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US Red Cross scam

October 2, 2023 by Robert Eyler

Here is a phishing email that I thought would be a good reminder of this kind of emails. The threat actor are using the U.S. Red Cross. This is what they are doing this time is sending an email title Red Cross Blood Drive. Then in the email would say something like download this file that is attached for information on the blood drive. If you get a popup with to read it click a button to disable macros so the attachment’s content can be shown. It will show you a list ;however, behind the since the hidden malware executes to steals your data from the computer.

If you get any file that you do not know who it is coming from or expecting a file that is asking you to disable any security items. Do not do it and just delete the file.

Owner / Tech
Robert’s Computer Service LLC
864-494-6089

Filed Under: Scams

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You Won a Prize (NOT)

June 24, 2022 by Robert Eyler

If you get an email or text message that say something like “You have won a prize” or “I have won the lotto and I want to split it with you” Unless you have registered for a drawing at that store it should be safe: however, before you click on any links in the email/text look at where it is coming from. If the email says hi@abc.com and you see the return email address as hi@acb.com. Then this is a scam email do not click on any links on that page or reply. Then delete it.

If you do click on the link for the prize you won is a headache of straightening out the mess the gave you.

Stay safe in the internet and real world.

Robert Computer Service
Robert Eyler (Owner)
(864)494-6089

 

Filed Under: Scams

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Scams Alart

November 28, 2021 by Robert Eyler

With all of the online shopping and shipping be careful with scammers and fake web sites.

If you get a phone call / text / email that is stating that your card was charged $XXX.XX for a high price item (Apple MacBook) order id #AMZ### on ##/##/### please call ###-###-####. DO NOT click or call the number or email or text. If you have a question, go to the website or call Amazon.

If you get a pop up on your screen saying that your computer may have a virus or there is a major issue you need to call us at ###-###-#### to get this fix. The same DO NOT CALL or text or email them. Call someone that you know and trust.

The next thing to look out for is if you get a call stating they are from your bank and there has been unusual activity on your card. If they ask you for your bank card number DO NOT GIVE IT. Just tell them you will call the bank back. ONLY use the phone number on the back of your card and NOT the one they give you.

Robert’s Computer Service

864-494-6089

Filed Under: Scams

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Look out for Smishing Scams.

March 4, 2021 by Robert Eyler

Look out for Smishing Scams

How this works

You get a text message that appears to be from a government or company that you know. With a message that say “Please reply to this message with your Social Security Number because we have found some funny stuff going on with you SSN” or Click on this link to get a list of Covid-19 vaccines shots for you area. Or the same scams that you would get a call for. DO NOT CLICK OR REPLY to this message this are 100% scam just delete them.

if you would like more information you can go to AARP (https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/sms-text-alerts.html?CMP=SMS-DSO-SMSTEXT-MONEY-FRAUD-FWN_ALERT-03032021

I hope that this information will help keep you safe and sound with your money.

Share with anyone you like.

Thank you

Robert Robert’s Computer Service LLC

(864)494-6089

Filed Under: Scams

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U.S. Postal Service warns of scam

February 1, 2020 by Robert Eyler

The U.S. Postal Service is warning of a scan of fake email that you might receive.

It could say something like you have a deliver of a package. The email will have you click on link to enter in your information to confirm it. Then they have you download a file and open it. However when do that there is a virus that you activate it. Then this will scan for you user name , password , and financial account information.  Then before you know it you accounts are empty.

If you think about it this way if they are having a problem with getting a package to you then how would they get your email address. This also apply to all shipping (FedEx , UPS and others)

If you get this type of email DO NOT click on any thing or link on the email.

Then next step you can do it

1. Forward the email to spam@uspis.gov

2. Then, delete the email immediately.

DO NOT click on any links in/respond to the email.

The Postal Service officials would never reach out directly to consumers

A few tips for spotting bogus emails are from anywhere:

1. Poor grammar and/or spelling errors;

2. The email states “immediate action”; and

3. The email request personal information under the guise of confirming information.

This information is from

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB)  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/u-s-postal-service-warns-of-scam/ar-BBZwVuZ

and also

This is from USPS  Junk E-mail Scams – Avoiding & Preventing Spam | USPIS

Filed Under: Scams

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How Cybercrooks Can Hack Your Online Bank Accounts.

