Scam of the Week: Don't Make This Smish-take
In this week’s scam, you receive an unexpected text message that makes it appear that someone is trying to log in to your email or social media account. The message contains a multi-factor authentication (MFA) code and what appears to be a customer support number for you to call if you did not request the code. These types of codes are usually only sent to you when you are logging in to an account. If you receive one unexpectedly, it might make you think an unauthorized person is trying to access your account.
Scam of the Week: Scamazon Prime
This week, cybercriminals are targeting Amazon Prime customers located in France. You receive an email stating that your Amazon Prime subscription will automatically renew. The email contains your name and address, making it appear convincing. It claims your subscription will automatically renew, but at a very expensive cost.
Scam of the Week: Deepfake, Deep Trouble
In this week’s scam, cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence (AI) to try to trick you into clicking malicious links. You receive a text message or voice call from someone claiming to be a senior United States government official. They will try to establish a friendly relationship with you by sounding genuine, making the official seem trustworthy.
Scam of the Week: Don’t Call These Crypto Criminals
In this week’s scam, you receive an email that appears to be from Coinbase, a platform that allows you to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency (crypto). The email says that a new wallet address has been set up to make withdrawals from your account. Wallets are tools that are used to manage crypto that you sell or receive. An unexpected email about a new wallet might alarm you, since it might seem like someone is making unauthorized purchases on your account.
Scam of the Week: The Social Security Swindle
In this week's scam, you receive an email that appears to be from the United States (US) Social Security Administration (SSA), a retirement program run by the US government. The email says your SSA financial statement is now available. It even has an official SSA logo and provides instructions for viewing your statement by downloading an attachment.
Scam of the Week: Device Code Hijacking
Cybercriminals have come up with a new way to scam you by using device codes, which are numeric codes that allow you to log into the same account using multiple devices. You may have used these codes in the past. If you’ve ever attempted to log in to a streaming service such as Netflix from your TV, your TV will display a numeric code that you can enter on your phone. Once you enter the code on your phone, your TV will be automatically logged in to your Netflix account, without needing to log in each time you watch.
Scam of the Week: When Mourning Meets Malware
Unfortunately, cybercriminals often use sad news to trick you. Scammers are taking advantage of Pope Francis' recent death by using AI to create fake images and news articles about the event. They post this phony information on social media accounts in hopes of capturing your attention. However, if you click the links in these social media posts, they’ll take you to harmful websites that steal your personal and financial information.
Scam of the Week: It's No Secret That This Cash Grab Is a Scam
In this week’s scam, someone calls you claiming to be a representative of a big retailer, such as Amazon. They warn you that criminals have taken over your account and are using it for illegal activities. You are told that you will be transferred to a government agent who is investigating the account. The agent claims that the criminals have also compromised your bank account and have access to all your money.
Scam of the Week: Hello... Is It Scams You're Looking For?
In this week’s scam, you receive a text message from an unknown phone number that reads “Hello.” The message seems harmless, and you might think it’s a genuine text meant for someone else. Because the message appears friendly, you may be tempted to respond.
Scam of the Week: A Text Message Trap
In this week’s scam, you receive a text message that says you have an unpaid invoice, fee, or toll. It seems legitimate because the text message appears to come from a local organization, such as your government’s toll service, tax office, or postal service. It may even contain official logos and branding. The text instructs you to click a link so that you can pay the bill, or you will face a penalty.
