It’s cyber security month and the Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is releasing a new
tip every weekday. Be sure to follow them on
Facebook and
Twitter to get these important cyber security tips and much
more. Here are the tips from this past week:
Monday, 10/16. Email and text message spam and scams
The terms "scam" and "spam" are almost interchangeable when
it comes to email and text messages. Spam messages are junk bulk
emails or texts that you receive without permission. The senders
may be hocking "get rich quick" schemes and questionable
products or they could be looking to get you to turn over
personal or credit information (a practice known as "phishing"
for data). Either way, you're ripped off.
Did we mention that the messages can also transmit malware?
Simply put, if you get an odd email or text message out of
the blue, delete it and take no further action. There is a lot
to cover on email and text spam, so your best resource is our
DATCP fact sheet:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/Spam284.aspx
Tuesday, 10/17. Microsoft is
NOT calling. Watch for computer tech support scams
If you receive a call out of the blue claiming that your
computer has a virus and that the caller can help you get rid of
it, hang up immediately. It's a scam. The callers often falsely
claim to represent Microsoft or a local tech support company to
gain the consumer's trust. They tell the consumer that they can
remove the (non-existent) virus from their computer for a fee.
The caller asks the victim to download software from the
internet that grants them remote access to the system.
If you allow these scammers to access your computer, they can
load any number of malicious software programs onto your machine
and they may access your files as well. If you give them your
credit card number to pay for their "services," you can expect
to get ripped off there too. This is typically a phone-based
scam, but also shows up in online pop-up messages saying you
have a computer virus and telling you to call them for help.
Don't do it.
Wednesday, 10/18. That
amazing, unbelievable online rental ad? Beware.
As always, if something seems too good to be true, it
probably is. If you are looking online for a rental property and
find an unreal deal, be very, very cautious.
Scammers use information from real estate listings to post
fraudulent apartment or home rental ads on Craigslist and other
online sites. They may "rent out" a property that they don't own
to multiple people, taking security deposits and first month's
rents from all of these parties. Their listings may also be
ploys to get you to pay for a credit report service…the scammers
get a commission if you do.
Craigslist offers these two simple tips on their website: "Do
not rent or purchase sight-unseen – that amazing 'deal' may not
exist" and "Refuse background/credit checks until you have met
landlord/employer in person."
Thursday, 10/19. Think
before you post
Your fun-filled vacation photos could cause your grandma to
get ripped off.
Why? Criminals can use the information you share on social
media sites to create a narrative that they weave into their
scams.
Consider the infamous "grandparent scam," where elderly
citizens are called by a scammer claiming to be the person's
grandchild. The "grandchild" says they are on vacation, were in
an accident, and need an immediate wire transfer to get out of
jail or the hospital. Your social media account could provide a
tremendous amount of information for a scammer to use in their
ploy, such as your name, family members' names, where you live
and if you are away from home.
Remember those fun-filled pics I mentioned? By viewing your
profile, the scammer knows you are away on vacation in ____ with
your best friend ____. They can fill in the blanks, making for a
much more believable con.
It's OK to share with friends and family on social media, but
adjust the privacy settings for your accounts to block your
content from strangers. Also, remember that sensitive
information such as names, birth dates and Social Security
numbers posted to social media accounts can be used by scammers
to steal your identity.
Friday, 10/20. Imposter
scams
Many criminals are using government agency names or
"look-alikes" in recent email and phone scams, hoping to add
legitimacy to their ploys. Have you gotten a threatening call
demanding money from someone claiming to be with the IRS? That's
a regularly used con. Did you get an email from "State Court"
about a required appearance? That's another one (do NOT open the
attachment in one of these emails!).
But it's not just government agencies whose identities are
misused. Scammers falsely claiming to represent the local
utility company, regularly call consumers and businesses and
make threats that they will cut off the electrical service if
the call recipient doesn't make an immediate payment. And our
tip on Tuesday covered calls from fake tech support
representatives looking for money for "repairs" and access to
victim's computers.
Don't fall for these scams. Delete the emails and hang up on
these callers. They want your money, your personal information,
or to infect your computer with malware. If you question the
legitimacy of a communication from a business or governmental
agency, contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline
(800-422-7128) or call the misrepresented agency directly to
inquire (but don't use the phone number that was provided in the
questionable message!). |