We contacted Comcast directly, and they confirmed that the Comcast Customer Security Assurance Department does not contact customers. Anyone who has been a victim of this phone scam should contact Comcast immediately at 1-844-963-0185. This serves as a reminder to never divulge personal information in response to unwanted requests for information.
Why was it that I received a call from Comcast?
The phone number that was used to contact Abercrombie was 215-286-1700. The number is now included on the Comcast Security Alert page, informing customers that it is a phony. A call from this number, according to Comcast, will request your account information and alert you that your internet IP address has been compromised. Customers should not fall for this ruse, according to Comcast.
“We won’t call you up and ask for your password. We will not call you and ask you to give us your sensitive information over the phone, nor will we ask you to send us your account number, Social Security number, or any other sensitive information “Cindy Arco, Comcast Xfinity’s public relations manager, said
If you get a call from someone claiming to be a Comcast employee and it seems questionable, don’t give out any personal information and hang up right away, according to Comcast. Make sure you call Comcast to report the unusual phone call after you’ve hung up the phone.
Is there a call from Comcast to upgrade your modem?
I just got a phone call from a scammer who claimed to be from Xfinity Comcast and wanted to update our modem and give us a discount on our bill. Oh, and after the bogus update, all we had to do was wire them $249 to obtain our $40 monthly discount.
How can I tell whether a call is genuine?
Unwanted phone calls are inconvenient and invading your personal space. Phone scams, on the other hand, can cost you anything from a few dollars to your entire life savings. The greatest thing you can do to protect yourself is not to answer calls from numbers you are unfamiliar with. If you do answer the phone but don’t recognize the caller, simply hang up.
How to Spot a Phone Scam
Scammers frequently utilize appealing offers, charity appeals, or claims of being affiliated with the government to lure you in. They won’t give you enough time to consider their pitch. They’ll put pressure on you to make a choice.
A phone scammer’s goal, regardless of their actions or message, is to convince you to give money or provide personal information.
- Request payment using a method other than a credit card, such as cash, a gift card, a wire transfer, or a private courier.
- For “shipping and handling,” use your credit card or another method of payment.
- Claims your computer is infected with a virus or asks access to your machine.
- Claims to be a friend or relative in need of money, but doesn’t allow you to think or contact others.
Protect Yourself from Scams and Limit Unwanted Phone Calls
You can register your home and cell phone numbers with the state and federal do-not-call lists to avoid receiving calls from telemarketers and scammers. Both lists are free, but each have their own terms and policies, so read them carefully.
Unfortunately, shady businesses and con artists disregard do-not-call lists. As a result, once your enrollment is complete, you should be wary of unsolicited telemarketing calls unless they are from a company with which you have a real, long-standing connection.
Mobile Phones
You can use a third-party call blocking program to block unsolicited calls on your phone. These apps use blacklist databases to detect spam calls, blocking numbers that have received a large number of consumer complaints. The cellular industry’s trade body, CTIA, has more information on available apps.
Many smartphones have built-in tools that can detect suspected spam calls or ban calls from specific numbers. Some may require manual management of the list, and the phone may have a restriction on the number of numbers that may be blocked, however these features can be used in conjunction with or instead of third-party apps.
Landline Phones
Call-blocking devices are available that can be installed directly on your home phone or through the Internet. You should check with your phone company before purchasing any gadgets or services because not all devices or services operate with all types of home phones or carriers.
Furthermore, several wireless and landline companies offer call-blocking services. Some carriers provide these services for no cost, while others charge for them. For further information, go to your carrier’s website or call customer care.
How to Report Unwanted and Scam Phone Calls
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report a violation of the federal do-not-call list.
- File a complaint with us and the Public Utility Commission to report a violation of the Texas do-not-call list.
On our page How to Spot and Avoid Common Scams, you may learn more about the strategies used by all scammers.
What type of phishing is done over the phone?
Vishing, often known as voice phishing, is the use of deceptive phone calls to dupe someone into handing over money or divulging personal information. It’s a new label for a problem that’s been around for a long time: phone scams. A common method of phishing is for a criminal to pose as a trustworthy institution, organization, or government agency. You may be requested to purchase an extended warranty, be offered a “free” vacation, be informed that your computer is contaminated and that anti-virus software is required, or be urged to donate to charity.
