Don't be the bait: Scammers are Phishing !

Newsletter Topics: Companies Most Frequently Impersonated & Phishing

🗞️ In the News: Last week, the Federal Trade Commission published the companies most frequently impersonated by scammers, with Best Buy/Geek Squad taking the top spot, followed by Amazon.

From the above list, scammers frequently impersonate Geek Squad, Apple, Microsoft, and Norton/LifeLock to obtain payments through tech support scam tactics. Learn about tech support scams in our previous newsletter “Your Computer May Be Infected!”.

Scammers also use other tactics such as “Phishing” to obtain even more financial gains.

👀 Today’s Focus: What is “Phishing” and how can it impact you?

Phishing is a type of attack where scammers impersonate legitimate individuals or companies to deceive people into revealing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security, etc.

⭐ How does “Phishing” work?

❗ What happens if you enter sensitive information on a phishing website? How can it impact you?

1. Identity Theft: If you enter personal information (usernames, passwords, Social Security number) attackers can steal your identity, open accounts in your name, or make unauthorized purchases.

2. Financial Loss: If you enter your credit card or banking information, attackers can use this information to make fraudulent transactions or drain your bank account.

3. Data Breach: Phishing websites may also contain malware that can infect your device and steal sensitive data stored on it.

4. Compromised Accounts: If you enter your login credentials, attackers can gain access to your accounts and use them for malicious purposes, such as sending spam, spreading malware, or conducting further phishing attacks.

😎 Grandkid Tip of the Day:  Here is a real example and some tips to spot Phishing:

🚨 If you receive a text or an email with several red flags such as the above, delete it immediately and be cautious of not clicking on the links accidentally.

⭐ Share a story by replying to this email! - If you or someone you know has been hacked or compromised, share your story! We are always looking to raise awareness within our community!

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