Be Aware of Cell Phone and Computer Scams | Video

Chris Williams | 11/26/2012

Technology has made our lives easier. We can get in contact with people at the touch of a button, or buy something online with a click. Technology also made it easier for hackers to get ahold of personal information. There are two scams going around North Dakota involving cell phones and computers, and both scams have made their way to the Western Star City.

One scam involves a man claiming he is with AT&T. Long time customer Danny Whitworth says he knows when it`s a fake call, and he has an easy solution to avoid trouble.

"I would hang up. Just hang up on them. I would probably even give AT&T a call and let them know somebody`s calling around," said Danny Whitworth.

If you don`t hang up, the caller will start by telling you they are with AT&T, and there`s been a disruption in your service. The caller says they need your personal information to credit your account. But if you give out that info, there could be some pretty costly consequences.

"It allows him to access your sim card information, and they are calling abroad. Cuba is actually where most of these people are calling. Using the sim information they obtain from the customer`s last four digits from the social security number," said AT&T Spokesman Alex Carey.

When an AT&T representative calls a customer, they do not ask them to verify their account information.

"The best way to handle that is to verify who it is that’s placing the call to you. Ask for a phone number to call this so called service representative back," added Carey.

Detective David Peterson has also been receiving calls about another scam.

"An individual will phone a citizen and tell them they are having problems with their Microsoft windows and will ask for permission to get onto their desktop via remote access," he said.

The scammer then has access to everything on your computer. In both instances the best way to prevent someone from hacking is just be aware.

"If they ask for too much information. If they ask for my name that`s one thing, but if they ask for my social security number or my phone number or anything like that I would think something`s up," added Whitworth.

Any scam should be reported to the police.

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