FBI Warns Los Alamos Residents About Fast Spreading Account Takeover Scams

The FBI warned on December 12 that a simple but convincing scam is sweeping the nation, and local residents should prepare for attempts to steal account access. Scammers contact people by text, phone, or messaging apps while posing as trusted organizations such as Apple Support, banks, delivery services, or government agencies. Once contact is made, the fraudsters create urgency by claiming an account is locked or a package cannot be delivered, and they urge victims to click a link or provide information. The FBI reports losses exceeding $260 million this year from these account takeover schemes.

The method is straightforward and effective. Clicking a link in an unexpected message can take users to a fake website designed to mimic legitimate services. From there, attackers can harvest login credentials, financial information, or install malware that gives them deeper control of phones or computers. Account takeover often leads to cascading harms, from drained bank accounts to compromised email and health portals, creating risks for medical privacy and access to prescriptions.

For Los Alamos County, the threat has specific community implications. Residents who rely on telemedicine patient portals, prescription refills, or online billing may find a takeover of an email or health account especially disruptive. Older adults and people with limited digital literacy are more likely to be targeted and less likely to recover losses without support, which raises equity concerns for families on fixed incomes or those without immediate access to technical help.

The FBI and experts advise slowing down. Enable multi factor authentication wherever possible, and never share verification codes or passwords with anyone who calls or texts out of the blue. Do not tap links in unexpected messages. Instead, go directly to the company website or app to verify an issue, or send suspicious calls to voicemail and confirm independently. If a link was clicked or information shared, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Local health and social services can play a role by including digital safety in outreach to seniors and vulnerable populations. Preventing account takeover requires both personal vigilance and community based support so that residents can protect their financial stability, medical privacy, and overall wellbeing.