The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is issuing a public warning of a rise in an advanced tech support scam that targets seniors.
The FBI is currently investigating numerous cases where scammers are contacting elderly South Carolinians and instructing them to liquidate cash and purchase gold bars to be picked up by couriers, all to resolve what are determined to be nonexistent issues with devices and financial accounts. The FBI has received information that this scam is occurring across the state, and similar cases have been reported nationwide.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), South Carolina seniors, those 60 and older, have reported losses of more than $9 million to tech support scams from January through November. While this scam is not new, it has become more advanced and involves a network of criminals. These schemes are multi-layered and may last several weeks to months until victims realize they are being scammed and their financial accounts have been depleted.
Below describes how this scam is typically carried out:
Scammers pose as tech support from a legitimate company and contact victims through computers and other internet-enabled devices informing them that there is an issue with their device.
Scammers provide victims with a number to call. Once they connect with the scammer, the victim is ensured the problem can be repaired. Scammers then warn victims that their financial accounts have been hacked and their money should be moved to a third-party account.
The scammer will instruct them to contact the phone number on the back of their bank cards, which then connects them to another scammer posing as a government official or bank representative who can help them resolve the financial “problems.” This step helps criminals legitimize the scheme and gain victims’ trust. It is believed these calls are routed by the initial scammers to other scammers who are in on the scheme.
Victims are instructed to liquidate assets into cash and/or purchase gold or other precious metals to be picked up by couriers at their home or another location. Scammers may also instruct victims to wire money to other accounts under their control.
Other characteristics of the scheme include scammers providing passcodes for victims to provide during pickups with couriers, scammers sending fake documents on what appears to be U.S. Government letterhead to further legitimize the scam, and the involvement of multiple people.
Tips to Protect Yourself:
-Do not click on unsolicited popups, links through text messages, or email links and attachments.
-Do not contact unknown numbers provided to you in communications.
-Do not authorize unknown individuals access to your computer.
-Do not download software at the request of unknown individuals.
-Do not meet with unknown individuals to deliver cash or precious metals.
-Know that U.S. Government agencies will not request that you wire money, cryptocurrency, send precious metals, or purchase gift cards to mitigate an alleged issue with your finances or digital devices.
-Slow down before taking action. Scammers depend on victims making quick decisions.
-Visit a financial institution in person to inquire about the alleged activity.
-If you suspect you are a victim of this or any scam, immediately end communications with the subjects and contact law enforcement.
-The FBI also encourages you to submit a complaint to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
