Just a reminder for everyone:
I have received several of these phone calls myself recently, and it reminded me of this type of scam that can be very easy to fall for if you’re caught off guard.
If you receive a call claiming there is a charge of $XXX.XX on your account with a company, do not provide any personal information. Tell the caller that you will contact the company directly.
Do NOT call back the number they provide, and do NOT visit any website they give you.
Instead, go to the company’s official website using a bookmark you already have or by searching for the company yourself. Then use the phone number or online chat listed on their official website.
The company representative may ask for information such as your name or account number to verify your account. They can then confirm whether the charge is legitimate or let you know if no such charge exists.
Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. They may tell you that your account will be closed, locked, or charged unless you act immediately. Take your time, stay calm, and verify the information independently.
If the situation is real and the company believes your account may be at risk, they can temporarily lock or restrict the account to protect it. If a caller threatens that your account will be locked unless you act immediately, don’t panic. A good response is, “Thank you for helping keep my account safe. I will contact the company directly to verify this.”
When in doubt, hang up and contact the company directly through their official website or customer service number. It is always better to spend a few extra minutes verifying a claim than to risk becoming a victim of fraud.
Please share this reminder with friends and family, especially those who may be less familiar with these types of scams.