Beware of Gaming Scam Calls

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There is a wave of gaming scam calls in the American state of Arizona. We’ll tell you how to identify scam calls and how not to fall for them.

Gaming scam calls are part of a broader category of scams targeting gamers. There have been repeated instances of people reporting scam calls in the US state Arizona. It seems like it’s only a question of time before we hear reports form other states and, ultimately, other countries. That’s why we’ve taken a deeper look into these calls to help you avoid falling for them.

Scammers may exploit the popularity of online gaming and the enthusiasm of players to trick them. The goal is to retrieve personal information, money, or access to their accounts. Here’s how these scams typically work:

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Phishing Attempts

Callers Pose as Game Support or Company Representatives: Scammers often pretend to be representatives from popular gaming companies like Microsoft, Sony (PlayStation), Steam, helplines, or even specific game studios. They may claim there is an issue with the user’s account, such as a security breach or a need for verification.
Requests for Personal Information: The scammer will ask the victim to provide sensitive information like account login details, passwords, credit card information, or answers to security questions.
Pressure Tactics: They often create a sense of urgency, saying that if the victim doesn’t act quickly, their account will be locked, banned, or compromised. This pressure makes the victim more likely to comply without thinking it through.

Fake Prize or Reward Scams

Promises of Free In-Game Items, Currency, or High-Value Accounts: Scammers may call and tell the victim they’ve won something valuable, like rare in-game items, a large sum of in-game currency, or even a high-level account.
Upfront Payment or Information Request: To claim the prize, the victim might be asked to pay a small fee, share account details, or provide personal information. After providing the payment or information, the victim receives nothing in return.

Scam alert — Be careful when taking calls.

Tech Support Scams

Fake Tech Support for Gaming Devices: Scammers may call pretending to be from tech support for a gaming console or PC, claiming they’ve detected a virus, malware, or some issue that needs immediate attention.
Access to Devices: They may ask the victim to grant them remote access to their gaming device or computer, ostensibly to fix the issue. Once they have access, they can install malicious software, steal information, or lock the victim out of their own device.

Subscription Renewal or Account Upgrade Scams

Fake Subscription Renewals: Scammers might claim that a gaming subscription (like Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, or a game-specific subscription) is about to expire. They offer to renew it at a discount, but only if the victim acts immediately.
Payment Information Theft: The victim is asked to provide payment details, which the scammer then uses to make unauthorized transactions.

Fake Moderators or Admins

Threats of Account Bans: Scammers may pose as game moderators or administrators, threatening to ban the victim’s account for supposed rule violations. They offer to “resolve” the issue if the victim provides account details or pays a fee.
Ransomware Attacks: In some cases, scammers may threaten to release or destroy the victim’s in-game assets. They might also try to blackmail you into giving them personal information.

How to Protect Yourself

Verify Caller Identity: Always verify the caller’s identity by contacting the gaming company directly through official channels.
Never Share Sensitive Information: Do not share personal information, account details, or payment information over the phone.
Watch for Red Flags: Be suspicious of unsolicited calls, especially if they involve urgency, threats, or too-good-to-be-true offers.
Use Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication on gaming accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Report Scams: Report any suspicious calls to the relevant gaming company and, if necessary, to local authorities.

Gaming scam calls can be quite convincing, especially when they target younger or less tech-savvy gamers. Awareness and caution are key to avoiding these scams. Take this as a rule of thumb: Don’t hand out data online that you wouldn’t tell a stranger at your door.