KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A retired Knoxville man almost became the latest victim of an extended warranty phishing scam.
Larry, a retired electrical engineer, says if he can be fooled, many others can be as well. Scammers have all the answers to your questions. If they can convince half the people they talk with every day, scammers can make quite a living.
Larry received an email about a warrant he had taken out with a big box company last year. Across the country, millions of people purchase warranties for their TVs, refrigerators and other appliances. Larry was no exception.
The Better Business Bureau says because so many people buy extended warranties to protect expensive electronics in their homes, scammers are out to take advantage of them.
“My warranty on equipment I purchased a year ago is expiring and to renew it I need to click on the link. It was a $400 renewal,” said Larry, who chose not to share this last name.
Larry however wasn’t interested in renewing the warranty, so he clicked on the link and received a surprise.
“I get a return email saying, sorry the $400 is already being charged to your credit card and we will reimburse you, please call this number. So I called the number,” said Larry. “About a minute later, he said, sorry, I’m unable to credit your credit card ending in the last four digits that were my credit…
