Scam Radar — November 2024
Scam Radar — November 2024
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!
From Tickets to Email Trickery
If you recently bought a ticket to a local event, you may have used Eventbrite’s website or smartphone app. Eventbrite is an online platform that allows you to create, promote, and attend events. But cybercriminals are abusing this platform to steal your personal information and money. In this week’s scam, cybercriminals use Eventbrite to set up a fake event and then email you an invitation.
The Eventbrite email invitation contains realistic logos and brands, and it appears to be legitimate. But if you select the link within the email, you will be taken to a fake webpage that is actually controlled by cybercriminals. The webpage will prompt you to enter personal data such as your login information, tax identification number, and even your credit card number. The cybercriminals are trying to steal your personal details and funds!
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
Be wary of emails that urge you to take quick action. Phishing emails are designed to catch you off guard and trigger you to act impulsively.
Never select a link in an unexpected email. In this case, it would be best to navigate to Eventbrite’s official website or smartphone app if you have concerns about tickets you’ve purchased.
If you aren’t sure if an email you received is legitimate, contact Eventbrite’s customer support directly to verify.
Company Size Doesn't Matter
Do you think hackers only target large corporations for their cyberattacks? Think again! If you are an employee of a small to medium-sized organization, you may be even more at risk of being targeted for cyberattacks.
Cybercriminals target smaller organizations because they assume that these organizations have fewer defenses in place to prevent cyberattacks. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, one in five small organizations falls victim to cybercrime each year, and 60 percent of these small organizations go out of business within six months of the attack.
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
Never share your password with anyone. Additionally, use complex passwords, and use different passwords for each of your online accounts or services.
Look for red flags in emails such as a sense of urgency or a request for sensitive information. Carefully check the domain of the sender’s email address and remember that any domain can be spoofed.
Don’t click on links or open email attachments if you don’t know who sent them, why you received them, or what they contain.
When you’re in doubt, follow your organization’s process for reporting suspicious emails. If you’re not sure how to report the email, ask a supervisor.
Remember, you are the last line of defense to prevent a cyberattack. You are the key to keeping your organization’s “human firewall” strong whether your organization is big or small.
The Fake TSA PreCheck Email
Many air travelers turn to TSA PreCheck for its quickness and ease. TSA PreCheck is a US airport screening program that allows you to get through airport security with fewer steps and without waiting in long lines. But cybercriminals take advantage of this tool to trick travelers. In this scam, you receive an email that appears to come from TSA PreCheck. The email encourages you to enroll or renew your membership and provides a link to what looks like the official TSA PreCheck website.
The website promises you can skip the long security lines at the airport by paying a fee. However, this website is a fake version of the real TSA PreCheck website. If you enter any money or financial information here, the scammers will be able to see it immediately. The benefits you buy from the fake website will not work at any airport. Worst of all, the cybercriminals have stolen your sensitive information and money!
Tips to Avoid Similar Scams:
This particular scam targets US air travelers, but remember that this type of scam can be used for other organizations as well. Always be cautious before clicking on unexpected emails.
Be wary of requests to pay a fee right away. Cybercriminals will try to pressure you into acting quickly.
When you first enroll in the actual TSA PreCheck, you pay in person, not online. Also, real Transportation Security Administration (TSA) emails never contain direct payment links. When in doubt, contact the TSA directly.
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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Sources:
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