Scammers Manipulate Caller ID To Target Verizon Customers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The special offer looks like it's coming from an Verizon Wireless customer service phone number. But it's really a scam.
As CBS 2's Jericka Duncan reported Tuesday, Kellen Barranger was targeted by scammers last month. He received a voice mail from an official 1-800 Verizon number.
Barranger was directed in the voice mail to visit a website, Verizon54.com, where he would enter his Verizon username, password and credit card information.
Adam Levin, chairman of co-founder of Identity Theft 911, an identity management consulting firm, explained that hackers can create spoofed caller IDs so they can pose as official representatives of an organization.
Once the scammers obtain someone's personal information, "they can create new accounts based on the fact that they have sufficient information from you that they can recreate you and can convince other people that they are you," Levin said.
Verizon Wireless said it has shut down the Verizon54.com website. But experts warn that scammers will find new ways to make money.
"Never underestimate the creativity or technological expertise of hackers," Levin said.
Barranger, who runs a blog about cellphones called Droid Life, never fell for the scam. He was instantly suspicious of the voice mail, contacted Verizon and found out it was a fake.
Experts say if the offer is too good to be true or strikes you as odd, stay away.
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