Scammed!
By Annette Kaohelaulii and Wendi Lau
This week, Windward YMCA Tai Chi Ohana member Annette Kaohelaulii shared her computer experience. She agreed we could share it with the Tai Chi Ohana as a reminder and a warning:
Apple and Amazon will NEVER call you.
It all started with a phone call from an unfamiliar number. It went to Annette’s answering machine, and she picked up after hearing the caller identify himself as an Apple representative calling about a security problem on her computer.
"I was cautious and kept playing dumb and not being able to hear him. When the caller didn’t get annoyed with me, I thought, well, maybe this is real. Turns out, he was able to get into my computer and point out the things he wanted me to do," said Annette.
"Security" and "problem" are alarming words put together.
She continued, "After giving me my credit card numbers and passwords, he would order a gift card, and if it worked, he would cancel the order, and I could watch him do that. But, I was still skeptical. For some reason, he had to go somewhere and would call me back.
"That was when I called MacMouse and told Rolf what was happening. He said, ‘Apple or Amazon will never call you.’ He advised me to turn off my computer and bring the computer in to be cleaned up. I didn’t wait for the call back. However, I called the two credit card companies and reported what had happened. The calls were reported to their fraud centers. One credit card company had a new gift card order, which I did not make, so that is when I realized I had done a stupid thing.
Thank goodness for MacMouse. This was a very scary happening, but I have had no problems since. I will be more cautious next time I get a call!
I keep getting emails from Amazon about winning an iPhone 11, but I just ignore them. When I can, I report similar emails to the scam desk of the email provider."
"You need to be ever vigilant," she finished.
Apple and Amazon will NEVER call you. Nor will the IRS, Kelvin added.
Thank you, Annette, for sharing your story.