February 8, 2023

Is the Devon and Claire Beds Auto-Charged Text Message a Scam?

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Did you get a text message saying that an automated charge will be made to your bank account? Don’t panic: it’s likely a scam.

Have you received a text message supposedly from Devon and Claire Beds informing you that your credit or debit card will automatically be charged for an order? The text message may also include a phone number you can call if you want to cancel the order or reverse the transaction. Don’t call this number—it’s a scam!

How does this scam work? What should you do if you receive such a message? And if you’ve already called this number, how should you proceed?

How Does the Devon and Claire Beds Text Scam Work?

People have received a message saying that they’re to be automatically charged for a purchase from ‘DEVON&CLAIRE Beds’ (and variations of it). This text message is a part of a phishing scam in which scammers pretend to be from Devon and Claire and send an invoice notification about a fake order.

The text message informs recipients that a certain amount has been or will be deducted from their credit or debit cards. Scammers also include their contact number in the message and direct their targets to call the number if they wish to cancel the order.

Since the text refers to a substantial payment for an order the recipient doesn’t recall placing, one could easily get worried and call the number provided. Once victims contact fraudsters, they gauge the target’s familiarity with scams and begin the fraud.

Here are a few common tactics scammers use:

• Scammers may ask you to share your credit card or other critical details so that they can cancel or reverse a transaction. If you provide them with these details, they could steal money from your bank account.
• They may ask you to give them remote access to your computer, apparently so they can reverse the transaction manually. If you give them access to your device remotely, they can install tracking software and spy on you later, download malicious applications, steal your private information, and do everything they possibly can to exploit you.
• They might ask you to send them a flat processing fee to cancel your order.

Phishing scammers commonly use these three tactics, but they are not limited to them—they can scam you in many other ways. It’s essential always to remain vigilant when dealing with such scammers.

This raises the question: what should you do when you receive a text like this?

What Should You Do if You Receive Such a Text?

It’s very unlikely that such a text is real. Nonetheless, if you’re not sure, ensure you or someone who uses your credit card hasn’t made a purchase. Taking this step will help you confirm that the text message comes from a scammer.

Check your bank account to see whether your credit or debit card has been charged. If you do not see any recent transactions of the same amount as the text message mentions, it’s most likely a scam. If this is the case, you don’t have to do anything else.

However, if the text message mentions that the amount will be deducted from your account later, contact Devon and Claire using their official contact number to confirm if such an order has been placed.

Since Devon and Claire don’t have an official website, you can try to contact them via Walmart. You can call the number listed or email them to inquire about the probably-fake order. To get a quick confirmation, use the tracking ID mentioned in the text message.

If the seller says no such order has been placed, you could share the number from which you received the text; if you’re still unsure, ask if it’s official.

You should block the number you received the text from and report the scam to the relevant authorities, so they can take action against the fraudsters.

But what should you do if you’ve already been scammed?

Have You Already Been Scammed? Here’s What You Should Do Next

If you have only called the scammers on the number they gave you in the text but have not shared any personal information, you are safe. Block the number, and don’t call it again.

In case you have shared personal information, like credit card or bank login details, contact your bank immediately, so they can freeze your account. By taking this step, you will prevent scammers from using your funds to purchase items.

Likewise, if you have shared any other confidential information, such as your social security number, you should contact the relevant authorities and follow their guidelines to avoid getting into any legal trouble in the future.

If you have mistakenly granted scammers remote access to your device, they might have installed tracking software, stolen your private information, hacked your webcam, or done something else they could use against you in the future.

If they have already stolen your private data, you can’t undo that, but you can avoid further damage by following these tips:

• Run a malware scan on your device first. This way, you can ensure that scammers have not infected your device with malicious software.
• Take a look at the list of apps you have installed. If you find any suspicious apps, uninstall them.
• Similarly, look at the installed extensions on your browser, and disable any extensions you don’t remember adding.
• Change your passwords immediately if you had them saved in your browser when scammers accessed your device, especially your bank login details and social media platforms’ login details.
• If you suspect scammers might have hacked your webcam, disable it to prevent them from spying on you.
• If possible, opt to use a different device for any online transactions or critical tasks in the future.

Although the above tips will certainly help you reduce the damage, you should also look for other changes scammers have made to your device and undo them.

Keep Yourself Safe From Scammers

Scammers often scam people under the name of popular brands. By knowing how the Devon and Claire text scam works, you’ll be able to deal with it if you encounter it. As such scams are always on the rise, you should spread the word so your loved ones don’t fall victim to them either.

Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/devon-claire-beds-auto-charged-text-scam/

Ref: makeuseof

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