Scam Alert: Verizon Outage $20 Credit Scam

TrainMyParent.com
Jan 16
2 min read

$20 statement credit

This past Wednesday January 14, Verizon customers experienced an outage across large parts of America. Many people were unable to use their phones, receive or send texts, or have Internet access. Of course, The scammers were paying attention, and new scams have been surfacing since then. Here is what you need to know about the Verizon outage $20 statement credit, and what the scammers are trying to do.

Verizon has legitimately offered any users who experienced the outage a $20 statement credit, which can be attained by logging into your myVerizon account via the app, or the Verizon wireless website.

Scammers were quick to come up with their own version of the $20 credit. Many users have been receiving texts from scammers that look like they come from Verizon. The text contains a link to a website that looks like Verizon's but isn't. Users are asked to enter in their login information, which then goes to the scammers and can be used for malicious means, including capturing passwords for the Verizon account, or to install malware.

If you receive such a text that appears to be from Verizon, do not click on the link, and treat it as if it were a scam. If you did click on the Verizon link, you should quickly go to your myVerizon account via a proper browser, and change your password.

If you did experience an outage and wish to claim your $20 statement credit, you must log into your myVerizon account and request it there. Once logged in, visit the Account Overview section. At the top of the page, there should be a Mobile Actions or Take Action button with a red notification mark. Click on that mark, and you’ll see a pop-up about the credit and a Redeem Now button. Your statement credit should received within the next one or two statement cycles.

This scam reminds us how important it is to use different and unique passwords across all of the websites you visit on the Internet. If the scammers happen to get your myVerizon password, but you have different passwords for each account, then they won't be able to use your Verizon password against you.

As we say on TrainMyParent.com, scammers keep getting trickier, and usually target those who aren't paying attention. Scams come in many forms, including phishing emails, smishing texts, quishing packages, tech support phone calls....the list keeps growing.

Learn how you can protect yourself or your family by enrolling in the Complete Internet Security Basics and Phishing Awareness Course for Parents on TrainMyParent.com

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