New scam tricks caller ID to show real tech support phone numbers

Tech bloggers are warning about a scam that tricks a phone's caller ID to display a real Verizon Wireless tech support number, duping people into providing personal information to fraudsters.

One phone number appears as "Technical Support" on some mobile devices, with a phone number that is a real Verizon Wireless support number, according to Droid-Life.com.

An automated message informs the call recipient that they have received a reward of $54 and directs people to www.verizon54.com, with the message, "because at Verizon, we care about you."

These kinds of scams, sometimes referred to as “spoofing,” are often aimed at consumers using any number of different well-known consumer companies names in an attempt to lure an unsuspecting victim, said Thomas Pica, a spokesman for Verizon Wireless.

Pica said the company warns customers about mail or phone calls that seem to be from a trusted source and ask for account information or that a recipient click on a link containing malware that captures data when entered.

“Our advice to customers is to avoid clicking on any links in emails or any links other than the verizonwireless.com URL that they normally use to access our web site and their account information,” he said.

If a customer accesses a bogus site, Verizon advises that they reset their passwords and notify the proper financial institutions if credit, debit or checking account information was shared.

WSBTV