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CROMWELL, Conn. — cammers are using one of the benefits of a fitness tracker to their advantage: the ability to connect.
Those targeted by fitness tracker fraud report that within a couple of weeks of connecting with an extended community of fitness enthusiasts they started receiving messages from a member of their Fitbit group. The sender often began by asking about their personal fitness goals. Then, the conversation became more personal. Questions were asked about family, work, and hobbies. After creating a bond, the scammers started sharing fake personal stories, as well.
"He told me he was a single dad working overseas to provide for his daughter," one victim said. "I really believed him, and once I sent him money the first time, he continued to ask repeatedly. When I refused to send more money, he threatened me and my family. I am now out of $100,000, and I know it will be difficult to get any of that money back."
Signs of the scam:
- Moving fast. Scammers will begin to ask personal questions quickly. (Are you married, where do you work, etc.).
- Emotional stories. The scammer may have a sick, elderly parent or child needing medical care.
- Specific instructions when asking for financial help. The scammer will request you wire money or use a prepaid debit card.
- Ask to communicate differently. As the scammer develops a relationship with a victim, they will ask for email contact or a personal cell phone number to connect outside the app.
Tips to avoid fitness app scams:
- Do not post a picture of yourself as a profile. Use an avatar or free stock photo as a protective measure to avoid scammers who are targeting certain groups of people (ex: senior community).
- Do not share personal information (marital status, employment) with a stranger. The more the scammer knows about you, the more information they have to manipulate you out of your identity and money.
- Think before accepting requests from strangers. Being a part of a community is rewarding but can also be dangerous. Only connect with people you already know.
- Avoid clicking on unsolicited links. Clicking on a link may lead to downloading malware onto your device. The downloaded malware can lead to scammers collecting personally identifiable information that can be used for identity theft or tracking your digital footprint.
- Share with a family member or close friend. If uncomfortable or unsure about the communication you receive, share your concerns with someone you know. Receiving a different perspective is always helpful when in doubt.
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