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Fraud and Scam Alerts
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Verizon is concerned about the safety of its customers.
At Verizon, we see a wide range of scams that can have a direct impact on
you. We have dedicated resources working to investigate, track, and, where
possible, resolve issues that occur as a result of scams. Through news
releases, bill inserts and now, this new page on our corporate Web site,
we can quickly alert you to current scams and immediately provide you with
information on how to avoid being victimized.
Here you'll find updated information on the latest Internet and phone scams.
You'll also find reports on current scams and tips on how to protect yourself.
If you'd like to alert us to something not listed or if you'd like more information,
visit our Contact Us page.
As a reminder, always review your communications bill carefully.
If you see any suspicious activity, call your regional Verizon office
at the number listed on your bill. By working together, we can help
reduce the prevalence of scams that hurt our customers and cost our
industry billions of dollars each year.
Telephone Fraud Involving Jury Duty
How it works:
Individuals identifying themselves as U.S. Court employees have been contacting
citizens by telephone and informing them that they have been selected for jury
duty. The caller asks to verify names and Social Security numbers and then asks
for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened
with fines and prosecution for failing to comply with jury duty.
Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information in a
telephone call, such as Social Security numbers or credit card numbers. Most
contact between a federal court and a prospective juror will be through the U.S. Mail.
How to protect yourself:
If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or
confidential information to these individuals. This is an attempt to steal or to
use your identity by obtaining your name, Social Security number, and potentially
to apply for credit or credit cards or other loans in your name.
If you have already been contacted and have already given out your personal
information, please monitor your account statements and credit reports, and
contact your local FBI office. It is a crime for anyone to falsely represent
himself or herself as a federal court official.
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Collect Calling
How it works:
A simple scam, it continues to pop up around the country.
What generally happens is you receive a call from an operator
asking you to accept an urgent collect call. While most customers
won't accept a call if they don't recognize the name, some do
because they worry it might be from a friend or relative who is in
trouble. Once you agree to accept the call, though, you will be
billed for the charges.
How to protect yourself:
Never accept a collect call from someone you don't know. If you
are unsure, request that the operator ask the caller a few
questions to determine the identity of the caller. Most of the
time, these additional questions will cause the person making the
call to hang up.
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Calling Card Number Theft
How it works:
Someone uses your calling card number to make their own long
distance calls while you pay the bill. The theft happens in a
number of ways. Someone calls posing as a representative of your
phone company and asks for your calling card number for verification
purposes. Another common scenario is that someone watches or
listens as you punch in or read your calling card number at any pay phone.
How to protect yourself:
Protect your calling card number the same way you would protect
your credit card information. Verizon and other major telecom
companies never need to ask you for calling card number; they
already have it. If this happens, ask questions and ask for a
callback number. In most cases, the caller will hang up.
When dialing your card number into a pay phone, cover your actions
with your body. If you suspect someone nearby is eavesdropping or
watching, stop until they move away. Commit your PIN to memory;
don't carry the PIN for your calling card in your wallet.
Be aware that if Verizon senses heavy and unprecedented usage on
your calling card, we put a stop on the card and will call you to
verify the usage. We will issue you another card number and you
can begin using it right away. You will not be responsible for
fraudulent charges. If your calling card is ever lost or stolen,
report it immediately.
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Third Number Billing
How it works:
You receive a call from an operator asking
you if the charges for a call being placed by someone you know can
be placed on your phone bill. This is known as third-party billing.
Often, the operator will repeat a persuasive argument from the third-party
and try to convince you the person is in trouble. If you accept the
third-party charges, you will find the charges on your bill.
How to protect yourself:
Never accept the charges unless you are absolutely certain you know
the person. Ask questions and be suspicious. Most phone companies
will allow you to place a "block" on your phone, preventing such
charges from being assessed.
