Scam Radar — July 2023
Scam Radar — July 2023
Below are three new scams to keep on your radar, as well as some tips for how to avoid them. Be on the look out for yourself, your family, and your clients! THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!
You May Have Been Served by a Cybercriminal
Recently, the Better Business Burau issued a warning that cybercriminals have been posing as process servers. Process servers are people who deliver legal documents. Cybercriminals are impersonating them to try to steal your sensitive information.
In this scam, cybercriminals will call you from a restricted number and impersonate a process server. They’ll claim that there is a lawsuit against you over unpaid bills and that you’ll have more legal troubles if you don’t act quickly. Typically, the cybercriminal will tell you that they can’t provide further details until they deliver the legal documents to you. Then, the cybercriminal will ask you to provide sensitive information, such as your birthday or Social Security number. If you tell the cybercriminal your sensitive information, they can use this to try and steal your identity.
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
Before sharing sensitive information over the phone, ask the caller to tell you what information they have on file. If they can’t prove they are legitimate, hang up.
Be cautious of scare tactics that play with your emotions. Cyberattacks are designed to catch you off guard and trigger you to reveal sensitive information impulsively.
Confirm that the person you’re speaking to is actually who they say they are. Try reaching out to them using another form of contact, such as contacting them through their organization’s official website.
Phishing with Images
Cybercriminals use images in phishing emails to impersonate real organizations. By using images like official logos and promotional materials, cybercriminals hope to trick you into thinking the email is legitimate.
In a recent scam, cybercriminals have been spoofing Delta Airlines to try to steal sensitive information. The body of the email consists of one large image. The image includes Delta’s logo, a photograph of one of their planes, and an image of a gift card. The email has a message promising a gift card if you act fast and click the image. After clicking the image, you’ll be redirected to a malicious website with a login page. If you enter your login credentials, cybercriminals will have access to your sensitive information.
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
Before you click a link, always hover your mouse over it. Make sure that the link leads to a legitimate, safe website that corresponds with the content in the email.
If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Verify any offers of discounts or promotions by contacting the organization directly.
Remember that this type of attack isn’t exclusive to Delta Airlines. Cybercriminals could use this technique to exploit any airline in any country.
Call 800-Cybercriminal
Cybercriminals have taken advantage of Soda PDF, a PDF viewing service. Using Soda PDF, cybercriminals are sending malicious PDF files to try to trick you into sharing your phone number and payment information. Because Soda PDF is a legitimate service, this scam can be hard to recognize. So, it’s important to learn how to protect yourself and others.
In this scam, cybercriminals use Soda PDF to send you an email with a PDF file. The file will contain a phone number and prompt you to call if you have any questions. If you call this number, a cybercriminal will ask for your payment information. Then, the cybercriminal can use information that you shared to steal your money and call you in additional scams.
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
Never click a link or download an attachment in an email that you aren’t expecting.
Think before calling unknown phone numbers. Verify that a phone number is legitimate by navigating to the organization’s official website.
Remember that this type of attack isn’t exclusive to Soda PDF. Cybercriminals could use this technique to exploit any file-sharing service.
For more information regarding scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Advice website.
You can also find details about the signs of a scam, how to avoid a scam, and how to report a scam in this article by the FTC — How to Avoid a Scam.
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