Attorney General Miyares announces Task Force to cut down on scam calls
On Tuesday, Miyares announced that Virginia is joining a nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force.The force’s purpose is to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States, according to the release.
BBB warns against COVID-19 stimulus scams
Some Americans may have already received a second stimulus check, but these COVID-19 relief payments can also lead to scams. According to the Better Business Bureau, beware of texts, calls or emails asking for you to verify personal information to get your $600 check. There are only two ways you’ll receive it, and both depend on how you got your 2019 tax returns. A common stimulus check scam is an email or message asking you to click on a link for a bogus application to get your payment. For more on what to lookout for and what to do if you come in contact with a scam, click here.
‘Secret Sister Gift Exchange’ scam returns to Facebook timelines
ROANOKE, Va. – You may have already seen it in your email or Facebook timeline, but the “Secret Sister Gift Exchange” scam is back. This is an example of an invite to join the Secret Sister Gift Exchange, a pyramid scheme illegal in the U.S. (Copyright 2020 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) The status welcomes you to join the Secret Sister Gift Exchange where you buy a $10 or more gift and receive 6-36 gifts in return. According to Wheeler, the Secret Sister Gift Exchange scam has been around since 2015 and returns every year during the holidays. You will receive little to no money back on your “investment” or gift exchange.
Scammers pretending to be Danville Utilities are threatening to disconnect peoples services
DANVILLE, Va. Pay close attention to whos calling you and what they say because you might just get your credit card number stolen. The city of Danville is warning people about a scam where customers receive a call and someone threatens to disconnect their utilities within 30 minutes if they do not pay immediately. The scammers are calling people using local numbers disguised as Danville Utilities in hopes of stealing debit or credit card information. Danville Utilities does not make phone calls to customers about disconnects. If you receive a call from someone urging you to make a payment to Danville Utilities, write down the phone number and call 434-799-5125 to report the incident.