not make phone calls. Legitimate callers will leave a message. Register for nomorobo.com
4… One of our residents has been receiving ROBOCALLS daily in which the caller states that the resident has an unpaid medical bill. The caller further states that if the resident does not call back, the bill will be sent to collections. This is a SCAM. The scammer wants to scare you into giving them either credit card information or personal information allegedly to confirm that you are not the person who owes the “medical bill. JUST HANG UP. DO NOT CALL BACK!! Register for nomorobo.com which is a free service for land lines, $1.99/month for cell phones, that blocks most robocalls.
Tip: Look at caller ID. If you don’t recognize it, don’t answer. Legitimate callers will leave a message. Register for nomorobo.com
5.. In the last month there have been several complaints of high-pressure salespersons going house to house in the villages. These sales people will try to talk you into a contract for their services. One of the last reported instances was on Friday, 07/10/20 when the resident was talked into signing up for an ADT alarm system which she did not need. The salesperson who came to her door was wearing a shirt with an ATT logo. He had a clipboard and he had the resident’s name and address and he knew that her ATT service had recently been interrupted. He said that he represented ATT and that he could couple her monthly bill with an ADT alarm system and save her money. She let him into the house and eventually signed a three-year contract for service. This salesperson contacted his technician and he showed up to install the alarm system. He did install a doorbell camera. At that point the resident realized that she did not need another alarm system and the technician left. Now she has to get out of the three-year contract. These salespeople did not break the law, unless they did not have a City Permit to Solicit. BUT THEY DID TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AT LEAST ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS.
Beware and alert at all times and never let someone you don’t know into your house. Talk to them through the door or a side window.
Tip: ONCE YOU OPEN YOUR DOOR YOU LOSE THAT PHYSICAL BARRIER OF SECURITY!!