The Consumer Hotline at the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is lighting up with questions about fraudulent telephone calls. DATCP asks consumers to be on the lookout for requests for payment, personal information or access to their computers during unsolicited calls. DATCP has recently seen a spike in inquiries and complaints about fake IRS phone calls. In this scam the caller claims to represent the IRS and warns the recipient that they are behind on taxes and must make an immediate payment to avoid arrest or legal actions. After threatening victims with jail time, deportation or drivers license revocations, scammers may hang up and call a second time claiming to be with the local police or DMV. Spoofed caller ID information will often support this claim. Another scam is tech support for a virus on your computer. A caller who falsely claims to be with a tech support company (typically Microsoft) will tell you that you have a malicious virus on your computer. In order to remove the virus, the caller will ask you to turn over access to your computer using an online program, giving them full control over your system and putting files and personal information at risk. They will also require a credit card to process a payment for their services. Hang up immediately and remember that a request for money, personal information or access to your computer from an unsolicited caller is a scam. Hang up the phone, do not press any keys during the call and do not engage the caller in any way.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:17:10 +0000
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