Avoid the Top "Businesses" Attempting to Scam and Hack Internet Users
Scam, Scam, Scam! Saying it three times fast and in a row isn't exactly a charm anymore even considering that familiar idiom from the distant past, Now, we're being forced into attempting to understand and avoid modern common cases of misconceptions, tricks, and traps. Whether these unwelcome intrusions are ringing in on landlines, chiming on smartphones, or piling up inside email inboxes, it's like they're attacking us from almost everywhere.
There are also questionable approaches being used on social media platforms tricking unsuspecting users into falling for scams while they're playing or surfing in these so-called friendly environments. The best thing we can do to protect ourselves is by becoming more educated about the most common "businesses" that these dirtbags are using as cover.
IMPORTANT INTRODUCTORY NOTE: Before we get started, it's important to remember some basic facts about how these phishers are able to reel in their victims. In many cases, such as some of the ones listed below, hackers are playing the law of averages. Think of it this way, given huge membership numbers, too many purchases to count, or issues that may have gone awry. Also, they also employ tactics aimed at the elderly who might not understand today's technology very well and are more gullible compared to younger consumers.
Amazon: This popular A-Z selling platform delivers impressive statistics with over 300 million active members (not to mention drop-ins) and nearly two million sellers interacting online. Again, with this kind of traffic, hackers often send out messages about a delayed, canceled, or otherwise messed up a transaction, trouble with an order, or perhaps an absent or delayed delivery.
eBay: Similar to Amazon, often disguised as eBay representatives, attacks from these fools are often the same in nature. Hiding behind the popularity of another prestigious, successful, and trusted selling site, unsuspected users are often tricked into falling for these phony messages.
PayPal: Phony ploys being presented are usually pretending to be coming from this pay-based website. They often include fake announcements, messages, or threats about a particular user account being frozen. It never happened, trust me, they're literally in the business of making money-based transactions online. They're not going to blindly suspend accounts for no reason.
BONUS: On a personal level, I use PayPal on a fairly regular basis. However, it's not like I have millions or even thousands of dollars in my account on any given day. However, I keep getting threatening emails and aggressive messages as highlighted previously. It's become so bad that I have the email address spoof@paypal.com memorized so I can forward them to their team looking to stop the madness associated with their brand.
Nationally Know Banks and Other Financial Institutions
Here we're going back to the basics when these thieves are using big names in the money and financial industries to trick consumers into falling for their scams. Once again, it's the law of averages when throwing out well-known titles hoping to reel in consumers. In other words, think of some of the names that are respected in this sector.
Famous financial institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and even national credit unions are being used as a type of wolf in sheep's clothing looking to lead sheepish consumers to the slaughterhouse for their own financial rewards. Don't fall for it!
Key Lessons to be Learned
When doing business with true professionals and considering all of today's modern technology, these platforms already have your private, secure information safely stored away (for the most part anyway). However, considering these unscrupulous methods, please remember this important fact. Huge industries don't need to verify your identity, username, and password.
Under no circumstances should you EVER reveal this type of private information online or over the phone. There are a few examples when verifying your identity is acceptable to well-identified hospitals and healthcare providers since their HIPAA (aka the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) restrictions are more secure than most businesses and institutions.
More Knowledge
And finally, for more advice, articles, tips, and tricks about what's going on with today's top tech trends, stay tuned to our blog, Community First. If you still have questions or concerns, contact us today at one of our many locations, or check out our in-store workshops and vast online library of topics.