FBI warns of a surge in tech support scams targeting the elderly across the United States and urging victims to dispatch cash concealed within magazines or similar items through shipping firms.
While tech support scams have been around for years, the FBI says this is a departure from scammers’ conventional tactics of soliciting their targets to send money using bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards.
“The FBI is warning the public of a recent nationwide uptick in technical support scams targeting older adults, where scammers instruct victims to send cash, wrapped in a magazine(s), via shipping companies,” the FBI cautioned in a public service announcement issued through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Tech support scammers target elderly individuals via phone calls, texts, emails, and misleading pop-up windows while posing as legitimate company representatives.
They warn their targets of fraudulent activities linked to their accounts or promise subscription refunds. Victims are then provided with designated contact numbers for assistance, with the scammers requesting access to the victims’ computers to deposit funds into their bank accounts after they call.
Victims are persuaded into downloading remote access software which allows scammers to gain control over their computers. Then they convince them to log into their bank accounts so the crooks will deliberately deposit a larger sum than intended, asking them to send back the extra cash so the scammer won’t lose their job.
Victims are instructed to send the surplus money via shipping companies concealed within magazines or similar items to meet scammers’ demands.
“Most recently, scammers have instructed victims to ship packages containing money to pharmacies and retail businesses that are equipped to receive shipping company packages,” the FBI added.
How to protect yourself from scammers
The FBI advises elderly individuals targeted by such scams to follow these tips to avoid getting tricked:
- Never download software at the request of an unknown individual who contacted you.
- Never allow an unknown individual who contacted you to have control of your computer.
- Do not click on unsolicited pop-ups, links sent via text messages, email links, or attachments. Do not contact the phone number in a pop-up, text, or email.
- Never send cash via mail or shipping companies.
Those who have fallen victim to this tech support scam are advised to report it as soon as possible by filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
The complaint should include the name of the person or company who reached out, the method of communication they used, and the recipient’s name and address where the money was shipped.
In November, the law enforcement agency also warned that tech support scammers were impersonating financial institutions’ refund payment portals and tricking victims (generally from within the elderly population) by taking advantage of the added legitimacy.