Security warning: Scammers are calling you with holiday tactics
‘Tis the season for eggnog, twinkly lights and a whole lot of scams. Cybercriminals make a killing over the holiday season — just think about how often we pull out our credit cards.
The best way to stay safe is to know their tricks. I’ve got the inside scoop on phone scams tricking people out of money and info right now.
Here’s how it works
YouMail issued an important warning about a new wave of robocalls pretending to be from big names like Amazon, Apple, Visa and Chase Bank. They’re trying to freak you out about bogus purchases and get you to spill personal info.
You get a call that sounds like it’s from Amazon. A robotic voice says something like, “Hello, this is an automated message from Amazon. Your card has been charged $2,253 for the purchase of an Apple MacBook Pro with Order ID #312106. If you did not place this order and would like to speak to one of our representatives, please press ‘1’ or please call back.”
If you fall for it, scammers try to hijack your credit card, Amazon or bank account to steal as much money as possible.
Amazon’s been battling this, shutting down 15,000 phone numbers! But the calls keep coming — and given how many of us use Amazon, odds are they’ll hit an actual customer.
Pro tip: If you want to talk to a real person at Amazon, don’t Google the number. Odds are, it’ll be a scam. Here’s the hard-to-find phone number to call Amazon’s customer service: 1-888-280-4331.
It’s not just Amazon
Scammers also pretend to be from subscription services like Norton LifeLock or McAfee, talking about pricey renewals. Here’s one example: “If you have not authorized this charge, you have 48 hours to cancel and get an instant refund of your annual subscription. Please press ‘1’ or call our Customer Care.”
They mix these calls with emails, leading to different callback numbers they change regularly. It’s like a game of scam whack-a-mole.
They’re pretending to be your bank, too
To do: Change your smart speaker settings before the holidays
When we have friends and family with kids over, voice assistants can become a favorite attraction. At best, someone will start another “Baby Shark” round and you’ll sing it for a week.
But what if one of those curious kiddos buys toys with your Amazon Echo? Or maybe your niece, Alexis, will have the Echo going haywire.
Google security check: 60 seconds to kick out snoops and hackers
I’ll never forget the caller on my national radio show asking me for guidance because her brother was scammed out of $450,000. He trusted the wrong person, and he’s far from alone. People simply don’t realize they’re being taken for a ride until it’s too late.
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