Your Daily Computer Security Tips

Has Verizon Wireless offered to pay you $750,000 lately? Maybe they have, but as you can easily guess, it’s a scam. You may receive a letter from a company called Verizon Financial telling you that you have won a sweepstakes, and your payment is approved. A worthless check for $4,500 is even enclosed.

All you have to do to collect your cash is cough up a processing fee of $3,200. The letter goes on to tell you to contact a claims agent, who tries to get your sensitive financial information such as your credit card number.

This is not the first time Verizon has been targeted by the scammers. Earlier this year, the crooks were calling consumers in the U.S., promising them a free cell phone in exchange for their Social Security Number.

Yes, these types of scams are old hat, but sadly, some people still fall for them. Don’t be one of them. Verizon has no connection to these criminal operations. If you get a letter or call like this, call the police.

Verizon operates in the U.S., and parts of Canada and Mexico. People in all three countries should be on guard.