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  • Geebo 8:01 am on July 25, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: airlines, customer service, , , ,   

    Scammers Lurk After Travel Rants 

    By Greg Collier

    A new scam is targeting travelers who take to social media to vent frustrations about delayed or disrupted trips. What begins as a routine post tagging an airline or airport can quickly turn into a phishing attempt from imposters posing as customer service representatives.

    One recent incident occurred after a family endured extensive travel delays returning from Mexico. A flight that was expected to take just one hour turned into a 24-hour ordeal involving hours on the tarmac and an unexpected fifteen-hour drive home. After sharing the experience on social media and tagging the involved airline and airport, the traveler’s inbox was flooded with messages that appeared to come from official customer support accounts. However, the senders were scammers attempting to collect personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, and flight details.

    These fraudulent messages often come from newly created accounts that mimic real customer service pages. They may use company logos and names to appear legitimate but typically lack a verified status, have few posts, and limited engagement. In contrast, authentic corporate accounts usually have a long history, substantial followings, and verified badges.

    Travelers who wish to lodge a complaint or seek a resolution should avoid replying to social media messages that arrive unsolicited. Instead, they should reach out directly through the official website or app of the airline or travel provider. Many companies now offer live chat functions or dedicated customer support sections within their platforms.

    To avoid falling victim to this type of scam, it is important to remain cautious when receiving unexpected messages after posting a complaint. Verifying the account’s history, follower count, and contact method can help determine whether the message is genuine. Travelers should never share sensitive personal details with accounts they have not independently verified.

    In this particular case, travel insurance helped the affected family recover some of their expenses. While airing frustrations online is common, it is essential to be careful about who might be watching and waiting to take advantage.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 20, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: customer service, , , , search parameter injection attack   

    Fake Customer Service Numbers on Real Websites 

    By Greg Collier

    We usually tell readers to visit a company’s official website when they need a customer service number. It’s long been the safest way to avoid fake listings or shady third-party services. But a new tactic used by cybercriminals may force us to rethink that advice. A recent report from Malwarebytes reveals a troubling development in search engine abuse that puts even cautious internet users at risk.

    The issue begins with a sponsored search result on Google. Cybercriminals are paying for ads that appear when users search for customer service support from trusted brands such as Apple, Bank of America, Facebook, HP, Microsoft, Netflix, or PayPal. At first glance, the ad appears legitimate. It often leads to the actual website of the company in question. But here’s the twist. The page you land on displays a fraudulent customer service phone number, not the official one.

    What makes this tactic so effective is that the browser still shows the correct web address. From the user’s perspective, everything appears to be in order. The site design is correct, the branding is familiar, and the URL is clean. But the contact information has been manipulated using what’s known as a search parameter injection attack.

    In simple terms, the attackers craft a URL that takes advantage of the company’s internal search function. That search query then gets reflected back onto the page. Because the site does not properly sanitize or validate the input, the attacker’s text, including a fake phone number, is displayed directly within the legitimate layout of the website. The result is a convincing, dangerous piece of misinformation hiding in plain sight.

    For example, someone looking for support from Netflix might be directed to a Netflix help page, complete with a scam number prominently displayed. The same applies to PayPal or Bank of America. If a victim calls that number, they are greeted by someone pretending to represent the brand. The goal is to extract sensitive information such as login credentials, banking details, or to convince the caller to install remote access software that gives the scammer control of their device.

    According to Malwarebytes, Apple was among the more deceptive examples. In that case, the page showed a message saying there were no results for the user’s search, followed by a prominently displayed number to call for help. It was all part of the same trap.

    HP’s example was slightly more obvious, as it included some visible clues like odd phrasing before the attacker’s message. But the sense of security that comes from seeing a recognizable brand URL often overpowers a user’s instinct to double-check.

    Fortunately, tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard have started flagging these types of manipulations. When one of these scams is detected, the software displays a warning labeled “Search Hijacking Detected,” explaining that the content has been altered.

    While this is an encouraging step, it’s not a perfect solution. Many users do not use browser protection tools, and many more still place complete trust in top search results. That trust is what scammers are exploiting. They are counting on people to assume that if a website is real, the phone number must be as well.

    This trend raises important questions about the integrity of search platforms, the responsibility of large brands to safeguard their online presence, and the growing sophistication of scams. It also calls for a renewed focus on user awareness. Before calling any support number, it’s now more important than ever to verify it independently through past communication from the company or trusted contact methods.

