Attorney general warns Alabamians of rising phone scams

MONTGOMERY – If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

This old adage carries even more weight in these times of sophisticated phone scams robbing innocent people of their identities and their finances.

Scammers are using deceptive tactics to trick victims into sending money, purchasing gift cards, or making cryptocurrency transactions under false pretenses.

And Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is warning people about the increasing number and variety of scams.

“If you receive a call that sounds strange, makes an offer that seems too good to be true, or pressures you into sending money — hang up immediately,” he said. “Do not provide personal or financial information over the phone, and never agree to send money via Bitcoin machines, gift cards, or wire transfers. Scammers prey on fear and urgency.

“If you ever feel unsure about a call, take a step back, hang up, and contact our office. Staying informed is the best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim.”

Scam calls include:

• Computer and Tech Support Scams – Fraudsters pose as tech support from well-known companies, falsely claiming your computer has a virus and requesting remote access or payment.
• Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams – Victims are told they have won a prize but must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim their winnings.
• Cryptocurrency and Gift Card Scams – Fraudsters instruct victims to deposit money into Bitcoin kiosks or purchase gift cards as payment—common red flags for scams.
• Toll Scams – Scammers send fraudulent text messages claiming the recipient owes unpaid toll fees, attempting to trick them into making immediate payments. Most cities mail official toll notices to the registered vehicle owner after capturing a photo of the car and license plate.
• Jury Duty Scams – Fraudsters call victims, falsely claiming they missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately over the phone to avoid an arrest warrant. Legitimate jury duty notifications and fines are never handled this way.

Marshall offers these safety tips:

• Hang up if a caller pressures you to act immediately or requests unusual payment methods.
• Never give personal information (Social Security number, banking details, or passwords) over the phone.
• Verify the caller by contacting the company or agency directly using an official phone number.
• Do not allow remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with a trusted company.

For more information on avoiding scams, visit https://www.alabamaag.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658.