Scam Alerts from the Residents’ Council Safety & Security Committee

Three current scams to watch out for: Pop-up “infection warnings,” bogus toll demands and sham delivery notices.

Warning Graphic Pop Up
If a warning graphic pops up on your computer screen warning of a malware infection, telling you not to turn off the computer and to click on a link or call an 800 number, remember: It’s a scam! Your computer is NOT infected. The pop-up is a fraud. Do not call or click on anything. Turn your computer off, and after a minute, back on. The false warning will disappear. Black-hat hackers use this scam to take over your computer, steal your money and your identity.

False EZPass toll claims
Maryland drivers are being warned that false Division of Motor Vehicles EZPass texts and emails claim that you owe toll money. Do not click on a link or call a phone number from those messages. Instead, delete them and sign onto your EZPass account. It will verify that your account is in good order.

Texts About Deliveries that Can’t Be Made
Do you get texts about deliveries that can’t be made? Here’s an example:

Clues that this is a bogus message: the originating email address at the top; the awkward wording of the text; and the time-limited demand to click on a link which bears no resemblance to a USPS link. Of course, you wouldn’t click on the link. If you did, your computer could become infected with malware. Several variations on this scam are circulating, supposedly from UPS, FedEx, DHL, Amazon and others.

To protect yourself from scams, always call or click on numbers and links you know are for the real organizations you trust. Never respond to a questionable email or text message directly.