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Identity Theft
How it works:
People will use a variety of methods to convince you to give up
personal information such as Social Security number, credit card
numbers, calling card numbers, bank account numbers, etc. Using
this information, criminals can pose as you and commit a number of
crimes. This will cost you a considerable amount of money and time
as you try to restore your credit rating and damaged financial
situation. The attempt can occur by way of a phone call from
someone masquerading as a legitimate business. It might come in
the form of a letter or email from an allegedly legitimate
business or individual. It might even happen when someone searches
your trash for mail containing personal information and credit
card receipts. In many cases, a pre-approved credit card
application gives the criminal enough information to set up a
credit card in your name.
How to protect yourself:
In general, closely guard all of your personal information.
Unless you are absolutely certain you know the person or business
you're talking or corresponding with, be suspicious, ask questions,
and ask for callback information. Be very careful with the
documents you place in your trash. Shred or rip into tiny pieces
any credit card applications or credit cards you're not interested
in, before you put them in the garbage. Another good idea is to
obtain a free credit report annually through one or more of the
major credit bureaus.
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Credit Card Number Theft
How it works:
Similar to other schemes, this is a scam designed to convince you
to give up your credit card number over the phone or via email.
This allows an unauthorized person to use your card and run up
illegal charges. Usually, you will receive a phone call or email
from someone masquerading as a representative from a legitimate
company you might normally do business with. The person will try
to convince you they need your credit card number to check your account.
How to protect yourself:
Treat your credit card and your credit card numbers like they were
cash. Be suspicious and ask lots of questions; just hang up or
don't respond to the email. Most legitimate companies do not
need your credit card number; they already have it. The only time
you should provide your credit card number is when you are
actually buying something from a trusted company. Also, remember
to check your credit annually through one or more of the major
credit bureaus.
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*72 Prison Scam
How it works:
You receive a call from an operator saying there is an inmate
from a correctional facility who needs you to accept a collect
call and the associated charges. Once you accept the call, the
caller convinces you to hang up your phone, dial in *72 and another
phone number. * 72 is the code used to forward your incoming calls
to another number, if you have call forwarding service or if it's
available on a per-use basis in your local exchange. If you do
this, the inmate will then make additional collect calls to your
number, but the calls will be forwarded to someone the inmate knows
at the number where you forwarded the calls. That person accepts
the charges, but they are billed to you. Often you don't realize
this has happened until you notice your phone not ringing or you
receive your bill with numerous unexpected charges.
How to protect yourself:
Never accept collect calls unless you are absolutely sure you know
the person calling. Never activate call forwarding unless you need
to do it for your own reasons and to a number you know.
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PBX/Voice Mail Compromising
How it works:
A PBX -- or Private Branch Exchange -- is a
piece of equipment at a business which serves a number of phone
extensions within the business, providing capabilities, including
in-house calling, call transfers, call forwarding, and voice mail.
Often the equipment has the capability for remote access to allow
a technician at an off-site location to make changes or upgrades.
A fraudster will tap into the remote access function through
knowledge of a password or by hacking. If they gain access, they
could give themselves the capability to make long distance and
other calls at your expense. They could also gain access to your
voice mail system and create mischief.
How to protect yourself:
If you do have a remote access feature on your PBX, turn it off.
Protect your passwords for the PBX and/or voice mail systems, and
change them often. Always create a new and unique password after
activating the equipment. It is also important to regularly
review all billing information and block access to such numbers
as "900" services.
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9-0 # Scam
How it works:
This is a type of fraud that preys on businesses that use PBX
systems or other types of telecommunication systems where you have
to dial "9" to get an outside line to make a call. The people
attempting the scam will call the main number at a business and
identify themselves as working for the phone company. To perform a
system check, the person will ask the receptionist to initiate a
conference call and then press 9 plus 0, which accesses an outside
line. The receptionist is then asked to hang up. Often, this
leaves the scam artist with access to the outside line. They then
make fraudulent long distance calls that are billed to the business.
How to protect yourself:
Legitimate major telecom companies don't have to dial into a PBX or
phone system to perform such a check. Just hang up or ask pointed
questions, including requesting a callback number. Most of the
time, the scam artist hangs up and moves on to someone else rather
than answering your question.
