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Scammers Target Local Area

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GREENSBORO – An informal survey of Gazette staff and volunteers identified many of the top 10 scams reported to the Vermont Attorney General (AG) as happening in the local area.

Scams have become so common that many go unreported. None of those surveyed had reported a scam to the AG. Thankfully none of the scams resulted in financial or the loss of personally identifiable information (PII).

One of the most common local scams, the medicare card scam, is fourth on the AG’s list. In a common form of this scam, a phone caller asks if the person answering the phone has received a new Medicare card, in the hope of learning the person’s coverage information. Other forms of this scam include the promise of free items or services; pressure to switch a Medicare plan; notices to renew or upgrade a Medicare card; threats to cancel coverage and claims of eligibility for a refund.

Upon gaining access to a Medicare account number, it’s likely a fraudulent claim will be made. Estimates show that Medicare and Medicaid fraud costs the government and taxpayers more than $100 billion each year, but the real figures are likely much higher, notes the National Council on Aging web site, ncoa.org.

The AG’s top scam involving computer tech support, generally begins with a pop-up while surfing the web that warns of a computer virus. It’s often accompanied by a flashing screen and blinking warnings. A phone number to call for Apple or Windows support will appear. When that number is called, a payment will be requested to repair the problem. if this happens, it’s often best to restart the computer, even if the screen warns not to. If the problem returns after restarting the computer, call Microsoft, Apple, or another reputable support organization.

If this warning pop up on a computer, don’t call the number. “Real security warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number,” says the Federal Trade Commission website. FTC.gov.

Another scam involves receiving an email from an organization; perhaps a bank, credit card company or software company. It may be about a charge not authorized, a problem with an account or something else. After responding by phone, there may be a request for a credit card account number to which a refund is promised. With this scam, there will be a charge rather than a refund. Contacting the card issuer to confirm there has been a charge is the best way to avoid responding to a scammer. If contacting a company with a relationship, call a known number for the company or one on a bill.

If caught by a scam of this type, “Visit or contact your local law enforcement agency to file a report about the fraud. Provide them with all relevant information and documentation,” then “Obtain a copy of the law enforcement report to provide to your financial institutions and credit bureaus as needed,” suggests the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency at occ.gov

An email extortion scam can happen while browsing the web, or via an email. The message will suggest the sender has become aware of an illegal activity with a suggestion that it will be shared in some public way unless payment is made have the record deleted. Often the activity is of a kind not wanted to report to authorities.

The U.S. Army Cyber Command suggests some things to do if threatening email is received: “Do a web search for a phrase or two from the email to see if it’s a spam message that has been sent to a large number of people or has been reported to U.S. government databases,” suggests the website arcyber.army.mil “Change the password you use for a website you’ve learned has been hit by a data breach; use two-factor or multi-factor authentication when they are available and keep your operating system, web browser and antivirus programs up to date.

“. . . Don’t reply to extortionist’s emails; don’t pay blackmailers in the hope that they will go away; they may just respond by demanding more money. . . don’t click any links or open attachments in an extortion emails and don’t immediately delete scam emails — hold onto them for reporting purposes That last point is vital — if you are victimized by a blackmailer, report the incident as soon as possible.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Francisco Fuentes, Cybersecurity Operations Branch Chief and Information Systems Security Manager, stressed the importance of awareness, password security and adhering to cybersecurity protocols. “The biggest threat is the user,” Fuentes explained. “We can’t control what someone clicks on or how they respond to suspicious emails, and that opens the door to attacks.”

Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.

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