⚠️ SCAM ALERT: In the past two weeks, we’ve had FOUR Ventura residents fall victim to the Norton Antivirus scam. Know how it works so you can avoid it:
Scammers send a fake invoice to a potential victim’s email and it appears to be a real update from the software company Norton Antivirus. It tells the recipient that their account payment is overdue and they’ve been automatically charged a fee.
Included in the email is a phone number that when called, reaches the scammer who promises a refund.
Then, the scammer claims to have accidentally over-refunded the customer by thousands of dollars, demanding the customer make it right by sending gift cards or wire transfers to cover the difference. They may even request access to your computer to “scan for viruses” while they gain access to all your personal information.
We often see an increase in this type of activity as we approach the holidays. Please share this information with loved ones, especially elderly loved ones, as they can be the most vulnerable.
If you've been scammed and have suffered a financial lost, please report it by giving our 24/7 non-emergency line a call at 805-650-8010. You can also file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.