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Slamming/Cramming
How it works:
Slamming is an industry term for an unauthorized change in your
choice of long distance company. Often this is accomplished when
someone tries to sell you long distance service or you sign a
piece of paper for a contest or other marketing promotion,
without checking the fine print. Often your endorsement on a
small prize check serves as the authorizing signature. The long
distance company then tells your local phone provider they have
formal authorization to switch you from your current long
distance company. Cramming is similar but involves a company
placing an unauthorized miscellaneous charge somewhere on your
phone bill. This could involve a charge for a voice mail service,
Internet access services, or other service charges.
How to protect yourself:
Be careful about what you agree to in any sales pitch or contest
over the phone or in person. Read the fine print. Perhaps most
important, check all details on your phone bill regularly.
If you see a suspicious charge, be aware that the company that
placed the charge on your bill is supposed to provide contact
information. Call and ask them about the charge. If you cannot
resolve the situation and you didn't authorize the charge, contact
the business office for your local phone company. Most local
companies allow you to place a "freeze" on your long distance
choice and overall phone bill, requiring specific authorization
from you before a new charge is added or the long distance provider
is changed.
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Social Engineering
How it works:
This is a general term that involves someone trying to convince
you that they are someone they're not, in order to collect critical
personal information from you. A classic example is a scam Verizon
saw a few years ago, involving a person who calls your home and
claims to be a Verizon representative. The person says you
overpaid your last phone bill and they need some information
from you -- which might include your Social Security number -- to
process a refund check.
How to protect yourself:
Be suspicious and ask questions. Ask for a callback number. If
you ever overpay your local phone bill, major telecom companies
simply apply it automatically to your next bill. There's no need
to call you and process a refund.
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Phishing
How it works:
You receive an email that is made to look as though it comes
from a legitimate company you normally do business with.
The email, for example, might tell you that some sort of
service normally provided to you is due to expire soon. The
email directs you to a phony Web site made to look like the
site of the company you do business with. Once there, you are
asked to provide personal information -- such as a credit card
or Social Security number -- so that your service can be continued.
How to protect yourself:
First clue: Check for misspelled words in the email and closely
examine the return address. Unless you have pre-enrolled with a
company to do business via email, be suspicious. Contact the
company you normally do business with -- via phone or email --
and ask them to verify the request. The scam can be tough to
detect since many of the criminals involved in phishing design
Web sites that are nearly identical to a real company's Web site.
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Modem Hijacking
How it works:
This is perhaps one of the most prevalent scams on the Internet
today. When you visit a Web site, you'll often see pop-up ads
that ask you various questions and offer you a variety of
services. To receive them, all you have to do is select "yes"
on one or more ads. If you haven't read the fine print,
however, you can unwittingly be agreeing to have software
downloaded to your modem, which then instructs your modem to
make long distance calls to overseas pay-per-call services.
These calls can result in hundreds of dollars in charges.
This usually impacts dial-up customers, rather than broadband
customers. Often you don't know this has happened until you
receive your next phone bill.
How to protect yourself:
If you are interested in services offered by a pop-up ad, read
the fine print closely before you select "yes". Unplug your
dial-up phone line from your modem when you're not using it or
place a long distance or international call block service on
the line you use for dial-up Internet access. If you do see
unexpected high charges to exotic locations on your phone bill,
call your local or long distance phone company immediately and
ask them to investigate.
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809 Scam
How it works:
Under the scam, you might receive an email, page, or cell-phone
text message urgently asking you to call someone in the "809"
area code or some other area code that you normally don't call.
If you make the call, you may be unwittingly dialing into an
expensive overseas pay-per-call service resulting in large charges
being placed on your next phone bill.
How to protect yourself:
If you don't recognize the phone number or area code, don't
return the call. In general, don't respond to such a message
in any situation unless you are absolutely sure you know the
person or the number you are calling.
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Overseas Money Transfer Scam
How it works:
This falls under the heading of "if it's too good to be true,
it is." You receive an email from someone claiming to
represent a foreign government or someone formerly involved
with a foreign government. The person will claim that,
through a change in leadership or death, he or she has been
left with a large amount of money. They will ask your help
getting the money out of the country, and if you help you can
receive a large share of the money. The message will go on to
ask you to respond to the email with bank account information
and other personal information to help set up the transfer.