September 28, 2019 by Robert Eyler

This is the webpage that I got this information from

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/online-bank-account-security.html?cmp=EMC-DSO-NLC-WBLTR-FRD–CTRL-092719-F1-4055394&ET_CID=4055394&ET_RID=19555827&encparam=ykOEQ%2fOe%2bgiIjGMPxF3V%2bnAnNdan0aQpJu5v6HPf5oE%3d

If you think your checkbook and paper statements keep you safe, with again

You log into your banking site and immediately notice something’s wrong, horribly wrong.

Somehow, your account has been compromised and money is missing. At the risk of fearmongering, this isn’t as uncommon as you might think.

Like many Americans, you might have become a victim of bank fraud. And it’s usually tied to a password that has been stolen, guessed or tricked into sharing with cybercriminals.

“Unfortunately, most people use the same credentials for their online bank accounts as they do for social media and online shopping sites,” says Georgia Weidman, author of the book Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking. “If one of those vendors is compromised and attackers gain access to the stored credentials, they may be able to reuse them on the online banking site.”

Skepticism is your friend

“Another common attack is phishing, or basically asking the user to attack themselves,” says Weidman, who also founded Bulb Security.

The cybersecurity company is devoted to device vulnerability assessment, training and penetration testing — essentially ethical hackers for hire.

“An attacker might send you an email or text message pretending to be your bank and asking that you validate a recent purchase,” she says. “When you click on the link in the text message, it takes you to what looks exactly like your online bank account, except it is actually a clone controlled by the attacker.”

You might think you’re at capitalone.com, for example, but if you look closely, it’s captial0ne.com.

Some scammers will even call you — yes, by telephone — and pretend they’re from Microsoft, the IRS, your bank, and so on to try to persuade you to give out your personal information to (ironically) protect you.

Don’t fall for it.

“Besides, your bank or other financial institution won’t ask you to confirm these credentials in an email or by an unsolicited phone call,” says global security evangelist Tony Anscombe at ESET, also a technology security company. “When in doubt, contact your bank to see if it was really them. Chances are it wasn’t.”

Don’t bank online? You’re still at risk

And here’s a discomforting fact: Even if you don’t opt for online banking through a website or app, identity theft could lead to a crook opening an online account in your name.

What to do?

Reduce the odds of becoming a victim of bank fraud with these five tips.

1. Use strong and unique passwords

Never use the same password for all of your online activity. As Weidman cautions, if a service is hacked and your password is exposed — if your bank suffers a data breach, for instance — cybercriminals may try it on another account.

“Even if the password is similar between online accounts, hackers use software tools to try to guess the stolen credentials,” Anscombe says.

A recent study revealed the most common password was 123456, followed by 123456789 and QWERTY.

Also, don’t use your kids’ or pets’ names, phone number, date of birth, or mother’s maiden name. All of this info could be easily attainable, especially in this era of social media.

Not only should you use different passwords for all accounts — and password manager apps are a handy way to remember them all — you also can use a passphrase instead of a password, a sequence of words and other characters including numbers and symbols.

Anscombe says a passphrase can be super easy to create, such as the phrase “my red Ford Mustang is No. 1” becoming the passphrase “myr3dFoMu#1!”

2. Enable two-factor authentication

Make it harder for the bad guys to access your data by adding a second layer of defense.

Apple's two factor authentication for iCloud accounts can make their devices more secure

Cristian Dina / Alamy Stock Photo

Two-factor authentication for Apple iCloud from a desktop and mobile device

Two-factor authentication means you not only need a password, passcode or biometrics logon such as a fingerprint or facial scan to confirm only you can access your accounts, but you also receive a one-time code to your mobile phone to type in.

In other words, two-factor authentication combines something you know, your password, with something you have, your smartphone.

“Like password managers, two-factor authentication isn’t 100 percent perfect, but it puts you many steps ahead of other users who have weak or the same passwords on all their accounts,” Weidman says.

3. Install good antimalware

Just as you wouldn’t leave the front door to your home unlocked, you shouldn’t let your tech be vulnerable to attacks, whether it’s a virus or other malicious software, called malware, that sneaks onto your device or happens because you were tricked into giving out sensitive information.

Reputable antimalware that’s updated often can identify, quarantine, delete and report any suspicious activity coming into your computer or flag sensitive information going out.

“Most people don’t think of protecting their smartphone, too, which is a big problem,” Anscombe says. “Make sure you have good cybersecurity protection. And don’t fall for phony texts.”

4. Opt for fraud detection; review your statements

Some, but not all, credit-card companies and banks can push notifications to your mobile device if something looks suspicious during a purchase — such as a large amount charged or a location in a different state than your usual address.

You may be asked to confirm it was really you who made a purchase with a simple Y or N.

On a related note, be sure to review your bank statements every so often to see if anything looks odd. If so, contact your bank or credit-card company immediately.

