CHICO — Are you depressed by your internet, cable, and phone bills? same.
In fact, it would be easy to wish you could lower your bill by taking advantage of a promotion that magically calls you from a stranger. But like everything I write in this column, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is.
This week, a reader sent us a letter regarding a call from “Comcast-Xfinity” offering a reduced bill. As the company previously said in a statement, the company doesn’t call you, you call the company. Looking into this further, a commenter on her website for Xfinity posted about this very scam. The person on the phone calls you and tells you that you are a great customer and will offer you a discount in the future.
Brand loyalty would earn you that kind of service.
The targets of this type of fraud are wide-ranging. They will likely target people who are less tech-savvy, or who may be struggling financially or fighting to make a living. I don’t need to tell you that that’s pretty heinous.
Once the scammer has your attention, they will begin requesting financial information such as billing zip code and card number for verification. Honestly, if the person on the other end says they’re using a provider or starts offering cheap service, you can hang up right away.
Unfortunately, these scams are very common, so if you are unsure, you can always hang up and call your service provider directly. Please do not give out personal information without verifying it yourself.
Everyone, please be safe and enjoy your Easter.
Scam of the Week typically runs every Tuesday. Readers are encouraged to contact reporter Jake Hutchison regarding scams or potential scams they have come into contact with by calling 828-1329 or emailing jhutchison@chicoer.com.