    The rise of search parameter injection scams highlights the evolving nature of online fraud. It’s not just about tricking people into visiting a fake site. It’s about planting bad information in the spaces people already trust. And that makes it harder to know what, or who, is real.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 12, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , customer service, , ,   

    Apple Scam Turned Romance Scam, Costs Victim $1M 

    A troubling scam that started with a simple internet search has become a cautionary tale about how fraud can evolve from impersonation to manipulation and, ultimately, devastating financial loss. The incident began when a man attempted to send money through Apple Pay but encountered an issue. Hoping to resolve the problem, he searched online for a customer service number. Unfortunately, the number he found was fraudulent.

    He was connected to someone posing as an Apple representative. The scammer, identifying herself as a support agent, claimed that his account had been compromised and that immediate action was necessary to protect his finances. What followed was a calculated effort to gain his trust and strip him of his life savings.

    The scam began with requests for gift cards, a well-known tactic used by criminals to extract untraceable funds. The scammer offered scripted responses in case store employees became suspicious. This was followed by months of daily interaction, during which the fraudster created a false sense of companionship and intimacy, turning the financial scheme into a romance scam.

    As trust deepened, the scammer asked the man to retrieve his physical assets from a precious metals depository. He complied, believing he was safeguarding his wealth, only to turn it over to individuals sent to his home. These individuals, known as “money mules,” transport or launder money for criminal networks. Some do so knowingly, while others are themselves manipulated into participating.

    The scammer eventually vanished once the man’s resources were depleted, leaving him with over $1 million in losses.

    The emotional and financial toll is significant, especially for someone who had spent decades building a stable life. Although no arrests have been made, the incident serves as a serious reminder of how quickly trust can be weaponized when criminals take advantage of technology, loneliness, and confusion.

    This case highlights the critical need for caution when seeking customer support online. Fake support numbers often top search results due to paid advertisements or fraudulent search engine optimization tactics. It is essential to visit official websites directly when looking for contact information. Anyone who receives unexpected instructions involving gift cards or in-person exchanges should treat such communications as highly suspicious.

    The best protection remains suspicion. Never transfer money or valuables to a stranger under pressure. Always verify identities independently, especially when financial accounts are involved. While law enforcement continues to investigate, the loss already suffered cannot be undone. But if one person learns from this incident and avoids a similar fate, the story may serve a greater purpose.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on April 25, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: customer service, , , ,   

    “Federal Locker” Scam Hits PA Victim 

    "Federal Locker" Scam Hits PA Victim

    By Greg Collier

    Authorities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, are alerting residents to a concerning scam that has already claimed at least one local victim. The deceptive scheme involves impersonators who threaten individuals with arrest by federal law enforcement if they do not immediately comply with demands for money.

    The scam, now being referred to as the “Federal Locker Scam,” follows a familiar pattern of fear-based manipulation. In the incident reported, a victim was tricked after searching online for a subscription service’s contact number. The number she dialed appeared legitimate, but instead connected her to a scammer who falsely claimed her account had been compromised and needed federal intervention.

    Scammers are increasingly using online advertising to add a layer of credibility to their schemes. By purchasing ads on popular search engines like Google, they can impersonate legitimate companies and services. These fraudulent listings often appear at the very top of search results, even outranking the actual businesses they are pretending to represent. This tactic makes it more likely for unsuspecting individuals to call a scammer instead of the real customer service line, setting the stage for sophisticated fraud attempts like the one described in this case.

    Once trust was established, the caller urged her to withdraw large sums of money and convert them into gold, cryptocurrency, and gift cards. The fraudsters assured her these assets would be safely stored in a so-called government locker and later returned by federal agents. Over the course of eight days, the victim lost $100,000. The ruse only came to an end after a concerned family member intervened and helped her contact law enforcement.

    Officials say this case is not an isolated incident. Similar scams have emerged in neighboring jurisdictions, often involving impersonations of federal agencies. These scams frequently cite agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service or Social Security Administration and attempt to obtain personal banking details or alternative forms of untraceable payment.

    Victims range widely in age, from young adults to senior citizens, demonstrating that the scam does not target one particular demographic. Police emphasize that real federal agencies will never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, nor will they threaten arrest over the phone.

