“The hard part is that scammers are getting really good at looking like somebody you trust,” he said.
Moses, the owner of Idea Karma LLC in Chino Valley, wants to make computer users aware of scams so they recognize suspicious activity when they see it. He says a lot of online pop-up advertisements are designed to make computer users think their computer has a virus, when they do not. Another scam involves postcards that arrive in the mail claiming guarantees for software have expired.
There are also scams with callers posing as representatives from Microsoft, Amazon or similar companies. “They want you to give them access to your computer. You should not do that. They will not call you. It will be on you to call them if you have a problem,” he said.
One scam tells the victim that their house is going to be foreclosed on if they don’t pay them. “They prey on homeowners. They say they are going to save you from foreclosure. They get your title and then they kick you out.”
Another popular scam involves online dating. Criminals create fake profiles, and once the person gains the other’s trust, they ask for large sums of money.
Scammers have devised “hundreds” of ways to get into people’s phones or computers in order to obtain information about their finances, he said. “They try to get you to pull out a money order.”
Moses estimates he helps six to eight customers a month deal with scams. “That doesn’t seem like a lot, but the numbers are starting to add up.”
And those who are less adept at technology are more at risk. “People who don’t understand what’s happening think they have a virus, so they call and get somebody in India, Pakistan or United Kingdom, so they give them access to their computer and they put in a virus.”
Once the scammers have access to the computers, they can browse through the person’s email and apps. “Don’t keep your password anywhere digitally,” he warned.
He also cautions about giving any personal information over the phone or computer, especially regarding bank accounts or credit card information. He offers five ways to avoid being scammed.
First, if someone calls you, ask for a phone number to call them back. Before you call them back, Google the company they say they are with. “If it does not show up, it is not valid,” he said.
Second, be careful about giving information over the phone. Scammers may already have obtained your name and address, but research them before trusting them.
Third, maintain a known software safety program. Norton is among the best, says Moses. Programs range in cost from free to $100. None of these software safety programs will ever contact you.
Fourth, don’t give out any information to people you don’t know.
And fifth, do not open emails or answer phone calls if you don’t know where they are coming from. He says if you open an email, but don’t respond, it will still be OK. “Don’t open an attachment or respond,” he emphasized.
If you are scammed, Moses says to let your bank know as soon as possible and visit the bank in person rather than calling. The banking institution may provide a legitimate phone number to call to report the scam. He says it’s a good idea to report scams to a local jurisdiction and the FBI. “The more information they have, the better.”
Whether anyone can recoup money lost through a scam depends on the situation. If someone gave out their personal information willingly, funds may not be recoverable. “The hard part is that scammers are getting really good at looking like somebody you trust,” he said.
If your computer has been compromised, Moses says to bring it to either a computer repair technician like himself or a major computer technical support program.
“If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” he said. “I want to educate the community so people don’t become victims.” FBN
By Stan Bindell, FBN
Photo by Stan Bindell: “Scammers are getting really good at looking like somebody you trust,” says Idea Karma owner Robert Moses.
