Police: Skype Phishing Scam Lands in New Canaan

Heads up, New Canaan: If you get an unsolicited call from an individual claiming to be from Skype, it's a scam.

Police Chief Leon Krolikowski issued an alert Friday after a New Canaan resident reported receiving unsolicited telephone calls in which the caller asks the resident to verify a Skype account.

"These calls appear to be a phishing scam," he said. "The caller is attempting to gain personal information for the purpose of identity theft where the caller poses as a legitimate representative of a known company."

In a press release about the incident, Krolikowski offers the following advice to residents:

1. Never give personal information(dates of birth, social security numbers, computer passwords, etc.) to unknown persons over the telephone or electronically.
   
   
2. Be suspicious of unsolicited telephone calls and/or e-mails.
   
   
3. Always check information that is provided by the caller to ensure it is accurate and legitimate.
   
   
4. Avoid conversations with unknown callers.