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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-26
(FOX40.COM) — The Lincoln Police Department have arrested two people after officers interrupted an alleged vehicle repair scam that targeted an elderly couple.
• Video above: 5 signs it’s a scam call...
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-26
Lincoln Police arrested two people Monday for targeting an elderly couple in a vehicle repair scam.
Officers responded to a possible fraud in progress call about a suspicious situation involving an u...
abc10.com
· 2026-02-26
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wesh.com
· 2026-02-26
Victims lost $16.6 billion to cybercrime scams in 2024, but now the Marion County Sheriff's Office is recovering money for some of those victims.
Tammy Owens lost tens of thousands of dollars last ye...
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2026-02-26
Angela Scanlon and Ben Shepherd on This Morning(Image: ITV)
A woman, who asked not to be named, featured on Tuesday's This Morning to reveal how she fell victim to a con artist she'd fallen for and i...
straitstimes.com
· 2026-02-26
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The amount lost to scammers also dipped from the record high of $1.1 billion in 2024 to $913.1 million in 2025, the police said on Feb 25.
S...
channelnewsasia.com
· 2026-02-26
Singapore
Government officials impersonation scam cases jumped 123.6 per cent last year, however.
There were 37,308 scam cases in 2025, a 27.6 per cent drop from the 51,501 cases recorded in 2024. (...
asiaone.com
· 2026-02-26
In 2022, Nurul Shifa found a focus group discussion on Telegram that promised rewards for simply sharing her thoughts.
However, she soon found herself embroiled in an investment scam that saw her nea...
devdiscourse.com
· 2026-02-26
In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Police have detained three individuals charged with deceiving a 75-year-old woman in a sophisticated digital fraud scheme. The perpetrators, identified as Yoge...
usatoday.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scams are surging, with victims losing thousands to thousands of dollars to scammers who pose as love interests or impersonate celebrities on dating apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. Victims—ranging from individuals to vulnerable populations like the elderly and those dealing with mental health issues—are being manipulated into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, and cash, with some losing entire retirement savings or monthly mortgage payments. To stay safe, be cautious of online romantic connections who quickly ask for money, verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a celebrity, and never send gift cards or wire money to someone you haven't met in person.
womansworld.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Target Midlife Women Seeking Connection
Romance scams prey on emotionally vulnerable people—particularly midlife women seeking companionship—who are targeted online through dating apps, social media, LinkedIn, and text messages by criminals looking to exploit their empathy and access their money. According to AARP's Fraud Watch Network, these scams have nothing to do with intelligence but rather exploit emotional vulnerability, with criminals using flattery and manipulation to build trust before asking for money. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like requests for money, meetings that never happen, and overly quick declarations of love, and if you or a loved one becomes a victim, report it to the AARP Fraud Watch Network for support and guidance.
cleveland19.com
· 2026-02-25
# AI-Powered Scams Target Northeast Ohio Residents
The FBI is warning Northeast Ohio residents about increasingly sophisticated scams using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members, bank representatives, and romantic partners through fake phone calls, cloned voices, and manipulated images and videos. Victims are being targeted with urgent requests for money transfers or personal information, with scammers using AI to create convincing fake documents and deepfakes that appear authentic. To protect yourself, pause before responding to suspicious calls or messages, establish a family code word to verify identity, scrutinize details in videos or images for inconsistencies, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
panewslab.com
· 2026-02-25
Federal law enforcement seized over $61 million in cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, where criminals pose as romantic partners to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms and then refuse withdrawal requests. Victims across the country lost money when scammers claimed taxes were owed and quickly moved the funds through multiple wallets to launder the money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections who encourage cryptocurrency investments, verify trading platforms independently, and never send money to accounts you cannot verify.
bpi.com
· 2026-02-25
American households lost an estimated $12.5 billion to scams in 2024—a 25% increase from the previous year—with sophisticated technology-driven fraud becoming increasingly common, particularly through phones and apps. Most Americans now receive scam calls or texts weekly, often using AI deepfakes and voice cloning that make fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones, with many scams originating from organized international crime groups. To protect themselves, consumers should be suspicious of unsolicited calls and texts (especially from unknown numbers or international sources), verify requests independently through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FCC, while regulators need to mandate call authentication standards and deploy better anti-spoofing filters.
