Scams step up a notch

BTN News
Thursday, 23 June 2016

The latest scams to target computer users include one involving fake messages offering technical support that look like they come from a legitimate internet service provider (ISP) and another that invites users to phone their banks.


In the first scam, European computer users report receiving realistic pop-ups from their ISPs saying that malware has been detected on their computers and that they should call a number for 'immediate assistance'.


The tech support scam dupes victims out of money in two ways.


The first is by remotely accessing the victim's computer (with their permission) when the fraudsters have them on the phone. Without the users knowing, the fraudsters install malware onto their computer that scans for financial information.


The second is by convincing victims to make a one-off payment of around US$200 for the fake support.


It's lucrative.
One tech support scam that was shut down in the US allegedly earned the scammers US$17 million in less than three years.


A second fraud involves letters, texts or emails sent to consumers asking them to phone their banks on a number provided.


There is no request for passwords or other personal information, so many recipients phone the number they've been given.


When the call is answered, a recording device is switched on and the call is transferred to a legitimate phone line operated by the bank, but when users log in by providing key letters of their passwords and other information, this activity is recorded.


“The reason why this scam is so successful is because the fraudster’s presence is unknown to both the victim and the bank,” UK-based Action Fraud said.

Scams step up a notch

BTN News
Thursday, 23 June 2016

The latest scams to target computer users include one involving fake messages offering technical support that look like they come from a legitimate internet service provider (ISP) and another that invites users to phone their banks.


In the first scam, European computer users report receiving realistic pop-ups from their ISPs saying that malware has been detected on their computers and that they should call a number for 'immediate assistance'.


The tech support scam dupes victims out of money in two ways.


The first is by remotely accessing the victim's computer (with their permission) when the fraudsters have them on the phone. Without the users knowing, the fraudsters install malware onto their computer that scans for financial information.


The second is by convincing victims to make a one-off payment of around US$200 for the fake support.


It's lucrative.
One tech support scam that was shut down in the US allegedly earned the scammers US$17 million in less than three years.


A second fraud involves letters, texts or emails sent to consumers asking them to phone their banks on a number provided.


There is no request for passwords or other personal information, so many recipients phone the number they've been given.


When the call is answered, a recording device is switched on and the call is transferred to a legitimate phone line operated by the bank, but when users log in by providing key letters of their passwords and other information, this activity is recorded.


“The reason why this scam is so successful is because the fraudster’s presence is unknown to both the victim and the bank,” UK-based Action Fraud said.