5. Watch out for Wi-Fi hotspots

Do not conduct any financial transactions such as online banking, trading or shopping when you’re using a public computer in an airport lounge, hotel or library or when you’re using a public Wi-Fi network, say, at your favorite coffee shop.

You never know if your information is being tracked and logged — so wait until you’re on a secured internet connection at home. Or use your smartphone as a personal hotspot, which is safer than free Wi-Fi.

“And make sure no one is looking over your shoulder at a coffee shop or on an airline,” Anscombe says.

A few more suggestions to mitigate the risk of bank fraud:

  • Update your software. Cybercrooks look for vulnerabilities in operating systems or programs/apps. Set your software to automatically update, so you don’t have to remember to do so.
  • Back up regularly. It doesn’t really matter how you want to do it — a free cloud service, external hard drive or USB thumb drive. As long as you’re proactive about backing up your important files regularly, you’ll minimize any damage if attacked.
  • Lock your devices. Be sure your laptop, tablet and smartphone require a PIN or password to unlock. Otherwise you’re exposing your files to strangers if your device becomes lost or stolen. Use your fingerprint or face to authenticate you, called biometrics identification, because it’s fast, convenient and secure.

You don’t need a degree in computer engineering to protect yourself from bank fraud.

Use these tips, remain alert and rely on some smart software. You can greatly reduce the odds of becoming a victim.

Marc Saltzman has been a freelance technology journalist for 25 years. His podcast, “Tech It Out,” aims to break down geek speak into street speak.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free “watchdog alerts,” review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.

Filed Under: Scams

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Lowe’s warns customers of gift card scam

April 27, 2019 by Robert Eyler

It might seem like a great deal. Getting a $50 coupon to Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in exchange for answering a few questions.

But it turns out the whole offer is a scam.

Lowe’s told Facebook users on Monday that an offer circulating the social networking site is not from Lowe’s.

“The coupon is not affiliated with Lowe’s in any way. It is a phishing scam. Please be careful,” Lowe’s said.

It appears that the false Facebook offer directs users to a site that collects personal information. While the coupon appears to be legit, it will not be accepted by Lowe’s.

The Better Business Bureau has issued five tips on how to avoid online scams:

  1. Don’t believe what you see. It’s easy to steal the colors, logos, and header of any other established organization. Scammers can also make links look like they lead to legitimate websites and emails appear to come from a different sender.
  2. Legitimate businesses do not ask for credit card numbers or banking information for coupons or giveaways. If they do ask for personal information, like an address or email, be sure there’s a link to their privacy policy.
  3. When in doubt, do a quick web search. If the giveaway is a scam, this is likely to reveal an alert or bring you to the organization’s real website, where they may have posted further information.
  4. Watch out for a reward that’s too good to be true. Businesses typically give out small discounts to entice customers. If the offer seems too good to be true (a $100 voucher or 50% discount) it may be a scam.
  5. Look for a mismatched subject line and email body. Many of these scams have an email subject line promising one thing, but the content of the email is something completely different.

Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk.  Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs  or on  Facebook .

This information came from https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/lowes-warns-customers-of-gift-card-scam

Filed Under: Scams

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Be aware of phone scams

November 15, 2018 by Robert Eyler

Phone scammers posing as your utility provider may claim you
are delinquent on your bill. They also may threaten to turn off your power,
rig caller ID to make it look like the call is from your utility provider
or tell you to put the money on a prepaid debit card and ask for the
card number. Don’t believe it.

Filed Under: Scams

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New kind of scam to look out for with Facebook

October 3, 2018 by Robert Eyler

Please tell all the contacts in your messenger list not to accept anything from Lucia Hernandez (Luciana). She has a picture of her sitting by the water)She is a hacker and has the system connected to your messenger account. If one of your contacts accepts it, you will also be hacked, so make sure that all your friends know it. Thanks. Forwarded as received.
Hold your finger down on the message. At the bottom in the middle it will say forward. Hit that then click on the names of those in your list and it will send to them

Filed Under: Scams

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Apple asks FCC for flexibility as it explores 95GHz to 3,000GHz wireless options

May 13, 2018 by Robert Eyler

Leaders at Apple wrote to the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to leave certain frequencies unlicensed or shared as it tests 95 gigahertz to 3,000 GHz wireless technology.

A major part of this 5G testing is working on millimeter wave radio spectrum, which was traditionally reserved for larger devices like radars, satellites and airport security scanners.

To read more VentureBeat

From Comptia Newsletter

Filed Under: Scams

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