Protect Yourself From These Common Internet Scams

We take the privacy and security of our customers seriously. That is why you will never receive a random email, or phone call from us asking for personal information like your social security number, routing number, date of birth, or security questions. Using our online customer portal SmartHub, you can add important contact and billing formation through a secure and safe platform.

If you get an email, phone call, or text message that requests personal information or money — whether it’s from BTC Broadband or any other company — do not click on any links, give out your information, or download any content. No matter how legitimate the branding looks or how professional they sound, it's best to always call the company's main number to confirm.

If you received a call from someone specifically stating they work with BTC Broadband, hang up and call (918) 366-8000 to confirm details.

Here are some common internet scams along with some helpful tips to avoid becoming a hacking victim.

Gift Card Scam

In this scenario, you may receive an email or text message that looks like it’s coming directly from a supervisor (usually a CEO or someone on the team whose title is easily found online). This email will seem very friendly and casual, but it will request that you purchase gift cards. After purchasing the gift cards, you are instructed to reply to the email and include all the card numbers and the security codes.

The reason some people fall for this is that 1) it looks like a direct request from a member of the executive team and 2) because many people within an organization actually do purchase gift cards on occasions to use as gifts for staff or board members, etc.

Helpful tip: First check and view the entire email address from the sender. Hackers have been known to replicate the first part of an email address to make it appear correct at first glance. However, you’ll soon find that the email is fake. But just in case you aren’t able to see the email, it’s always a good idea to verify directly with your supervisor before you make any purchases.

“Log back in to access your account!”

Hackers are notoriously good at making fake things look real, and websites are no exception. A common scam is to receive an email with a subject line mentioning how you’ve either been logged out of some account (Amazon and Apple are popular ones) and/or you need to log back in to update your password. Once you open the email you will see what looks like a standard log-in page, but it’s fake. Once you enter your credentials the scammer will save the information and will be able to log into your real account and wreak all sorts of havoc.

Helpful tip: As usual, make sure to check the full sender email address. This will help you verify immediately if it’s real or possibly fake. If there are a bunch of random numbers and dashes, then it’s most likely fake. Next, is to avoid clicking on anything within the email itself. Instead, go directly to the real website (i.e. Amazon, Apple) and log in from there. We also recommend updating your password after directly logging into the platform or app.

Zelle Scam on Facebook Marketplace and Text Messaging

With more and more people utilizing Facebook’s Marketplace to sell goods, it’s no wonder why hackers have found their new playing field. A new method of hacking that is gaining lots of traction is the “Zelle” scheme.

The situation goes like this, you post something to sell, someone messages you and expresses their interest in the item, you exchange brief messages before they agree to purchase the item. Great, sounds like it’s all going smoothly….until they mention that they will pay you through Zelle (Zelle a legitimate U.S.-based banking service similar to Venmo or Cash App).

The scammer will then proceed to ask for your phone number and email address to “find your Zelle account to pay you”. Once you give your email you will receive a very legitimate-looking email shortly from a hacker pretending to be from Zelle Service (but it’s a fake email address). This email will state that you do have a payment pending BUT “unfortunately your Zelle account is not a business account, and you will need to deposit more money to make it a business account and then you will be refunded that money back”.

Another Zelle scam that is fast-growing is the text message ploy. The scammer pretends to be the bank itself. You’ll receive a legitimate-looking and sounding email or text message asking you to confirm a large, Zelle payment. When the user replies in a panic that they didn’t authorize the transfer, the scammer immediately follows up with a phone call pretending to be the bank. The phone number is typically spoofed so it shows up on caller ID as the real bank. You’re then (very professionally sounding) walked through instructions on how to reverse the unauthorized claims, which include your bank details and confusing money transfers. What really happens, though, is that you are transferring money directly to the criminals.1

This scam is easy to fall for because 1) the user is already panicking thinking their money has already been hacked and the “bank” is helping you (this creates a false sense of trust), and 2) because everything appears to look professional and legitimate.

Helpful tip: Please don’t swap money or goods on Marketplace before being completely sure you are dealing with a real person, and you have the money and/or working item(s) in your hands. Make sure to document all interactions between you and the buyer/seller. Never assume that just because something looks professionally branded or sounds authentic that it is real. Photoshop is a common tool for scam artists. Always reach out to your bank directly to confirm any notifications you’ve received.

1 Crooks using scams and hacks to steal money through Zelle | WFLA