By ELLIOTT GREENBLOTT
Did you receive any of these email messages: “We recently detected that a different computer user has attempted to access your account’ or “Due to recent violations of security, we ask you to visit the link below’ or “Congratulations you are the newest winner of the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes?” If you have, then you are a target for an on-line scammer. Today we’ll look at some of the more common attempts at using computers in committing fraud.
The situations just described are examples of phishing, attempts to obtain critical personal account information through imposter messaging. In each, an imposter email lures you to a web site that appears to be authentic and asks you to verify account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers. These and other facts can then be used to falsify documents, open new accounts, and steal from you. Before opening any links on an email message, examine the email source. Does the return address match the identified sender? For example, if the email identifies itself as coming from on-line retailer Amazon, the return address should include Amazon.com. If not, it is definitely fraudulent. Is the email addressed to “RECIPIENTS?” Any alert to a matter of personal concern would be addressed to “you” as the recipient, not to an unspecified name. Finally, does the email provide you with a “hot link” or hypertext link to click? Legitimate businesses and the government will not request identity verification in this manner. Often, you will be asked to place a phone call. If such a suggestion is made, do not use the contact provide in the email; use a verifiable contact number found in a document or on a credit or identity card.
Clone or imposter web sites pose the next threat. The criminal creates web pages that appear to be identical to actual commercial web pages. Unsuspecting victims open these look-alike sites by accidentally mistyping an address, possibly typing WALLMART instead of WALMART, or by clicking a link in a phishing email message. The shopper enters ID and password information but account information does not provide access to the account. In sophisticated scams, the imposter web site opens a new page requesting more information or displaying a message that there is a problem in processing your data. Follow these easy steps to prevent becoming a victim: 1) be careful entering information on the URL (address) line of the web browser; 2) check the URL line once the web page opens to be sure that you are where you really want to be. For example, when shopping on the Sears website, the line should read www.sears.com. When you sign into an account, the URL should display the letters “https” or a padlock icon indicating a secure connection. If these do not appear, you are at risk.
A third area for caution involves social media web sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked-In. While these web sites provide connection to others and a forum for sharing, cyber criminals work hard to access your information from them. Frequently, the con artist will pose as a person seeking to be your “friend” or asking to join your network. Once a criminal successfully “friends” a person or enters a network of linked individuals, all members of that network are vulnerable and all posted data is accessible for attempts at identity theft and cyber crime. The simple rule of thumb is to deny any requests from individuals you do not know. This includes anyone who seeks to join your inner circle based on the fact that they are a “friend” of a “friend” or a member of a network related to someone you know. Do a reference check before allowing anyone to enter your close circle of “friends.”
The final installment of this series on cyber fraud will examine consumer market and auction web site scams. Think you may be a victim? Call the AARP Fraud Watch Hotline, (877) 908-3360. Trained volunteers will discuss the situation with you and provide direction in actions that can be taken.
Elliott Greenblott is a retired educator serving as the Vermont AARP Fraud Watch Network Coordinator
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