ksl.com
· 2026-02-25
Online scams and identity theft are widespread problems affecting 73% of U.S. adults, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics like AI-generated phishing emails and cloned voices to trick victims. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying website security by checking that URLs begin with "https://" rather than "http://," adjusting browser settings to only allow secure connections, and carefully checking website spellings and domain extensions before sharing personal information. Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a scam victim.
foxnews.com
· 2026-02-25
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails impersonating Apple, claiming that an unauthorized PayPal charge of nearly $3,000 has been made on your account and urging you to call a support number immediately. The scam targets Apple users by using official Apple branding and urgent language to trigger panic, but can be identified by red flags like the email being sent to a generic recipient address rather than your actual Apple ID email. To stay safe, slow down and carefully examine suspicious emails before clicking links or calling numbers, and remember that legitimate Apple security emails are sent directly to your registered Apple ID address.
whec.com
· 2026-02-25
Scammers are impersonating Spectrum customer service representatives and calling, texting, or emailing customers with offers of 50% bill discounts, then directing them to call back on spoofed numbers to steal their personal information or money. The scam has affected Rochester, New York residents, though one alert customer recognized the red flags and avoided falling victim. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls promising discounts, verify any offers directly by calling Spectrum's official number, register with the Do Not Call Registry, and report suspicious contacts to the FTC or Better Business Bureau.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2026-02-25
Cybercriminals are increasingly using two sophisticated scams—the "Evolving Trusted Partner Scam" and the "Spoofed Website Scam"—that exploit trust and human error by impersonating legitimate businesses, government agencies, or vendors through phone, email, or text. These "industrialized" fraud schemes affect both businesses and everyday consumers, with fraudsters combining social engineering and digital deception to lower people's guard and steal money or sensitive information. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying alert, asking clarifying questions when contacted about urgent matters, and verifying requests through official channels before taking action—advice that applies whether you're managing company finances or your personal accounts.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-25
# WhatsApp Group Ticket Scams Target School Parents
Scammers are infiltrating school WhatsApp groups—and creating fake ones—to trick parents into buying non-existent tickets to concerts and events, stealing money and personal information in the process. The scheme exploits the common practice of sharing legitimate ticket offers within school communities, making it difficult for parents to spot the fraudulent posts. Parents should verify the authenticity of group invitations through official school channels, be cautious of unsolicited ticket sellers, and report suspicious activity immediately rather than engaging with scammers.
today.com
· 2026-02-24
# Spring Travel Scam Summary
During peak spring travel season, scammers target rushed travelers booking flights and hotels, with the FTC reporting over 58,000 travel fraud cases in 2024 totaling $274 million—averaging nearly $1,000 in losses per victim. Airlines expect to carry 170 million passengers in March and April alone, creating ideal conditions for fraudsters who exploit travelers' distraction and quick decision-making on mobile devices. To protect yourself, security experts advise carefully evaluating each booking, using secure payment methods, monitoring your accounts during and after travel, and staying alert rather than rushing through travel arrangements.
koaa.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Colorado Springs man discovered that someone fraudulently registered a business to his home address without permission, part of a larger scheme where nearly 60 businesses have been registered to residential addresses across Colorado using the same registered agent. Since 2023, the Secretary of State's office has identified over 5,000 cases of business fraud in the state, with 1,789 currently under investigation, though the process to resolve individual cases can take months. If you receive suspicious mail about businesses registered to your address, file a fraud report with your state's Secretary of State's office immediately rather than ignoring it, as this could be part of identity theft or other fraudulent activity.
2news.com
· 2026-02-24
# Tax Scam Alert
As the 2026 tax filing season begins, authorities warn that scammers are increasingly impersonating the IRS and tax preparers through phone calls, emails, texts, and fake websites to steal personal and financial information, with common tactics including phishing links, false refund promises, and threats of legal action. The scams disproportionately target people unfamiliar with IRS procedures, and the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media or demands immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, file your taxes early, verify information directly through irs.gov, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate IRS contact begins with a letter in the mail.
