Scams - Computer |
Additional resource:
Seniors Vs Crime http://www.seniorsvscrime.com/ Since 1989, Seniors vs. Crime has been a unique and effective group of advocates for Florida’s seniors. The Seniors vs. Crime project, sponsored by the Office of the Attorney General, allows consumer-conscious seniors to be actively involved in protecting their communities and their fellow seniors from becoming victims of consumer fraud. Take a look at the Web site. |
Protect yourself online so you don't fall victim to scams.
1. Guard your personal information. Never respond to requests for personal or account information online (or over the phone). When your social security number is requested as an identifier, ask if you can provide alternate information.
2. Don't divulge your birthdate, mothers maiden name, pets name or any other identifying information on social media websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Go look through your profile and delete any personal information.
3. Stay up-to-date. Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it updated. Use the latest version of your web browser.
4. Make if difficult. Your password. Use unique and hard-to-guess passwords. Don't access secure websites using public Wi-Fi.
5. Be aware of fake online Sweepstakes and contests. All offers that require payment or private information before giving an award are bogus. Take the time to check out the validity of an offer.
6. Go paperless. Enroll in electronic statements, use direct deposit, and make bill payments online (to avoid mail theft). Susan Riding, of Palo Alto, recommends you pay through your bank or credit union, if they offer it, instead of on each vendor's Web site.
7. Don't believe the "work-at-home" hype. Thoroughly conduct a background check on the company offering the "work-at-home" position, making as many phone calls and internet searches as you can. Tragically, some work-from-home scams not only enlist the individual to defraud others, they also make an identity fraud victim out of the individual.
Source: Wind Florida Newsletter - Nov. 2017
1. Guard your personal information. Never respond to requests for personal or account information online (or over the phone). When your social security number is requested as an identifier, ask if you can provide alternate information.
2. Don't divulge your birthdate, mothers maiden name, pets name or any other identifying information on social media websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Go look through your profile and delete any personal information.
3. Stay up-to-date. Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it updated. Use the latest version of your web browser.
4. Make if difficult. Your password. Use unique and hard-to-guess passwords. Don't access secure websites using public Wi-Fi.
5. Be aware of fake online Sweepstakes and contests. All offers that require payment or private information before giving an award are bogus. Take the time to check out the validity of an offer.
6. Go paperless. Enroll in electronic statements, use direct deposit, and make bill payments online (to avoid mail theft). Susan Riding, of Palo Alto, recommends you pay through your bank or credit union, if they offer it, instead of on each vendor's Web site.
7. Don't believe the "work-at-home" hype. Thoroughly conduct a background check on the company offering the "work-at-home" position, making as many phone calls and internet searches as you can. Tragically, some work-from-home scams not only enlist the individual to defraud others, they also make an identity fraud victim out of the individual.
Source: Wind Florida Newsletter - Nov. 2017
Free Gift Scam
If you receive an email from a vendor that you do business, e.g. Amazon Prime, DO NOT click the link to get your 'free gift.' First check what the link represents. Instructions: WITHOUT clicking the link, hover your cursor over the link and see if it matches the words you see for the link.
Example (Susan Riding actual experience on June 12 and 13, 2017) - Email said:
'Gift must be activated by: June 18th, 2017' 'Your latest activity entitles you receive a promotional gift with a value of $50.00'
http://amazon.com/rewardcenter/ref234138
If you clicked the link, it takes you to www.todayweamason.com, NOT http://amazon.com/rewardcenter/ref234138 as is shown.
We didn't click the link but if we had it might have initiated a virus.
Note: misspelled amason.com as a part of that actual Web address.
If you receive an email from a vendor that you do business, e.g. Amazon Prime, DO NOT click the link to get your 'free gift.' First check what the link represents. Instructions: WITHOUT clicking the link, hover your cursor over the link and see if it matches the words you see for the link.
Example (Susan Riding actual experience on June 12 and 13, 2017) - Email said:
'Gift must be activated by: June 18th, 2017' 'Your latest activity entitles you receive a promotional gift with a value of $50.00'
http://amazon.com/rewardcenter/ref234138
If you clicked the link, it takes you to www.todayweamason.com, NOT http://amazon.com/rewardcenter/ref234138 as is shown.
We didn't click the link but if we had it might have initiated a virus.
Note: misspelled amason.com as a part of that actual Web address.
