A scam has emerged where victims are asked to download an app to their mobile phones or other devices; in doing so they end up losing money.
According to victims, they received text messages to their telephones advising they will be charged for an Amazon purchase. In the text, victims are provided with a toll-free telephone number to cancel the purchase. The victims, who never made the Amazon purchase, called the toll-free number to cancel the charges. When they called the number to cancel the order, a subject impersonating an Amazon employee connects them to someone impersonating an Amazon fraud specialist. In speaking with the subject impersonating the fraud specialist, victims are directed to download the Anydesk Remote app to their telephones, so that the fraud specialist can assist in cancelling the transactions. The Anydesk Remote app provides the impersonator with access to the victim’s mobile telephone, which includes bank and other accounts stored on the device. Once access is granted through the Anydesk Remote app, the impersonators have stolen various amounts of money from the victims.
Guidance
Never download an app that provides access to your mobile telephones or other computer devices, it most certainly will result in fraud. If you receive a text message like the one described above, do not respond. Should you have concerns with a purchase or charge, internet retailers, such as Amazon, have legitimate customer services numbers to call.
As always, if you feel like you have fallen victim of a scam, please contact law enforcement to report it.
