Xfinity and Verizon scams sweep through Middlesex County targeting customers
Middlesex County, NJ – Residents are being warned about a wave of phishing scams targeting customers of major telecom providers, including Xfinity and Verizon, with fraudsters using fake texts and emails to steal account logins and personal information.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office issued an alert Wednesday outlining recent scams circulating both locally and nationwide. These scams often involve unsolicited messages claiming changes to account terms, service issues, or available credits. Victims are urged to click suspicious links that mimic official websites, often using subtle misspellings or altered URLs.
In one scam, Xfinity customers receive emails falsely claiming that Terms of Service or Privacy Policies have changed. The message includes a link and a warning that email access will be lost if no action is taken. Another version claims changes have been made to the customer’s Wi-Fi network name or password and asks the user to reconnect using a provided link.
Verizon users are also being targeted, particularly following a recent service outage that impacted over 1.5 million customers. Verizon announced a $20 account credit to be issued via its official app. Scammers have since been sending fraudulent texts and emails offering the same credit, but with links to spoofed login pages designed to steal user credentials.
Officials urge consumers to avoid clicking on any unsolicited links and to never provide sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, or login details. Two-factor authentication should be enabled whenever possible, and suspicious texts should be reported as spam or junk.
Anyone who believes they’ve fallen victim is advised to contact their local police department and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Key Points
- Middlesex County officials warn of rising scams impersonating Xfinity and Verizon
- Fake texts and emails direct users to click links and enter login or personal info
- Officials urge customers to avoid unsolicited links and use verified apps or websites only