Cyber Scams (article)
“Florida ranks number two in the country for cyber scams,” said Kreitenstein. “Ten per cent of all the cyber scams reported in this country happen in Florida.” California is number one.
The three main categories of cyber crime are:
1. Business and Personal E-mail Compromise 2. Romance 3. Non-Delivery of services or products.
Romance scams
Romance scams are a big problem in this area Kreitenstein told the audience. After the laughter subsided Kreitenstein went on to warn the audience that people living in The Villages have been scammed out of all increments of money including one person who has been scammed out of $700,000. The scams are perpetrated by both individuals and groups. They establish an on-line relationship for weeks, months and sometimes years, but eventually they ask for money. The biggest red flag said Kretenstein is the person never being available to meet in person. Women over the age of 60 are by far and away the most scammed group. (Last year, a Water Oak woman sent $20,000 to a man she met on Facebook.)
Ransomware
Ransomware is another big problem. The solutions:
- According to Kreitenstein is “back up, back up, back up.” He continued “once the Ransomware gets on ahold of your computer,
there is really nothing you can do.” Back up data often.
- He said that the FBI does not support paying for an encryption key, because usually you are never going to get the key.
- Cyber Hygiene is very important. Kreitenstein strongly suggest anti-virus software; he uses two on his home computers.
Using Home and Public Networks
- Also, important is updating your software and operating systems. Make sure your home network is secure and be cautious of
public networks and wi-fi hot spots.
- Avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar sources.
- Passwords: Kreitenstein highly recommended that anyone using the following passwords: 123456, password and qwerty should go
home and change their passwords.
He commended the Seniors vs. Crime for what they are doing. “Prevention is the key to curbing these crimes,” said Kreitenstein “and groups like yours are a big help.” He said that Cyber Crimes are hard to beat; you stop one thing and they are already figuring out an angle.
If you have a crime or concern to report he encouraged people to go to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov. It is an on-line reporting system that helps them spot trends and also to aggregate the information and get it out to all the FBI offices. There is also a lot of good information on the website people can use to avoid being a victim of a cyber crime.
Source: March 4, 2017 Villagesnews.net report:
“Florida ranks number two in the country for cyber scams,” said Kreitenstein. “Ten per cent of all the cyber scams reported in this country happen in Florida.” California is number one.
The three main categories of cyber crime are:
1. Business and Personal E-mail Compromise 2. Romance 3. Non-Delivery of services or products.
Romance scams
Romance scams are a big problem in this area Kreitenstein told the audience. After the laughter subsided Kreitenstein went on to warn the audience that people living in The Villages have been scammed out of all increments of money including one person who has been scammed out of $700,000. The scams are perpetrated by both individuals and groups. They establish an on-line relationship for weeks, months and sometimes years, but eventually they ask for money. The biggest red flag said Kretenstein is the person never being available to meet in person. Women over the age of 60 are by far and away the most scammed group. (Last year, a Water Oak woman sent $20,000 to a man she met on Facebook.)
Ransomware
Ransomware is another big problem. The solutions:
- According to Kreitenstein is “back up, back up, back up.” He continued “once the Ransomware gets on ahold of your computer,
there is really nothing you can do.” Back up data often.
- He said that the FBI does not support paying for an encryption key, because usually you are never going to get the key.
- Cyber Hygiene is very important. Kreitenstein strongly suggest anti-virus software; he uses two on his home computers.
Using Home and Public Networks
- Also, important is updating your software and operating systems. Make sure your home network is secure and be cautious of
public networks and wi-fi hot spots.
- Avoid clicking on links from unfamiliar sources.
- Passwords: Kreitenstein highly recommended that anyone using the following passwords: 123456, password and qwerty should go
home and change their passwords.
He commended the Seniors vs. Crime for what they are doing. “Prevention is the key to curbing these crimes,” said Kreitenstein “and groups like yours are a big help.” He said that Cyber Crimes are hard to beat; you stop one thing and they are already figuring out an angle.
If you have a crime or concern to report he encouraged people to go to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, www.ic3.gov. It is an on-line reporting system that helps them spot trends and also to aggregate the information and get it out to all the FBI offices. There is also a lot of good information on the website people can use to avoid being a victim of a cyber crime.
