6 events in Passaic County with a date

Scammers suing fake phone numbers

You might think you're talking to legit company, but are you really?

By: Susan Tompor
Detroit Fee Press
USA Today Network

DETROIT - Calling the wrong number could cost you hundreds of dollars if you hook up with a bogus customer service line.
..... A Metro Detroit woman was shopping for cheaper car insurance in June, [2025] and like most people these days, she pulled out her phone and searched Online via Google to find a deal. She thought she had a number for Geico. She clicked on the number and made a call.
..... "I called it, and Geico answered," said Carrie, 56 of Troy Michigan. she asked that here last name not be sued because she's concerned about more fraud and identity theft now.
..... Initially, she had no problem handing over her personal and banking information to an insurance company known for its charming green gecko.
..... She provided her driver's license number, the vehicle identification number for her vehicle and her Social Security number. She was instructed to call an 977 number, and a text was sent to her from a 615 area code. That text had a link to a "Geico" from, but it was actually a Google Docs from to gather her information.
..... Weeks later, Carrie told me some signs that could have been red flags but weren't at the time.
..... The fake Geico representativeness told her that the insurer had a deal going with Xfinity - yes, the telecommunications company. Under that deal, as the story went, Xfinity would contribute $28.23 the first month toward the cost of her car insurance - $428 a month to cover three cars, including two sons in their early 20s.
..... She'd have to make her first payment of 400 to Xfinity. the fake Geico representative told her that her payment would likely be declined by the bank for some reason hat sounded legitimate at the time. She was told to call her bank to make sure the payment on her debit card would go through and not be declined as possible fraud. She did that.
..... A withdraw for her bank for 4400 was marked "car insurance."
..... Worse yet at one point, the fake Geico rep called her back and started saying that she'd have to pay significantly more than $00 a money because her premium had gone up shortly after that initial payment. Carrie put up a fuss for an hour on the phone, including yelling at times, and she wasn't charged any more.
..... When did she realize it was a scam? A day or so later, she looked for another Geico number Online. She somehow ended up calling the real Geico to find out when her insurance cards would arrive.
..... The real Geico had information saying that she had received a quote but no payment were made.
..... "Watch what you click on," Carrie now advises others.
..... She field a report with the Troy Police Department, contacted her bank to close her account and talked with the fraud department at Geico.
..... The bank returned the $400 to her account pending an investigation.

Traps set for search engine suers

..... Unfortunately, according got the police report, the woman called the first number that she spotted in her search results. And that's just where the crooks were hiding.
..... "These scammers don't just reach out directly - they also set traps by creating fake websites and listing fraudulent phone numbers that appear to belong to legitimate companies, including Geico," according to the insurer's Online alert about phishing scams.
..... "When you search Online for our contact information, you might find these fake numbers and unknowingly call scammers who will impersonate our employees," according to Geico.
..... Everyone is searching Online for a deal or a way to fix a problem p and the scammers are ready to pounce after position fake customer service numbers Online for well-known airlines, banks, insurance companies, cable companies, Online retail and more.
..... Some consumers are complaining about ending up at fake customer service sties for Venmo after searching Online for a phone number. Venmo has a big yellow banner on its help page Online proclaiming: "Pleas not that Venmo customer service will never ask for your Venmo Debit Card number or request that you download another application."
..... Amazon News took to the social media platform X in early March [2025] to warn consumers at the e-commerce platform saw a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams on social media form December 2024 through February. [2025]
..... It apparently pays for con artist to impersonate someone you'd likely trust.
..... In late June, [2025] the FBI issued an alert about crooks impersonating health insurers. In this case, you're likely to receive a bogus text or email.
..... The crooks might even give the repression that they are fraud investigators.
..... Criminals are sending emails and text messages to patient and healthcare providers, according to the FBI, pretending to be legitimate communications from trusted health care authorities.
..... "The message are designed to pressure victims into disclosing protected health information, medical records, personal financial details, or providing reimbursement for alleged service overpayment or non-coved services," according to the FBI alert.
..... To avoid this scam, consumers are advised to first contact your health insurance provider directly to verify the legitimacy of any messages before sharing personal, financial or health care information.
..... Google, like many borscht these days, offer consumers Online tips on how to spot scams.
..... One such tip form Google" Don't share temporary credentials. Two-factor verification is designed to keep you safe, so temporary passwords, links or pass-codes should never be shared. No legitimate business will ever ask for you to share your two-factor verification information."
..... Another Google tip: "Not all businesses have customer service numbers, so if you can't find one on their website, be mindful before you go digging to find one from another site or service."

Don't download app to 'help'

..... Experts say crooks impersonating customer support often ask you to download and install an app on your device that will supposedly "help" their investigation of an issue. don't do it.
..... Remember, crooks can spoof caller IDs and plant bogus customer service information Online.
..... Best bet: Do not just simply call any number found Online or shared to you via a text, because that number might connect you to scammers.
..... If you hand over your financial information and realize its as a scam, experts say it;s bes to immediate reach out directly to your bank or credit union.

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