One of the things I don’t like in modern life is that we must always be on scams. Scholars have always existed, but in the Internet era and free long distance calls, they are more and more common. Every day, I am approached by a crook by email, sms or by phone. Many of them are trapped by my messaging spam filter, but others arrive via boring SMS and call it, at the very least, waste my time.
For the most part, I can manage these attempts, but it’s not just me. Everyone I asked for tell me that they are flooded with attempted scams on almost daily by phone, SMS, email and social networks. If you think you are not among this group, see your spam file. If you have good filters, you may not see the deluge of attempted scams, but I am almost sure that you are a target, although it is not a victim. And they are not only intended for adults. Children and adolescents also get them. No one, in particular children, should be constantly in guard against people who try to steal money, information or their innocence.
I made mistakes
Regarding cybersecurity, I consider myself quite wise. But even if I was never successfully scammed, I got closer several times and, despite what I know, I was cheated on making mistakes. It happened this week when I received a call from a number at no cost. I answer these calls because they sometimes come from companies with which I deal with or radio or television stations that interview me. When I resumed, the caller said, “Does Larry Magid.” I should have said “what can I do for you”, but I said “yes”. And then he hung up. I do not know if it will eventually make me a target, but the crooks sometimes record this “yes”, then use it as part of a financial scam where they use your voice to check you. It was a stupid error, and as a result, I will be very careful to check all my transactions.
Another error that I made once was when I thought I called a “technological support” number. When I looked for the HP printer support, I got a very realistic appearance page with a phone number that led me to a crook. I should have noticed that the web address did not end with HP.com. Now, I always check and never give information on a site that I do not belong to the company or the agency that I try to deal with. In this case, they asked me to install software so that they could access my computer and “repair” my printer, but I knew that you cannot repair a jam with software, so the “template was standing”, as the idiom says.
Other common scams
You may have received a call from “Microsoft” or perhaps a computer security company informing you that your device is infected and offering a fix, which sometimes involves asking them to give them access to your device or put a credit card number to pay their service. These are always scams. Legitimate companies do not call you or do not send you e-mail if your device is infected.
I received a number of messages saying that I have a package that awaits me and asking myself to confirm my address. Some request delivery costs. If you receive a message that seems to be from Fedex, UPS, USPS or another delivery service, contact this service or its real website directly rather than click on links.
A recent commune scam is an SMS saying that you have unpaid tolls and that if you do not pay, you will be sentenced to a fine or additional costs. If you think you have unpaid tolls, check with the toll authority but do not respond to messages.
And who has not received a message stating that your account is locked or has a suspicious activity with a link to resolve the problem or a complaint that you owe taxes. If the IRS wants to get your hands, it will send a letter by mail. They will not use emails or SMS, and you cannot pay your taxes via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
I received an email this week with a “receipt” for a big payment to a well-known company with which I do not do business. There was a phone number to call for customer service, I am sure to attract people from the call, then encourage them to give information or pay money. But this email came from a Gmail account, not from the company to which I am supposed to pay money. Even if the mail has what seems to be a legitimate address, you should always avoid clicking on the links, because it is easy to simulate a return address.
The FBI has a scam and a security web page dedicated to common scams, including investment scams where you are asked to invest money in advance for a greater return later. You can receive a call, SMS or email indicating that you have won a price, but that you have to pay a low amount to access it.
The FBI is particularly concerned about the elderly who “are often targeted because they tend to trust and be polished. They also generally have financial savings, have a house and have good credit “and” can be less inclined to report fraud because they do not know how, or they may be too shameful to have been scammed “or that” relatives will lose confidence in their ability to manage their own financial affairs “. Many years ago, my late mother, who suffered from dementia, paid a “$ 500 tax” on a car she “won”. She was an extremely intelligent and informed person for most of her life, but has become vulnerable in recent years.
The Romanesque scams go after all age groups, from pre-adolescents to the elderly. I am a big fan of magnetic relationships, but no “cat fishing” when the person is not what they say to be.
Anyone can be a victim, but adolescents and pre-adolescent boys are particularly vulnerable to sexthoring scams where they are encouraged to share intimate photos or videos, sometimes in exchange for receiving them from the crook that uses photos of attractive people and encourages you to think that it is them. Once they have obtained the image or video of a victim, they threaten to share it with family, friends, schools or employers unless you pay them. But even if you pay, they can continue to come back for more money. The authorities advise not sending any money or additional images. If you don’t pay, they often go to other victims. And even if they share the image, it is not the end of the world. Most people will understand. Connectsafely has more on this scam on connectsafely.org/sextortion.
Whatever the scam, your best defense is to take a break before clicking or responding to anything ordinary. It is also important to have solid and unique passwords, two factors authentication and avoid clicking on the links, unless you are 100% certain from legitimate sources.
You will find more advice on connectsafely.org/security.
Larry Magid is technological journalist and internet security activist. Contact it at larry@larrymagid.com.
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