The Cherokee County Office of Homeland Security says multiple Cherokee County residents have fallen victim to a cyber attack occurring on Tuesday.
Director Shawn Rogers said that Cherokee County 9-1-1 received a call on Tuesday with the caller reporting that they had received a call from someone claiming to be an Amazon employee, the individual then stated that they needed to send a text to the victims phone in order to verify account information. Once the victim clicked on the link, they lost control of their phone and the “Amazon employee” took it over. It appears that the link clicked on, downloaded a remote access software which is how the scammers were able to gain control of the device.
Almost everyone has an Amazon account of some sort so these links may look legitimate, it’s important that you DO NOT click on or open these links unless you are absolutely certain you know where it came from.
Director Rogers said that all reports received are being dispatched to the appropriate agency and investigations are being conducted. The information has also been sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
If someone finds themselves a victim of a cyber attack, Director Rogers urges you to contact your local law enforcement agency. In Cherokee County you can call 256-927-3938 and dispatchers will direct you to the appropriate agency.
After filing a report with your local law enforcement agency you are then asked to submit a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center by clicking the link below.
https://www.ic3.gov/Home/FileComplaint