euronews.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams cost people approximately $1.1 billion worldwide in 2025—triple the losses from 2024—with over 80% of fraud occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers use sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, business leaders, and even politicians to promote fraudulent investments or build fake romantic relationships before requesting money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected investment opportunities or romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
nz.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
Deepfake scams have tripled in 2025, defrauding people of approximately $1.1 billion worldwide, with over 80% of losses occurring on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate celebrities, politicians, and financial leaders to promote fraudulent investments, as well as creating fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances on social media, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, and never send money to people you've only met online.
aol.com
· 2026-02-24
A major fraud ring operating in Texas stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them with arrest to coerce them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The scheme is part of a growing crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports and losing nearly $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. To protect yourself and elderly relatives, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages from officials making threats, remember that legitimate authorities won't demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, and verify any official claims by contacting the agency directly using a number from their official website.
republicworld.com
· 2026-02-24
An Indian national named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, who overstayed his student visa, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of millions of dollars. Working as a courier for an international scam operation, Sathawane visited victims' homes to collect cash and gold after they were deceived into believing their retirement savings were at risk, personally handling over $6.6 million in stolen assets across multiple states over four months. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or visits claiming their assets are in danger, verify such claims directly with their financial institutions using official contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement immediately.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Texas crime ring stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The FTC reports that fraud targeting seniors has surged, with people over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports in 2024 and losing approximately $2.4 billion to scams. To protect yourself and older relatives, be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be government officials, especially those creating urgency or threatening arrest—legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment or asset transfers over the phone.
digitaljournal.com
· 2026-02-24
# Article Summary
Plastic card fraud is the most common identity theft scam in the UK, affecting over 94,000 victims in 2024 and accounting for more than one-third of all identity theft cases, with phone companies experiencing a dramatic 72.72% surge in fraud attempts. Bank account fraud came in second place with nearly 58,000 cases, while online shopping fraud declined significantly by 25.41%, suggesting that improved security measures in some sectors are working. To protect themselves, consumers should monitor their credit and debit cards regularly for unauthorized charges, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and consider freezing their credit if they suspect fraud.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-23
# Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Summary
Pig-butchering scams are a growing threat in the cryptocurrency world where fraudsters build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over weeks or months before pressuring them to invest in fake crypto platforms, with reported losses reaching $370.3 million in January 2026 alone. Unlike quick phishing attacks, these scams use psychological manipulation—showing fake profits, requesting escalating deposits, and then blocking withdrawals—to exploit emotional trust and extract large sums of money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment advice from people you've only met online, never share crypto wallet details with new contacts, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory databases before depositing any money.
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-02-23
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned of "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes like cryptocurrency, sometimes resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. These sophisticated scams typically begin with friendly contact, move to encrypted chat platforms to hide the scammer's identity, and end with the perpetrator disappearing with the victim's savings. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited messages from strangers urging investments, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office.
romesentinel.com
· 2026-02-23
AI-powered romance scams are affecting an estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers, with scammers using sophisticated tools like fake photos and AI-generated messages to deceive victims. The financial impact is substantial—romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 and over $672 million in 2024 alone—and the widespread fraud is eroding online trust, making people hesitant to engage in digital transactions and interactions beyond dating. To protect yourself, be cautious of urgent pressure tactics, verify identities carefully before sharing personal information or money, and look for transparent, credible signals when interacting with brands and individuals online.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2026-02-23
A 34-year-old man named Adam Mowle defrauded a victim of over £9,000 by posing as a woman named "Jenna Smith" on a dating app, claiming to need money due to illness and financial hardship. The victim, devastated by the scam, subsequently lost an additional £93,000 through desperate gambling attempts to recover his money, while Mowle spent the stolen funds on his horse and living expenses. To protect yourself from romance scams, be wary of requests for money from online dating matches, especially early in a relationship, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash to someone you haven't met in person.
thesun.co.uk
· 2026-02-23
A 53-year-old tech professional and fraud specialist named Tracy Cray intentionally strung along a romance scammer for nine months after recognizing classic con tactics on a dating site, including love bombing, requests to move to private messaging, and eventually requests for money. The scammer, posing as "Richy," used stolen photos from a real businessman in Florida and employed typical romance scam methods to try to extract money from victims. For people using dating apps, key warning signs include pressure to move conversations off-platform quickly, excessive declarations of love from someone you've just met, vague employment details with no online presence, and sudden requests for money due to emergencies or business problems.
