the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, Despite frequent reminders from law enforcement, scammers continue to find new and sophisticated ways to target unsuspecting victims. The latest local incident involved a Glen Rock resident who lost $8,000 in a Venmo scam after unknowingly calling a fake customer service number.
According to the Glen Rock Police Department, the incident occurred this past Saturday morning, shortly before 11:00 a.m. The victim reported that they noticed an issue with their Venmo account and, after searching for customer support online, called a number they believed was legitimate.
Scam Involved Fake Venmo Number and Remote Access App
Instead of reaching Venmo, the resident unknowingly contacted a scammer who instructed them to download an app on their smartphone. Once installed, the app granted the scammer remote access to the device, allowing them to fraudulently transfer $8,000 out of the victim’s account.
This type of scam is part of a growing trend where cybercriminals create fake customer service numbers and websites to trick people into giving up sensitive information or access to their devices.
FTC Warns About Fake Customer Support Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has previously warned consumers about scams involving fraudulent tech support or customer service numbers. These fake listings often appear at the top of search engine results because scammers pay for ads to boost their visibility.
“Scammers may ask you to wire money, send gift cards, or share personal information,” the FTC states. “They might also request remote access to your phone or computer under the guise of solving an issue.”
To avoid falling victim, the FTC recommends that consumers verify contact information through a company’s official website, and never allow remote access unless they are certain the source is legitimate.
You can read more tips from the FTC here.
Glen Rock Police Continue Investigation
The Glen Rock Police Detective Bureau is actively investigating this case. Authorities are urging all residents to be cautious when dealing with financial apps, tech support, or customer service inquiries, especially if prompted to download apps or share sensitive data.
If you suspect you’ve been targeted or scammed, contact your local police department immediately and report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How to Avoid Customer Service Scams:
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Always verify phone numbers through the official website of the company.
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Avoid downloading unfamiliar apps at the request of someone on a call or chat.
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Do not provide remote access to your phone or computer unless you are 100% sure it is a legitimate representative.
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Never send money or gift cards to someone claiming to be customer support.
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Report any suspicious activity to your local police and the FTC.
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People have no one to blame but themselves. Is there something in the water making these Glen Rock people stupid?
yesterday i got a fake medicare call. I asked ‘Achmed’ why the caller ID didnt ID him and he hung up.