Scams using Facebook sales and phony texts from RiverLink are common in Kentucky and Indiana.
Social media accounts are being taken over by scammers who pose as sellers of fictitious products like appliances, vehicles, and other expensive stuff. Victims are taking severe blows.
Micah Harter is a victim among them. She shares significant life events on Facebook, such as her battle with breast cancer. However, on Monday, her account was hacked.
“I’ve shed a lot of tears,” Harter stated. “I feel violated. I’ve lost part of my life.”
Her account has been locked. Harter found an unexpected email associated to her account when she attempted to reset her password. She got reset codes all the time, and the hacker got them too.
“This person has not only stolen my account, but they’ve stolen my identity,” Harter said. “I’m so heartbroken.”
Since then, the hacker has sold more than fifty phony things using Harter’s account to con her friends and relatives out of thousands of dollars. This includes a KitchenAid mixer, automobiles, campsites, drum sets, and washers. Buyers were instructed to pick up the things at Harter’s real address, which was disclosed by the scammer.
“My biggest fear is that people are going to show up at my door wanting their products,” Harter stated.
Harter tried calling a number she discovered on Google that seemed to be Facebook support in an effort to get assistance from the social media platform. Regretfully, the individual requesting her debit card details on the other end of the call also proved to be a fraud.
“It’s really scary, and it’s so frustrating because I have nobody to contact,” she continued.
Tim Lewis, a tech support employee on the other side of the river, got a text message purporting to be from RiverLink. He knew right away that it was a hoax.
The bogus link in the text was “RiverLinks.org,” when the actual website is “RiverLink.com.” This is in addition to the toll rate being off.
“I’d just had my morning coffee and I got the ding, and I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting,'” Lewis stated. “What they hit you with is usually time-sensitive, so you have to act now, or you’re either going to miss out.”
Customers of Riverlink have long been the target of scammers. Earlier this year, the FBI issued a warning about it.
Tim Beam, chief division counsel for the FBI’s Louisville office, told us in an interview conducted in April that con artists put a lot of effort into becoming authentic.
Authorities encourage care and alertness to avoid falling prey to these frauds, whether it’s the attraction of a fantastic deal on Facebook or the fear of missing out on a lower toll price.
A public service announcement alerting drivers to the scam has been produced by the FBI, and RiverLink has begun informing people via its website.
Read Also: Delaware Man Facing 9 Warrants Charged in Home Renovation Fraud Case
In the event that you receive a bogus text, the FBI’s PSA suggests doing the following:
- Include the phone number from which the text originated as well as the website mentioned in the text when filing a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Check your account on the official RiverLink website.
- Tell RiverLink that the text was received.
- Eliminate any texts that contain smishing.
Make an attempt to protect your financial accounts and personal information if you clicked on any links or submitted any information. Contest any allegations that seem strange.
By clicking this link, you can reach the FTC as well.