sanmarcosrecord.com
· 2026-02-23
Financial advisor Jason Fischer warned that one in ten older adults fall victim to scams—particularly romance, collections, sweepstakes, imposter, and grandparent scams—often perpetrated by people the victims trust, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. Common red flags include unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS or utilities threatening immediate action, requests for money from supposed romantic partners built on trust over time, and prizes offered for contests the victim never entered. To protect yourself, Fischer emphasized that legitimate organizations like the IRS never call to demand immediate payment, and you should be skeptical of any request for money from unfamiliar contacts, even if they seem trustworthy.
jesseltontimes.com
· 2026-02-23
In January 2026 alone, Malaysian romance scammers defrauded victims of RM3.5 million across 100 reported cases, with women aged 30-50 making up the majority of targets. Scammers exploit emotional vulnerability by creating fake profiles on social media and dating platforms, building trust over weeks or months before fabricating emergencies (medical crises, customs delays, travel costs) to extract money from victims seeking genuine connection and companionship.
**Actionable advice:** Be cautious of romantic connections with strangers online who quickly profess feelings or request money for emergencies; verify identities through video calls before sending any funds, and report suspicious profiles to platform administrators and police immediately.
travelandtourworld.com
· 2026-02-23
In 2025, Americans lost $1.3 billion to increasingly sophisticated AI-powered romance scams that use realistic fake profiles and personalized messages to build emotional connections before requesting money or personal information. Unlike older scams with obvious red flags like poor grammar and blurry photos, these AI bots are designed to mirror victims' interests and preferences, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of online romantic connections that develop quickly, be wary of requests for money or personal data, and verify profiles through video calls or other means before investing emotionally.
newsweek.com
· 2026-02-23
The U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned a timeshare fraud network allegedly run by Mexico's CJNG cartel, which has been systematically defrauding American retirees through high-pressure call centers that drain their savings. The cartel, led by "El Mencho" who was recently killed by Mexican forces, has diversified beyond drug trafficking into various scams targeting Americans, including elder fraud and cryptocurrency schemes. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls about timeshare properties and luxury vacation deals, verify any offers independently through official channels, and never provide personal financial information to unknown callers.
the420.in
· 2026-02-23
# Article Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S. on an overstayed student visa was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans across multiple states. Working as a courier for a larger conspiracy based in India, Sathawane made at least 33 trips to victims' homes between summer and fall 2025, collecting over $6.6 million in cash and gold by convincing seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts under false pretenses. To protect yourself: elderly Americans should be wary of unsolicited calls or visitors pressuring them to convert savings to cash or gold, verify any financial advice through trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
financialexpress.com
· 2026-02-23
# Fraud Scheme Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of approximately $6 million. Operating as a "courier," he convinced seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts and hand over cash and gold, which he then delivered to co-conspirators based in India. Elderly citizens should be cautious of unsolicited requests to withdraw retirement funds or hand over valuables, and should report suspicious activity to authorities immediately—it was a victim's suspicion that helped law enforcement break the case.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-02-23
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers impersonate IRS agents to target taxpayers through phone calls and emails, either demanding immediate payment for supposed back taxes (threatening arrest) or requesting personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. Anyone filing taxes is vulnerable, with college students particularly targeted, and scammers use pressure tactics, fake credentials, spoofed caller IDs, and official-looking emails to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS never demands immediate payment, asks for payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or requests credit card numbers over the phone—hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the IRS before responding.
knoxtntoday.com
· 2026-02-23
Two Knox County men lost a combined $500,000 in a sophisticated Bitcoin scam after clicking on a deceptive Facebook advertisement, with one man losing his entire life savings of $375,000. Detective Wayne Doster spent months investigating the international fraud ring operated from Malaysia, ultimately leading to the arrest of Lee Kah Poh, a Malaysian national who came to Tennessee to collect the money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities on social media, never click links from unknown sources, and verify any investment through official channels before sending money.
fourstateshomepage.com
· 2026-02-23
As tax season approaches, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about widespread phone, text, email, and social media scams where fraudsters impersonate the IRS to steal money and personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact by phone—legitimate tax issues are addressed through official mail—so any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS is a scam. To protect yourself, obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) directly from the IRS, which verifies your identity when filing and prevents criminals from filing taxes in your name.