    In the case reported, the victim was fortunate to recover a portion of the funds. Law enforcement encourages anyone who receives suspicious calls of this nature to reach out to their local police department before taking any action.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 17, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , customer service, , ,   

    Phantom Hacker Scam: Protect Your Money 

    Phantom Hacker Scam: Protect Your Money

    By Greg Collier

    A distressing financial scam, known as ‘the phantom hacker’, is devastating lives and leaving consumers in financial ruin. The scheme, which has been gaining traction, involves scammers impersonating bank representatives and convincing victims to move their money to supposedly secure accounts. In reality, these accounts are controlled by the scammers, resulting in the loss of substantial sums.

    One heartbreaking story involves a hair stylist and mother of two who lost $20,000, money she had painstakingly saved to open her own business. It all began with a seemingly legitimate phone call claiming to be from her bank. The scammer, using sophisticated tactics, not only mimicked the bank’s official phone number but also created a sense of urgency, warning her of a supposed hacking attempt on her account. The victim was instructed to transfer her funds to a different account for protection. A move that ultimately handed her hard-earned savings directly to the scammer.

    This deceptive practice, as with most scams, preys on fear and trust. Victims are often too rattled by the immediate threat of losing their money to critically assess the situation. By the time doubts arise, the damage is already done. Financial institutions emphasize that they will never request clients to move funds in this manner, nor will they demand immediate action through wire transfers or other unusual methods.

    The FBI has highlighted the growing sophistication of such scams. Scammers can now spoof caller ID to make it appear as though they are calling from legitimate financial institutions. This adds a layer of credibility that makes it difficult for victims to recognize the deception. The agency urges the public to remain skeptical, especially when receiving unsolicited calls regarding financial matters.

    For the victims, the aftermath of such scams is devastating. Losing significant amounts of money not only disrupts financial stability but also derails life plans and dreams. Often, the funds are nearly impossible to recover, as scammers are adept at quickly moving the stolen money beyond reach.

    The emotional and psychological tolls are equally profound. Victims often grapple with feelings of shame and disbelief, wondering how they fell for the scheme. Yet, the FBI stresses the importance of reporting such incidents, no matter how embarrassing it may feel. Reporting helps authorities track these scams and work towards holding the perpetrators accountable.

    As these scams continue to evolve, public awareness remains the best defense. Verifying any suspicious communication directly with financial institutions and hesitating to act on high-pressure demands can prevent potential losses. For those impacted, reporting incidents through official channels such as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is a critical step in combating this growing threat.

    The phantom hacker scam serves as a grim reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal finances. As criminals become increasingly sophisticated, staying informed and cautious is essential to protecting what matters most.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 20, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , customer service, duplicate purchase, , ,   

    Victim falls to duplicate purchase scam 

    Victim falls to duplicate purchase scam

    By Greg Collier

    In a world increasingly dependent on digital communication, tech support scams have become alarmingly sophisticated. This was the unfortunate reality for an Orlando resident, who recently fell victim to such a scam, losing $2500 in the process. Despite the scammers not getting away with any money, the ordeal continues as he struggles to get a refund from the merchant.

    The victim was simply trying to share photos between his phone and computer when he encountered a pop-up warning about a problem with his Microsoft account. The pop-up directed him to an online chat for assistance, where things quickly took a sinister turn.

    He initially believed the support was legitimate. The online chat session led him to a supposed Microsoft specialist who called him and convinced him to allow remote access to his computer. What seemed like a routine tech support call soon escalated into a high-stress scam scenario.

    The scammer, posing as a tech support specialist, claimed that the victim’s computer and phone had been compromised, and there was likely an issue with his bank account. He was then connected with another scammer pretending to be a bank manager, who falsely claimed that $7000 had been stolen from his account through the purchase of gift cards.

    The fake bank manager suggested a dubious solution: to make a duplicate purchase of the gift cards, which would allegedly trigger an account alert and allow him to cancel both transactions. Despite feeling uncomfortable, the victim was desperate to secure his funds. He purchased ten $250 gift cards from a local store, totaling $2500.

    When the scammers asked the victim to read the numbers on the back of the gift cards, he finally realized something was amiss. Fortunately, he hadn’t scratched off the PINs or given the scammers any card numbers.

    However, the situation worsened when he sought a refund from the merchant. The company froze the cards, which he initially thought was part of the refund process. Despite this, he has been unable to get his money back or even use the cards, which remain frozen.

    If you ever receive unexpected contact from someone claiming to be from tech support or a financial institution, the best course of action is to end the call and directly contact the company using verified contact information. It’s also important to note that financial banks will never request a withdrawal of funds in such situations.

