Sunday, September 8, 2024
3:25 PM
No, I didn’t spell it wrong… phishing is computer scam artists trying to steal your personal information and using that information to their advantage.
We have all received the email about a package delivery that prompt you to confirm your delivery by clicking a button or downloading an attachment that, when opened, can advocate a virus and steal your passwords ,usernames and financial information!
Many times , you can spot a phishing email because there are grammar errors and spelling mistakes. Do not click on any of these for sure and delete ASAP.
Another tactic is Smishing. Now this one is equally as bad often an attempt in a text disguised as a bank or government agency. Most banks and government agencies will not text you unless you initiated that request. Again, DELETE.
I, YES, your’s truly was taken by the mean scammers using this method. I was having trouble suddenly with my printer that was connected to my computer. I googled HP, Hewlard Packard, and selected one of the many official looking sites. I went through several prompts that you would go through, like select 1 if you are having technical difficulties, 2 if your printer or computer is dying etc… So, I click 1 and a very nice gent tells me his first name and his employee number and asks how can he assist me. Well, of course, I try to explain my printer is acting crazy spitting out mumbo, jumbo and he asks if he can get into my computer so he can see exactly what I am talking about. Thinking, oh yes, please fix this problem, I agreed to let him have control by entering his special coding into my computer. To make a very long story short, he was a scammer and had downloaded porn and crypto whatever that is, onto my computer and my bank information was given to another man who my agent connected me to that ensured me that all I had to do to get my monies back was to open the crypto account again and redo the transfer. OK, I’m not totally a nincompoop.
Just the average one. I finally realized this was not real and hung up the phone. Well, no, I did not lose any money and my financials were safe. But, I did have my computer cleaned and all new passwords/accounts at the bank and credit cards replaced. Evidently, I was told that scammers are great in creating websites on Google that emulate all companies down to the logos and phone prompts.
Scammers are always on the hunt for sensitive information, especially from those of us who appear to be a little older and unseeming. Protect yourself by using caution and deleting those phishing texts and emails. You can also alert proper authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission or spam@usps.gov.
Technology is a wonderful thing. We have seen a lot of changes even within the past ten years. Don’t be afraid of your computer and all those new advancements we have available to us. Just learn how to use them properly and no worms go with phishing!