fox32chicago.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers are targeting taxpayers through phone calls and emails impersonating the IRS, using two main tactics: falsely claiming victims owe back taxes and demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or posing as refund issuers to steal personal information for identity theft. These scams often use sophisticated tactics like fake badge numbers, spoofed caller IDs showing Washington D.C., and official-looking emails with IRS logos to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment, require a specific payment method, or ask for credit card information over the phone—hang up and contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number if you're unsure about a communication.
newsnationnow.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Season Alert: Ghost Preparer Scams
The IRS is warning taxpayers about "ghost preparers"—fraudsters who offer suspiciously fast refunds by filing returns with fabricated deductions or inflated claims, then submitting them without legally required signatures or tax ID numbers. When the IRS catches these fraudulent returns, it's the taxpayer who faces penalties and legal trouble, not the scammer. To protect yourself, ask potential preparers upfront whether they'll sign the return with their tax ID, verify their qualifications through IRS resources, use established companies, and check the Better Business Bureau's website for complaints before hiring anyone.
mocoshow.com
· 2026-02-22
# Fraud Alert Summary
International call centers operating from India defrauded hundreds of Americans out of nearly $49 million since 2022 through government impersonation and tech support scams, with Maryland residents losing over $6 million. Law enforcement in Maryland and India dismantled the operations and arrested multiple perpetrators, though authorities warn the scams continue to target vulnerable people, particularly seniors. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts, or pop-ups demanding urgent payment, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never call demanding money or threatening arrest.
kfiz.com
· 2026-02-22
# Travel-Related Scams Summary
As spring and summer travel approaches, consumers should be aware of two major scams targeting travelers: fraudulent passport websites that mimic official government sites and charge fees for free services, and fake TSA PreCheck enrollment schemes sent via email and text that steal personal information and money. To protect yourself, use only the official Travel.State.Gov website for passport services and apply for TSA PreCheck directly through legitimate enrollment centers found in airports and other locations. If you encounter fraud, report it to DSSCrimeTips.state.gov or contact the TSA directly.
boothbayregister.com
· 2026-02-22
# Travel Scam Summary
Scammers are targeting winter travelers through fake vacation rental listings and pressure tactics to pay upfront via untraceable methods like wire transfers and gift cards. Anyone booking travel is at risk, particularly those lured by steep discounts or unfamiliar booking sites. To protect yourself, always use credit cards for purchases, verify properties and companies by searching for reviews and complaints online, and never pay outside official booking platforms.
centralillinoisproud.com
· 2026-02-22
McLean County residents are being targeted by scammers posing as sheriff's office employees who call claiming there's an arrest warrant and demand money, gift cards, or deposits to resolve it. The scammers spoof the sheriff's office phone number and may cite fake names like "Sgt. Haynes" or "Captain Edmon Smith," sometimes mentioning a "gag order" to prevent victims from seeking help. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and contact local police, as legitimate law enforcement will never request money or warrant information over the phone.
techbullion.com
· 2026-02-22
# Article Summary
A "pig butchering" scam is a sophisticated fraud where criminals build false trust with victims over weeks or months before stealing their cryptocurrency. Victims who discover they've been scammed should immediately stop communicating with the perpetrator, preserve all evidence (screenshots of messages, profiles, and transactions), and report the theft to authorities and recovery services like Pro Crypto Recovery—while being cautious of recovery scams themselves. The key advice is to treat your phone and computer as a crime scene, gather documentation of all communications and blockchain transactions, and resist the urge to respond to scammers, as alerting them could cause them to destroy evidence.
pcmag.com
· 2026-02-21
# Job Search Scams on the Rise
As job losses mount due to AI and economic pressures, scammers are targeting desperate job seekers through fake job postings on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, using AI-generated fake websites to steal personal information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and banking details. Beyond data theft, criminals may also request upfront payments for fake background checks or equipment, or send fraudulent checks that bounce after obtaining bank account information. To protect yourself, verify job postings directly through company websites, be wary of unsolicited payment requests, and never provide sensitive information like your Social Security number before speaking with a legitimate company representative.