"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Becoming More Prevalent Nationwide:
Since late last week, BBB Scam Tracker has seen an increase in reports of a scam which popped up in some areas last year. The scam had been isolated, but scammers now appear to be spreading this particular tactic across the country.
In this scam, you receive an unsolicited phone call where the first thing the caller asks is "Can you hear me?" Do not respond "yes", "sure", "ok", or any similar affirmative answer. The scammer is trying to get you on tape saying yes in order to use that recording to authorize a charge or convince you that you agreed to pay for something.
If you receive a call like this, do not respond and hang up immediately. Report these calls on BBB Scam Tracker so that BBB and our law enforcement partners can track which areas the scammers are targeting and find patterns that can help stop or reduce the impact of the scam.
YAHOO USERS: Be sure to change your passwords right away due to a major compromise at Yahoo. Click HERE for more information!
DATA BREACH affecting customers of select hotels: Click HERE for more information. Please review your statements and continue to monitor.
Report of Passwords Compromise
There has been a reported discovery that a Russian crime ring has collected 1.2 billion user–name and password combinations. The massive hacking involves confidential material from 420,000 websites, according to the security firm Hold Security. What should you do? At the very least, you should change your passwords for sites involving sensitive information, including financial, credit card and health information.
Here are several helpful ways to increase your online security in the face of these and other threats…
- Set an alert on your home banking to notify you anytime you or anyone else logs into your home banking account.To accomplish this sign on and go to Online Services and select Member Alerts. You will find this selection there along with many others.
- Change your passwords frequently.
- Create unique passwords. Don’t use 12345, your middle name, your mother’s maiden name etc. as these are easy to discern or to find in a search.
- Don’t use the same password for all your online passwords.
FRAUD ADVISORY FROM CHEYENNE LIGHT, FUEL & POWER
Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power received a report today of yet another scam involving unknown parties impersonating Cheyenne Light personnel and demanding money.
According to the report, the fraudulent caller tells CLFP customers their electricity will be disconnected if they don’t pay a specified amount by purchasing a pre-paid visa card. The fraud then tells the customer they would pick up the cash card at the customer’s home.
The Cheyenne Police Department is aware of this scam. If you suspect fraud, immediately contact local law enforcement. If you have concerns or questions about Cheyenne Light employees, call Cheyenne Light at 866-264-8003
It’s important to know that scammers can cause caller ID displays to mimic legitimate companies, making it appear as if the call is legitimate.
These scams often start with different stories and can involve any utility provider or other type of business. Regardless, the way to avoid falling victim is usually the same:
- Do not provide your Social Security number, credit card numbers, or bank account information to anyone who requests that information during an unsolicited phone call or an unannounced visit.
- If someone calls claiming they represent your local utility provider and they demand immediate payment or personal information, hang up and call the customer service number on your utility bill. Do not give in to a high-pressure call seeking personal information.
- Never allow anyone into your home for an unannounced visit to check your electrical wiring, cable or phone lines, natural gas pipes, or your appliances unless you have scheduled an appointment or are aware of a confirmed problem. Anytime a utility employee arrives at your door, require the employee to produce proper identification, and do not hesitate to confirm the visit with the utility company via a phone call before permitting any access to your property.
- Cheyenne Light employees carry company-issued photo identification at all times and would be happy to have you contact our customer service number listed to verify their identity.
HIGH RISK ALERT – FBI Indicates that Spear-Fishing Attacks are on the Increase
The complete story is posted at: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2013/130625.aspx
- Online businesses, including credit unions and merchant accounts will not ask for personal information, such as usernames and passwords, via e-mail. When in doubt call the credit union or company directly.
- Avoid using the telephone number contained in the e-mail, which is likely to be fraudulent as well.
- Use Reputable credit card processing services. Examples of reputable credit card processors include High Risk Guys and Crescent Processing.
- Avoid following links sent in e-mails, from a business or credit union advising that your account information needs updated.
- Keep your computer’s anti-virus software and firewalls updated.
- If you believe you may have fallen victim to a spear-phishing attack, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov/.
Vendini Inc. an event ticketing company nationwide was hacked in late March, they relay that the criminals may have accessed“… personal information, such as name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and credit card numbers and expiration dates that belong to our consumer-patrons.” Vendini provides box-office and online ticketing services to hundreds of Vendini members, which include tour, casino, sports, arts, and entertainment venues and promoters across the U.S. and Canada.
If you have used your card with this vendor please keep an eye on your account or come into the credit union for a new card. Vendini will not contact you for information so as usual do not give out any information about your account or card numbers. Internet banking is the best way to monitor your account.
- If you are a consumer-patron of Vendini, and you wish to learn more about this incident, please http://www.vendini.com/info/ or contact them toll-free at 1-800-836-0473.
- If you are a Vendini member, please contact your member advocate, or Vendini toll-free at 1(800) 901-7173.
New Fraud Alert!
If you receive an email regarding your Visa debit card being blocked or a message from Wal-Mart and they direct you to go to the provided web page…
DO NOT GO!
DO NOT GIVE YOUR INFORMATION. THIS IS A SCAM!
Even though the web pages look very real they are not!
We at Unified People's are the only ones that can block your debit card. This is a highly technical scam group that is stealing your financial information.
Please call Unified People's if you have any questions.
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