Scammers Trying to Get Your Personal Information

I was texting with a few friends, and if I had not been alert enough to the following message that came in, I might have fallen victim to scams.

When’s you’re birthday?

Had I not been paying close attention, I may just have answered it.

However, I didn’t recognize the number, so I questioned who it was. The person went on to be vague in their replies.

I did search for the area code, and it was far away from where I live. I don’t know anyone up there, but I once knew someone who lived in the area. I almost questioned if it was him. Had I just said “Mike?” then the person on the other line would have been able to say “yes,” and I may have given the information over.

I believe this person was trying to obtain my personal information to either open up an account in my name or gain access to a current one. Thankfully, I was able to recognize the signs, and they gave up. Would you have fallen victim?

Phishing and Spoofing

Phishing and spoofing are somewhat synonymous in that they refer to faked electronic documents.

Phishing

This scam uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. You get an pop-up message or email that claims to be from a business or organization you deal with, such as your bank. The email says that you need to “update” your personal information.

The email often directs you to visit a fake website that looks just like a real site. The purpose is to trick you into giving your personal information.

Spoofing

The scammer creates a false copy of an actual website or email in a way that misleads you. All network traffic between your browser and the false page is sent through the scammer’s machine. It allows the scammer to acquire personal information, such as passwords and account numbers.

Email might look real with authentic logos and working Web links, but it’s fake. The website where you’re told to enter your account information is also fake. In some instances, slick phishers and spoofers direct you to the genuine website, then pop up a window over the site that captures your personal information. Your info will most likely be sold to criminals, who’ll use it to ruin your credit and drain your account.

How can you avoid being a victim?

• Be suspicious of any communication that seeks out your personal information. Your birthday may not seem like personal information, but it is often a security level that financial institutions use to verify you are who you say you are.
• Regularly log into your online accounts. You can guarantee that I will be doing that in the coming weeks. I haven’t always been very good at reading mail and statements so that behavior needs to change.
• Always report fraud or suspicious activity. I forwarded the phone number to the FBI on their website.
• Make sure you know and trust the person you are giving your information to.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

apwg.org – “APWG is the international coalition unifying the global response to cybercrime across industry, government and law-enforcement sectors and NGO communities.”

I’m lucky I did not fall victim to this person attempting the criminal activity.

Would you have been suspicious? Do you know someone who has fallen victim? If you have any experiences or tips to add to this, please let me know.