We recently received a message from Leroy, a resident of Conyers, Georgia, who unfortunately fell victim to a cunning scam targeting Xfinity customers. This cautionary tale serves as an important reminder for all of us to remain vigilant and informed about the latest scams. Here is Leroy’s story:
“I received a text message claiming to be from Xfinity offering to cut my bill in half if I paid for four months in advance using a Target gift card. Later, I received another message stating that there was a problem with their system and I was asked to call a specific number to resolve it. When I called, I was informed that there was an issue with their system and Target cards, and I was instructed to purchase two eBay cards worth $200 each and submit them. I was promised that my original $350 would be refunded to me via a cashier’s check overnight. They stressed that I had to complete this within three hours. I checked with Xfinity and they had no knowledge of this offer. I contacted Target and informed them of what had happened, but unfortunately, the money was already gone.” – Leroy, Conyers, GA
Leroy’s experience is unfortunate, and it’s disheartening to see another individual fall victim to these malicious cyber criminals. To prevent yourself from being scammed, here are some crucial tips to keep in mind:
1. Be cautious of offers and announcements of winning prizes: Scammers often try to convince you that you’ve won a prize or will receive something in exchange for money, just like what happened to Leroy. They may ask you to purchase gift cards, pay in advance, or claim you’ve won a product. If you receive a text message from an unknown number with a link or attachment, proceed with caution. Companies like Xfinity typically send important information through mail, not text or phone.
2. Don’t trust offers over the phone: Xfinity has also experienced incidents where scammers call victims, pretending to be from the company, and offer a 50% reduction in cable bills. They will ask for your account information to “confirm your identity,” but once they have it, they can exploit it. Xfinity assures customers that they will not call with such offers unless customers initiated the call. Don’t fall for these fraudulent phone calls.
3. Avoid making payments with gift cards: If someone asks you to make a payment with a gift card or to purchase a gift card for them, it’s likely a scam. Gift cards are untraceable, making it easy for scammers to take your money without leaving a paper trail. Paying with a debit or credit card provides more security, as your bank or credit card company can assist with refunds if it turns out to be a scam.
4. Never share your banking information: Be cautious when receiving calls or messages asking for your banking information. Scammers might try to convince you that there’s an issue with your account and that providing the information will fix it. Only provide such information over the phone if you’ve initiated contact with the official number of a company.
5. Utilize antivirus protection: Having antivirus software on your device is crucial to safeguard against malicious links or attachments in text messages or emails. These links or attachments can install malware, allowing hackers to access your personal information. Check out my expert review on the best antivirus protection for your devices at CyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.
6. Keep an eye on your mail: It’s an old-fashioned trick, but some scammers still attempt to steal bills from mailboxes to obtain personal information. If you notice a missing bill, contact your provider immediately. Installing external security measures like a Ring camera can help you monitor any potential thefts.
In conclusion, Leroy’s unfortunate experience should serve as a reminder for all of us to stay alert and educated about scams. By being cautious with offers, prizes, and phone calls, avoiding gift card payments, protecting banking information, using antivirus software, and promptly securing personal information, we can avoid falling victim to these sneaky scammers.
Have you recently received suspicious calls or texts regarding your cable bill? Let us know by contacting us at CyberGuy.com/Contact. For more security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter at CyberGuy.com/Newsletter.
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