SCAM ALERT: FAKE YOUTUBE TV CUSTOMER SUPPORT
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office recently received a report from a resident who lost several thousand dollars after contacting scammers posing as YouTube TV customer support.
The resident reported seeing a message while watching YouTube TV indicating that their debit card information needed to be updated. After searching Google for a customer service number, the resident called the first number that appeared and reached someone impersonating a support representative. The scammer eventually convinced the resident to purchase several thousand dollars in Lowe’s gift cards.
Whether the original billing message was legitimate remains unclear. The fraudulent customer service number connected the resident with the scammer.
“These scams are ever evolving, and these criminals spend their days finding new ways to make a quick dollar by tricking hardworking people,” said Sheriff Nathan Mace. “They know how to sound convincing and make a situation feel urgent. Once you give them the gift card numbers and PINs, the money can disappear quickly, and the chances of getting it back are often very slim. Please slow down, verify who you’re speaking with, and talk to someone you trust before sending money.”
Remember:
• A number appearing first in a Google search does not mean it belongs to the company.
• Access customer support through the company’s official app or website.
• If someone claiming to be customer support tells you to buy gift cards and share the numbers or PINs, stop—it is a scam.
• Never share passwords, verification codes, or banking information with an unverified caller.
Please share this warning and discuss it with your family, especially anyone who may be unfamiliar with these tactics. A simple conversation could help prevent a costly loss.
