Spring has sprung and some concerning internet hacks and seasonal scams have also surfaced. The “WannaCry” ransomware release of late has everyone scrambling, including Microsoft apparently. Microsoft released a robust update this weekend that took almost an hour for some to implement, featuring new updates to the stock “Windows Defender” malicious software/virus protection.
What some do not realize is that with the changing of the seasons, there are also a whole new set of hacks and scams tagging along for “fun”. Consumer Action does a great job at keeping us in the know on what new hacks are out there and how best to avoid them. www.consumer-action.org
In their April 2017 Newsletter release, they highlighted some “Spring Varieties” that we need to watch out for, worse than dandelions and crabgrass at taking over and infiltrating all that is your happy cyberplace.
Here they are, along with tips and tricks to keep your cyberlife safe and secure:
Call me, maybe |
Starting this month, the IRS and four collection companies it hired will be reaching out to people who have failed to pay their taxes for so long that they have been referred to the companies after the federal agency has made multiple attempts to contact them. Unfortunately, this makes it even more difficult for taxpayers to determine if a request to pay back taxes is originating from a taxman or a trickster. So the IRS is working to clarify this before the collectors come a-callin’. “Here’s a simple rule to keep in mind,” warned IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “You won’t get a call from a private collection firm unless you have unpaid tax debts going back several years and you’ve already heard from the IRS multiple times.” Well, many consumers are unsure if they owe old taxes, while others may have moved from residence-to-residence and failed to receive snail-mail warnings. Scammers know this, and they also know that, when faced with legal threats, unsure taxpayers tend to pay up. That’s why it’s important for you, the taxpayer, to know when a “debt collector” is exhibiting shady behavior. IRS-approved collectors will not: call to demand immediate payment through a prepaid card, gift card, wire transfer, etc.; threaten to immediately bring in local police or others to have you arrested; ask for bank info, credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or refuse you the right to question or appeal the amount in question. The private collection firms are, however, allowed to facilitate payment either electronically or by check but only to the IRS or U.S. Treasury. (In other words: Never make a payment to an individual or a company. Find out more about legit payment options here.) If you get a call that makes you nervous, your best bet is to sign up here to check your balance through the IRS website. Whatever you do, don’t become one of the 5,500 victims who have paid a whopping $29 million to scammers in the past few years! |
Travel troubles |
Spring is in the air, and so is the desire to break free from your mundane everyday life and travel to an exotic locale (or at least enjoy a stress-free staycation). Unfortunately, scammers share your enthusiasm for the good life, and are looking for ways to capitalize on your vacation plans. While we’ve warned readers to be careful when renting a vacation home or booking flights, AARP and Credit.com have written about some additional travel scams that even we’ve never heard of. For example: the hotel front desk scam. This occurs after you’ve checked in and rested your head on that perfectly fluffed pillow. Your room phone rings. It’s allegedly the front desk, telling you that your card was declined and they need you to give them the information again (you see where this is heading…). Later on, let’s say at the same hotel, you get hungry and call the number on that flyer you saw in the lobby for a pizza. They ask for your credit card info and voilà, you’re dinged twice by scammers! If you’ve made it this far without being scammed, there are many dangers that await you outside as well. Beware of strangers offering to “help” you get a stain off your clothes or work an ATM machine; they may be pickpockets. And of course, if someone offers to take you and your traveling partner’s picture with your cell phone, don’t just hand it over or you may never see it again. Finally, AARP recommends taking only credit cards (not debit cards) on your trips, because thieves could draw on your bank account if your debit card is lost or stolen. |
Spring cleaning |
There’s no better way to spring clean than to break free from your relationship with a mega-bank like Wells Fargo. The giant nationwide institution was busted for defrauding consumers last year, and since then has stubbornly resisted calls by pro-consumer leaders such as Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to free its customers and employees to pursue cases before a court of law, particularly regarding the millions of accounts set up without their permission through identity theft, forgery and fraud. Because of this, Consumer Action has been engaging in events and campaigns to encourage consumers like Byron Cooper to make the switch. Cooper ended up closing his accounts with Wells Fargo after he discovered the bank had opened two new ones “on his behalf” and shifted $25,000 from his checking account to his savings account—all without his authorization, and despite his insistence that he did not want the new accounts. The bank also changed his “free” checking account to one that charged $30 per month and required a minimum balance of $25,000—also without his permission! If you’ve been defrauded (or feel defeated) by your relationship with Wells Fargo (or any bank, really), check out our handy Tips for switching banks. Remember: Seasons change, and so do you. |
Suckers for love |
Gone girl. What’s worse than the melodramatic 1996 flick “Ransom” featuring an increasingly loud and obnoxious Mel Gibson? Starring in a real-world version yourself! Officials are warning that kidnapping scams are running away with people across the country, and CBS outlines one particularly cruel incident that resulted in a family paying $17,000 to scammers who claimed to have kidnapped first the daughter, then the husband! The only non-“kidnapped” member of the family (the wife/mother) explained why it’s so easy for good folks to fall for this scam: “You won’t jeopardize somebody you love over money.”
You’ve got to be kid-ing! At least 12 victims have come forward to press charges against a woman who offered adoption and surrogacy services to people looking to become parents. The woman posted to message boards offering to carry a baby or adopt “her own” out to those wanting kids. She even went so far as to share fake ultrasounds with wannabe moms and dads! Fortunately, many of the victims called their local district attorneys (DAs) and put a stop to the sick scam. A cancer on society. A mother who set up a crowdsourcing page to raise money for her five-year-old son (who was legitimately battling brain cancer) found out that a scammer was using her son’s photo to solicit pity, and donations, for herself. In another cancer con, a healthy woman shaved her head and set up a GoFundMe page claiming she had 18 months to live after having been diagnosed with leukemia. Moral of the story: When it comes to donating via peer-to-peer fundraising sites, make sure you know and trust the person making the ask (although, in the latter case, the woman’s own boyfriend didn’t even know she was lying for quite some time!). ‘Like’-farming. They’re calling it “the chain letter of the 21st century,” only it’s worse. What is it? Like-farming involves persuading you to “like” or comment on a heart-wrenching Facebook post (featuring, say, a photo of a sick child or mistreated animal). Once you interact with the post, your identity can be “farmed” out to other scammers (since you’re now seen as an easy target, prone to emotional manipulation) or worse (think malware and computer viruses). So, what’s a sympathetic person to do? Use websites like Snopes or HoaxSlayer to debunk dubious claims before you interact with an over-the-top, cry-for-help post (particularly if there is a mention of money). |
Tips! |
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(Courtesy of Consumer Action, April 2017)