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This Twitter scam is a smart way to steal bank passwords - Don't fall for it
It was bound to happen sooner or later — social media platforms are monetizing membership by adding subscriptions for services you’re used to getting for free. Here’s what’s changing and how you can save your money.
With billions of people logging into their social media accounts daily, scams abound. Here’s one making the rounds that you need to watch out for.
Banking on social media
It’s not uncommon for businesses to maintain social media profiles. They get their message and products out there and gain new followers in hopes of turning them into customers.
Everything from streaming services to smartphone manufacturers has Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. This also offers customers the opportunity to share their input and concerns. Even customer service reps or chatbots can help you with problems through their social media pages.
And this is where the scam comes in. Crooks are impersonating banks on Twitter to target new victims.
Here’s how the scam works
A customer posts a complaint about their bank account and tags their bank (@Citi or @Chase, for example). A scammer posing as a customer service rep from the bank responds and gives a helpline number. If you call that number, the scammer will collect what information they can, such as your login credentials, and use it to get into your account.
BleepingComputer tagged Axis Bank in a tweet and received a reply from an account as a quote tweet, which is a Twitter feature that allows one account to share another account’s post with their own comment added.
The Axis Bank account did not have a blue checkmark (or even a gold one that indicates a verified business), which should raise suspicions. The problem is that thanks to Twitter Blue, anyone can purchase a blue checkmark next to their name for $8 per month or $84 per year.
Confounding the confusion is the fact that many businesses maintain separate accounts for their customer service. Citibank is a prime example. The main Twitter account is found at @Citi, while the customer service account is @AskCiti. Both of these pages have gold checkmarks, by the way.
And it gets worse. In February, Twitter CEO Elon Musk replied to a tweet that legacy Blue Verified accounts (those with blue checkmarks before the subscription service added them) would be done away with.
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While there isn’t much personal information stored on your TV, hackers can cause trouble in other ways. A new trend is thieves forcing pop-ups onto unsuspecting victims’ smart TVs. If you fall for them, you’ll end up handing your money to crooks.
Nearly 500K older Nissans recalled for a dangerous airbag issue
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Use this site to find any customer service number and how long the wait is
When something goes wrong with a service or product you paid for, you contact the company, right? It should be as straightforward as that, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Let’s say you miss your and you want to contact the airline to reschedule. You go online and find the number and call. You hand over your information and rebook a flight. You get to the airport and realize you’re not booked for anything. You called a scammer posing as the airline. This is just one of many ways they can get your personal and financial information. Tap or click here for five flight and airline scams to watch out for.
Amazon Prime problems: Read this before you rely on 2-day shipping
There’s nothing worse than paying extra for something and not getting it. For example, if you want Amazon Prime’s famous two-day shipping, you must pay $14.99 per month or $139 per year. But customers who share their Amazon Prime problems on social media say they aren’t getting the speedy shipping they paid for.
Here are the top 10 skills you need to land a job now
Employers must provide health insurance for full-time workers depending on the company’s size. Did you know that some employers extend coverage to part-time workers, too? Tap or click here for 10 employers offering health insurance for people working less than 30 hours per week.
7 things to never search for on Google
You might consider yourself a tech-savvy individual who would never fall for an online scam. You regularly mark suspicious email messages as spam, and you never click anything that doesn’t seem legitimate.
Who do you think is the most vulnerable to online scams? Tap or click here to find out which age group keeps falling for them.
Money tip: 9 ways to make sure you can return the things you buy online
Buying stuff is fun, but it sometimes doesn’t work out as planned. Your purchase is either defective or not what you expected. Not to worry — you can always return it for a full refund, right?
Did you know that Costco’s “100% satisfaction guarantee” statement can actually be taken at face value? You can bring back anything from a dead plant to partially eaten food! Tap or click to hear Kim tell you all about it.
This mistake could make getting into your Google account almost impossible
Your devices and accounts should always be secured with strong, unique passwords. There’s no excuse to use credentials you can easily remember, as password managers can fill in the information for you.
Being locked out of your account is a frustrating experience, but it’s better than having one that’s easily hacked. If you find yourself locked out, be careful who you turn to for help. It’s just another opportunity for scammers to find a new victim. Tap or click here for more.
740K SUVs recalled - Check the list for yours
It is vital that you clearly see the road and any obstacles when driving at night. Your vehicle’s headlights must illuminate straight ahead with the glow making side objects visible. Tap or click here to see why these headlights catch fire.
Rodent infestation leads to product recalls at 400 Family Dollar stores
Everybody loves to get a little bit extra value for money. But that seldom extends to foreign objects found in consumer goods. The worst kind of freebie is bacteria, hitching a ride from the distribution plant straight into your home.
Own a video doorbell? Watch out for thieves
Video doorbells are supposed to be the future of home security. They allow us to see what’s going on outside our front door, whether we’re at home or far away.
Thieves are supposed to see this kind of security system and be deterred. But what happens when criminals get a little too bold with your tech?
Speed up your Android phone with this handy app
Every new device works fantastic when we first buy them. Their speed is lightning-fast, and you fall in love with your new gadget. That is until they slow down. Tap or click here to find out why you’ll need to upgrade your old Android to avoid losing access to your Google account.
Fake customer support scam is wiping out bank accounts - don't fall for it!
We all make online or app-based transactions from time to time, but there’s a lot at risk when you share your personal or financial information with strangers. After all, tons of scams have been identified over the last few months, and people across the country continue to lose money by falling for them.
6 changes Amazon has made you need to know about
If you’re a regular Amazon user, you know exactly what to expect from the site. You know how to navigate the site, complete returns, and price shop among the sellers to find the best deal on what you’re looking for.
There’s a reason we have all become Amazon fans over the past few years. The site is incredibly easy to use, and you can load up on shelf-stable pantry items, nail polish, collector’s items, and all of the tech gadgets you desire with a few clicks of the mouse. Tap or click here to safely disinfect your Amazon deliveries.
Is it time to replace your Android battery? Signs, symptoms and fixes
Your Android phone is your everyday companion, so you notice when it’s not holding a charge as long as it used to. You’re starting to wonder if there’s a problem with the battery. That means it’s time to do a little sleuthing.
7 clever tech tricks you’ll use time and time again
Today’s tech is loaded with features most of us never use. Why? Simply stated, there’s no real user manual.
Maybe no one ever told you that you could unsend an email. Yes, really. But you need to set up the feature before you need to use it.
Lost your job? How to apply for a high-paying "contact tracer" role
The COVID-19 pandemic has left the U.S. economy in shambles. Within the span of a month, the labor market went from one of the lowest unemployment rates in American history to the highest since the Great Depression.
As a result, companies are adapting to this strange new way of living, with remote jobs and social distancing becoming mainstays for some time to come. Tap or click here to see which jobs are hiring at-home workers.
Skip the lawyer - this company helps you get your money back if you were ripped-off
Tech companies dominate the economic landscape and there’s no turning back from this new norm. The physical and digital products made by these companies are woven deeply into the fabric of our lives, which means when things go wrong, users often have little to no recourse.