Scam prevention is crucial in today's digital age, where fraudsters are constantly coming up with new ways to deceive unsuspecting victims. You can download and share these tips with your community members on Neighbors to help spread awareness and prevent scams from happening.
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Think Before You Scan!
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QR scams involve the use of QR codes that redirect unsuspecting individuals to fraudulent websites or apps. Scammers use these codes to trick people into providing sensitive information or downloading malware onto their devices. To protect yourself, always be cautious when scanning QR codes from unknown sources and ensure that you trust the website or app before entering any personal information.
- Before scanning a QR code, check that it has not been tampered with; for example, verify that it doesn’t cover up another QR code.
- Refrain from scanning randomly found QR codes or codes in unsolicited messages.
- Be very careful when it comes to using a QR code to pay a bill or conduct another kind of financial transaction. Consider using another payment option.
#SaferNeighborhoodsTogether
Source: We Live Security
Juice Hacking Alert: FBI Issues Warning
Sample message:
Attention!
We would like to inform you all about a safety concern recently issued by the FBI. They have warned residents about the potential dangers of using public USB charging stations for your electronic devices, specifically when it comes to juice hacking.
Juice hacking is when someone manipulates a public USB port or charging cable to install malware or steal data from your device. Hackers can easily tamper with these charging stations, which can result in the theft of personal and sensitive information. The FBI has reported an increase in these types of attacks across the country.
To protect yourself and your personal information, we recommend that you avoid using public USB charging stations whenever possible. Instead, use your own personal charger or a portable battery pack, and to avoid using public charging stations whenever possible. If using a public charging station is necessary, it is important to use your own charging cable, rather than using the USB port directly, and always keep a watchful eye on your device while it is charging.
By taking these simple precautions, we can help prevent juice hacking and protect ourselves from potential harm. Please share our post with your friends and family to inform them of the potential dangers of public USB charging stations. Let's work together to keep our community safe and secure.
#SaferNeighborhoodsTogether
Source: FBI
Beware of Scams!
Sample message:
"[Community Name] Residents,
Fraudsters use social engineering tactics to trick consumers into sharing confidential and personal information. They are skilled con artists who impersonate government, community, and business officials such as law enforcement, local charities, and service providers. Once fraudsters have someone’s personal information, they can use it to make unauthorized purchases, drain financial accounts or even steal someone’s identity.
Be skeptical—verify the legitimacy of unsolicited calls BEFORE you share personal information. Hang up and contact the organization directly to address any request for personal information. Remember not to engage, especially when you’re busy or distracted.“
Source: National Crime Prevention Council
Bank Check Safety Tip
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“Fake checks can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. By that time, the scammer has any money you sent, and you’re stuck paying the money back to the bank. Your best practice: Don’t rely on money from a check unless you know and trust the person you’re dealing with.”
Source: Federal Trade Commission
Fake Check!
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“Fake job or employment scams occur when criminal actors deceive victims into believing they have a job or a potential job. Criminals leverage their position as “employers” to persuade victims to provide them with personally identifiable information, become unwitting money mules, or to send them money. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, 16,012 people reported being victims of employment scams in 2020, with losses totaling more than $59 million.
Don’t become a victim, learn the warning signs!
-They ask you to shop for them
-You have to send them money
-They won’t meet you in person
-You can’t verify their information
-You’ll be working from home“
Source: Federal Trade Commission
Is This Job Legitimate?
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"Looking for a job can be a tough thing to do. Now, all jobs require to apply online and sometimes it can be hard to know what’s real or what’s a scam. Scammers will post fake jobs online on certain sites and use keywords such as “must be 18 or over, must have access to the internet, no experience necessary, or must have a valid passport. Please do some research when applying for jobs online and stay aware of red flags during your job search."
Source: Career Addict
Stop! Don’t Click on That Link!
Sample message:
"Don’t become a victim! Learn the warning signs of a smishing scam:
- A text message requesting personal information, such as your Social Security number or an online account password.
- A text message asking you to click a link to resolve a problem, win a prize or access a service.
- A text message claiming to be from a government agency.
- A text message offering coronavirus-related testing, treatment or financial aid, or requests personal data for contact tracing.“
Source: Action News
¡No haga click en los siguientes enlaces!
Sample message:
"¡No te conviertas en una víctima. Conozca las señales de advertencia de una estafa engañosa:
- Un mensaje de texto solicitando información personal, como su número de Seguro Social o la contraseña de una cuenta en línea.
- Un mensaje pidiendo que haga clic en un enlace para resolver un problema, ganar un premio o acceder a un servicio.
- Un mensaje diciendo ser de una agencia gubernamental.
- Un texto ofreciendo pruebas, tratamiento o ayuda financiera relacionados con el coronavirus, o solicitando datos personales para el rastreo de contactos.“
Source: Action News
Warning Signs of a Possible Scam
Sample message:
"There are several signs that indicate you might be dealing with a scammer. Remember that if something doesn't seem right, you can always hang up or walk away. Scammers often want you to make a quick decision without thinking about it. Slow down, do your own research about the offer or consult with someone you trust."
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau