MONTGOMERY, Ala. – AARP Alabama is alerting residents across the state to a troubling new scam in which criminals impersonate representatives of “Publishers Clearing House” and use FaceTime calls to exploit victims through facial recognition technology.
According to reports received by AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, scammers are contacting individuals – often older adults – claiming they have won a large cash prize or sweepstakes. The criminals then persuade victims to engage in a FaceTime video call under the guise of verifying their identity or confirming prize details. During these calls, scammers capture images or video of the victim’s face, which they may attempt to use to access banking or financial accounts that rely on facial recognition security features.
“This is a particularly alarming twist on a long-running scam,” said AARP Alabama State Director Candi Williams. “Criminals are combining familiar tactics with newer technologies to gain access to people’s personal and financial information. We urge all Alabamians to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications.”
Warning signs of the scam
- Unsolicited calls, texts or messages claiming you’ve won a prize
- Requests to join a FaceTime or video call for “verification”
- Pressure to act quickly or keep the winnings confidential
- Requests for personal, financial or account information
How to protect yourself
- Do not engage with unexpected prize notifications.
- Never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts.
- Avoid video calls with unsolicited callers, especially if they request identity verification.
- Secure your devices by limiting or disabling facial recognition for financial apps if possible.
- Report suspicious activity immediately to your financial institution and local law enforcement.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it is,” added Williams. “No legitimate organization will ask you to verify a prize through a video call or request access to your financial accounts.”
AARP encourages Alabamians to stay informed and protect themselves and their loved ones by visiting the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. The site offers up-to-date fraud alerts, prevention tips and resources for victims.
