Scam artists use trusted names, programs to bilk victims
Local target lost $21,000 in ruse
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Visit www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov for information relating to consumer scams. (PHOTO | EXAMINER STAFF)
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Scam artists — many of them from overseas — have embraced the Internet as a high-tech pathway into victims’ bank and pension accounts.
They have developed catchy lead-ins from the promise of lottery winnings to pop up screen messages telling owners their computers are infected with a virus.
“It is pretty convincing,” said Scott Davis of Superior Office Systems, “but it’s all a ploy to get into your bank account.
“Never ever, ever, ever, ever will Microsoft, Verizon, Sprint or any other provider contact you or send you a pop up message and tell you something is wrong with your computer.
“They don’t know if there is something wrong and they don’t care.”
Mr. Davis has a strong base of clients and he has seen an increase in scams, including a particularly sophisticated ploy that took $21,000 from a client.
He described the client as intelligent and computer savvy who had taken precautions such as installing anti-virus software and having the computer professionally cleaned when necessary.
It started with a pop up window on the computer screen. The operator could not clear the message from the screen and called the number provided, Mr. Davis said.
Caller identification indicated it was from a recognized company because the scam artists were using a common computer programming ploy known as “spoofing.” The thieves manipulate data to make it appear they represent a software company or Internet provider.
It worked with this client who initially balked at paying $399 to fix the problem via a recognized and trusted Web connection program with ongoing protection for a year.
The scammers lowered the price to $299 then $199 and finally hooked the victim with a $99 offer.
Their pathway into the bank account opened when they overcharged the debit account of Mr. Davis’ client $399 instead of $99. The client called back and the scam artists answered.
They apologized and promised an immediate refund. A refund was made but for $3,999.
The overpayment showed up on the client’s account but it was never really there. The scammers contacted the victim apologizing for their error and simply asked the victim to return the over payment.
Wanting to resolve the issue, the victim sent an electronic repayment. But the scam was not done.
The victim received multiple follow up calls claiming the electronic transfer did not go through and convinced the victim to make additional transfers.
The scam artists were able to make it appear on the victim’s computer that the money remained and the victim never sent payments.
Mr. Davis said the client had updated security and anti-virus software. It had been refreshed and cleaned in November. Yet by the end of the year, the victim’s account was drained.
Mr. Davis has never seen such a sophisticated scam.
“You can have the best anti-virus and security programs on your computer,” he said, “but it won’t do you any good if you give them access to your computer.”
He offers several tips:
• never use a debit card for Internet purchase especially if it is tied to a savings account for overdraft protection;
• if a pop up screen message appears and cannot be cleared, shut off the computer and consult with a technician or anti-virus software provider;
• to check on possible software problems, contact the software company and the same can be done for Internet providers;
• do not agree to use outside Web connection programs, even those with trusted reputations, with an unknown source; and
• most importantly, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s a scam.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office offers a number of tips on scams and has an online pamphlet at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov. Simply pick the Publications option from the top of the Webpage. (Or click on the image above)
The list has a For Consumers section which offers a Consumer Scams Brochure.