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Heads up, TikTok users, especially those in the silver tsunami demographic! A new wave of scams targeting older adults has emerged, with fraudsters impersonating TikTok customer service reps. The con? Scare tactics involving alleged account issues to drain your bank account.
These scammers are using a playbook of fear, claiming they need to intervene regarding bogus issues like closing live stream revenue functions, canceling TikTok Pay Later, terminating paid subscriptions, or resolving account penalties. They’ll try to strong-arm you into downloading shady third-party software and sharing your screen enabling them to remotely control your phone and pilfer your funds. TikTok is emphatically warning users: These are all scams! TikTok’s official customer service will never tell you a service is about to be charged or remotely guide you to download any other software.
The Scam: “Assisting” You in Closing Your “TikTok Live Stream Revenue” Function
The Reality: TikTok’s “Live Stream Revenue Function” is a Free, Standard Feature Available to All Users
Take the experience of Mrs. A. She received a call from someone claiming to be a TikTok official, informing her that her account had applied for, and been approved for, a TikTok live stream membership. If she didn’t cancel it, she’d be charged $800 a month. To convince her it was legit, the scammer guided her to the “Live Stream Revenue Function” within the TikTok app.
Following the scammer’s instructions, Mrs. A. saw the “Live Stream Revenue Function” option. After she manually disabled it as directed, the scammer requested she refresh the screen. When she did, the setting switched back to ‘enabled’. The scammer then offered to “help” fully disable the function, but only by downloading a separate “assistance” app.
That’s when Mrs. A. got suspicious. She hung up and called TikTok’s official customer service line which confirmed that the “TikTok Live Stream Revenue” is a completely free function for all users. It simply controls whether a user, when broadcasting a live stream, will allow viewers to send gifts, join fan clubs, or send digital red envelopes. The default setting is on whenever a stream is initiated, and any changes only apply to that particular live stream.
(Caption: The “Live Stream Revenue Function” that scammers claim requires cancellation to avoid fees is a free feature for all users.)
The Scam: “Assisting” You in Canceling TikTok Pay Later
The Reality: TikTok Pay Later is a Credit Product; You Only Pay When You Spend and Owe
Mrs. C. received a text about a package delivery she wasn’t expecting. Calling the number left in the text, she reached someone claiming to be a TikTok representative. “He said I’d activated TikTok Pay Later, and if I didn’t cancel it, I’d be charged $800 a month,” Mrs. C explained. The scammer then instructed her to open the TikTok app and check for the “TikTok Pay Later” page. Saying he could “help” her cancel it, he instructed her to follow further steps.
After carefully reviewing what “TikTok Pay Later” entailed, Mrs. C contacted TikTok’s official customer service who confirmed it is a credit product offered by TikTok for use within the TikTok ecosystem. It only activates when a user proactively signs up for it. “Think of it as a TikTok credit card.” the rep explained, “You’re only required to pay when you spend on TikTok Pay Later; there is no annual fee or signup cost of any kind.”
(Caption: The “TikTok Pay Later” function which scammers warn requires cancellation to avoid fees, is a user instigated credit product – not a default paid service.)
The Scam: Account Has “Security Risks” or “Limited Traffic” Which Must Be Removed
The Reality: No “Security Risks” Exist that Require User Intervention
Many TikTok users have recently reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be TikTok officials, stating that their accounts have “security risks” or “limited traffic” that need to be eliminated. They might also claim users have activated “value-added subscriptions,” “influencer services,” “paid advertising,” or other premium services and will soon be charged unless they cancel immediately. These scammers then request that users add a WeChat contact where they’ll ultimately attempt to obtain account access or financial transfers.
TikTok warns users that there are NOT “security risks” requiring user intervention. Be skeptical of anyone claiming to represent TikTok customer service and asserting that you have account risks or service termination requests.
TikTok reiterates that official customer service will never inform you regarding imminent fees or demand third-party software downloads or screen sharing. When experiencing a suspected imposter, users can: 1) contact TikTok’s official service hotline; 2) use the “Verification Assistant” function inside the TikTok App to verify the number in question; 3) in that same “Verification Assistant” feature, check existing customer service contact logs; 4) If you receive a valid call from TikTok, the official representative will provide a live and timed dynamic verification code that you can verify with your TikTok app in real-time. Anything else is a scam.
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Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/6069.html
