Scam Alert: Don't Fall Victim to These Sneaky Tactics

As the world becomes increasingly connected through the internet, the potential for scams to proliferate has also grown at an alarming rate. From fake emails offering lottery winnings to sophisticated phishing schemes aimed at stealing sensitive information, the digital age has given rise to a new breed of scam artists. The internet may have made life more convenient in many ways, but it has also opened the door to a wide range of deceptions and frauds that can catch even the most vigilant of us off-guard. In this era of technological advancement, it is crucial to stay informed and aware of the various scams that are lurking around every corner of the internet.

Door to Door Utility Salesmen

One of the most prevalent offline scams today

Basically, the scheme is that someone will knock on your door and ask you to show them your bill so that they can “reduce your bill” or “get you a better rate” do not fall for this scheme to avoid a big headache.

What is an energy scam?

Realizing that you’ve been scammed is never pleasant, but for some energy customers, it’s an unfortunate reality. Criminals pose as electric or utility company representatives to gain your trust and steal your money or identity.

Some common door-to-door energy scams include: 

• A salesperson visits your home, selling energy services door to door and promising savings if you sign up right now.
• Someone claiming to be from your electric company tells you he or she needs to see your most recent bill to fix a problem with your account.
• A representative dressed in your electric utility’s uniform threatens to disconnect your service unless you pay a fee.

For reference check the Pennsylvania Utilities Commissions site: https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2022/puc-offers-tips-on-door-to-door-and-in-person-energy-sales-urges-consumers-to-be-aware-of-their-rights-and-options

Fake Job Scams

There are multiple angles these scammers take, the first and most common is a scammer posting a job that doesn’t exist to lure candidates into a chat where they are asked for credit card details and sensitive information.

The second type to be aware of is “Fake Check Scams”

Fake check scams are a type of employment scam in which scammers try to convince job seekers that they have been hired for a job. The scammers will send the job seeker a check, usually for a large amount of money, and ask the job seeker to deposit the check into their bank account. They will then ask the job seeker to send a portion of the money back to them, either through wire transfer or some other means.

The problem is that the check is fake, and the job seeker will eventually find out that the check has bounced. By that point, the scammer will have already received the money that the job seeker sent them, leaving the job seeker on the hook for the entire amount of the bounced check.

There are a few things to keep in mind to avoid falling victim to a fake check scam:

1.     Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true. If a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

2.     Never give out personal information, including bank account information, to someone you don't know and trust.

3.     Be cautious of job offers that require you to pay money upfront. Legitimate employers should not ask you to pay for anything before you start working.

4.     If you receive a check from an employer, wait until the check has cleared before spending or sending any of the money.

5.     If you're unsure whether a job offer is legitimate, do some research on the company and the person who contacted you. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission to see if there have been any complaints about the company or individual.

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• Fake check scams are a type of employment scam that often involves scammers sending job seekers a fraudulent check to deposit into their bank account.
• The scammer may ask the job seeker to deposit the check via a mobile app, as they do not want the job seeker to walk into a bank with the fake check.
• Once the check is deposited, the bank may allow access to some of the funds on the next business day, as per the 1987 federal law regarding the availability of funds.
• The job seeker may mistakenly believe they have access to the funds and may be pressured by the scammer to use the money to purchase equipment for the job.
• The job seeker may send money to the scammer posing as a vendor, and never receive the equipment.
• After a week or so, the bank will inform the job seeker that the check has bounced and was fake. The bank will deduct the full amount of the check from the job seeker's bank account, leaving them with a negative balance.
• The job seeker may have already sent the scammers some of the money, and will now be left owing the bank for the full amount of the fake check.
• The bank will likely close the job seeker's account and pursue legal action to recover the money owed.
• To avoid falling victim to a fake check scam, it's important to be cautious when receiving job offers, never give out personal information to strangers, and wait until a check has cleared before spending any of the money.

Tech Support Scams

Have you ever received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of a tech company, offering to fix non-existent problems with your device or software? Or have you seen fake error messages pop up on your screen, asking you to call a support hotline? These are examples of tech support scams, a growing threat in the digital age.