Source: March 4, 2017 Villagesnews.net report:
|
FBI Special Agent Derek Kreitenstein spoke to the crowd attending the Seniors vs. Crime Annual Training session at Rohan Recreation Center on Thursday, March 2, 2017, and warned against three main areas of cyber scamming.
|
|
Computer Virus
If you get a computer virus
Contact a local computer repair business or Best Buy Geek Squad (if that's where you bought your PC) for help to get rid of the virus. Or contact your email provider (aol, yahoo, google) if they have a support staff to help with this kind of problem. Hopefully Avoid Getting a Virus The following are pointers and advice to help you hopefully avoid being scammed that could result in a damaging virus. |
|
Microsoft Support Scam #1
The scammer calls you and says he/she is from Microsoft support and your computer has been compromised with a virus and that they can take care of it. These scammers are VERY believable.
The scammer calls you and says he/she is from Microsoft support and your computer has been compromised with a virus and that they can take care of it. These scammers are VERY believable.
|
BACKGROUND: Someone calls you and tells you that your computer has been inflicted with a virus and they convince you that you have been hit with a virus and that they will fix it. They give you instructions on things for you to do that ultimately enable them to access your computer remotely. They are not working on helping you when they do this, they are actually planting the virus on your computer.
SOLUTION: Preventative: NEVER allow someone to service your PC when they initiated the call to you. Most probably your computer is working fine when they called you. If something is not working as it should, call your computer support, DO NOT let someone that innitiated the call to you help. MORE INFO: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx |
Microsoft Support Scam #2
|
BACKGROUND: (2 part problem & solution - Initial Problem and After Reboot)
Initial Problem: You are searching the Internet for some information. Once you come to this scam Web site a dialog box pops up that because you want to ignore it, you click on the 'x' in the top right of the dialog box. You close the Web site because something didn't seem right. When you close that Web site another dialog box comes up that says something like, 'Your Windows have been locked...' It says you should call expert Microsoft Support and gives a phone number. This dialog box does have an 'x' in the top right corner but when clicked does nothing. The dialog box also shows an 'OK' button. Don't click the 'OK' button! See 'Initial Problem' under 'Solution' below. SOLUTION: Initial Problem: Do not click 'OK.' It will not allow you to click the 'x' to close your browser window. The solution at this point is to just reboot your PC. After Reboot: Once Google Chrome is opened again, a message is given to say, 'Google Chrome shut down unexpectedly, would you like to restore?' - Do not click 'OK.' This may or may not be a valid Google Chrome error message because you closed Google Chrome in an unnatural way. See 'After Reboot below for Solution - no need taking chances... After Reboot: Again, do not click 'OK.' Close your browser window. It should be ok now but it might be best to reboot again. |
Email Attachment Scam
|
BACKGROUND: Beware of attachments that come to you via email. The attachment may be from an unknown source or it may be from someone you know. The attachment may be loaded with a virus.
SOLUTION: Don't click that attachment. If it is from a known source, call that person or initiate a new email and ask them if they sent it. Or, you may choose to just delete the email. If it is from an unknown source, it is advisable to always delete the email without ever opening the attachment. |
Email Containing a link in the body of the email (message area)
|
BACKGROUND: If the email you received includes a link
SOLUTION: Don't just click the link. Always add blank spaces to the end of the link (cursor to beyond end of link & space bar a few times) then start from beyond the spaces & highlight the link. Once highlighted, copy it to your 'clipboard' (below). Then go to your browser, put your cursor in the space where you see the Web address you're going to and paste (see below) what you copied. Hit enter to go to the site. If you just click in the email, the link it could activate a virus or take you to a fraud site programmed to do damage somehow. |
|
General
Copy & Paste
Copy: highlight text or link, do a ctrl/c (while holding down 'ctrl' key do a quick touch on 'c'), it is copied to your 'clipboard.' An alternative to 'Copy & Paste' is 'Cut & Paste.' Instead of ctrl/c, highlight the text or link and while holding down the 'ctrl' key, do quick touch on 'x' key. That will remove the info from its current position and then you can paste it where you want it (below). Paste: Go to the place where you want to put the text or link. do a ctrl/v (while holding down the 'ctrl' key, do a quick touch on 'v'. That pastes the text or link to the new position. Copy or Cut & Paste can be used in a LOT of ways. Experiment copying from email to another email or Word to email, etc. |
If you hear of a scam that you feel would be helpful to share by posting it here, please contact your loyal Webmaster, Susan Riding at 352 750-3399.