    It’s crucial to remember that legitimate banks will never ask you to make duplicate purchases or buy gift cards to resolve issues with your account. Such requests are clear red flags of a scam. Always verify any unusual instructions directly with your bank through official contact methods to protect yourself from fraud.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on March 11, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , customer service,   

    Bank app scam targets Chime users 

    Bank app scam targets Chime users

    By Greg Collier

    When we typically discuss payment app scams, we talk about one of the two biggest platforms, either Venmo or Zelle. However, there’s one app that doesn’t often come up in that conversation, but requires are attention, nonetheless, and that’s Chime.

    Chime is an online banking platform that offers a variety of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, as well as debit cards. It positions itself as a mobile-first bank, meaning that most of its services are accessible through its mobile app rather than through traditional brick-and-mortar branches.

    Chime has become popular in areas that are underserved by most banks. This is because Chime has such features as early direct deposit, and lacks many common fees associated with traditional banks, such as overdraft fees and monthly maintenance fees.

    Although Chime doesn’t seem to be as prone to scams as some other platforms, it’s important to note that it’s not entirely immune to them.

    A Chime user from Indiana recently fell victim to a scam, losing over $1300 in the process. The scam unfolded similarly to a familiar scheme. The user received a text alert claiming that someone had made a purchase on Amazon using her account. If the user had responded to the text, she might have been directed to transfer her money to a purportedly ‘secure’ account, falling prey to a scam akin to the Zelle scam.

    Despite avoiding one scam, the customer unwittingly became a victim of another. Seeking to dispute the alleged fraudulent charge, she searched the web for Chime’s customer service number. Unfortunately, she stumbled upon a number claiming to be Chime’s official customer service department. However, it turned out to be a scam call center impersonating Chime.

    The customer was informed that someone was attempting to withdraw $1200 from her account. To prevent this, she was instructed to download an app onto her phone, purportedly to thwart the scammers. However, the app granted the scammers remote access to her device. With this access, they were able to breach her Chime account and transfer $1340 out of it. Fortunately, Chime intervened and successfully refunded the customer’s money.

    No matter if it’s a traditional bank or not, if you receive a call or text urging you to transfer your money to another account for protection, it’s likely a scam. If you encounter such a call, hang up immediately and reach out to your bank using the customer service number listed on their official website or your debit card.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on January 11, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , customer service, , ,   

    Bank refused to stop fraudulent wire transfer 

    Bank refused to stop fraudulent wire transfer

    By Greg Collier

    A man from Utah fell victim to two different scams, which resulted in scammers taking $10,000 from his bank account.

    The first scam that targeted him was the brushing scam. He was receiving several deliveries from Amazon that he didn’t order. Third-party Amazon vendors do this to game the review system, so phony reviews can have the ‘verified purchase’ tag added to them. This scam can be relatively harmless to consumers unless their Amazon account has been compromised, which this man wanted to find out.

    The second scam he fell into was a customer service impersonation scam. He Googled the number for Amazon’s customer service department, which wasn’t Amazon at all. Instead, it was a scammer’s call center posing as Amazon. Scammers will often pay search engines to have their scam phone number placed higher than the actual company they’re imitating. The phony Amazon rep told the man that it appeared someone had wired $10,000 to New York without his permission. Amazon, and other retailers, cannot access your bank records, if you think you’re speaking with Amazon, and they ask for your banking details, the odds are you’re being scammed.

    When the phony rep asked for the man’s credit card information, he realized he was being scammed. He went to his local Wells Fargo branch, since that was who he banked with. The branch manager told him there was, in fact, a wire transfer going out to New York for $10,000. When the man asked the manager to stop the transfer, he was instead referred to Wells Fargo’s fraud department, who told him that would investigate the matter and get back to him in ten days. It only took one day for the $10,000 to disappear from the man’s account. When the fraud department finished their investigation, they denied the man’s claim, saying that someone using the man’s username and password made the transfer, which made the man responsible for the financial loss.

    Mysteriously, once the man contacted his local TV news station about the matter, Wells Fargo reimbursed his money. As we have detailed in previous stories like this one. That seems to be the only way bank scam victims can get a refund, and even then, it’s not a guarantee.