Tech support scams are designed to trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services or stealing your personal and financial information. Scammers use scare tactics to make you believe there are problems with your device or software, and they may even spoof caller IDs or display fake error messages on websites to make their scams seem more legitimate.

If you fall for their tricks and allow them remote access to your computer, the scammers can install malware, ransomware, or other unwanted programs that can steal your information or damage your data or device. So, how can you protect yourself from tech support scams?

The first step is to follow basic security measures to keep your computer and personal information safe. In addition, remember that legitimate tech companies like Microsoft will never send unsolicited emails or phone calls requesting personal or financial information or offer technical support if you didn't ask for it. They will also never ask for payment in the form of cryptocurrency or gift cards. By staying vigilant and informed, you can avoid falling victim to tech support scams and keep your devices and data secure.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are a common form of cybercrime that can cause significant harm to individuals and businesses alike. These attacks use deception to trick unsuspecting victims into giving up sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. To protect yourself from these attacks, it is important to understand how they work and what to look out for.

What is a Phishing Email?

A phishing email is a type of cyber attack that uses deception to steal confidential information from individuals and organizations. The attacker typically poses as a trusted entity such as a colleague, a well-known brand, or a financial institution, and requests sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers. Once the attacker has obtained this information, they can use it to commit fraud or steal the victim's identity.

Types of Phishing Attacks

There are many different types of phishing attacks, each with its own tactics and goals. Some of the most common types of phishing attacks include:

1. Spear Phishing: This type of attack is more targeted than traditional phishing and involves the attacker gathering information about the victim or their organization beforehand. The attacker then creates a personalized email that appears to be from a trusted source and requests sensitive information or asks the victim to click on a malicious link.
2. Link Manipulation: In this attack, the attacker includes a link in the email that appears to be legitimate but actually leads to a fake website designed to steal the victim's information.
3. Fake Websites: This attack involves the attacker creating a fake website that looks like a legitimate one, such as a bank's login page, in order to steal the victim's login credentials.
4. CEO Fraud: In this attack, the attacker sends an email that appears to be from a high-level executive within the victim's organization, such as the CEO or CFO, and requests a wire transfer or other sensitive information.
5. Malware: In this attack, the attacker includes a malicious attachment in the email that, when opened, installs malware on the victim's computer.
6. Mobile Phishing: This attack targets mobile devices, often through SMS or social media messages, and attempts to trick the victim into downloading malware or giving up sensitive information.
7. Voice Phishing: Also known as "vishing," this attack involves the attacker leaving a voicemail that appears to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or government agency, and requesting sensitive information.

How to Protect Yourself

To protect yourself from phishing attacks, it is important to be vigilant and take steps to reduce your risk. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

1. Be wary of unsolicited emails: If you receive an email from someone you don't know or weren't expecting, be cautious. Don't click on any links or download any attachments until you have verified that the email is legitimate.
2. Verify the sender: Check the email address of the sender to make sure it matches the organization they claim to be from. For example, if the email claims to be from your bank, the sender's email address should be from the bank's domain.
3. Look for signs of phishing: Phishing emails often contain spelling or grammar errors, ask for sensitive information, or create a sense of urgency. Be suspicious of any email that seems too good to be true or that asks you to take immediate action.
4. Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring a code in addition to your password. This can help prevent attackers from accessing your accounts even if they have your password.
5. Keep your software up-to-date: Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from known vulnerabilities. Make sure to keep your operating system, antivirus software, and other programs up-to-date.

In conclusion, the rise of scams in the digital age has certainly presented a challenge for individuals, businesses, and even governments. However, by being vigilant and informed, we can protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to these deceitful practices. By staying up-to-date on the latest scams and taking proactive measures to secure our personal and financial information, we can help to mitigate the risks and create a safer digital environment for all. Remember, prevention is always better than cure, so let's work together to stay safe and stay one step ahead of the scammers.

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