What is the procedure for reporting a phone scammer?
Scammers try to take your money or personal information over the phone. Scams might take the form of real-person phone calls, robocalls, or SMS messages. False promises, such as opportunities to buy things, invest your money, or receive free product trials, are frequently made by callers. They may also provide you with financial assistance in the form of free grants and lotteries. If you don’t pay, some fraudsters may threaten you with jail or lawsuits.
Report Telephone Scams
It’s critical to report phone scams to the appropriate federal agencies. They are unable to look at particular cases. Your report, on the other hand, may assist them in gathering evidence for litigation against scammers.
- Online, you can report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also call 1-877-382-4357 for further information (TTY: 1-866-653-4261). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the principal government organization in charge of collecting scam complaints.
- To the Do Not Call Registry, report any robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls.
- Caller ID spoofing should be reported to the Federal Communications Commission. You can make a report online or by calling 1-888-225-5322. (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).
Protect Yourself From Telephone Scams
- The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to register your phone number. You can register online or over the phone by dialing 1-888-382-1222. (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you continue to receive telemarketing calls after registering, the calls are most likely frauds.
- Caller ID should be avoided at all costs. Scammers have the ability to alter the phone number that appears on your caller ID screen. This is referred to as “spoofing.”
- Investigate the caller’s business prospects, charities, or trip packages on your own.
Don’t:
- If a caller begins the call by asking, “Can you hear me?” don’t say anything. Scammers frequently use this technique to record you saying “yes.” Scammers record your “yes” response and use it as proof that you agreed to make a purchase or authorize a charge to your credit card.
- Don’t provide a caller your credit card number, bank account number, or any other personal information.
- If a caller instructs you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card, do not send money.
What should I do if a phone number continues calling?
You can reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive by signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry. By registering your phone number, you can avoid receiving unwanted sales calls:
If you register online, you will be sent an email with instructions on how to finish your request. In order for your registration to take effect, you must click on the link in that email within 72 hours. To check the status of your phone number on the registry or unsubscribe, go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
Telemarketing sales calls will be stopped if your phone number is entered into this national registry. However, scammers and robocallers may still contact you. Telemarketing calls are still allowed in some cases. You may still receive calls from the following numbers:
There are Do Not Call registrations in some states. Find out if your state has its own Do Not Call list and how to join it by contacting your state consumer protection authority.
File a Complaint
You may file a complaint if your phone number has been on the national registry for 31 days. Complain online or by calling 1-888-382-1222. In your complaint, include the date of the illegal call, the phone number, and the company’s name. You can also make a complaint regarding robocalls or recorded messages.
For Businesses
If you want to join the Do Not Call Registry, go to the telemarketer’s website. Telemarketing company representatives can also use the website to acquire information on compliance issues.
Is it necessary for me to upgrade my modem?
If you’ve found that your Internet speeds are slowing down and that your cable modem is regularly disconnecting, it’s possible that you need to replace your modem.
Most modems that are used 24 hours a day, seven days a week can suffer a lot of wear and tear.
The longer you have your Internet cable modem, the more likely you are to experience connectivity problems.
Renting from Internet Provider
If you are having problems with your cable modem and are renting it from an Internet provider, you may need to contact them for a replacement.
Purchased your Own Modem
If you bought your own cable modem, you may need to troubleshoot it and the coax wiring to figure out what’s wrong. A coax cable tester can inform you whether there is a problem with your modem, coax connection, or cable Internet provider by testing your coax wiring or coax outlet for an Internet connection.
When should you Upgrade your Modem?
- If your service provider’s network is upgraded to handle new DOCSIS technology, such as DOCSIS 3.1, you’ll be able to use it.
- If your Internet service provider offers better Gigabit speed tiers for higher-speed Internet plans, you can use these faster speeds to boost the performance of your home network.
How Long do Cable Modems Last?
