Scammers Use Malware As Excuse To Steal Phones

REDONDO BEACH, CA – A new cell phone scam has been popping up around Los Angeles – the scammer will call a cell phone warning of a malware infecting the device, but instead of removing the virus, they convince the victim to mail him the phone. In the Malware Removal Scam, an unsolicited caller identifying himself as a representative of a cell phone provider tells the person that a problem has been detected on his or her device, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

The caller, who often describes normal cell-phone issues, persuades the victim that the phone has malware and should be repaired, then provides an address where the victim can mail their phone to have the issue fixed. The scammers even request the device's password claiming their tech experts need it to complete the repair.

Once the phone is mailed, it's never seen again. The data in the device is stolen and the phone is sold to an unsuspecting user. Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim to this type of scam:

• If you are experiencing problems with your electronic device, contact your cell phone company or authorized dealer
• If you receive a call claiming your phone has been infected with malware, hang up and call your cell phone provider directly to verify
• Don't share your passwords or other personal information with unsolicited callers
• Report fraud to the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or http://dcba.lacounty.gov.

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