CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is warning of a promotion scam that deceives consumers and lures them into providing cash or personal information in exchange for fraudulent discounts, upgrades or billing credits.
Those perpetrating the scam often claim to represent an established utility, service provider or other familiar company, such as satellite or cable television providers.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received word of the scam circulating throughout West Virginia, including Berkeley, Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan, Raleigh and Wetzel counties. In one instance, a consumer reportedly paid the impostor more than $5,000 in gift cards.
Morrisey
“Everyone wants a discount or the latest upgrade, however, consumers must be cautious with any unexpected offer,” Morrisey said. “Scams often play on one’s emotions with hopes to pressure the victim to act out of fear or excitement. Be calm, ask questions and never give money or information to a stranger.”
The scam typically involves a surprise, unsolicited call. The impostor will entice consumers with a fraudulent promotion and then, oftentimes, ask for credit card numbers, bank accounts and other information falsely claiming a need to confirm the account holder’s identity.
Those who fall victim have been known to mail checks and purchase gift cards in addition to having provided personal information.
The AG's office urges anyone receiving such calls to follow these tips:
- End the call.
- Be wary of any unsolicited offer, even if the caller has one’s actual account information.
- Call the company’s legitimate phone number to verify any promotion.
- Stay calm and do not feel pressured.
- Never pay in advance via cash, check, wire transfer, gift cards or numbers associated with a credit/debit card or bank account.
- Never share personally identifiable, financial or otherwise sensitive information without verifying the legitimacy of the recipient.
- Beware of call spoofing. Scammers can mimic a legitimate phone number to lure consumers to believe the incoming call comes from a recognizable business.