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State official reveals top 10 security scams
MONTPELIER — Vermonters made a total of 3,533 scam reports to the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024.
Leading the list was the “Computer Tech Support” scam, totaling almost 30% of the top scams reported. This scam tricks people with sudden alerts about alleged computer issues, such as expiring antivirus software or malware infections. Variations also include fake messages to the consumer’s phone or email about packages or unauthorized orders.
This marks the fourth consecutive year this scam has ranked as the most reported.
The email extortion scam has returned to the list after a four-year hiatus. These troubling emails threaten to release personally compromising photos and information. A new and disturbing twist on this scam is the emails include screen-captured images of the recipient’s home from online map services to further unsettle recipients and pressure them into complying with the scammers’ demands.
“Educating consumers is the best way to protect Vermonters from scams,” said Attorney General Charity Clark. “With most scams originating overseas, they are incredibly difficult to shut down. These are the top scams to look out for.”
More information about scam prevention strategies and other resources can be found on the CAP Connection blog online at blog.uvm.edu/cap, at Attorney General Clark’s social media sites, and by signing up for VT Scam Alert System scam alerts. To sign up, visit CAP’s scam prevention website at tinyurl.com/DoNotScam. Roughly 9,000 Vermonters have signed up to receive alerts.
The VT Scam Alert System was previously established through a partnership with Vermont Emergency Management that granted the Attorney General’s Office permission to manage a contact list and issue alerts using limited features of the Vermont Alert system. VT-ALERT is the state’s notification system for emergencies, severe weather, roadway interruptions and hazards, environmental hazards, and more. This year, the Attorney General’s Office and VT-ALERT are strengthening this partnership by merging the existing VT Scam Alert System with the well-established VT-ALERT system.
“Vermonters have long relied on Vermont Alert to notify them of floods, hazardous travel, local boil water notices, and countless other issues that impact their lives,” Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand said. “Scam alerts will add a layer of protection of Vermonters’ financial security for those who choose to receive them.”
In the future, whenever someone signs up for VT-ALERT — online at vem.vermont.gov/vtalert — they will have the option to choose to receive notifications about scams among the list of options. VT-ALERT’s 72,000 existing users can also update their preferences to add scam alerts.
Attorney General Clark reminds Vermonters to report scams and get support if you or a loved one falls victim to a scam by contacting her Consumer Assistance Program. Call 800-649-2424 or email [email protected].
The AG’s Office listed the top scams in Vermont last year as:
1. Computer Tech Support, 645 reports.
2. Identity Theft, 324.
3. Law Enforcement Imposter, 276.
4. Medicare Card Phishing, 184.
5. Relationship Imposter, 145.
6. Fake Websites/Online Listing, 142.
7. Email Extortion, 141.
8. Sweepstakes/Lottery, 128.
9. Deceitful Solicitation, 126.
10. Bank-related Phishing, 112.
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