Although cable modems can endure for years, changes in Internet technology can significantly boost your Internet speed. Every two to four years, you should consider upgrading or replacing your cable modem. Quicker download speeds, faster uplink rates, increased streaming capabilities, DOCSIS 3.1 capabilities, and more are all possible with newer cable modem technologies, such as DOCSIS 3.1.
When it comes time to replace your modem, make sure it can handle your Internet connectivity requirements.
These are the things to look for in your new cable modem.
Hitron’s CODA DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem can replace your current modem and provides up to 6 Gbps of download speed. A DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, in fact, may “future-proof” your connection by always offering the best speeds.
On Amazon, you can purchase the Hitron CODA DOCSIS 3.1 Cable Modem.
Do you want to learn more about cable modems, cable routers, or other home networking options?
Hitron has a page dedicated to learning about cable modems and routers.
What is the distinction between a router and a modem?
Your modem is a device that links your home network to the Internet at large. A router is a box that allows all of your wired and wireless devices to connect to the Internet at the same time and communicate with one another without using the Internet. Although your Internet service provider may offer you with a single box that works as both a modem and a router, the two technologies are fundamentally distinct; not all modems include routers, and not all routers include modems. You’ll need both, whether they’re integrated or not, to connect all of your home’s devices to the Internet.
If possible, we recommend utilizing a separate modem and router. You can normally use a modem for years until it breaks, but you may need to replace a router because you want better coverage, because you’ve added more devices to your network and your old router can’t keep up, or because you want to take advantage of the newest Wi-Fi technology developments. If you buy your own modem and router instead of using the ones provided by your ISP, you can often save money on your monthly Internet bill. However, this is usually only true if you have cable Internet, not DSL or fiber, and the situation is more complicated if you also get phone service from your ISP.
Modems
A modem modulates and demodulates electrical signals sent over phone lines, coaxial cables, and other types of wiring; in other words, it converts digital data from your computer into analog signals that can be transmitted over wires, and it can also translate incoming analog signals back into digital data that your computer understands. Most standalone modems have only two ports: one for connecting to the outside world and another for connecting to a computer or router via Ethernet.
If you have cable Internet access, your ISP most likely provided you with a modem when they set up your account. But it didn’t do it out of the kindness of its heartcheck your bill to see if you’re paying an extra monthly cost (usually approximately $10) for the privilege.
Is it possible to be conned into answering a phone call?
If you get a spam robocall, the best thing you can do is ignore it. If you answer the phone, the scammers will consider your number ‘good,’ even if you don’t fall for the deception. They’ll attempt again because they know someone on the other end could be a fraud victim. The fewer robocalls you answer, the fewer you will receive.
The challenge is determining when a call is a robocall and whether it is a spam robocall.
Spoofing calls have become more widespread in recent years. When phoning, spoof callers purposefully modify the name or number displayed as the caller ID. This is frequently done to fool you into picking up the phone by imitating a real company or person’s name. As a result, be cautious when pressing the answer button.
Hang up as soon as you realize it’s a robocall
The less you interact with others, the better. If you speak or react, the call will be designated as “live,” and you will be subjected to more.
Avoid saying the word “yes if you can
Many robocall scams begin with a query such as “Hello, can you hear me?” to which individuals may unconsciously respond “yes.” They can then store your confirmation recording and utilize it for nefarious purposes. As a result, whenever possible, avoid saying yes.
Avoid following the bot’s instructions
Robocalls may ask you to do things like “press 1 to speak to a live representative” or “hit 2 to unsubscribe,” among other things. You confirm to the robocallers that you are a prospective victim and welcome further robocalls by following the instructions. Make every effort to avoid taking any action.
Report the call
You can report robocalls to the Federal Trade Commission at donotcall.gov in the United States. You can assist the FTC in tracking down the scammers behind the call by reporting the number that displays on your caller ID. Every working day, the FTC exposes the phone numbers you report to the public. This aids phone companies and other partners who are developing call-blocking software. Reports also assist law enforcement in identifying those responsible for illicit phone calls.
Exercise caution
Robocall scams have the potential to cause a lot of harm. They will waste your time even if they do not obtain your credit card details. When you see an unknown caller ID, proceed with care. If a company calls you, hang up, look up their phone number on their website, then call them back to see if the call is genuine.
