WHNT News 19 is taking action to protect you from people who manipulate modern technology to scam you. Technology is great, but in the wrong hands, it can be very, very bad. The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is warning you about vishing scams.
When you get a phone call, normally, the caller ID lets you know who's trying to reach you. Now, you can't be so trusting.
"They use modern technology to spoof the caller ID box," explains Christie Yeiser, Regional Vice President with BBB of North Alabama.
Yeiser says vishing calls have dramatically increased thanks to newer technology that makes it possible for anyone to alter their identification that appears on your caller ID box. Yeiser says the con-artists pose as employees of your bank or credit union.
"They may be seeking to get your bank account information, credit card information, debit card information or social security number," says Yeiser.
The BBB warns consumers not to fall for vishing scams. Banks do not use pre-recorded messages to handle security issues.
New scams, like vishing calls, surface all the time. For this reason, Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis met with a group of senior citizens at the Underwood-Petersville Community Center to make sure they're aware. Janice Gist works with seniors on a regular basis and worries they'll become victims.
"Sometimes, they're just caught off guard and they do give out some information they don't need to," says Gist.
For Florence resident Peggy Irons, who attended the group session on scams, the lesson she learned is to always be on guard.
"The way things are now with computer systems, they can do a lot of things that you don't know about," says Irons. "I'm very cautious."
If you get a suspicious call, Yeiser offers this advice, "Hang up and call the phone number for your bank or credit union that you know before you give out information."
Vishing scams also include calls from someone claiming to be with an auto warranty company or a company that can lower your credit card interest rates. In some cases, the calls can be from a person who falsely claims they're collecting funds to resolve an outstanding debt.
When you get a phone call, normally, the caller ID lets you know who's trying to reach you. Now, you can't be so trusting.
"They use modern technology to spoof the caller ID box," explains Christie Yeiser, Regional Vice President with BBB of North Alabama.
Yeiser says vishing calls have dramatically increased thanks to newer technology that makes it possible for anyone to alter their identification that appears on your caller ID box. Yeiser says the con-artists pose as employees of your bank or credit union.
"They may be seeking to get your bank account information, credit card information, debit card information or social security number," says Yeiser.
The BBB warns consumers not to fall for vishing scams. Banks do not use pre-recorded messages to handle security issues.
New scams, like vishing calls, surface all the time. For this reason, Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis met with a group of senior citizens at the Underwood-Petersville Community Center to make sure they're aware. Janice Gist works with seniors on a regular basis and worries they'll become victims.
"Sometimes, they're just caught off guard and they do give out some information they don't need to," says Gist.
For Florence resident Peggy Irons, who attended the group session on scams, the lesson she learned is to always be on guard.
"The way things are now with computer systems, they can do a lot of things that you don't know about," says Irons. "I'm very cautious."
If you get a suspicious call, Yeiser offers this advice, "Hang up and call the phone number for your bank or credit union that you know before you give out information."
Vishing scams also include calls from someone claiming to be with an auto warranty company or a company that can lower your credit card interest rates. In some cases, the calls can be from a person who falsely claims they're collecting funds to resolve an outstanding debt.
