G Squad 360 Isn’t a Thing:

While Geek Squad is a real service provided by Best Buy, the G Squad 360 Service Plan is not. A Laramie citizen reported a fake invoice email from info@geek-squadservices175.co claiming that the Geek-Squad annual plan has been renewed for $391.99.

Restoration Officer Scam:

Don’t fall for a scam from larryatukwaa@gmail.com (Larry Atukwa, Restoration Officer) saying that your email address was found in a Computer Central System. While the email isn’t clear if you owe money or are supposed to receive money, the scammer employs a sense of urgency to get you to respond. Reported by a Sheridan citizen.

Fake Amazon Text Message:

An Evanston citizen reported a text impersonating Amazon with a customer care phone number that came up as a web phone number. The message reads “Your card attached to AMAZON will be charged $621.44 for order#167498. Contact Customer Care on 18889260736 to cancel the transaction.” Do not call the number. Amazon would like these reported to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.

Scambusters.org WhatsApp Emergency:

Scammers have started using the WhatsApp messaging service instead of phone calls to pretend to be a friend or relative in distress and needing emergency funds wired to them. Check out their story with other friends and relatives before providing help. Odds are that it's a scam.

Scambusters.org Zelle Fraud Alert:

Thousands, maybe millions, of dollars are being stolen from bank accounts from people who use the Zelle online money transfer service. Victims receive a phone call, text or email claiming there's been fraudulent activity on their account, and they must "Zelle themselves" to get it back. There are many variations of this scam, which is extremely active right now. Never Zelle yourself and check any fraud warnings directly with your bank. Find more information at: www.zellepay.com/financial-education/understanding-fraud-scams

TikTok Scam Alert from Scambusters.org:

Ads on TikTok state that they will pay you $10 for downloading their app, but are using the con to steal personal information or install malware. Often the personal information is used to hijack the TikTok account to spread the scam. Another TikTok scam is via email where victims are told that they have broken site rules or there’s a problem with their account and are redirected to a fake TikTok sign-on page or a messaging app where they are tricked into talking to a fake TikTok representative. Although every social media site has rules of conduct and TikTok has strict policies to try to prevent fraud, the hackers are usually one step ahead of the good guys. It is best to be aware of the scams.

MS-ISAC Patch Now Alert:

The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) has published a patch now (update your software) alert for Google’s Android operating system and Google’s Chrome browser. If you use these products, make sure the software (or firmware) is updated.

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Please report scams you may experience to phishing@cyberwyoming.org to alert your friends and neighbors.

Other ways to report a scam:

• Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker/us/reportscam
• Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection 307-777-6397, 800-438-5799 or ag.consumer@wyo.gov
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ftccomplaintassistant.gov
• Report your scam to the FBI at www.ic3.gov/complaint
• Reported unwanted calls to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registration. Online at donotcall.gov/report.html or call 1-888-382-1222, option 3
• Office of the Inspector General: oig.ssa.gov
• AARP Fraud Watch Network (any age welcome) Helpline 877-908-3360
• IRS: report email scams impersonating the IRS to phishing@irs.gov
• Call the Wyoming Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for assistance with potential Medicare fraud, abuse, or errors at 1 800 856-4398
• Victim Support: The AARP Fraud Watch Network and Volunteers of America (VOA) created a new, free program to provide emotional support for people impacted by a scam or fraud, called ReST. Visit www.aarp.org/fraudsupport to learn more about the free program and register