Consumer Corner

June 2024

Beware of the Phantom Hacker Scam

You may have heard of the tech support scam or the imposter scam, but have you heard of the phantom hacker scam? This scam is a combination of the tech support scam and the imposter scam, conducted through various steps which gives the ruse a level of sophistication to gain the victim’s trust. Here’s how it works:

• Posing as a tech service rep from a legitimate company, the scammer contacts the victim through a phone call, text, email, or even a pop-up window on the victim’s computer.  
• The scammer gains remote access to the victim’s computer and claims the computer has been or is at risk of being hacked.
• The scammer instructs the victim to open their financial accounts to determine if there are any unauthorized charges. In actuality, the scammer is choosing the most lucrative account to target. 
• The victim then receives a call from the scammer claiming to be from the fraud department of their financial institution and tells the victim that their computer and financial accounts have been accessed by a foreign hacker.
• They are advised to transfer their money to a “safe” third-party account, such as the Federal Reserve.
• If the victim needs further convincing, the scammer will contact the victim posing as a government employee emphasizing that the funds are “unsafe” and to “protect” the money they need to transfer it.    

To prevent falling victim to a scam, stay informed of common scams, be cautious of unsolicited messages. and guard your personal and financial information.

For more information on scams, to file a complaint, or check the complaint history of a business, call Pinellas County Consumer Protection at (727) 464-6200 or visit Consumer Protection.

For more tips and helpful resources to be a savvy consumer, visit Connie Consumer Tips.

6/25/24