How to protect yourself:
Ignore the email. Hit the delete button. It is too good to be true.
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Worms, Viruses and Other Malicious Programs
Customers need to be aware that there are computer worms, viruses and
other malicious programs that are transmitted through the Internet and
can infect their computers. These malicious programs can cause serious
harm to customers, such as destruction of data and theft of personal
information. A good way for customers to reduce the chance that their
computers will be infected or damaged by these harmful programs is by
keeping their anti-virus software up-to-date and installing patches
recommended by the operating system vendor (e.g., Windows XP) and other
suppliers for the software on their computers.
Verizon recently learned that two computer worms, "Zeus" and "Limbo", are capable
of stealing private information from customers who have not adequately
protected their computers. When they are active on a particular user computer,
these worms are able to capture data transmitted to and from the user computer
and commercial Web sites and even the actual keystrokes the user makes as they
are typing on the keyboard. The worm then periodically sends the captured
information from the user computer to a location where it can be retrieved by a
hacker. The captured information may include user names and passwords and could
allow the hacker to log in and do business as the victim customer. All of this
occurs without the consumer's or the Web site operator's knowledge.
Neither the verizon.com nor most other Web sites are the cause of this malicious
activity. However, we are taking proactive steps to help protect our customers
who visit our site. When we have evidence that one of our customer's computers
may have fallen prey to one of these viruses, our practice is to disable the user
account and notify the customer. In this situation, when an affected customer
tries to re-enter the site, a message will be displayed explaining how to contact
Verizon to get additional details on the issue and re-establish access.
Frequently Asked Questions
If this wasn't a problem with Verizon's site or Verizon's network, how do you know
about it? How was my account identified as part of this incident?
A third party security company presented us with information they picked up using virus
scanning and analysis technology. Once we verified that information pertained to actual
verizon.com users, we acted as expeditiously as possible to disable online access to those
accounts and prepare customer notifications.
How can I protect my computer?
While no solution is perfect, there are a number of ways to protect your computer from unwanted
intrusions such as viruses, spyware and attacks by hackers. For example, firewall software
creates a protective barrier between your computer and the Internet to help prevent unauthorized
access into your computer. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software helps protect your computer
from programs that might cause damage or access information on your computer without your knowledge,
by detecting and removing viruses and spyware. These and other tools for protecting your computer
are readily available in the marketplace from us, if you are a verizon.net (Verizon Online)
subscriber, or others. It is important to keep the software you use to protect your computer
updated and you should scan your computer frequently for viruses, spyware and other threats.
If one of these worms gained access to my computer, what specific Verizon account information
might have been stolen from me?
We believe the worms could have collected anything that you typed in at the computer you were
using once you navigated to the verizon.com site, including your user name and password, and any
changes you might have made to your account information.
[It may have also captured information sent by the verizon.com Web site after it was received
by your computer.]
Verizon.com and other Verizon sites that collect sensitive personal information are secured and
information traveling from those sites to our systems does so through a safe, encrypted communication
link and is not available to hackers. Once information is on your computer, or is typed on the
computer keyboard, that information can be secretly stolen by the worms described above.
I understand that someone out there may have information sufficient to access my account on
verizon.com. What is Verizon doing to make sure my account is protected in the future?
Verizon has disabled access to the online accounts we identified using the information we
received from the security vendor. We strongly urge you to "clean" your computer of any
viruses and to protect it as described above before you re-establish access to your account.
Please note that Verizon changed its online account registration process in December of 2007.
Account registration now requires a unique pin that is typically provided via mail to the
customer's address of record or via telephone to the customer's telephone number of record.
I am worried about someone stealing my identity. What should I do?
The Federal Trade Commission provides comprehensive information and advice about identity
theft at their Web site:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
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To learn more about Internet and email scams, visit
our Verizon Online Safety & Security site.
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