Information Board

"Can you hear me"? Scam

Not to be confused with the Verizon Wireless commercial of a similar name, “Can you hear me?” is something you will hear from a scammer calling your house.  These types of calls are usually done by automated call that provides an introduction and identifies a business or agency.  After the intro, the recording will ask if you can hear clearly.  If you answer yes, the scammer behind the call may have recorded you, could plan to use your affirmation to sign you up for a product or service you never wanted and then demand payment.  If you refuse, the scammer may produce your recorded “yes” response to confirm your purchase agreement.

These types of calls are happening all across the country, usually from numbers you are not familiar with but with local area codes so they seem more legitimate.  The scam is a variation of one that began late last year, according to law enforcement.  In these calls, scammers are using phrases like, “Are you’re the lady of the house?”, “Do you pay the household telephone bills?”, or “Are you the homeowner?”.

What can you do to protect yourself from these scammer?

• Hang-up on any unsolicited robocall. Most of us have been taught that hanging up on people is considered rude, but in this case, it’s the best thing you can do.  If you are on the federal ‘Do Not Call List’ and a company calls out of the blue to ask questions, it’s likely a scam.
• Avoid responding with “yes”, “sure” or “ok”.
• Report the number to the FTC.  Real-time reported numbers are helpful for the agency in tracking the issue.
• Sign up on the National Do Not Call Registry.

For more information, click on the links below.

Fox News

CNBC

National Do No Call Registry

_References:

• _{“‘Can you hear me?’ Scam has police urging people to hang up immediately”. Fox News.com. 2 February 2017. Web. http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/27/can-hear-me-scam-has-police-urgin...}
• _{King-TV, Seattle.  “You’re a victim with one word in ‘Can you hear me?’ phone scam.” USA Today.com. 27 January 2017. Web. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2017/01/27/can-you-hear-me...}

Fedex Email Scam

Scammers are always trying to outsmart you, especially during the holidays - hoping your guard will be down with the holiday hustle and bustle.

Please be aware that there is an email circulating from Fedex Tracking with a subject line of "Package Could Not Be Delivered".  While it may look like a legitimate email from Fedex, IT IS NOT. There are links within the email that on the surface "look" to lead to you Fedex's website, but they don't - PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON THESE. The links are designed to bring you to a different place and can potentially place spyware, malware, or any other kind of virus on your machine.

Always remember - if you didn't order anything recently, you shouldn't be getting an email.

Information below is an excerpt taken from a recent online article. A link to the online article is listed below.

Here’s a list of 12 scams from the Better Business Bureau and law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for as you hit the malls or shop online.

• Fake shipping notifications —  These can have attachments or links to sites that will download malware on your computer to steal your identity and your passwords. Don’t be fooled by a holiday phishing scam.
• E-cards —  Electronic holiday cards can be used to steal your data. Two red flags to watch out for are: the sender’s name is not apparent; you are required to share additional information to get the card.
• Letters from Santa —  Several trusted companies offer personalized letters from Santa, but scammers mimic them to get personal information from unsuspecting parents. Check with bbb.org to find out which ones are legitimate.
• Temporary holiday jobs —  Retailers and delivery services need extra help at the holidays, but beware of offers that require you to share personal information online or pay for a job lead. Apply in person or go to retailers’ main websites to find out who is hiring.
• Unusual forms of payment —  Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for holiday purchases using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, third parties, etc. These payments cannot be traced and cannot be undone. Use a credit card on a secure website; look for https in the address (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and the lock symbol.
• Social media gift exchange —  It sounds like a great deal; buy one gift and get 36 in return. But it’s a variation on a pyramid scheme and it’s illegal, says the BBB.
• Deceptive Advertising — Just like fake websites, fake apps are built at this time of year to target people who prefer shopping from their phones. Be especially wary of phone shopping apps; even those marked with an Amazon or Ebay logo could be fake. And, dangerous links, phony contests on social media, and bogus gift cards allow scammers to steal your personal information, says McAfee.com. Watch out for URLs that use the names of well-known brands along with extra words.
• Bogus Charities — The holidays prompt us to donate to charities, but scam artists take advantage of this by sending emails for fake charities or sharing viral promos. Before donating, do your homework. Groups such as the Better Business Bureau,Charity Watch and even the Internal Revenue Service have tips to safely donate to charities.
• Promotional Emails —The International Business Times says to treat all promotional emails that aren’t coming from a trusted retailer as dangerous material. Even if you open the email, do not click on any links inside.
• Gift Card Scams — The popular gifts can be an opportunity for thieves, who copy the numbers off cards in a store, then check online or call the 1-800 number to see if the card is activated. Once a card is active, the thieves spend its contents online, and the rightful card holder has no money, says the Better Business Bureau. And never buy discounted gift cards sold online; scammers will keep your cash, and use the gift cards.
• Use a Credit Card — Using a credit card is safer than swiping your debit card when shopping. Credit cards have more security features than debit cards and credit companies are more willing to replace your stolen money than most banks, according to IBT.
• Package Theft — The internet is full of videos of thieves stealing packages left by delivery services on doorsteps.Police believe the criminals follow delivery trucks into neighborhoods, say Annapolis Police. To thwart thieves, require a signature for all packages. If nobody will be home to accept a delivery, have the package held at the nearest service location for you to pick it up.

Holiday Scams Article Link  -  12 Holiday Scams to Guard Against Christmas 2015

US Postal Service Email Scam

In our part of the country, it is becoming normal for retired folks to travel south for the winter and return in the spring. If you are one of these fortunate few, please be mindful of a recent scam that appears to come from the US Postal Service. Here is how this scam works:

You may receive a notice online advising you that the post office will no longer be distributing the "mail-forwarding cards" but will be accepting changes online, using forms they email to you.  You may be offered a choice to print them and mail them back or email them.  They will also charge a fee of $35 or so for this "new" service.  As legitimate as the notice may sound and look - IT IS A SCAM.  Fraudsters are looking to obtain your credit card information and your place of residency.  Knowing that you will not be there for an extended period of time, fraudsters could have an opportunity to rob your home in addition to taking your money.

Should you ever receive one of these notices, contact your local post office in person or call them to inquire about this notice  - DON'T OPEN ANY ATTACHMENTS.  If you have additional concerns, print out the email and bring it to your local post office or law enforcement agency.

** For additional information from someone who fell victim to this scam, click on the article link below.

USPS Email Scam Article  -  New York Post - Dear John Column