Stay safe from scammers this holiday season by being aware of the most common scams:
Order Confirmation Scams: These are unexpected calls, texts, or emails that often refer to an unauthorized purchase and ask you to act urgently to confirm or cancel the purchase. Scammers may try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information, install software on your computer or device, or purchase gift cards. To verify orders, log into your account and check your order history. If you receive correspondence about an unexpected order, you can contact customer service for assistance.
Tech Support Scams: Scammers may create fake websites claiming to provide tech support for your devices and services. Customers who visit these pages may be tricked into contacting the scammer and falling prey to their schemes. To get help with IOT devices or services, go to the help section of the official IOT website. If you use a search engine, be cautious and make sure the website you visit contains “TheDeviceMaker.com,” such as “TheDeviceMaker.com/support.”
Here are some tips to help you identify scams and protect your account and information:
- Trust channels: Use the confirmed website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when making changes to your account.
- Be wary of false urgency: Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they’re asking. Be cautious any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
- Never pay over the phone: device manufactures will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or “verification cards,” as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.
If you receive correspondence that you think may not be from Amazon,Walmart,Target,Bestbuy….., report it to the company. For more information on how to stay safe online, visit the Security & Privacy section on the Customer Service page.
Additional resources:
- Tips to determine if an email, phone call, text message, or webpage is really from the service your looking for.
- Look into Cybersecurity Awareness Training to individuals and businesses worldwide.
- If you’re concerned about your account security, visit Protect Your System for tips and recommendations.
