The Hallelujah Chorus SCAMMERS TARGET SMART TV

Watching a favorite television show with family in the privacy of your own home used to be safe Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. Scammers are waiting to take advantage of every situation.

By MECHELE AGBAYANI MILLS

Watching your favorite television show with your family in the privacy of your own home used to be safe Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. Scammers are waiting to take advantage of every situation.

Scammers can target victims through any device connected to the internet, and your TV is no exception.

BBB Scam Tracker has seen an influx of reports about scammers catching people off guard with pop-ups on their smart TVs. Their objective is to steal your personal information and money.

How the scam works

You open a familiar streaming service on your smart TV, but you can’t log in. Instead, a pop-up appears, informing you there is a problem with your device or your streaming subscription and that you must call a phone number or visit a website to fix it. The fake customer service representatives then instruct you to pay an activation fee and to provide them with remote access to your TV. It’s at this point they install malware, giving them access to sensitive data on your computer.

In some reported incidences, scammers ask you to “fix” the issue by paying them in gift cards. One consumer reported that after calling a number that appeared in a pop-up on their smart TV, a scammer instructed them to purchase three $100 Xbox gift cards to add “anti-hacking protection” to their account. After buying the gift cards and contacting the number again, it became clear they were dealing with scammers.

How to avoid smart TV scams

Double-check any fees you are required to pay. If scammers ask you to pay an activation fee, antivirus protection fee, or any other kind of fee, do some research beforehand. For example, scammers claim you need to pay an activation fee to start using your Roku. However, a quick online search reveals that Roku never charges activation or registration fees. Don’t fall for fake websites. Scammers love to create imitation websites using URLs that are just a letter or two off. Fake websites are a threat, even on smart TVs, so double- check the URL. Another way to protect yourself is to avoid clicking on links in pop-ups and, instead, type web URLs directly into your browser. Check before you call. If a “customer service” phone number appears in a pop-up, double-check it before you call. Contact a streaming service or TV manufacturer’s website to find their customer support number.

Never let anyone control your device remotely. Scammers usually ask for remote computer access, but they could also ask for access to your smart TV. Don’t ever give control of your device to a stranger.

Get more advice about tech support scams. Also, check out BBB Scam Alert: Need tech support? Be careful which number you call for additional tips. Learn other ways to protect yourself in the article "10 Steps to Avoid Scams," and sign up for scam alerts. If you spot a smart TV scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help boost consumer awareness.

Mechele Agbayani Mills is president and CEO of BBB Central East Texas

GOD’S WORD: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever… And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth… And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.”

– Revelation 11:15; 19:6,16

By GLENN MILLER

ith every Christian church all over the globe soon celebrating Easter Sunday with choirs singing the “Hallelujah Chorus”, it might be fitting to visit some history and legends that surround this glorious work. At the lowest ebb of George Frederic Handel’s life and after several setbacks and in debt, he set out to compose a musical with words taken from the Book of Isaiah and The Gospels. He intended to depict Christ's life, death, resurrection, eternal glory, and the concept of redemption. For 24 days

Wand nights he worked solidly; hardly eating or sleeping, which resulted in his masterpiece, "The Messiah."

"I saw the great God himself, on his throne" Handel later recounted, "and all his company of Angels." "The Messiah" was first performed at Fishamble Street, Dublin as part of a charity series of concerts that he was invited to give by the Lord Lieutenant with Handel leading the performance from the harpsichord. "The Messiah" was repeatedly revised by Handel, reaching its most familiar version in the performance to benefit the Foundling Hospital in 1754. It is one of the most popular works in the Western choral canon.

The most famous movement is the "Hallelujah" chorus, which conclude s the second of the three parts. The text is drawn from three passages in the New Testament book of Revelation: Chapter 11:15, 19:6 and 19:16. (Above).

I’m always taken aback by the exquisite writing of Handel and the proclamatory, powerful voicings of the music. But what I find even more powerful is not the music itself nor the performing ensemble nor how well it is being per- formed, but the majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ to whom it was written to glorify.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords: He is omnipotent over all things in this world, even those things I try to control myself. Yet His lordship is one born of love, not control. He shall reign forever and ever: I like what the Apostle John wrote, that “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus is before us, behind us, above us, below us and within us to show us the way.

Hallelujah! Amen!