    To safeguard yourself, it’s advisable to visit the official website of a company to obtain accurate contact information for addressing any issues you may encounter. Relying on contact details obtained through online searches can be unreliable. Additionally, refrain from sharing passwords or passcodes with anyone, and avoid granting remote access to your laptop or phone unless you initiate the call using the authentic contact number. Financial institutions typically request passwords or passcodes exclusively through their official app or website.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 7, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , customer service, , ,   

    Scammers easily avoid Zelle warning 

    Scammers easily avoid Zelle warning

    By Greg Collier

    In the news article we read about the latest chapter in the Zelle scam, it says that the Zelle scam is back. To be honest, it never went away. For almost two years, we’ve been documenting how the personal payment app has been used by scammers to defraud victims out of their money. As far as we know, there has been no break in this scam’s activity.

    For the uninitiated, the Zelle scam works like this. The victim receives a text message inquiring whether they have recently made a substantial purchase or transfer. The victim is instructed to reply with a simple yes or no. After the response, scammers follow up with a phone call, pretending to represent the victim’s bank’s fraud department. The fraudsters then urge the victim to safeguard their bank account by either transferring their funds or using Zelle to “pay themselves.” However, what actually happens is that the scammers are guiding the victim through the process of transferring funds to the scammers’ account through Zelle.

    Since these scams have started, it doesn’t appear as Zelle has done much in the way of consumer protection. If you do make a money transfer using Zelle, a warning does appear, which advises users not to send money to anyone they don’t know personally. Yet, the scam persists. So, what clever trick have the scammers devised to circumvent this warning? Is it nefarious malware that suppresses the warning? Not exactly. The scammers are simply telling their victims to ignore the warning. That’s it.

    Now, keep in mind the scammers are posing as the victim’s bank, who are supposed to have the final authority on a customer’s account. I’m sure we’ve all had to follow instructions at one point where we told to just ignore something. To us, this exhibits the poor protection Zelle has for its users, rather than any fault of the victim.

    It’s important to note that Zelle is intended for use strictly among friends and family, those you have a personal relationship with. Be cautious of any unfamiliar business or individual requesting payment through Zelle, as this could be a potential scam attempt. Remember, your bank will never ask you to move your funds using Zelle.

    If you find yourself falling victim to this scam, your initial step should be to promptly file a police report. While it doesn’t guarantee a refund, taking this action can significantly aid your situation. Moreover, if you believe your bank is not treating you fairly, don’t hesitate to reach out to a consumer advocate reporter in your local area for assistance. Their involvement can provide you with the support you need.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 31, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , customer service, , ,   

    Do banks only help scam victims when the news gets involved? 

    Do banks only help scam victims when the news gets involved?

    By Greg Collier

    When we started posting about Zelle scams is when we first discovered how unhelpful banks can be when it comes to those who fell victim to these scams. Scammers will walk the victim through the Zelle app to have them transfer money to the scammers under false pretenses. Since the victim made the actual transaction, many banks will tell the victim they can’t get their money back. To the bank, or so they claim, the transaction looks authentic to them, so they can’t issue a refund to the victim.

    However, occasionally, victims will have their money returned to them after they tell their story to their local media. This typically involves the victim going to their local TV news consumer reporter. In turn, the reporter asks the bank for comment, which more often than not results in the bank issuing a refund.

    For example, a Massachusetts woman recently fell for a scam which resulted in her bank account being emptied by scammers. She received a call from scammers who were posing as PayPal to tell her there was in issue with her account. The scammers sent her a link to click on, and when she did, scammers took control of her phone. Before she knew it, $3500 was gone from her bank account.

    Her bank allegedly denied her claim until her local news station got involved. The bank reportedly claimed they reversed their decision after their decision after the victim provided additional information.

    But are these bank refunds a result of the plane crash principle? The principle says that we only hear about the planes that crash, but we don’t hear about the vast majority of planes that continually land safely.

    Are banks issuing refunds to scam victims without the media getting involved? We’d like to think they are, but somehow, we doubt it. As someone once told us, banks are in the business of making money, not issuing refunds. Not to mention, if banks started issuing refunds on demand to scam victims, it won’t be long before scammers start claiming they’ve been the victims of scams.

    The banks need to implement better initiatives to protect their customers from scammers. Education has not been enough, as scammers often intimidate their victims into ignoring the education. If just one major bank came forward with a new program to protect their customers from scammers, we’re sure it would not only be great PR for them, but they would probably attract many new customers.

    However, it will most likely be a long time before that happens. In the meantime, we need to look out for ourselves. If you receive a phone call from any company related to money, like PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, or even your own bank, hang up, and call them back at the company’s official customer service number. You can find these numbers, if the company has one, on their website under the contact section.

     

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