Marshall warns Alabamians of increasing phone scams

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is warning residents to stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phone scams targeting consumers across the state. Scammers are using deceptive tactics to trick victims into sending money, purchasing gift cards or making cryptocurrency transactions under false pretenses.

“If you receive a call that sounds strange, makes an offer that seems too good to be true, or pressures you into sending money — hang up immediately,” said Marshall. “Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone, and never agree to send money via Bitcoin machines, gift cards or wire transfers. Scammers prey on fear and urgency. If you ever feel unsure about a call, take a step back, hang up and contact our office. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim.”

Alabama consumers have reported various scam calls, including:

• Computer and tech support scams – Fraudsters pose as tech support from well-known companies, falsely claiming your computer has a virus and requesting remote access or payment
• Sweepstakes and lottery scams – Victims are told they have won a prize but must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim their winnings
• Cryptocurrency and gift card scams – Fraudsters instruct victims to deposit money into Bitcoin kiosks or purchase gift cards as payment – common red flags for scams
• Toll scams – Scammers send fraudulent text messages claiming the recipient owes unpaid toll fees, attempting to trick them into making immediate payments. Most cities mail official toll notices to the registered vehicle owner after capturing a photo of the car and license plate.
• Jury duty scams – Fraudsters call victims, falsely claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately over the phone to avoid an arrest warrant. Legitimate jury duty notifications and fines are never handled this way.

Marshall advises Alabamians to follow these safety tips:

• Hang up if a caller pressures you to act immediately or requests unusual payment methods
• Never give personal information (Social Security number, banking details or passwords) over the phone
• Verify the caller by contacting the company or agency directly using an official phone number
• Do not allow remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with a trusted company

For more information on avoiding scams, visit www.alabamaag.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658.