This fake invoice is scaring Microsoft Windows users into paying up
Another day, another scheme to rip you off makes an appearance. It seems as soon we come up with an excellent way to protect against cybercriminals, they are two steps ahead and find another loophole.
One of the newer schemes thieves are using incorporates vishing. Of course, vishing is when criminals conduct phishing attacks over the phone. Tap or click here for a recent warning from the FBI on the uptick of vishing scams.
A new vishing scam targeting Windows PC users threatens your wallet. Read on for more information on the clever new cyberattack that could let hackers take over your computer.
Here’s the backstory
We are all quite familiar with phishing attacks. Typically an email is sent in disguise to poke around inboxes to see who takes the bait. Vishing is quite similar, except it uses another form of technology to get you. Your phone.
Vishing is when thieves try to rip you off over the phone. Their goal is to trick you into thinking they are affiliated with a legitimate company to try and collect your data or money before you catch on. A new vishing scam targeting Windows users is making the rounds that you need to know about.
Microsoft Defender…or not
This is the third of its kind just this year. It is so well crafted that it fools even the most trained eyes. It starts with a spoofed Microsoft Defender email that includes an invoice.
The spoofed email has no misspelled words, beats Google servers and looks incredibly real. It also comes with a toll-free number for you to call.
The message doesn’t include attachments or links, which is typically a red flag that it could be a phishing scam. But the email itself isn’t the dangerous part. You can see the clever authenticity in the email in the photo above from Armorblox.
What happens if you call the number?
Police calling? Hang up if you get this call
You’re vulnerable to scams if you have a phone (even a regular old landline). That’s right. Even an old-fashioned voice call is still a viable option for crooks well into the digital age.
Sometimes a scam will start as something else, such as a text message or email, which lures the victim into a phone call. You might get a message about an order you didn’t place. A phone number is included so you can call and set things straight. This will lead you right to the crook. Tap or click here to check out this type of scam.
Have a Gmail or Hotmail account? Microsoft says to keep your eyes out for this scam
Scammers have been employing sneaky tactics to get at your information and finances since the internet first arrived. Email is among the oldest vehicles for bad actors to ply their trade, and they’re still at it decades later.
This tricky new email campaign cons YOU into calling scammers
Scammers sometimes use targeted emails to draw you into a malicious website, called phishing. This is just one way they target you.
By leaving voice messages on your mobile phone, scammers will also try to trick you into sending them your personal information. This type of scam is called vishing, and it has become more widespread in recent months.
Watch out! Spoofed Apple phone call is making the rounds again
The COVID pandemic has opened a whole new world of opportunity for scammers. The dregs of society are using people’s fears of the virus against them and creating devious schemes to rip them off.
Phishing emails, text messages and phone calls pretending to be from health organizations or officials are all too common these days. Tap or click here for a recent example of scam calls targeting seniors.
FBI warning: Cybercriminals can use this tactic to break into your VPN, steal your files and more
Phishing has grown from an annoying hacker tactic to a widespread scourge plaguing the internet. The reason: It’s the easiest way to gain access to valuable data and accounts — which can then be exploited for personal or financial gain.